French media: All Blacks labelled 'Relaxed Blacks'

French euphoria and Welsh misery after after the final whistle in the first semi-final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The All Blacks coaching staff and players are reassuring New Zealand that the World Cup is not yet in the bag, but the French media aren't so sure about the mind games.

Graham Henry's team has been dubbed the 'Relax Blacks' by Eurosport's Emilie Dudon.

The New Zealanders are saying all the right things, that they won't underestimate Les Bleus, but that isn't fooling the French.

"Reassured in part by their great success over the Wallabies, they seem confident. Something stands out when we see the All Blacks: how relaxed they are. Not to mention the press and their supporters that leave 'no chance' to the French for this match, this relaxed attitude makes us think," Dudon wrote.

"Of course, all the interviews are policed and everyone says to be 'wary' of the 'unpredictable French'. Graham Henry keeps repeating 'The job is not done!', but one wonders if the vigilance demanded by Henry is really there."

Dudon wrote that it is hard to say whether New Zealanders are once again subconsciously under-estimating the French side, despite World Cup losses in 1999 and 2007.

Sébastien Chabal is also fed up with the rhetoric of the English press, last night tweeting: "The Anglo-Saxon press is beginning to tire us! No?"

Stéphane Pulze of regional newspaper Le Républicain Lorrain does not dispute the under-dog status of France but his headline offered some hope: "We can dream".

"Not only did the French not steal the win (from the Welsh), their amazing run may not be over yet. They will face the All Blacks next Sunday without any stress or pressure, in this 'outsider' role that suits them so well," he wrote.

French player Julien Bonnaire said "we have nothing to lose and everything to gain," while Pascal Pape quipped "as usual, we have a 10 per cent chance of succeeding".

"This is the dream scenario for the France team that will be able to draw on every bit of energy and reserve they have left to strengthen in adversity," Pulze suggested.

France have climbed two places in the IRB rankings to third, following their semi-final win over Wales on Saturday. Their newly-converted first five-eighth Morgan Parra is the surprise package at the Rugby World Cup according to Sport.fr.

"Not used to being named in the first XV, Morgan Parra has done the job with no frills. Despite 31 caps, he had never started a test match before. He stole the limelight from Jonny Wilkinson, James Hook and Stephen Jones. He has given Marc Lievremont good reason to start him at fly-half ahead of teammate François Trinh-Duc, despite having played all of his international career as scrum half."

While Parra was the sole points scorer for France in their semi-final win, Sport.fr also highlighted the defensive efforts of the Clermont Auvergne man, citing his fourteen tackles. Parra pointed out: "In the final, if I kick like that in the same scenario, that I kick 15 times and we are champions of the world, that works for me."