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When you are scared, you play good rugby - Bastareaud

Mathieu Bastareaud at Eden Park

Mathieu Bastareaud wants France to be “scared” of facing New Zealand at Eden Park, as he believes that will lead to his side playing their best rugby.

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Bastareaud will captain a weakened visiting outfit, with only the Toulon centre and Maxime Medard remaining from the team that last beat the All Blacks in 2009.

The 29-year-old skipper will look to motivate less experienced team-mates ahead of Saturday’s clash, but he believes they would be better off playing with fear – as he did nine years ago.

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“We have Maxime Medard and myself who have won here before and we talk about that to the young guys, to motivate them, to make them hungry about this,” he said

“It’s not the same players or teams as then, it’s very different.

“I remember it was unreal. I was never thinking we’d win that game, because we played scared.

“But, for me, I think when you are scared, you play good rugby, you play a good game. So tomorrow, I hope we will be scared.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

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Alastair Graham 11 minutes ago
British & Irish Lions make 7 changes for second Test versus Wallabies

Ben White was outstanding in Tuesday’s game, but no place for him, even on the bench.

4 Go to comments
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SadersMan 14 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

I think we’re stacked at #9. There’s Roigard, Ratima, Hotham, Whakatava, Roe, Preston, others, if we’re looking towards RWC & beyond. Pledger & Tamati from U20s look the goods too.

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Hammer Head 16 minutes ago
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Hammer Head 17 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Don’t be mean.


It’s also easy to sprout hairs after a campaign against a French D Team.

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Hammer Head 18 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

The numbers stand for his belief the All Blacks will need to have four Test-quality players in each position by the end of his fourth year in charge if they are to win a fourth World Cup in 2027.

A-Lame…


I believe the 5-5-5 or even 6-6-6 is better.


What’s the use of 4-4-4 when he doesn’t even have 2-2-2 going for him?


Discuss.

7 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 19 minutes ago
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CP 30 minutes ago
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Robertson still learning the ABC of squad depth and rotation at test level while Rassie is playing 3D Chess

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Icefarrow 46 minutes ago
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2027 is in Australia.

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Icefarrow 47 minutes ago
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Leicester Fainga'anuku explains loose forward role at Toulon

Massive statement with nothing to base it on. SR has All Blacks… top 14 dorsn’t. Top 14 has French and an eclectic mix of players from elsewhere. Top 14 doesn’t have English, Irish, Scottish, bery few Aussies. Its fake news to claim its a “tough” comp.

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Hellhound 1 hour ago
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As I said, always blame the ref. The Boks can't win unless the ref helped. It was a hooker and not a prop. You don't even have your facts straight. You just confirmed what I said idiot. Blame the ref for the try😂As for hate? I don't hate the AB's, just some of their fans like you. You don't look at the whole picture. All you see is AB's players. You don't look at the opposition. No, you see what you want to see and then open your mouth, spew drivel and then get heated up about it screaming hate. Yes, the Boks haven't won in NZ in awhile. Boo hoo, cry me a river. That will change. A very strong AB's side barely beat a weak C French team and you think they are in such a good place. I would not bleat such prowess if I were you. The Boks played against much weaker opposition and they were very disappointing. Lots to work on. However, we know what these Boks are capable of. We know what the youngsters are capable of. We know the depth we have and that depth is extreme. Lots of new youngsters bleeding through too. Better than most of the current AB's. Have you watched the URC? No. Japan league? No. English Premiership? No. You watch SR and you are awed by what you see. You think the world will fall at the AB's feet, that they will smash everyone in front of them(couldn't do it to a C French team). You are blind. Foolish. Big mouth and overhyping a team that is already out of time for the WC. At the most 17 Tests left to give players time to shine. Razor doesn't even have a full A team yet. Prospects yes. Possible future stars, yes. The Boks have about 3 teams, and about 3 teams with star studded youngsters that can shift up. What will the AB's do when there is injuries? Red card bans? AB's are good. They always will be. However, they are wafer thin in the talent department. As I said, I love the AB's, just not all its arrogant supporters of which you are one. You get good supporters, not you, and then bad woke idiots, that's you!

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