Fierce rivals could open World Cup

New Zealand could open the 2011 World Cup with a revenge mission against France - and All Blacks coach Graham Henry has described it as “an intriguing” prospect.

Les Bleus have been drawn in the same group as New Zealand, with the losers of their crunch pool match likely to face a quarter-final showdown with England.

France have dumped New Zealand from two of the last three World Cups, winning an epic Twickenham semi-final in 1999 and ending All Blacks interest at the quarter-final stage in Cardiff last year.

New Zealand have not won the World Cup since 1987, and they will be under intense pressure on home soil, especially given their probable status as red-hot tournament favourites.

“It is three years away, and a lot can happen in three years – teams get stronger and teams

deteriorate,” said Henry, following today’s London draw for the 20-team tournament.

“The France versus All Blacks aspect in the pool is intriguing and will create a lot of interest. That is what we want in the game.

“It’s nice to meet them in a pool game when not everything depends on winning.”

Henry admitted it was “strange” to be talking about a World Cup in three years’ time, but he added:

“This is great for New Zealand to put ourselves on the map. We did that with the Lions in 2005, and this is going to be even greater.

“It’s marvellous for the country and marvellous for positivity, which is particularly what we need in New Zealand.

“If it’s a France-New Zealand opener to the tournament then great, give it profile.”

International Rugby Board world rankings were used for the first time to help group pre-qualified teams, with top four countries New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina kept apart.

The same applied for teams ranked fifth to eighth – Wales, England, France and Ireland – and those nine to 12th, which included Scotland.

If current form is maintained through until 2011, the possible quarter-final line-up could see England meeting France, Australia facing Wales, New Zealand tackling Argentina and holders South Africa taking on Ireland.

There is also a chance England and Wales might meet in the semi-finals.

The remaining eight places will be filled by qualifiers, with that contingent set to include the likes of Samoa, Canada, Japan, Georgia and Romania.

Held inside a giant Tourism New Zealand rugby ball next to Tower Bridge, the draw was carried out by Rugby World Cup chairman Bernard Lapasset and New Zealand World Cup chairman Jock Hobbs.