Black picture gets brighter as France provide sterner test

FRANCE were anything but dispirited after losing the second of two autumn Tests against New Zealand on home soil, taking consolation from the improvement shown after the seven-try drubbing in the first game.

The result was never in doubt in Paris on Saturday, the All Blacks coasting to a 23-11 win, with France’s sole opportunist try coming from an uncharacteristic mistake from New Zealand full-back Leon McDonald.

Last week, France were humbled 47-3 by an All Blacks side whose combination of ferocious defence and dangerous counter-attacking skills knitted together to put a one-dimensional home side to the sword.

“It was definitely a different French team,” All Blacks captain Richie McCaw reflected yesterday. “We expected that and prepared for that — it wasn’t the prettiest game but it was a true Test match between the two best teams in the world and we’re stoked to get a win in Paris,” he said.

France coach Bernard Laporte said he was pleased with the spirit, disappointed with the result.

“The players competed well and didn’t expose themselves as much as last week. Unfortunately at 9-5 down we weren’t able to control the game but it was an improvement, that’s the truth.

“It was difficult against such a high-quality team as we were unsure how to react in certain situations. We need to bring something extra to the game.

“Our players really put commitment into the game, we got back to playing at a high level. We were more intelligent in our organisation but we didn’t have as much power or speed.

“If there’s a lack of power then they need to work on that. We have 10 months to do that (before the World Cup).”

Laporte admitted, however, that he was uncertain whether his team would be able to overturn the All Blacks if they meet, as anticipated, in a World Cup semi-final next year.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” said Laporte.

Team manager Jo Maso was more realistic in his assessment of where France stood in relation to New Zealand.

“The All Blacks are currently above and beyond the other teams,” said the former international centre.

“We need to wait for another season where we can all prepare the same way. Then the other nations might be up to this challenge.”

Raphael Ibanez, who captained France in the 23-11 loss in the absence of injured Fabien Pelous, called on his team-mates to step up to the plate.

“At certain key moments we lacked maturity and we failed to finish things off,” said the veteran hooker. “That’s the difference between the number one and number two in the world.”

The All Blacks move on to Cardiff for their final autumn Test against Wales next weekend with coach Graham Henry admitting: “France were very confrontational and defended much better and we didn’t play as well as we did last week.

“That was a quality Test match and both sides performed pretty well. It was a pretty even game, but there was a reasonable margin and we’re happy with that.”

Henry was dubbed the “Great Redeemer” during periods of his reign as Wales coach from 1998-2002 after turning a no-hope side into one that provided him with an international record of 22 wins in 36 matches.

And he was under no illusion of the reception that will await his team at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

“I think Wales have a lot of potential to play,” he said. “They can stretch any team at their best. “They showed that in 2005 when they won the Six Nations. They were superb and played some great rugby and were the best European team by a stretch.

“Last year there were a lot of injuries but a lot of key players are back,” he said. “We respect them. We’ll play our best team and there’ll be some changes.”

Kiwi forwards coach Steve Hansen, who was Henry’s assistant before going on to become full-time Wales coach from 2002-2004, said he hoped full-back Gareth Thomas and outside-half Stephen Jones, both suffering from knee injuries, would be fit for the clash.

“In a Test match we want the best 30 players on the park.”