OVER THE WEEKEND, New Zealand secured a convincing 20-6 Rugby World Cup semi-final victory over Australia, prompting coach Graham Henry to call their performance “unbelievable”.
In contrast, France coach Marc Lièvremont has lambasted his players, labelling them “spoilt brats”.
His criticism comes despite the side also qualifying for the World Cup final, albeit in a considerably less impressive fashion than New Zealand.
As a result of the evident dissension in the French camp, in tandem with their somewhat fortuitous passage to the final, most critics are tipping New Zealand to triumph.
Tom Fordyce of the BBC wrtites that New Zealand never have “a better chance to bury those [World Cup] ghosts.”
Meanwhile, Stuart Barnes of The Sunday Times (print edition) went as far as to write that that the perceived error made by referee Alain Rolland in France’s semi-final win against Wales had “guaranteed” New Zealand victory.
So what do you think? Are people right to label New Zealand as strong favourites, or are France being underestimated?
Poll Results:
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