All Blacks coach Graham Henry says Marc Lievremont’s men are dangerous - Rugby News
The head coach of All Blacks, Graham Henry, is giving the rival French side in the grand final of Rugby World Cup 2011, to be played on October 23 in Auckland, their due respect. France looked unconvincing at the start of the global showpiece but they converted
into a very good side as the tournament progressed towards its climax. Graham Henry talked the media on October 18 and said that France could be the best side in world this coming Sunday.
The All Blacks are being declared more than 70 percent favourites to lift the trophy by various critics but Henry believes that the opponents have got the ability to produce a good performance. The coach argued that All Blacks are flying high after thumping
their arch rivals Wallabies in the semi-final contest but they must acknowledge the French side as competent opposition.
Henry added that, “It's very important we come down. It was a huge game (against Australia) on the weekend - we can't stay up there. We've got to come down, get to base again, have a clean sheet of paper and build again for this Test match on Sunday against
the French.”
Meanwhile, Henry referred to their splendid history against France and said that Marc Lievremont’s men will be under immense pressure while playing against the All Blacks. He added that, “The All Blacks have had some great Test matches against the French
during the last eight years, starting with that Paris Test in 2004. It was a game that put a lot of these young guys on the map, and a lot of them now have played 70, 80, 100 games for the All Blacks.”
All Blacks have been enjoying an unbeaten run into the ongoing global event whereas the French side has lost a couple of their group matches including one against the All Blacks and the other to the meagre side of Tonga. On the other hand France has snatched
the third position of IRB ranking from defending champs Springboks with remarkable performances in the knock out stages.
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