Ibañez takes faith to Cardiff

Monday 01st October 2007

France captain Raphaël Ibañez believes French pride will match New Zealand power when the two teams meet in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff.

The hosts were consigned to leaving their homeland and playing the tournament favourites when they came second to Argentina in Pool D, even though Les Bleus managed a 64-7 drubbing of Georgia in their last group match.

"We have reasons to believe - we have lived together for many weeks," said the Wasps hooker.

"This is an exciting week. We will play against one of the best teams, it's fantastic. But we don't think they are the favourites. We will go with pride.

"We've qualified for the quarter-finals and that was our first objective before the start of the competition."

The French have a good history against New Zealand, memorably beating them 43-31 in a semi-final at Twickenham in 1999 in what is considered to be the World Cup's greatest match.

And French coach Bernard Laporte, who knows his team have only themselves to blame for their Cardiff trip after messing up in their opening match against Argentina at the Stade de France, is certain the favourites can be toppled.

He said: "The All Blacks are not insurmountable. We will prepare for this match with great seriousness. New Zealand are a good team, as are Australia and South Africa. We will make an assessment of them next Saturday night. It's necessary that we fight."

"We did what we had to do to qualify, but we would have preferred to play in Paris or Marseille or in Toulouse. I don't know if there will be a lot of French supporters.

"Quarter-finals are 50/50, so we have to use all the qualities and strengths we've got and consider it a one-off match. Never think there's a favourite team and take your chances as they come. They're only human beings."

If France produce the form which saw them run in nine tries against Georgia, which included a brilliant double from Christophe Dominici, then Welsh rugby-lovers at least will have the opportunity to see a great match as consolation for their own side bowing out.

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