Battle of the captains: Richie McCaw and Thierry Dusautoir
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It seems the schedulers have saved the best for last. Having each claimed one of their two Tests this year, France and New Zealand come face to face again in Marseilles on Saturday.
While South Africa's visit to Dublin is being billed as the 'battle of the hemispheres' thanks to the trophies won this year by the protagonists, the clash at the Stade Vélodrome certainly merits a similar title. The victors should be dubbed the champions of November.
Indeed, unlike their Sanzar compatriots, New Zealand remain unbeaten on tour. And as the only team to have beaten both the Springboks and the All Blacks this year, France are arguably the form team in world rugby at the moment.
Victory for the hosts will confirm France's ranking as the northern hemisphere's top nation while New Zealand need to win to maintain their place at the top of the world rankings.
Of course all those stats and numbers will mean very little when it's time for the coup de envoi on Saturday.
Unfortunately for France, a spate of injuries has meant they will not line-up the same team that rumbled over the Springboks. The absence of hard-hitting number eight Louis Picamoles and flank Imanol Harinordoquy has definitely diluted the French back row's physicality while the loss of Maxime Mermoz has deprived their midfield of a bit of spark.
In all, there are seven changes to the side that bashed and then flashed their way to victory against South Africa but don't expect the gameplan to change much.
The inclusion of Maxime Médard on the wing and Sébastien Chabal in the second row has given the hosts a whisker of extra pace but we don't see Marc Lièvremont asking his team fling the ball about.
As in their victories in Dunedin and Toulouse, France will look to dominate up front first. Even against Samoa they rarely tried to break the though the opposition's defensive line, but rather took the ball up very flat and before nipping past with neat grubbers and chips over the top.
But will the new look French loose trio be up to the task of securing possession? Montpelliérain Fulgence Ouedraogo has played just one game in the Top 14 after recovering from injury - is that enough preparation to take on the likes of Richie McCaw and co.?
For the first time since taking over at the helm of Les Bleus, Marc Lièvremont was unwilling to comment on his selections - "I leave it up to each one of you (to comment) according to your tastes and mood" he told the press at Monday's team announcement. A sign of his unease after once again shuffling his team? A sign of his confidence? Time will tell.
As for the visitors, do the All Blacks have enough juice left in the tank to defend their lofty world ranking? Unbeaten in November they may be, but they didn't exactly set the Millennium, Twickenham or the San Siro alight.
'Clinical' is an overused word in rugby these days, but it probably best describes the team's tour of Europe. A single try in each game was not what we've come to expect from the All Blacks, but you can't argue with their defensive record: their try line has yet to be crossed.
Graham Henry's team never really looked in trouble in any of those three matches, but they will have to create more if they are to get the better of a French side high on confidence after a seven-try rout of Samoa.
What we've got on our hands is a showdown between the world's most potent counter-attacking teams. As ever, the result could well hinge on one of those flashes of brilliance that have made France-New Zealand clashes the most exciting of any match-up out there. Kick-off can't come soon enough!
Incidentally, the days of the home side changing their strip when there is a clash of colours are over: The All Blacks will wear white, Les Bleus will wear...blue!
Players to watch:
For France: Full-back in the win against the Boks, the ever-reliable, ever versatile Damien Traille has once again been handed the blue number fifteen jersey with one mission: keep the back door closed. France have waxed lyrical about the All Blacks' kicking game and Traille's selection seems as much a reaction to Dan Carter's return to New Zealand as anything else. Maxime Médard was at full-back when France won in Dunedin in June, but with Carter - like Morné Steyn a fortnight ago - set to test the France back three in the air, Lièvremont has preferred to anchor his team on Traille's experience rather than Médard's precocious attacking flair. The Biarritz centre's massive boot will be vital in the aerial battle with Carter and Mils Muliaina while also acting as back up to fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc.
For New Zealand: It could only be one man this week: Dan Carter is back in the south of France. They love Dan-the-man on the Mediterranean cost after he charmed the locals while nursing his snapped Achilles heel. No, the 'world's greatest fly-half' hasn't been at his sublime best of late, but that hasn't stopped Les Bleus from talking him up all week. That word 'clinical' crops up again. As mentioned above, it will probably be a moment of individual brilliance that wins it...need I say more?
Head-to-head: After being the centre of a storm in Italy-scrum-debacle Neemia Tialata has another tough assignment this week against Fabien Barcella, who is fast making a name for himself at the highest level. Of course around the fringes we're set for an awesome tussle between the captains, who both start on the openside. Richie McCaw needs no introduction and his opposite number, Thierry Dusautoir, has been in fantastic form. Lest we forget, it was Dusautoir who neutralised New Zealand so ably in Cardiff 2007...
