On the run from Y2K: France's loose head prop Uini Atonio. Photo / Getty Images
On the run from Y2K: France's loose head prop Uini Atonio. Photo / Getty Images
All the latest overnight news from the Rugby World Cup, including how facing the haka gets French players up for the fight.
Quote of the week, or maybe the tournament
Uini Atonio, the Timaru-born prop who plays for France, reveals when and why his family moved north.
"After the Y2K when everyone was going to die. So we thought, yeah might as well just all go die in Auckland," he joked.
Kids, ask your parents about Y2K - it was something to do with the world falling apart because computers wouldn't work when the clock ticked over to the year 2000.
French forwards say the All Blacks' pre-match haka will fire them up for a massive effort against the world champions in Sunday's quarterfinal at Cardiff.
Prop Nicolas Mas said: "Such moments are unique, and you remember them forever. The haka is a source of motivation for them, but also for the opponents."
Fellow front-rower Benjamin Kayser was talking even tougher.
"We would rather focus on the 80 minutes that will come after it, but the haka is an invitation to join the fight. If we want to play a great match, we'll have to be tough. I'm sure that we are all ready to fight until the end," he said.
The All Blacks fire up the crowds with the haka before their match against Georgia.
The World Cup news site recalled that captain Thierry Dusautoir led his team in a united arrowhead-shaped response to New Zealand's haka before the 2011 final at Eden Park.
When they met in the 2007 tournament in Cardiff, the French players removed their tracksuits to reveal T-shirts variously coloured blue, white or red. They then lined up in formation to embody a French tricolour as they confronted the All Blacks.
France played beyond expectations on both occasions. So what has Dusautoir got in store before Sunday's match?
Jonny Come Lately
Irish coach Joe Schmidt has done a backflip on his usual selection policy because he has so many wounded players, according to the Irish Times.
Star flyhalf Jonny Sexton (groin) is still being touted as a possibility to play against Argentina in Cardiff on Monday, as is fellow back Keith Earls, who is described as "battered".
Schmidt normally requires players to train from early in the week, so they are immersed in the game plan.
"Johnny did about 3.5 kilometres of running, that's a positive," said Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek.
"We're quietly confident, we'll see how he goes on Friday."
The paper sounded sceptical about Sexton's chances though.
Outstanding Natural Beauty
No, not Dan Carter, we're talking Rhossili Bay, which is where the All Blacks spent the day.
Carter tweeted "It's a nice day in Rhossili Bay...with the Wormshead behind us. It reminded me a bit of back home." His photo looked like a Crusaders day trip, with Highlander Waisake Naholo along for the ride. Rhossili Bay is in Swansea, and is a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty conservation area.
Nice day here in Rhossili Bay with the worms head behind us. Reminded me a bit of back home pic.twitter.com/BB8z1FNQ7n
Martyn Thomas, the former Rugby Football Union chairman, says he warned the RFU that Stuart Lancaster was not up to the task of coaching England, the Telegraph reported.
Watch: 'Our desire, what we will bring'
All Blacks: 'Our desire, what we will bring' against France
Don't mention the steroids Inspirational quotes at England's flash training headquarters were covered up before South Africa moved in to prepare for their quarter-final against Wales at Twickenham, the Times reported. England didn't even get that right apparently, and the words are still there to be seen. They include this, from Arnold Schwarzenegger: "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." Of course Arnold had a little help from his friends when it came to strength, but we won't go on about that.
