RWC The Final Match-Ups

Okay - I totally wasn't going to do this but I couldn't resist. I always like seeing the line ups against one another. Something I need to point out though - I have switched Woodcock (plays Loose head) and Franks (plays tight head) because their match up would actually be against the opposite prop position.

1. Jean-Baptiste Poux  / Owen Franks
2. William Servat  / Keven Mealamu
3. Nicolas Mas / Tony Woodcock
4. Pascal Papé / Brad Thorn
5. Lionel Nallet / Sam Whitelock
6. Thierry Dusautoir (c) / Jerome Kaino
7. Julien Bonnaire / Richie McCaw
8. Imanol Harinordoquy / Keiren Read
9. Dimitri Yachvili / Piri Weepu
10. Morgan Parra / Aaron Cruden
11. Alexis Palisson / Richard Kahui
12. Maxime Mermoz / Ma'a Nonu
13. Aurélien Rougerie / Conrad Smith
14. Vincent Clerc / Cory Jane
15. Maxime Médard/ Isreal Dagg

Replacements 

16. Dimitri Szarzewski / Andrew Hore
17. Fabien Barcella / Ben Franks
18. Julien Pierre / Ali Williams
19. Fulgence Ouedraogo / Adam Thomson
20. Jean-Marc Doussain / Andy Ellis
21. François Trinh-Duc / Stephen Donald
22. Damien Traille / Sonny Bill Williams

I pretty much believe that France doesn't have a hope or a prayer. I suppose teams have won with less under greater circumstances...wait - no they haven't. It's not like New Zealand has been this powerhouse that has marched through this World Cup without a mark. I think Sir Richie and his broken foot was a pretty significant mark. I think losing Dan Carter, the undisputed best 10 in the world, is a pretty big dent - not to mention his back up Colin Slade. I think they've gone through enough adversity to deserve some credit for an uphill battle. France will fight - if they don't, they will truly be the most unfortunate thing in this entire tournament - more than England's antics, more than Australia and Ireland's respective upsets. More than Wales' cinderella story being cut short.

The tipped match ups are what I think you need to watch. The battle in the scrums and line outs will be fierce but New Zealand has been too strong to wilt to a solid pack. If they're going to get beat - they will be beat by a great pack and France doesn't have a great pack. They have a solid pack. Dusautoir is good but Jerome Kaino has been gaining speed and clout this world cup to take his place amongst the greatest flankers this world has to offer. Ultimately - Kaino and his physicality will rule that roost. Yachvili is good/great. It will be amazing to see these two 9s go at it. I tipped the 10 match up because I think Cruden will become a permanent fixture in this All Blacks' team. I believe that Slade will have an impossible battle on his hands to get back into this squad after this. Clerc and Medard have been great. Medard and those chops - seriously. The ABs will play the high ball again and Cory Jane will have his eye on the prize. AB defense will hold strong and France will not be able to find the holes they've been spouting about this week. Every team has to have some kind of answer and drama for the media to eat up. That's fine - the ABs have been saving their appetite for today.

My prediction? All Blacks by 23 or some big ridiculous number.