The Hurt Helps

Everybody realises there exists a danger of the All Blacks being upended by the French again in a major Rugby World Cup match this weekend, but most cannot really envisage it happening.

Les Bleus and their many reporters and supporters might be getting a little angry at the fact they are being dismissed as ' without a chance' in the final, but deep down they know why.

They have played unimpressively throughout the competition, with possibly their best patch being the first 20 minutes against the All Blacks. The French are not the second-best team here, yet they are in the final and be warned, they will be totally committed. The New Zealand public and media would be well advised to start treating them with due respect.

In fact if the All Blacks did not answer to Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, and were not led by Richie McCaw, there might be a definite chance of a French upset. But because these four held the same positions four years ago when our gray-shirted All Blacks were sent packing early, the chances of the same happening this weekend are next to nil.

Those four, plus the others who were in the squad which was devastated four years ago, will not allow this team to slip up in its preparation. A replay of the last five minutes of that dreadful match in Cardiff on a regular basis is all that'll be needed to ensure this team is at a peak and on high alert.

Sure the semi final against the Wallabies was the biggest match in the last four years, but that result will mean nothing if this week's game is not won and won convincingly.

The hurt of four years ago will help- it will be the most powerful motiviation available.

ENDS

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