French test for All Blacks at World Cup

The All Blacks face their first major test at the World Cup on Saturday in a confrontation with old nemesis France at Eden Park on a weekend when the quarter-final lineup is likely to start taking shape. A win over the French would make the tournament favourites the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals and all but ensure they top Pool A. But having lost to the French 20-18 the last time the two teams met in a World Cup four years ago, there is an undercurrent of nervousness in the All Black camp as they strive to meet the massive expectations placed on them by their fans. The return from injury of superstars Dan Carter at fly-half and flanker Richie McCaw, who will become the first All Black to win 100 caps, has boosted confidence and to date the French play has not been inspirational. Much has been made here of coach Marc Lievremont's team selection, especially naming regular scrum-half Morgan Parra for a rare start at fly-half, but the French insist they are out to win and not ensure an easier quarter-final draw. "A defeat does not mean that we can't qualify, while a win means that we are into the quarter-finals," said French skipper Thierry Dusautoir, who has been promoting a relaxed approach to the game. "We can use that situation to our advantage and go into the match without too much pressure on us," he said. The day's other game opposes England and Romania in Dunedin's Otago stadium where Martin Johnson's men have already won twice. A third win looks certain, which would leave England with just Scotland to play next weekend as they close in on a possible quarter-final clash with old rivals France. Johnson, who has been at pains to put to bed the storylines surrounding his veteran centre Mike Tindall and what he got up to in a Queenstown bar, has called for an improved performance from his side with fewer mistakes made and penalties conceded. "Against Georgia I said 'guys, this is not good enough for progressing to where we want to be'," he said. "We've got to be relentless and ruthless." A bonus point win for the English would not ensure a quarter-final slot, although that could come the following day should Scotland defeat Argentina in Wellington. Also that day Ireland will be looking for maximum points against Russia in Rotorua as they continue their drive to top Pool C, while Samoa go up against Fiji in a do-or-die Pacific Islands showdown in Auckland. Ireland's pool rivals Australia were left counting the cost in injuries of a bruising encounter against the United States in Wellington on Friday evening. In a hard-hitting, fast-flowing match the Wallabies won 67-5, both starting centres and a replacement midfielder were all taken off with serious injuries. "Obviously, there was a consequence from the game," said Australian coach Robbie Deans. "At first glance, it doesn't look great." The Australians, ranked second in the world, lost 15-6 to Ireland and are now dependent on Italy defeating the Irish next weekend to finish top of their pool.