France will take the third/fourth place clash with New Zealand extremely seriously despite the disappointment of crashing out to England in the semifinals, coach Bernard Laporte said on Monday.
The match will be played on Thursday November 20 at 11pm on Supersport 1 and M-Net.
Manager Jo Maso echoed the 39-year-old’s words, saying he would not be happy if the players didn’t play as if it was a real test and he added he was confident they would because they were professionals.
”It is still a match between the French and the All Blacks,” said Laporte, who took over after the 1999 World Cup in which France stunned the Kiwis in the semifinals.
Maso said there was still the goal of finishing the tournament off in style.
”It is still better to finish on the medals podium rather than in fourth place,” he said.
”The players are professional after all and will go out there and fight for the result.
”In any case, the All Blacks are still the reference point in the sport and it is like in football playing Brazil.”
If there were one player itching to play and beat the All Blacks Maso said it was Tony Marsh.
”Tony may have sore ankles but he is desperate to play them as he has never done so against the country where he was born.”
Definitely out, though, are two of the heroes of the 1999 victory with Fabien Galthie deciding to end his international career after 64 caps and winger Christophe Dominici because of a knee injury sustained when he tripped Jason Robinson during the match with England.
There are also serious doubts over prop Olivier Milloud, who injured his neck after coming on as a replacement, and Imanol Harinordoquy has a wrist problem.
”We will play as much of our first team as possible but we are not going to risk players, who are carrying injuries.
”Their welfare is our primary concern,” said Maso. — Sapa-AFP