Blacks braced for French test

NEW ZEALAND rugby coach Graham Henry has made three changes from the team that beat England 19-6 for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille.

Prop Neemia Tialata wins his 41st cap in place of Owen Franks, blindside flanker Jerome Kaino comes in for Adam Thomson, and Cory Jane takes Zac Guildford’s slot on the right wing as Henry named his team yesterday.

On Tuesday, France coach Marc Lievremont recalled veteran centre Yannick Jauzion and flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo.

Both sides are in good recent form, with France beating World Cup holder South Africa 20-13 and thrashing Samoa 43-5.

New Zealand head to Stade Velodrome on the back of consecutive wins against Australia, Wales, Italy and England.

“The French will be a passionate, physical side who are undefeated at home in their November Tests, so it will be another huge Test for the All Blacks,” Henry said. “The team is looking forward to the challenge.”

France prop Fabien Barcella thinks the All Blacks scrum will be a major factor in the outcome.

“We’ve watched videos of their pack against England and Australia, they are very solid,” France prop Fabien Barcella said. “They will be waiting for us because we beat the world champions (South Africa), and because we won at their place in June. I have said since the start ... the New Zealand match would be the toughest.”

Full-back Mils Muliaina will play in his 82nd Test – 10 shy of former hooker Sean Fitzpatrick’s All Blacks record – while captain Richie McCaw plays in his 80th test. Fly-half Daniel Carter needs one point to become New Zealand’s record scorer against France. He is currently level on 92 points with Andrew Mehrtens.

Corey Flynn takes his place on the bench as back-up hooker after recovering from a hamstring strain, Tanerau Latimer comes in as loose forward reserve. Luke McAlister, Andy Ellis and Stephen Donald are the reserve backs.

The All Blacks have won their last three matches on French soil – twice just shy of notching 50 points – but lost a thrilling World Cup quarter-final as the French launched a stunning second-half comeback in Cardiff two years ago.

France also played well in its tour of the southern hemisphere in June, winning 27-22 in Dunedin and narrowly losing the second Test 14-10 in Wellington the following week.

“Of course, you are a bit scared when you play New Zealand, the best team in the world. The All Blacks will be out for revenge because of Dunedin,” Barcella said. “We beat them once and caused them problems in the second game. They are coming here to win in style. I must admit we’re impatient to play this match.”

The only previous time the teams played at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, France won 42-33 in 2000. France scored two tries inside the first eight minutes through left winger Xavier Garbajosa and No. 8 Olivier Magne. Only France prop Sylvain Marconnet remains from that team.

NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Brad Thorn, Tom Donnelly, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read.

Replacements: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Anthony Boric, Tanerau Latimer, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Luke McAlister.