/ 5 November 1999

‘UNPREDICTABILITY FRANCE’S KEY’

FRENCH captain Raphael Ibanez believes his team’s unpredictability can help conjure up a victory over favourites Australia in Saturday’s World Cup final at the Millennium Stadium. “I think we are just challengers, not favourites for this final,” hooker Ibanez said. “Australia are much better than us, but we are unpredictable – and I think that is one of our strengths.” Ibanez said France had worked on ways to counter Australia’s watertight defence, which has conceded only one try in the tournament. The French have vowed to put momories of their shock semi-final win over tournament favourites New Zealand to the back of their minds ahead of the final. “We are conscious that it was a fantastic game against New Zealand,” Ibanez said. “But we have forgotten this game, totally forgotten it, and are totally concentrating on the final against Australia.”