MARSEILLES: All Blacks coach Graham Henry has warned his team against complacency when it opens its World Cup campaign against Italy on Saturday.

New Zealand are the overwhelming favourites to win the title to add to their only victory so far in 1987, a campaign which started with a 70-6 demolition of the Azzurri.

"That was 20 years ago and things have changed a lot since then," Henry said. "They played well in the Six Nations this year [Italy finished fourth, above Wales and Scotland], they have developed their rugby and have a number of talented players.

"They have also been well coached [under Frenchman Pierre Berbizier]. So we expect a very difficult match."

New Zealand are in group C and will also take on Scotland, Romania and Portugal. "There are no easy matches," Henry added. "Italy are strong. Scotland beat Ireland recently and fought pretty well against South Africa, so I think they will be two difficult games. And I think it's good for us."

Henry refused to pinpoint the team he thought would trouble the All Blacks most.

"There's a lot of very good teams here. France look particularly good at the moment. Our southern hemisphere friends, South Africa and Australia, are always difficult to beat."

Hosts France made the surprise choice of wing Cedric Heymans at fullback ahead of Clement Poitrenaud for Friday's opening game of the World Cup, against Argentina. Halfback Pierre Mignoni and No.10 David Skrela would start the game at the Stade de France, team manager Jo Maso told a news conference.

Remy Martin and Imanol Harinordoquy will form the back row with Serge Betsen. Frederic Michalak and Sebastien Chabal will be on the bench.

All Blacks squad named
18/05/2007
allblacks.com


The All Blacks selectors have announced their All Blacks squad for the 2007 Iveco Series and Philips Tri Nations and it includes two first-time selections in Waikato halfback Brendon Leonard and Wellington prop John Schwalger.

“Brendon has been the best attacking halfback in the Rebel Sport Super 14 this season and has forced his way into the side based on form,” said Henry “while John’s ability to play both sides of the scrum was a key factor for us.”

The 22-year-old Leonard made his provincial debut in 2005 and his first Chiefs start this year. Schwalger also started his provincial career in 2005 and played for the Hurricanes in 2006 as well as 2007. He also represented New Zealand Under 21 in 2004 and the Junior All Blacks last season.

Henry noted that the upcoming Iveco Series Tests against France and Canada were critical to the All Blacks season: “We’re focused on finding our form as fast as possible and then we want to build on it. We are looking to improve on where we were last year and there’s a lot of work to do.”

Of the 2006 All Blacks, locks Jason Eaton and James Ryan, who took part in last November’s tour to Europe, were unavailable for selection due to injury, and prop Greg Somerville continues to rehabilitate an achilles injury sustained during last year’s Philips Tri Nations.

Meanwhile, Rebel Sport Super 14 loose forward Sione Lauaki and centre Richard Kahui were not considered for selection due to injury.

The sqaud:

Dan Carter - Canterbury
Jerry Collins - Wellington
Nick Evans - Otago
Troy Flavell - Auckland
Carl Hayman - Otago
Andrew Hore - Taranaki
Doug Howlett - Auckland
Chris Jack - Tasman
Byron Kelleher - Waikato
Brendon Leonard - Waikato
Luke McAlister - North Harbour
Richie McCaw - Canterbury (Captain)
Leon MacDonald - Canterbury
Chris Masoe - Wellington
Aaron Mauger - Canterbury
Keven Mealamu - Auckland
Malili Muliaina - Waikato
Anton Oliver - Otago
Keith Robinson - Waikato
Josevata Rokocoko - Auckland
John Schwalger - Wellington
Sitiveni Sivivatu - Waikato
Conrad Smith - Wellington
Rodney So’oialo - Wellington
Reuben Thorne - Canterbury
Neemia Tialata - Wellington
Isaia Toeava - Auckland
Piri Weepu - Wellington
Ali Williams - Auckland
Tony Woodcock - North Harbour

New Zealand has completed a record 47-3 victory over a sorrowful French outfit in the Armistice Day Test at a slippery Stade de Gerland in Lyon.

In similar circumstances to the All Blacks' 45-6 drubbing of their arch-rival in November 2004, the visitors quickly gained control as they raced away to a bruising 23-3 halftime lead.

Despite the wet conditions making ball-handling hard for both sides, three uncontested tries in the opening term had New Zealand firmly in control as the French defence was caught napping on numerous occasions.

The second half quickly shaped into more of the same and four further tries saw the All Blacks romp home with the demolishing victory, although France had a glut of possession and territory.

The All Blacks got off to a roaring start when powerhouse wing Sitiveni Sivivatu shrugged aside several tackles to charge over the line for a try right on five minutes.

Having matched it with New Zealand early, France was penalised deep inside its own zone for a scrum infringement and the visitors restarted quickly before spinning the ball out wide to the Fijian-born wing.

Shortly after, All Blacks first five-eighths Dan Carter, who missed the earlier conversion attempt, put his side further ahead with a long-range penalty goal after France was pinged for being offside.

This sparked some resurgence from the hosts and the All Blacks were soon on the back foot as they desperately attempted to defend their line in the 14th minute.

However, the New Zealand defence proved up to the challenge and again some French indiscipline saw the hosts' first real scoring chance go begging.

Some probing kicks from home-town first five-eighths Damien Traille had the All Blacks exposed on several occasions in the first half but France continued to struggle to break the line.

Then, in the 20th minute, Carter, from over 50m out and on a tight angle, sent his second penalty attempt wide and the score remained 8-0 in favour of the visitors.

Finally, three minutes later, France responded when centre Florian Fritz slotted over a drop-goal from 30m out to narrow the margin.

France's celebrations, however, were short-lived and soon after skipper Fabien Pelous was singled out by the touch judge for a professional foul in the lineout.

To add insult to the yellow card, Carter made light work of the subsequent penalty to restore his side's eight-point ascendancy.

Reduced to 14 men, France toiled fearlessly against a rampant All Blacks onslaught and had the chance to peg back the visitors' lead in the 30th minute but halfback Dimitri Yachvili's penalty attempt sailed wide.

Finally the cracks began to appear in the French defence and, despite Pelous returning to the field at an opportune time, All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw muscled over late in the half to give his side a strong lead.

However, the All Blacks were far from finished and Carter then capped off a sensational 40 minutes after the siren with an easy try to give his side a 23-3 lead at the break.

A resurgent French outfit came out of the sheds after halftime but a Conrad Smith try against the run of play in the 45th minute put paid to any momentum the hosts had garnered.

Attacking deep inside the All Blacks' half, a handling error from France saw the ball end up in Smith's hands and he raced 70m down the field to dive under the posts untouched.

Any faint hopes France had of matching it with the visitors were then crushed 10 minutes later when speedy wing Joe Rokocoko burrowed over the line on the back of a well-poised pass from Luke McAlister to give his side a 37-3 lead.

In the 65th minute and following a host of changes made by All Blacks coach Graham Henry, France looked set to score after several attacking phases right on the try-line.

However, the visitors again rallied and some strong defence kept the French attack agonisingly at bay.

With eight minutes left in the match and both sides run