Rugby World Cup 2015: Five Frenchmen to fear

Sports Writer·NZ Herald·

14 Oct, 2015 10:58 PM3 mins to read

Five Frenchmen the All Blacks should be a little concerned about. Photos / Getty Images

Thierry Dusautoir

The French captain has had two wonderful World Cup games for France against the All Blacks, in the 2007 quarterfinal win and 2011 final defeat. Surprisingly left out of France's initial squad in 2007, but called up as an injury replacement and tackled himself to a standstill at Cardiff. The flanker has been called the "dark destroyer". His father was a French soldier, his mother from the Ivory Coast where he was brought up until 10. Dusautoir only began playing rugby at 16. Where Dusautoir goes, France will follow. Such is his influence, he may be the most important player on the field this Sunday morning.

Louis Picamoles

No. 8 Picamoles is part of a greater-than-usual Parisian presence in the 2015 squad. He is renowned as a devastating ball carrier, but his major mark on the 2015 World Cup so far is a smashing tackle on Ireland's Jonny Sexton. Dan Carter will be warned. In an Irish Times story, Toulouse team mate Census Johnston - the Samoan prop - said Picamoles relied on remarkable natural strength rather than lifting big weights in the gym. His galloping running style - on strong hips and thighs - has knocked away many a tackler, and he has lovely ball skills. The All Blacks will need to shut Picamoles down from the outset.

Rabah Slimani

Tighthead prop has long been central to the psyche of French rugby sides, and Slimani has had a good tournament. Another Parisian, from the northern suburbs, in a French team of varied parts rather than being rooted in the south. Slimani, who turns 26 on the day of the quarter-final, was a junior No. 8, is on the small side for a test prop, and plays both sides. He was called on to make a pile of tackles against Ireland but will be primed to impress in a more traditional role on Sunday. With the All Blacks' best loosehead scrummager Tony Woodcock gone, Slimani faces the tall Wyatt Crockett whose scrum reputation has improved but remains questionable.

Mathieu Bastareaud

Enormous hardly covers it. At around 125kg, the French outside centre is bigger than many international props. Has survived a strange incident involving a false police complaint on the 2009 tour of New Zealand, and a subsequent emotional breakdown. The potential is as huge as the man himself, but he is also a risk. Ireland were concerned about Bastareaud but contained him well and he is a potential weak link on defence. France might try to send Bastareaud Dan Carter's way, to force the New Zealand pivot into exhausting, bruising tackles. Bastareaud shapes as a boom or bust quarterfinal character.

Wesley Fofana

The rapier, alongside Bastareaud's bulk in the midfield, who carries his country's reputation for mercurial, magical players. Dan Carter-esque in the way tacklers fall off him, with an innate ability to stay on his feet. Has speed and a wonderful shimmy - leave a half gap, and Fofana will take it. Makes low driving tackles in the style of Aussie loosie Michael Hooper. Hampered by a thigh injury at the start of the tournament, but one of the better performers in a poor French effort against Ireland. Can be blinkered at times.