Sport

All Blacks won't show hand until World Cup

New Zealand v France: New Zealand's players have been warned not to overplay their hand in today's first Test against France…

Sat Jun 02 2007 - 01:00

New Zealand v France:New Zealand's players have been warned not to overplay their hand in today's first Test against France at Eden Park. Assistant coach Wayne Smith has ordered his players to curb their natural instincts so as not to give away any secrets before this year's World Cup.

Smith said he wanted the All Blacks to practise some of their key moves but said they would be keeping a few tricks up their sleeve for the World Cup.

"There is one school of thought which says you have to rehearse it, fine tune it and be executing it well before you can use it and there is another school of thought which says do it at training but don't bring it into matches," Smith said yesterday. "We're probably not one or the other, we're both."

New Zealand are favourites to win today's match against a depleted French side but Smith said the visitors should not be underestimated. France have a history of defying the odds to beat the All Blacks, most famously when they won the 1999 World Cup semi-final. "When you play the French you have to expect the unexpected. You have to go out and use your eyes and communicate and adapt to what's happening," Smith said.

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French fullback Thomas Castaignede said his team were expecting a torrid encounter and would need to be at their best to match the All Blacks. "It will be difficult to win with this young side. We need to play very simple rugby, defence is really the main thing. You expect them to attack you from everywhere."

France named winger Jean-Francois Coux to replace the injured Julien Laharrague. Coux will be making his international debut.

NEW ZEALAND: L MacDonald; J Rokocoko, I Toeava, A Mauger, S Sivivatu; D Carter, P Weepu; C Masoe, R McCaw (capt), R Thorne; A Williams, C Jackl; C Hayman, K Mealamu, T Woodcock. Replacements: A Hore, N Tialata, T Flavell, R So'oialo, B Leonard, N Evans, M Nonu

FRANCE: T Castaignede; B Thiery, A Mignardi, JP Grandclaude, JF Coux; B Boyet, N Durand; S Chabal, O Magne, G Le Corvec; J Pierre, P Pape (capt); N Mas, S Bruno, C Califano. Replacements: R Ibanez, F Montanella, O Olibeau, D Chouly, M Forest, N Laharrague, L Valbon.