Haka leader Umaga says lessons well learned

PARIS - Tana Umaga has been doing more than his fair share of learning in the lead-up to the All Blacks' final rugby test of the year, against France here tomorrow night.

Not only has the New Zealand captain been swatting up on ways to beat a world class opposition at Stade de France, he has also been preparing to lead the pre-match haka - believed to be a test first for a player of Samoan heritage.

The right is normally reserved to a Maori player but with none in the 22 on Saturday, Umaga accepted the offer, nervously at first.

"When they first put the idea too me I was (nervous)," he said.

"Put now I've learned the words and I'm looking forward to it, I'm quite excited.

"But that's just the start of it, I'm looking forward to the start of the game as well."

Umaga had spoken to Maori winger Rico Gear - who led the haka against Italy and Wales - but has been dropped for this test to clarify the starting etiquette.

"After that, I've done it a few times so I think I know what I'm doing," the 62-test veteran said.

Umaga was also comfortable with the progress his team had made in the lead-up to their biggest game of the four-match season-ending tour.

That had involved more learning - particularly from the mistakes made at the end of the Tri-Nations when they lost away to both Australia and South Africa.

"We've moved on from the Tri-Nations and learned those lessons. I'm sure after this campaign we'll have to learn some more."

Umaga and coach Graham Henry played down any peripheral concerns leading up to the match.

The freezing cold conditions that had descended on Paris were nothing different to what they might encounter at a Dunedin mid-winter test while Henry said the late 9pm kickoff could be overcome with a good sleep-in and keeping the players mentally busy during the day.

The All Blacks uncovered "movement" in the ground surface today but they didn't expect it impact on the game.

Henry praised France as a team who can win with skill or brawn and expected to they would play more like the team who downed Australia 27-14 two weeks ago than the one who lost 14-24 to Argentina.

"They were wounded after last week against Argentina, they'll be embarrassed about the way they played. Their pride will be hurt and they'll play right up to their potential," Henry said.

"They're the best team in Europe, they're Six Nations champions and played exceptionally good rugby against Australia a couple of weeks ago. I expect they'll play of a similar standard tomorrow night."

Henry believed the French halfback injury crisis - which has seen regular first five-eighth Frederic Michalak move into his occasional position of halfback and Julien Peyrelongue come in at No 10 - would make them stronger. He said the pair were impressive in France's 24-21 defeat of England in this year's Six Nations championship.

Some members of the French squad this week have said they do not consider rucking to be in the spirit of the game but Henry did not foresee retaliation if his side used their boots in the name of quick ball.

"You don't fear those things, you just go out and play. If there's bodies on the ball, you move the bodies off the ball and if that means you're rucking then that's the way it is and that's part of the game."

Irish referee Alain Rolland controlled the All Blacks' second test win over England this year, sending off English lock Simon Shaw early in the match for a knee to opposite Keith Robinson.

Henry rated the former Irish halfback highly as an official.

"I'm sure that the IRB are looking at him to the next World Cup final referee. I'm not trying to put any pressure on him."

Kickoff is at 9am on Sunday (NZ time).

Teams:

France: Clement Poitrenaud, Aurelien Rougerie, Tony Marsh, Brian Liebenberg, Cedric Heymans, Julien Peyrelongue, Frederic Michalak, Imanol Harinordoquy, Olivier Magne, Serge Betsen, Fabien Pelous (captain), Jerome Thion, Pieter de Villiers, William Servat, Sylvain Marconnet. Reserves: Christophe Dominici, Yannick Jauzion, Mathieu Barrau, Julien Bonnaire, Pascal Pape, Olivier Milloud, Sebastien Bruno.
All Blacks:

Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (captain), Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Ma'a Nonu, Aaron Mauger, Piri Weepu, Mose Tuiali'i, Ali Williams, Greg Somerville, Keven Mealamu.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).

- NZPA