SYDNEY - The vague dream of adopted Frenchman Tony Marsh will come true tomorrow night after the former Counties-Manukau and Crusaders midfielder was picked to play his first test against the All Blacks for the World Cup's consolation prize.
And the 31-year-old says he is keen to face up to the
challenge of the haka.
He is one of just two survivors from the French starting line-up that lost to England in their semifinal on Sunday to play New Zealand for third place.
Prop Sylvain Marconnet is the other player to back up in the French team, although he was included only because Olivier Milloud was ruled out with a neck injury.
Coach Bernard Laporte and manager Jo Maso reported a high casualty count from the England game but denied they were adding insult to injuries by selecting players who mostly last had action against the United States on October 31.
"All the guys [who played England] are mentally exhausted," Maso explained.
"It is a fresh team, most of them were excellent against the United States. We have faith in all our players.
"This is a French team for the medium to long term, possibly the 2007 World Cup."
Maso emphasised management had not taken the All Blacks lightly by resting fit first-choice players.
"They will be out to win. We do not want two losses in a row ... "
Tour captain Fabien Galthie also announced his retirement yesterday. In an unfortunate footnote to the halfback's 64-test career an uncle died overnight, prompting his departure for home today.
Hooker Yannick Bru will captain the side which features 10 players involved in France's 23-31 loss to New Zealand at Christchurch in June.
Marsh was unavailable for that match as he was having chemotherapy for testicular cancer.
Given the all clear to rejoin the French squad in August, he was then hampered by a leg injury. However, he eventually formed an impressive midfield partnership with Yannick Jauzion.
Marsh is now blighted by an Achilles strain but he was passed fit to mark Leon MacDonald.
Marsh, who left New Zealand in 1998, said he would be as proud as any Frenchman to sing La Marseillaise before facing the haka.
"I wanted to make the top in New Zealand rugby but it wasn't to be. I left in 1998 and three years later I was wearing the blue shirt.
"When I left I never really dreamed I'd be playing the All Blacks one day."
He had no mixed emotions about playing his homeland.
"France is my life now. The support from the French people [during his battle with cancer] has been fantastic, they got behind me."
Marsh played for New Zealand Maori before joining the exodus overseas and admitted he had never thought about facing the haka.
"I don't know if there'll be any emotions. In some respects it might be easier for me because I understand the culture a bit more.
"I'll face up to it and accept the challenge."
- NZPA
Full World Cup coverage
SYDNEY - The vague dream of adopted Frenchman Tony Marsh will come true tomorrow night after the former Counties-Manukau and Crusaders midfielder was picked to play his first test against the All Blacks for the World Cup's consolation prize.
And the 31-year-old says he is keen to face up to the
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