ITV.com/rugbyworldcup Editor Luke McLaughlin looks at how France might approach the final agains the All Blacks:

France may have two areas of superiority in the final at Eden Park: line-outs and scrums. With this in mind, expect them to kick for touch regularly and try and pin the All Blacks back in their own 22.

France will try and force mistakes and win penalties and hope that fly-half Morgan Parra can kick his points and put some sort of pressure on New Zealand on the scoreboard.

The French second rows Lionel Nallet and Pascal Pape have been superb at line-out time, and they might help Les Bleus to win the field position that they convert into points.

But if they kick too much ball to the All Blacks full-back Israel Dagg and his colleagues on the wing they may find themselves in serious trouble.

The French back row is also strong: Imanol Harinorduquy has nailed down the No 8 starting spot, fighting off Louis Picamoles, while Julien Bonnaire has been outstanding in the knockout stages.

France are widely seen as being in disarray, in conflict with their coach Marc Lievremont, but perversely that may be when they are most dangerous. It's a cliche but they are always unpredictable and no more so than at this tournament.

On paper they shouldn't have a chance - but the same might have been said of their wins against New Zealand in 2007 and 1999.

Overall, it's difficult to see anything other than an All Blacks win. They are stronger in the back divisions and should have parity up front. The French second row is strong but the likes of Brad Thorn should prove even stronger.

In Richie McCaw New Zealand have the world's best openside flanker while Ma'a Nonu at inside centre has been one of the players of the tournament.

If the All Blacks can begin the game with the same intensity as the semi-final against Australia then they might blow France away in the first 20.

In a way it all comes down to the French tactical kicking: if they get it right, they may worry the All Blacks. If they get it wrong they could find themselves on the end of a heavy beating.

But even if France do get ahead on the scoreboard, New Zealand look to have the experience and the intelligence to win - even if they're behind in the final stages of the game.


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