France – All Blacks: a meeting between greats from the world of rugby and an expected shock

It could have been a fantastic World Cup final a year ago. But even in a tour match, a France-New Zealand match is never like any other.

It must be said that we are among the greats of the oval world. The three-time world champions on one side face those they beat twice in the final (1987 and 2011) on the other. A shock as sporting as it is cultural.

“The All Blacks are the team that everyone dreams of. Having the chance to meet them is still incredible. This match is special in many ways. New Zealand is a team that makes you dream, which produces rugby so ambitious that many young people are inspired by it”confides William Servat, the French coach in charge of the forwards. Two teams who will compete for the Dave Gallaher trophy, named after this Blacks captain who fell on the battlefields of the Great War.

“We find an All Blacks team at the peak of its rugby, whispered coach Fabien Galthié after the victory against Japan (52-12). That is to say that they are in a continuity of their evolution. They finish their international season very, very strong… Very, very strong.”

“The French XV is aware that a match against the All Blacks cannot be prepared lightly, confirms Servat. We have the opportunity to win but also to take fifty. It already happened to me at the Stade de France, I experienced it with Bernard (Laporte) a few years ago and, in this case, you see everything in black, not just their jerseys…”

“Transcend ourselves”

To avoid seeing everything in darkness, the Blues will be able to count on their playing master and best player in the world Antoine Dupont. But they will have to raise their level of play compared to the performance provided against Japan. “This opposition will allow us to transcend ourselves, assures Servat. It's been a long time since the All Blacks have performed this well. I believe that today they are keen to leave their mark on their visit to Europe and they are in the process of doing so.”

The New Zealanders, after a sluggish and irregular start to the season, have just put together very high-level performances, a victory in England (22-24) and a success in Ireland (13-23). “I think we are building a great team and it's not about proving something or making a statement, it's just about playing our best rugby and there have been times where we saw it”said Damian McKenzie, the New Zealand opener.

“We all love seeing the All Blacks play like that as fans of rugby and this sport, says Antoine Dupont. We see the beautiful actions they are capable of doing. But it is above all the physical density that they are capable of imposing on their opponents which has been striking these last two weekends.”

Among the greats of the world, we don't give each other gifts.