Justin Marshall: France will harden All Blacks up

Sonny Bill Williams takes a selfie before the game against Tonga. Photo / Brett Phibbs

France, our nemesis, our Achilles heel, call them what you will, are the All Blacks' quarter-final opponents in Cardiff next weekend. Good.

Why? Because they will get a performance out of the All Blacks that Ireland probably wouldn't have. If Steve Hansen's men beat the French - and I believe they will - then it will catapult them to the next level and possibly all the way to a final victory.

I accept that many New Zealanders will be uncomfortable about their team facing France again after they knocked the All Blacks out of the 1999 and 2007 World Cups, and pushed them so close in the final four years ago after losing two of their pool matches.

But if we were playing Ireland I don't think that edge would be there. After all, they never beaten the All Blacks. But you can bet the All Blacks will be on edge ahead of the France match. During the week and in the changing room beforehand they will be focused and fired up, ready to right the so-called wrongs of the past.

After, in many respects, cruising through their pool, the All Blacks need this match to harden them up. They received a challenge from Argentina, but didn't need to lift themselves too high for Namibia and Georgia. They did in the second half against Tonga in Newcastle and they will need to against the French. And that's how they can launch themselves to the final.

As for France, they were predictable against Ireland. They've not impressed me at this tournament and they've been that way for more than two years. They've struggled in away tests and haven't fronted when they should have, but the thing that hit really hit home in Cardiff was their lack of physicality. Ireland out-muscled them up front - especially in the second row and back row, where they were so confrontational.

The match was won up front by aggression and the All Blacks have that in abundance.

The reason the game changed against Tonga is because they went 'stuff this' and went direct. The backs carried hard and the forwards did likewise. The result was a comfortable win and they can do exactly the same against France.

For the All Blacks, they are the perfect opposition. If we can't beat this French team we don't deserve to win this competition, so let's get out there and take them on and play like we can play.