Marsh predicts thrashing for Australia

By CHRIS RATTUE

French centre Tony Marsh predicts Australia will suffer a hiding in their semifinal against the All Blacks.

Marsh made the startling forecast during a French media day of rare style and gentle humour at their Bondi Beach hotel.

New Zealander Marsh, whose career started with Counties Manukau, believes New Zealand will crush the hosts on Saturday night.

"If Australia play like they did against Scotland they will lose by 40 or 50 points," said Marsh, who lines up against England on Sunday.

"Scotland were the weakest team we played in the pool games. We were expecting a hard game, a crunch game, and really I was a little bit disappointed.

"Aussie-New Zealand clashes are special and I'm sure they'll lift, but I expect New Zealand will be far too strong for them."

It would be unheard of for an All Black to make a similar claim, given that France could face Australia in the final.

But then again, there are a lot of things the French do differently to the All Blacks, who have isolated themselves and shocked the international media with their minimal response to media requests.

In contrast, the French mingle in their hotel lobby, players coming and going, handshakes being exchanged, a word here, a word there.

Their charismatic manager Jo Maso talked for hours, as did the team's technical adviser.

"This is the way of French rugby. They will never say final question," commented a French journalist who has been perplexed by the All Blacks' attitude.



The 31-year-old Marsh talked about the special French spirit that he hopes will carry them to victory.

"The English were hot favourites to win the cup. They're a complete team, but over the past couple of weeks they have not been playing to that," he said.

"But come semifinal time they will be up for it. Clive Woodward said we are red-hot favourites, but I don't know what he is talking about.

"Before the Irish game I was a little bit worried, but we showed how much we have come on - the composure, taking points when the opportunities arise. We've got stronger and stronger.

"The French have got something special about them. The French say that when they are scared, they're at their best.

"I don't know. But when they get something in their head, they are very, very hard to beat. Maybe unstoppable.

"It's hard to explain ... but this French team are a little bit different from the past, where consistency was a problem."

Marsh starred in last year's Grand Slam triumph and was then diagnosed with testicular cancer.

He has made a remarkable recovery, with coach Bernard Laporte promising him a World Cup place even before he completed his comeback. Again, very French.

Marsh mainly wants to put the illness behind him, but said his World Cup involvement has been a great comfort to his family.

Marsh' mother and two sisters live in Australia, his father is still in New Zealand, and twin brother Glenn plays in Japan. All have seen him in action during the cup.

"Luckily my cancer was diagnosed early, treatment wasn't that long, and I responded well," he said.

"I surprised myself at how quickly I got back into things."

Playing for his adopted country in the World Cup drove him on.

"Before I played for France, I asked myself if I could give 100 per cent," he said.

Then, banging his chest, Marsh added: "I like to play from there, and give 100 per cent."

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