Previous results:
2009: New Zealand won 14-10 in Wellington
2009: France won 27-22 in Dunedin
2007: France won 20-18 in Cardiff
2007: New Zealand won 61-10 in Wellington
2007: New Zealand won 42-11 in Auckland
2006: New Zealand won 23-11 in Paris
2006: New Zealand won 47-3 in Lyon
2004: New Zealand won 45-6 in Paris
2003: New Zealand won 40-13 in Sydney
2003: New Zealand won 31-23 in Christchurch
Prediction:The last time the teams met in Marseilles (in 2000), France won 42-33 in an absolute festival of tries - a repeat is unlikely considering how most Tests are played these days. We'll stick our necks out though, and back France to win by a whisker.
The teams:
France: 15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 David Marty, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Maxime Médard, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Julien Dupuy, 8 Julien Bonnaire, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 4 Sébastien Chabal, 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 William Servat, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Lionel Nallet, 19 Julien Puricelli, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 Yann David, 22 Cédric Heymans.
New Zealand:15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Luke McAlister.
Date: Saturday, November 28
Kick-off: 20:45 (19:45 GMT)
Venue: Stade Vélodrome
Weather: Partially cloudy, Max: 14°C / Min: 6°C
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Television match officials: Nigel Whitehouse(Wales)
Assessor: Paul Bridgman (England)
By Ross Hastie
Comments
Stellenbosched says...
I have to laugh when reading the NH medias desparation to talk up their sides achievements. France the form side based on two results? Give SA and NZ a four match tour against France and I bet the two SH sides will each win 3-1.
I accept that France was the better side in the Boks one-of test this month. Whatever the result against the AB's I hope the French don't set up a repeat of their disgusting insults thrown in the faces of all South Africans at the beginning of the test. NZ, double check who they have chosen to sing your anthem and make sure your national flag is hung the right way up.
Posted 05:37 28th November 2009
jacques says...
@ Willem who seem to become blind when his favourite team loses:
When the Springboks lost to France earlier this month, much was made of the fact the tourists, for once, were second best in the physical battle, something Matfield believes they need to dominate against Ireland.
"We like to dominate teams and we didn't do that against France. They beat us with a great work-rate. It was better than ours and that's why we lost," said the Bok lock.
Feel better if it your own player who says it?
Posted 17:55 27th November 2009
RuckingKiwi says...
Bambo you're full of it..
One sentence you say "if France lose it's because key players are out". Excuse!
The next sentence you accuse Willems of not "acknowledging the better team on the day"... sounds like you're exactly that supporter yourself.
As for the match, it hope we see some tries, good luck to both teams, been a long & tough season for NZ.. but one that will ultimately pay dividends once key players return and as the champion U19/20 players start stepping up.. win or lose let's hope they finish in style and for France a great warm-up for the 6N.
Chur
Posted 14:20 27th November 2009
Trinats says...
With all Irish refs, I don't think they will be doing the French any favors. That said, I think Rolland's parents are french.
willems, think before you speak. You "played their first game since trinations a few months ago", The French had not played since june or july, they looked a bit rusty !!!
Posted 14:04 27th November 2009
Hurricane01 says...
It was Wayne Barnes who neutralised New Zealand so ably in Cardiff 2007!!
Posted 12:39 27th November 2009
TheBosston says...
Buubus: It sounds like you want to be French, shall we just call you Jean Micheal from now on?
Posted 12:36 27th November 2009
TheBosston says...
@Willems: you are an embarrassment to all South Africans. This French side didn't win in NZ by accident. They totally outplayed SA in Toulouse and the Boks admitted as much. Grow another eye.
Posted 12:27 27th November 2009
buubus says...
This is a surprisingly pro French article. I commend you Ross, obviously a French man, on your command of the English language.
Posted 12:00 27th November 2009
JeanLucJoinel says...
A 'weakened' SA team? France outplayed the Boks in every department of the game. Blaming the referee is feeble .
Missing Picamoles and Harinordoquy will hurt, and I'm never so sure of Traille at FB, but if the AB's play like they did against England they'll get beaten by France who are by some distance the best team in the Northern Hem right now
Posted 11:49 27th November 2009
bambo says...
Really hoping for Les bleus with this game. Outstanding team taking shape and a return to exciting French rugby. If they lose this it'll be because key players are out, especially Harinordoquy, Picamoles and Mermoz.
Willems, your suggestion that the French were lucky against SA is nonsense. Can you really run lucky against the Tri Nations and WC champions for 80 mins.? That said, perhaps great teams create their luck. I'd hate to be the kind of rugby follower that cannot acknowledge the better team on the day. It must make following the game difficult and resentful. You're perhaps carrying a wee chip on your shoulder?
Posted 10:31 27th November 2009
willems says...
The French got lucky playing against a weakened SA team we played their first game toghether after a the tri nations ended a few months ago. Any team can beat SAMOA so their unbeaten status in the November tests means nothing really especially because "anti SA Barnes" was the referee.
The French have got NO chance. AB's to win by at least 20. Go AB's show them what the South is all about!
Posted 07:18 27th November 2009
brazilrugger says...
wouldnt it be great if Les Bleus won
Posted 07:03 27th November 2009
jmanngod says...
nahhhh! ABs by 8
Posted 04:04 27th November 2009