Rugby World Cup 2015: Did France tank it?

Damien Chouly of France and Pascal Pape of France applaud the fans after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between France and Ireland. Photo / Getty Images.

Did "Ted" correctly tip it? Did the French run dead against Ireland this morning because they are quite happy to take on the All Blacks in a World Cup quarter final?

Sir Graham Henry's pre-match prediction that France would turn in an "indifferent" performance in the pool match decider against Ireland in Cardiff this morning turned out to be eerily accurate with the Irish running out comfortable 24-9 winners.

Talking to Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB ahead of the game, Henry commented that he believed the French would prefer to play the All Blacks in a quarter final rather than Argentina who have been troublesome opposition for the Tricolours.

"There's a French psyche that doesn't like playing Argentina so I just wonder if they might be a bit indifferent going into tomorrow morning's game about the result (against Ireland)," Henry said yesterday. "(Whereas) I don't think they mind playing the All Blacks.

"You look back to 1999. I think something happened in 2007 as well. So the French have got a bit of history in World Cups played in the northern hemisphere and I think they will feel more comfortable playing the All Blacks than they would playing Argentina."

Interestingly, at the press conference after being beaten by the Irish, French coach Philippe Saint-Andre did not seem daunted by the challenge of a sudden death match against New Zealand in Cardiff this Sunday morning.

"New Zealand are favourites but in a game of rugby you never know," said Saint-Andre. "What is important for us is to stick together and to accept that today we didn't perform well. We have to be ready for a huge, huge, huge game against the All Blacks."

"I have played 11 or 12 times against the All Blacks and not once was I in the favourites but that did not stop France from beating them. Last time in the World Cup we were very close to beating them so the most important thing first of all is to digest the disappointment because that's the main feeling tonight."