The final warm-up matches for this year’s World Cup took place this weekend with the holders, the Springboks hammering New Zealand on Friday. Three-time World Cup winners the All Blacks dropped down below the Springboks in the world rankings to fourth after the loss.
France should be licking their lips following the All Blacks’ defeat and as an extra bonus for Fabien Galthie’s side, New Zealand could also be without Barrett’s fellow lock Brodie Retallick, however, Galthie were not ready to dismiss the challenge the All Blacks' will bring to the World Cup.
Fabien Galthie said: "It is difficult to just a warm-up game. What we saw on Friday night was impressive. But it is difficult to judge what the psychological preparation of the All Blacks was for this match and difficult to draw lessons.
"What I do know is that the New Zealanders have just won their competition, the Rugby Championship. That they had 11 wins in a row in Tests, not warm-up games. For us, the New Zealanders remain the All Blacks, triple winners of the World Cup and multiple winners of the Four Nations.
Since rugby has existed, they have been the best team in the world. So, on September 8, we will have the best team in the world in front of us. Without the slightest doubt."
French prop Dorian Aldegheri said the All Blacks' loss was not good news.
First five-eighths Matthieu Jalibert told L'Equipe, "They are bound to be revengeful against us and want to show an improvement. Especially since we beat them here in November 2021."
Flanker Charles Ollivon said: "Don't worry about them...Everyone knows the quality of these players, the coaches, this mythical team. They will be ready."
Wing Gabin Villiers said the loss meant nothing. "We remember that they had also beaten South Africa a few weeks before. Anything is possible."
