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MARSEILLE - The All Blacks are wary of a French side whose shock loss in the opening World Cup match could throw the competition heavyweights into a quarterfinal showdown.
France have endured nation-wide criticism for their listless 12-17 loss to Argentina in Paris on Friday, a result that will now see the hosts eliminated from the tournament in the pool phase if they lose to Ireland in two weeks.
However, if they win that game and finish second in pool D, their quarterfinal opponents in Cardiff will be the winners of pool C - almost certainly New Zealand.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry appeared wary of the prospect when quizzed about the poor French showing against a Pumas side who have beaten them in five of their past six tests.
"France are a very good rugby team, they'll feature in this tournament very strongly," Henry said.
"They'll be disappointed with the result last night, I think they've got that out of their system.
"It may be a bit of a mental block against Argentina, I'm sure they'll be a major factor in this competition as it goes on."
All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins warned the hosts would be spurred on by the massive levels of disappointment felt in the country.
"Argentina may have awoken the beast, I think," he said.
"That French side, I wouldn't go writing them off yet. All you have to do is qualify then it's whoever turns up on the day."
Italy coach Pierre Berbizier, captain of the French team at the 1987 World Cup and coach of their 1995 campaign, today asked for his countrymen to believe all was not lost.
"I hope this will not have broken people's faith in the French World Cup. Hopefully the French will be back on the pitch, they will be loved by the public once again," he said.
"This also shows that the competition is very much open."
- NZPA
