The sporting tradition of France being the side that had the
All Blacks’ number is now a thing of the past and New Zealand can round of a
successful summer series with another demolition of the French. The first test
was a very even affair despite what the score would have suggested, with France
creating many opportunities and threatening to win the game at one stage, but
the second test was one of the most one sided test wins seen this year, with
Ben Smith’s length of the field score a contender for try of the year.
It’s hard to blame a side for losing to New Zealand, but
France’s problems run deeper than this series and it’s hard to see where
Phillipe Saint Andre can arrest his side from – the only real positive coming
in terms of new personnel being the arrival of Camille Lopez as a fly half
contender.
Both sides make changes, but for New Zealand the return of
Dan Carter – now being used sparingly to preserve him for the World Cup
although given the form that Aaron Cruden has been in with both the ball in
hand and also from the boot compared to his
first test performance – can only be a good thing while Rene Ranger has
been crying out for a start in the team, and victor Vito and Piri Weepu are
established internationals who should take a lot of beating.
France make eight changes, including a new halfback pairing
of Remi Tales and Jean Marc Doussain, but the loss of Picamoles takes all of
the go forward France have had in the engine room. Only the front row looks
upto international standard in the pack barring Maestri and Picamoles, and this
looks to be a matter of how far - the handicap for New Zealand is 20 points and
that looks more than fair given the 30 points they put on a stronger France side
next week.
Advice
2 pts New Zealand -20 (10/11 general)
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