The majority of the rugby world seem to have written the World Cup final off as a no-contest and declared New Zealand the winners, but the France side reckon that dismissing them could be a dangerous thing to do.
You can understand the logic behind Les Bleus critics, they are the only team to ever reach the final having lost two matches in the pool stage and, while the loss to All Blacks was not a surprise, their defeat to Tonga was one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. People looking at the rugby world cup betting should remember their not invincible.
France being France they came out of this catastrophic period to put on a stylish show to knock England out before scraping through a semi-final against a Wales team who were one man down from the 18th minute onwards.
Marc Lievremont has the team playing rigid rugby and the flair of France of old has gone, while New Zealand have looked strong and have comfortably strode their way to the World Cup final.
The All Blacks are massive favourites in the rugby betting but there are some who think this criticism will make France stronger.
Prop Fabien Barcella reckons France are a team that “cultivates contrasts” and can shock the hosts, while he adds the shocks have made them “stronger mentally” and they can draw inspiration from the bad times.
France coach Lievremont adds: “The players have been laughing a lot at the headlines for a while now. That's helped them pull together as well."
The World Cup has oozed excitement and drama so far so it would be a fitting send-off if the final was a classic encounter with quality rugby, rather than the damp squab and easy victory for the All Blacks that many expect.
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