Clash of the 2002 rugby titans

THE WORLD Cup is a year away but today the Six Nations champions France will pit their talents against the Tri-Nations victors New Zealand in what can be termed the unofficial world championship of 2002.

The French go into the clash with the scalp of South Africa under their belt while the All Blacks will be similarly confident despite the narrow 31-28 defeat by England last weekend.

For the All Blacks though it gives them a chance to further wipe away memories of the bitter semi-final loss in the 1999 World Cup where, like in 1995, they had looked to be the winners of the competition until one match dictated otherwise.