No grey areas when All Blacks play Les Bleus

New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen said the All Blacks would give France the utmost respect in their much-anticipated Pool A match at Eden Park on Saturday night. That is despite claims the French have named a second-string team.

"It's a really good side," said Hansen. "You've got to let them do what they think is right for their team.

"Who are we to say what's their best combination at half-back and first five for this Test match?"

France coach Marc Lièvremont has moved Morgan Parra from scrum half to fly half, replacing Francois Trinh-Duc.

While Parra played part of France's opening match against Japan as fly half, he has never started internationally in that position.

Pay attention

Making radical changes is nothing new for New Zealand. "When we picked Richard Kahui to play on the wing, everyone thought we were crazy. It hasn't turned out too badly," said Hansen.

But that does not mean the 22-year-old from Clermont will evade the All Blacks' radar.
"He's playing in a position that is new to him and clearly it would be very remiss of us if we didn't pay him some attention."

The tournament favourites are looking for a win to take them to the top of Pool A and make amends for their 20-18 quarter-final exit from Rugby World Cup 2007 at the hands of France.

The sides have met three times since then, with New Zealand winning twice.

Coaching continuity

"It would be unfair to say that we've just looked back at 2007. We've looked back at the 24 years of the World Cup probably more intensely than has been done before," said Hansen.

"There are a lot of lessons to be learnt, both from winning and from the losing campaigns."
He believes the continuity of coaching staff will hold the All Blacks in good stead.

"It's the first time any All Black coaches have been to back-to-back World Cups. That allows you to bring the lessons that you've learnt with you," Hansen said.

New Zealand will name their team to take on France on Thursday.