All Blacks and Les Bleus set for passion play

A night of drama is assured when Eden Park stages the clash between Pool A leaders New Zealand and France on Saturday night.

The encounter will be contested with as much passion as any knockout match.

A string of subtexts - from Richie McCaw winning his 100th cap, to controversy over France's team selection, and the All Blacks' determination to get even for past blows - merely add to the sense of theatre surrounding the occasion.

Eden Park is the All Blacks' fortress; the last time they lost there was in July 1994 when their opponents were France. It is doubtful though that any Kiwi will need to go that far back to find motivation.

The semi-final defeat by the French in RWC 1999 at Twickenham and the last-eight loss four years ago in Cardiff were deep national sporting disappointments that continue to have repercussions in New Zealand.

The All Blacks' thirst for revenge will be accompanied by a fierce determination to protect their proud record as the only team never to have lost a RWC pool match.

The side will also be acutely aware that any defeat would tarnish captain McCaw's big night as he racks up a century of international appearances.

McCaw factor

France skipper Thierry Dusautoir, however, is playing down the significance of the McCaw factor.

"I think the All Blacks are dangerous because they are the All Blacks, not because McCaw will celebrate his 100th selection," he said.

"And he himself will give the priority to his team, not to his own personal record."

With criticism being aimed at France's team choice, statistics reveal the side named for Eden Park have amassed 634 caps between. Only once in the last four years has a more experienced French XV been sent out to play.

That maturity does not protect Marc Lièvremont's men from the prospect of disappointment but it does challenge suggestions the coach has opted to hold back his best line-up ahead of the knockout stages.

As for the psychological fallout from those matches in 1999 and 2007, a further shock would surely deliver a huge blow to New Zealand's confidence for the remainder of their campaign.

Lièvremont acknowledged past French successes would "reinforce" the All Blacks' determination but added: "It can also help my players not to feel a certain complex in believing it is possible to beat them."

The stage is set.