Les Bleus V All Blacks - How to win in Marseille

As the countdown continues to what will likely be the biggest test match for both New Zealand and France in 2009, we take a look at how the two teams can win in what will be a classic encounter.

Forget the so called clash of champions at Croke Park!

La bataille de titans à Marseille will see the two form teams of world rugby meet, with the All Blacks on the longest winning streak of any test side in the world, and France the only team to have beaten the top two nations in the IRB rankings this year.

The two sides are essentially at full strength. The hosts are missing Imanol Harinordoquay and Louis Picamoles, but the visitors are without the services of arguably their best lock Ali Williams and their “strike hooker” Keven Mealamu.

But of most interest are the current circumstances of the two teams.

Les Bleus have upset the Springboks and demolished Samoa. What will be of concern to the All Blacks is that the French looked equally comfortable utilising a physical power game and a divine and elegant running attack. France, although disappointing at times throughout the Six Nations, were competitive and have had the All Blacks measure in New Zealand this year, even threatening in their 14-10 loss in Wellington.

There is no doubt France is building at this time, and the All Blacks will hope that they do not reach a fearsome crescendo in Marseille.

But the All Blacks have all but swept through the North, not only beating the Wallabies in Tokyo, but downing Wales, Italy and England. What will be of worry to France is the fact that not only did New Zealand never really look challenged in their matches, but they have never really moved out of first or second gear.

The world has not witnessed an on fire All Blacks in 2009 - and France will hope that it does not come across a New Zealand team that finally puts together what they hope to be “a perfect game.”

So how can two sides with few weaknesses hope to beat each other?

For France, they will try to duplicate the blueprint shown with terrifying effect in both Carisbrook against the All Blacks and in Toulouse against South Africa.

While traditionally France plays a more structured if not beautiful game, there was little hint of this in what was a-none-too-subtle approach to bash both the Black and Bok packs.

In reality, Les Bleus have no discernable weakness or flaw in their forwards at this time, which is a claim that few test nations could make. But what makes it more impressive was the fact that they knew all too well of the reputations of the opposition packs in Dunedin and Toulouse, and took them on at their strengths.

An old rugby proverb is that to play rugby to its greatest effectiveness, you need your starting XV to have eight piano movers (the forwards) and seven piano tuners (the backs).

The Tri colours most definitely are succeeding in shoving their proverbial piano onto their opponents.

Les Bleus did show glimpses of their wonderful and almost magical attack against Samoa, but one suspects they will not rely much on this against a well drilled and co-ordinated Black wall. Despite their skilful backs, France will probably not try to engage the All Blacks in a running game.

Simply because the New Zealand backline would enjoy that too much!

Still, France could surprise, and may only use their forwards to establish parity and possession, and try to take on the All Blacks defence.

But for all of the pedigree and consistency established under Graham Henry’s reign, it is when opposition are in their faces and try to take them out of their comfort zone that they can be vulnerable.

The All Blacks have spoken throughout this week - and indeed for some time now - highlighting the fact that they believe their attack has not performed to their high standards of late. Their try scoring ledger is bettered by six other nations in 2009, a statistic that one would not normally associate with a New Zealand test side.

While they will try to ignite their miscarried offensive strategy, trying to do so against a team of France’s pedigree may not be the best thing to do.

Especially when they have other facets that are strong enough to win them the game.

While not quoting off the cliché that rugby is won up front, no doubt the All Blacks will relish the challenge with the abrasive Les Bleus pack, and will look to take on France in that crucial area.

The big difference from the test series in New Zealand and now is a certain Richard Hugh McCaw.

While the All Black captain is battered and bruised from an intense rugby season, he will be at the coalface again in Marseille and will ensure that despite the home team’s best efforts to overpower the visitors will be stymied by the world’s leading exponent of open side play.

But it will likely be the All Blacks defence that will win them this match.

Not only this, but what appears to be their new ability to absorb an opponent’s attacking barb, before turning the pressure on in the second half.

Throughout 2008 and again this year the All Blacks have shown a remarkable ability to lift in the final 40 minutes to put opposition sides away, but this new trait of appearing almost impervious to foes opening onslaughts could be a developing tactic.

Indeed, ever since facing the Springboks in Hamilton, McCaw and his troops have seemed to play the part of a veteran boxer with an impenetrable guard - waiting ever so patiently before the time to strike, while the opposition throw all of their best shots to little or no effect.

Both the Wallabies and Welsh threw the kitchen sink at the All Blacks in recent games to no avail - and few teams in world rugby have found it easy to score points against New Zealand in the second half.

However in France, one feels that the All Blacks may be facing their most balanced and potent foe they have crossed this year. While they may not have some of the strengths that the Springboks have, the South Africans have not been a multi-dimensional team this year, whereas France have shown their ability to change styles against both the Boks and Samoa.

But of course the same will apply to Les Bleus, and New Zealand will be France’s sternest test, probably for the last two years.

The winner will certainly have some enviable bragging rights.