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'Wales' confidence is higher than ours, that's obvious'
By Online Editors
France head coach Jacques Brunel accepts that Wales are favourites to win Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final between the Six Nations rivals.
Les Bleus have only toppled Wales once from eight attempts since beating them 9-8 in the 2011 World Cup semi-finals.
Although many of the subsequent games have been close affairs, France consistently came out on the wrong side.
“Wales’ confidence is higher than ours, that’s obvious,” Brunel said.
“They have been consistent for a few seasons. That is undeniable.
“They’re the favourites, we are in the role of the underdog. That is logical, normal, but it doesn’t stop us believing in our chances.”
France have been boosted by the return to fitness of scrum-half Antoine Dupont and wing Damien Penaud, but they will encounter a Wales team who have won 19 of their last 22 Tests.
“They (Wales) are not going to change their strategy,” Brunel added.
“They are going to rely on a very strong defensive screen, quality individuals, their ability to put the opposition under pressure.
“It is the same XV that played against Australia (last month). In the first seven minutes, they suffocated Australia and perhaps won the match there.
“They are capable of imposing that, but by contrast, we saw in their recent matches that there were opportunities. We have the ability to trouble them.
“Twelve teams have gone home, and some weren’t expecting to. We are there, still involved, preparing for a match.
“To keep going, we will need a lot of courage, enthusiasm, determination, and drive in everything we do. I hope we will be able to show the face we want to during the 80 minutes.”
“The biggest motivation has to be being among the best players in the world.”
Big Jim gives his thoughts on France's chances against a reliable Wales side:
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Latest Comments
They bend the rules for pre-existing All Blacks, provided you've signed for a NZ franchise the following year.
Go to commentsUnder Rassie it is 5 wins for ABs, 1 draw, and 7 wins for the Boks. Of those games, only 3 were played in NZ, and 5 played in SA, and 5 on neutral ground.
Of the 3 played in NZ, the ABs only lost once. Of the games played in SA, SBs are 5-2, and on neutral ground its 3-2 to the Boks.
Seems pretty even to me, considering this is the greatest Boks team ever (I still think 2007 was better).
If Rassie wins, this will be the best Boks team ever, but the ABs aren't scared of a team who barely scrape wins against a reforming ABs team, and lost to an undercooked Irish side twice last year.
I predict a 7+ point win, leading by 13+ at halftime.
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