Discount France at your peril, says Hart

John Hart. File photo / NZ Herald

Few men in New Zealand would have as much reason to feel anxious about another Rugby World Cup clash between the All Blacks and France as John Hart, but the former All Black coach whose team were mugged by Les Bleus in the 1999 tournament does not believe in Gallic bogeymen.

"I think there's too much talk about a bogey team, and no one was hurt more than I by the French in 1999. But I think it's specifically a game at a time in a competition. Ireland [defeating the Wallabies] showed each game is its own, and was a great example of what can happen if your game's not right."

Hart is a director on the Warriors board and will fly to Melbourne tomorrow to watch the team take on the Storm in the preliminary final.

The weekend's two biggest oval ball matches overlap, meaning he will miss much of the All Blacks' match.

"Obviously I'll probably watch as much of the All Black game as I can before the Warriors game, and I'll certainly be having someone texting me and keeping me updated."

He's confident the news will be good - Hart said the All Black team named yesterday was nearly the team's strongest line-up and would "make a statement".

"I have no doubt the All Black team will be very, very motivated to perform well in Eden Park against France, because taking anything for granted against the French, you do so at your peril."

The All Blacks were well placed to finally win the cup, and Australia's defeat to Ireland had only strengthened that opinion. "It's significant because now the Australians have to go through South Africa and ourselves before they can get to the final."

Hart suffered a public backlash after his team exited the 1999 world cup, and he said the expectation that came with playing at home was a concern. "I know what the All Blacks will be going through ... at home, there's a lot of pressure on the coaching staff. I think almost too much.

"If I had a message to Kiwis it would be to let the selectors and coaches get on with their job ... let's give them that opportunity now to get on with it, and let's enjoy the ride."

Hart was All Blacks assistant coach and selector at the 1987 world cup, co-coach in 1991, a television commentator in 1995, coach in 1999 and television commentator in 2003.

He is chairman of NZ2011, which is leveraging the tournament for the Government, and said the buzz around the country and engagement of communities had been remarkable.

"I've got to say with any hat on you'd have to say that this has been an absolute sensational start to the tournament for New Zealand. For the All Blacks to win would be the icing on the cake, but for me the most important thing is we are great hosts and bring together a great tournament."