Rugby World Cup: French media still hopeful

French prop Nicolas Mas has lashed out at the NZ Herald for 'French bashing', claiming the All Blacks are 'no angels'. Photo / Getty Images

Le Parisien has taken a swipe at the New Zealand Herald, slamming the newspaper for engaging in "French bashing" and trying to become a "sixteenth player" for the All Blacks ahead of tomorrow's Rugby World Cup final.

Earlier in the week, The French media showed their disdain at suggestions that Les Bleus' appearance in the final is an insult to the game. Le Parisien has hit out at the Herald for its coverage leading up to the big match.

"The leading newspaper of the country already initiated several stabs against the Blues before their pool match against the All Blacks and once again before their semi-final clash with the Welsh. This didn't stop them from hitting back once again on Friday with 'a history of Gallic brutality'," it wrote.

"The 'French bashing', a real sport at the New Zealand Herald which we can interpret by all the harassment and anti-French [sentiment], is not necessarily appreciated by all New Zealanders," the newspaper said in regards to reader feedback.

Naming Nicolas Mas in the 'bad boys XV' and former All Black Wayne Shelford's 'Beware the filth of the French' article has caused a stir amongst the French media.

"Shelford is clearly not a poet; ask the Welshman Huw Richards about the semi-finals of the 1987 World Cup," Le Parisien continued.

However, there are contrasting views towards the All Blacks from France. Henry Broncan of Le Monde wrote:

"All passionate [French] rugby fans have dreamt about a New Zealand-France final. The lovers of the sport find it hard to dislike the All Blacks; their stature, jersey, haka, but especially the magic of their game."

"Oh the blue side of things (sorry, white)... we are not ready to forget the exciting victory we had in 2007. We were so happy having beaten our masters. We secretly hope for the same result on Sunday morning but openly confess our fears."

Broncan does not hold out much hope, as he continued: "despite our scrum, our touch, our defence, and our kicker, the pace of the New Zealanders leave us to believe the worst."

Off the field... France's TV5 reports Vincent Clerc, top try scorer this tournament with six tries, is a firm fans favourite at the moment.

"A survey taken from the dating site 'Gleeden' has shown that the rugby player is the subject of many fantasies. 81 per cent of women admitted having fantasised over at least one of the French rugby players. In particular, Vincent Clerc."

The player, who appears in the 'Dieux du Stade' (Gods of the Stadium) calendars with his teammates, is the clear favourite of women surveyed by the dating site. 42 per cent of women said they were ready to cheat on their spouses for one night with a rugby player.

- Herald Online