This should be the best of all the autumn international matches. The world champions have an even steelier grip on the title of world’s best team after their superlative record in the Tri-Nations series. Against them in Toulouse on Friday are the side with the most potential to emerge from the shadow of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand’s dominance on the international stage.
Last weekend was a fine case in point. In 160 minutes of rugby neither Wales nor England could score a try against New Zealand and Australia, who are some distance behind South Africa.
Yet there is reason to hope, from a European perspective, that France are capable of not only winning a one-off game but developing a side to live with and beat the best of the southern hemisphere on a regular basis up to and including the 2011 World Cup.
France’s away win in New Zealand, followed by a desperately close-run defeat, was proof that Europe’s most enigmatic rugby nation is moving towards a more stable environment as the countdown to the World Cup begins.
Marc Lievremont’s selection policy is more consistent and the France coach is helped by having a deep pool of talent in most positions. His most fascinating and perhaps erratic selection this week is the choice of Damien Traille, France’s jack of most trades, over the gilded talents of Maxime Medard. It will be a blow to the Toulouse-born full back who must have been looking forward to playing in his home city. Considering the way Medard played in the summer Tests it appears a harsh call by Lievremont, but there is clear logic behind the decision that cuts to the heart of the tactical battle: South Africa’s superb kicking game.
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New Zealand have Dan Carter to probe the corners and test defensive teams aerially, but the Springboks have Fourie du Preez. Carter is a magnificent talent, but I would argue strongly that the South African scrum half is the most influential player in the world. He has a computer for a rugby brain, jet-like acceleration and a siege gun for a boot. He is a long way clear of Joost van der Westhuizen as South Africa’s finest professional scrum half and Joost could play.
Du Preez’s standards have an impact on those around him. They have helped lift Morne Steyn from the benign consistency of a kicking fly half to an uncomplicated and effective performer with a deadly goal-kicking record of 29 successes from 33 attempts in the Tri-Nations. His lethal boot means France cannot afford to concede penalties anywhere in their own half.
All Lions fans know how cool Steyn’s temperament and how good his technique is, but he and Du Preez are the men who force opponents deep into their own territory. Like the All Blacks, South Africa are a territorial beast; the opposition full back has to have the capacity to be solid as a rock beneath the torrent of high kicks that South Africa unleash. Medard has shown fallibilities this season in just this department. The decision to leave him out of the starting line-up reflects the French understanding of where South Africa like to lay their foundations.
Another area where South Africa rule the world is the lineout. It is Victor Matfield’s fiefdom. But with Juan Smith injured the options are not quite as bewildering as usual and Lievremont has decided to rely on a traditional lineout - displaced captain Lionel Nallet and Toulouse’s Romain Millo-Chluski form the second row as the auxiliaries to the magical lineout presence of Imanol Harinordoquy. The Basque man is a soaring talent and his attempts to stop the Springbok’s building foundations at the lineout will probably be the most important facet of the game.
The battle between the back row forwards will be compelling. The Springboks are without two thirds of their unit, but it remains magnificent. This would usually be enough for them but with France being led by Thierry Dusautoir on his home ground it may be less than sufficient on Friday. Harinordoquy will use the match to stake his claim as one of the world’s best flankers, and at No 8 the hard running and soft hands of Louis Picamoles can help him emerge as a star in the coming years. He has added a subtlety and extra dimension to his game since moving from Montpellier to Toulouse.
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In contrast, Maxime Mermoz’s departure from Toulouse to Perpignan has seen him sprint from Toulouse bit-part kid to French centre. He holds a clear edge over Adi Jacobs and can threaten the Springboks between fly half and inside centre.
Two of the seven Toulouse starters are flying wingers and the crowd will hope and expect to see plenty of width, but the task of slipping past South Africa’s wide men is tough: Bryan Habana is a grafter as well as a flyer.
Like the rest of his team, Habana is a tough nut to crack but France have shown their ability by beating New Zealand, the second-best team in the world. On Friday they have a chance to take the next step towards joining the world’s elite by delivering a towering performance in Toulouse, the most inspirational rugby city in France. It is on television and if you have any passion for this great sport, do not miss it.
The Main Man
Imanol Harinordoquy
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If the brilliant Biarritz flanker is in the mood he can challenge even the pre-eminence of the South African lineout. Judging by the way the Springboks squeezed New Zealand to defeat three times at that set-piece, it is of paramount importance to France that he continues his inspired form of the past few months. If France win he will not be far away from the man of the match award.