KEY POINTS:
Tony Woodcock v Pieter de Villiers
The quiet achiever in the All Blacks who can disrupt ageing French tighthead Pieter de Villiers and put the hosts' scrum into the sort of disarray which will affect their whole game. In the last few matches between the two nations, the All Blacks have been able to exert real pressure on the Tricolores' scrum.
Keith Robinson v Fabien Pelous
The battle of the bodies, locks whose job description involves shifting carcasses out of rucks, creating the momentum for driving play or quick ball. These men are also the lineout tacticians whose aerial duel and connection with their throwers will go a long way towards setting the tempo for their teams.
Daniel Carter v Lionel Beauxis
Once again, the best against the wannabe. But how much will Carter be impaired by his calf strain? Will he last the distance? Will he play conservatively because of the problem? On his day, Carter will rip up most rivals but Beauxis has little fear because he has not played enough tests, nor learned how difficult the game can be. This duel is a gamble from both teams.
Leon MacDonald v Damien Traille
Both men have been embroiled in a lot of internationals, but Traille has never started at fullback. His positional nous and counter-attack will be examined. He has a huge kicking game but it needs to be accurate with a strong chasing line. MacDonald is dependable and needs to be with the uncertain contribution of his wings. Will organise well and needs to execute to justify his inclusion.
Richie McCaw v Thierry Dusautoir
Perhaps the best in the world against the highly promising but raw Frenchman. McCaw must make his experience count here in the breakdown scrambles, he must impose his presence on the rookie test ref Wayne Barnes and Dusautoir. The All Black captain led the forward impact in the 2003 quarter-final and should set the standard again.
