DO NOT WRITE THE FRENCH OFF
When all they can bring to the table is the possibility that they might emulate the majestic displays of previous French teams – but I don’t recall a French rugby team ever looking so frail in every previous game they’ve played.
If the All Blacks put in the sort of performance we’ve seen throughout the tournament, they’ll win, probably with a fair margin of comfort.
Wales v NZ would have been a great final, and I’d have been rooting for Wales, but I’d still have expected the kiwis to take the win, as they have that extra level of power and invention that Wales don’t quite have (yet). However, if Gatland can build on this performance over the next couple of years, with young players like Warburton, Priestland, Halfpenny and so on, it’s realistic to imagine Wales going all the way next time round, especially if they keep reinforcing their strength in depth through their national playing structure.
Speaking as someone who’s rugby imagination was fired by the likes of Phil Bennet and JPR Williams, it’s really good to see Wales starting to look like the rugby powerhouse of old.