The All Blacks have never beaten France in a World Cup match in October and that’s something they’re well aware of leading into a final this weekend.

The All Blacks, beat the French the last time they played them in a World Cup final, all the way back in 1987 at the inaugural tournament also played in New Zealand.

In those days it was a June final and David Kirk and his world-beaters thumped the French 29-9 to claim the first ever Webb Ellis Cup.

They haven’t experienced that delight since.

Therefore it’s the two October World Cup defeats against the French that are more applicable from a New Zealand perspective.

In 1999, the French rallied back from a halftime deficit to roll Jonah Lomu and team in the semifinal at Twickenham and four years ago we all remember the shock quarterfinal result in Cardiff where Les Bleus found a way to eliminate the All Blacks with barely 30 percent of possession.

With only a few days to the grand final Sonny Bill Williams said that there is always a theme echoing amongst their midst at camp and that is “with the French you expect the unexpected”.

Williams added he doesn’t care what people think or what how they have seen the French play the last few weeks, he believes they will be a completely different side.

The All Blacks will play France on Sunday at 9pm in the RWC final and you can catch the live commentary on our sister station Viti FM with Malakai Veisamasama and Ilivasi Tabua.

At 7.30pm tomorrow, the Wallabies play Wales in the bronze playoff.


Story by: Selina Navuso