Do the All Blacks Fear France? | Thebigtip

Despite the All Blacks' fearsome reputation in rugby union, the Kiwi war machine has one major weakness. According to injured New Zealander, Dan Carter; the French.

 "They're our arch nemesis at the World Cup", the fly-half told a news conference in Auckland. "They're such a dangerous side."

While suggesting that the All Blacks are concerned about a team that failed to beat Tonga during the group stages might seem bogus – and indeed, intimate a large amount of under-confidence on the part of the Kiwis – Carter does have a point; France have knocked the All Blacks out of the World Cup on two separate occasions, in 1999 and 2007.

Carter, who was ruled out with a groin injury, earlier in the competition, believes that Les Bleus are at their most dangerous when they have "their backs against the wall, and when they are having a lot of doubters", a description that certainly fits the mould of the French team, this week. People looking at the rugby world cup betting won't be expecting them to do much.

France have been accused of being undeserving of their place in the final, and have even faced criticism from inside their own camp. Coach, Marc Lievremont, referred to some of his players as "spoilt brats". Fly-half, Morgan Parra, summed up popular opinion of his team, by claiming that it is "France against the world".

"We have to expect the unexpected", Carter continued. "The French are the best at doing something to surprise us." The 29-year-old was full of praise for the Gallic defence and the "loose forward trio", noting that Parra has been one of the best players to wear the Tricolour, at the 2011 World Cup.

It is worth noting, as the final draws ever closer, that the first and last time that France and New Zealand met in a World Cup final was during the first instalment of the event in 1987. The All Blacks defeated Les Bleus 29-9.

New Zealand's incredible performance against Australia, last weekend, coupled with France's awkward win over Wales, means that the All Blacks are huge favourites to claim the Webb Ellis for the Southern Hemisphere. The Betfair 2011 rugby world cup betting reflects this.

The Kiwis have every right to be cautious, but a French victory would surprise more than a few rugby fans, this weekend – and, perhaps, even Les Bleus themselves.