If we lose, life stops, says French manager Maso

FRENCH manager Jo Maso admitted last night that Sunday’s World Cup quarter final against Ireland is the game Les Bleus dare not lose.

“If we do, life stops,” he said. “Frankly we would prefer to play against Ireland in the quarter-finals than Australia, the title holders, at home,” Maso said.

Coach Bernard Laporte said he was also wary of the Irish, but claimed they were inconsistent. “Recently Ireland have been playing with a lot of desire and enthusiasm and, as usual, they never give up,” Laporte said.

“However, it has to be said as well, that they switch between the good and the less good.

“You can see their match against Australia in two ways - either it will have given them a lot of confidence, or they have played their best shot.”

While Sunday’s match in Melbourne promises an intense forward battle, the French pack said the biggest threat was looming out wider.

“Against Ireland we must above all watch out for Brian O'Driscoll, a magical player,” loose forward Olivier Magne said. “He alone could make the difference, on his own he can crucify a team.”

Flanker Magne has predicted dazzling attacking skills will be the key to capturing the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Magne was a keen viewer as New Zealand were shaken by a valiant Welsh effort in the final game of the pool stages, before eventually emerging 53-37 victors.

“New Zealand are great to watch,” he said. “They love to attack, and that is what the fans want to see.

“We try to play the same way, and though it is not really in their culture, England started to change in the last three or four years, and now they are playing like us. The most difficult part of any rugby game is trying to change from attack to defence quickly.

“In turnover situations your defence is not set, and structured, as it would be at scrums and line-outs, so big gaps can appear anywhere,” Magne said.

“There has to be a balance between trying to attack, and respecting possession, and maybe New Zealand will alter their style slightly now we are in the knock-out phase.”

Tony Marsh is the only current injury worry for Laporte, as the Kiwi-born centre has a niggling Achilles problem, although it is not expected to stop him facing the men in green.

“We have to be secure on our own set pieces,” he said. “The Irish line-out is one of the best in the world. They caused Australia a lot of problems in that area on Saturday, and we expect them to improve on that performance,” Laporte said.

Fly-half Frederic Michalak has warned France to beware of Ronan O’Gara’s tactical kicking in the quarter-final.

The French top scorer, who has accounted for 78 of his team’s 204 points in the competition, praised the Munster man’s ability to control the game against Australia. “O’Gara was very good. He puts opponents under pressure with his kicking game. Ireland are full of surprises,” Michalak predicted.

“We cannot think of ourselves in the semi-finals. Ireland gave an immense performance against Australia, the hosts, and reigning champions. It’s a bit worrying. The Irish players have great desire, and they have developed their play. We must be very careful.”

Michalak expressed concern that France have not yet played a game as intense as Ireland’s clash with Australia. “You can look at this both ways,” he said. “We saved energy in the pool matches, so we’ll be fresh against Ireland.

“On the other hand, we must not be caught off guard by the physical commitment of the Irish, and the problem is that the opposition in the pool games has not been great. We were well on top of Fiji and Scotland. We haven’t really had a true test. Now we’ll find out if we’re ready.”