France lock Pascal Pape insists the negative publicity surrounding the team is motivating them ahead of Sunday's Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand.

Les Bleus have been criticised for the negative approach which allowed them to squeeze past Wales in the semi-final, while even their own coach Marc Lievremont has publically attacked his players, calling them 'spoiled brats'.

France have become the only Rugby World Cup finalist in history to have previously lost two pool stage matches: they fell to host New Zealand, 37-17, before a limp 19-14 defeat by Tonga in their final pool match.

But Pape, whose line-out skills alongside second-row partner Lionel Nallet have been integral to France's progress, says they are turning the negative into a positive.

"It motivates us even more. It's like we are alone in this world. It gives us another push, but it is not a problem," Pape said.

"We got to the final. We have not had a great competition, but we are in the final."

"When you play sports, the focus is the championship.''

Nallet echoed those thoughts, saying: "We have been massacred [in the press] but we are trying to pull together as a group.

"It is part of this whole atmosphere. It is not the end of the world. Am I angry at the team? No.

"There was outcry about our win against the Welsh. It wasn't me who did not manage to score in the last five minutes."

"All I can say is the team is happy and proud to be in the final and we will play our cards on Sunday."

"There has not been any recognition so far. The people who have been with us have spoken to us a great deal and we appreciate that. The French are behind us but it is always the same. If we win this match, I will leave it up to you."

On Wednesday, Lievremont named an unchanged team for the third match in succession, with Morgan Parra at fly-half. New Zealand will select youngster Aaron Cruden at No 10, who impressed in their semi-final against Australia.

 

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