France to put in the boot

France will aim to boot the All Blacks out of the Rugby World Cup, literally.

Any pretence that flair and ball movement could spur a romantic upset at Cardiff in the manner of their 1999 semifinal boilover at Twickenham disappeared today when French coach Bernard Laporte announced his team.

At first five-eighth is Lionel Beauxis, 21, whose rising reputation is based around a controlled boot and accurate goalkicking compared to the mercurial talents of Frederic Michalak.

Counter attacking fullback Clement Poitrenaud has usurped experienced midfielder Damien Traille, who is blessed with a long punt but will make his first start in the No 15 jersey.

Laporte said both surprise selections were to negate what he said was New Zealand's conservative style.

"We have to concentrate on territory and be as efficient as they are in that area," Laporte said.

"That's one of New Zealand's trump cards. They kick you back into your own camp and stay there until they score points."

The All Blacks' lineout should face a stern test while the back three of fullback Leon MacDonald and wingers Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu will have to decide whether to engage in a territorial kicking duel or to counter from deep with ball in hand.

Lock Chris Jack, the most experienced All Black at the tournament, said the French selection had been quickly dissected.

"The guys have had a talk about the fullback and the first five, they're obviously quality kicking players," Jack said.

"They're looking to play a lot of game down our end of the field and put a lot of pressure on us."

Laporte attempted a conservative game plan against New Zealand in the two tests in France last November but it backfired badly, with Traille struggling out of position at first five-eighth during the tests lost 3-47 in Lyon and 11-23 in Paris.

The steady Beauxis, who was a member of the world champion French under-21 team and will play his 10th test, scored 24 points during the 64-7 thrashing of Georgia in Marseille over the weekend, his only start of the tournament.

He and dangerous second five-eighth Yannick Jauzion are the only changes to the French backline from the side who beat Ireland 25-3 in Paris two weeks ago.

Former captain Fabien Pelous, their most-capped player with 116 tests was chosen ahead of Lionel Nallet and Sebastien Chabal to partner Jerome Thion at lock.

Chabal is still on the reserve bench and should have a second-half role to play, along with the exciting but erratic Michalak.

Laporte said the selection meeting took two hours and accepted it was bound to be criticised in some quarters.

He has already come under fire in this tournament for his surprise choice of winger Cedric Heymans at fullback in the opening match against Argentina. Heymans had a terrible game as France lost 12-17, a result which has ultimately seen them forced off French soil and into a sudden death showdown with the tournament favourites.

Pelous said there would be no problem adjusting to the changes in two pivotal positions as France had the similar ability as New Zealand to interchange players.

Pelous, captain Raphael Ibanez, prop Pieter de Villiers and reserve winger Christophe Dominici were all involved in the historic 43-31 semifinal win in London eight years ago.

All Blacks No 8 Rodney So'oialo said it was clear the All Blacks lineout was to be targetted by the French, whose forwards had shown strength at maul time in recent games.

`We're certainly putting a lot of work in that area," So'oialo said.

"They've got a very big pack there. They'll definitely use their size.

"They know that we know they're going to use their drive and they're very talented with the ball in hand."

Samoan-born So'oialo celebrated his 28th birthday today in a low-key manner, beginning with another intensive training behind closed doors.

He said the game was the biggest of his career and that applied to several of his team-mates.

"It's certainly up there. It's not only important to our team but a lot of people in general. She's a pretty big game," he said.

"Not so much anxiety but you can certainly feel the tension of the boys.

"The feeling's pretty good but we don't want to play the game too early. We've still got a few more days to go."

An announcement was expected tomorrow on the fitness of first five-eighth Daniel Carter, whose calf strain has him in doubt for the Millennium Stadium clash.
-NZPA