Marc Lievremont is warning his team against complacency ahead of their semifinal against Wales. Photo / Getty Images
French coach Marc Lievremont is ringing the warning bells for his players on the Welsh threat ahead of their Rugby World Cup semifinal at Eden Park on Saturday night.
Lievremont has made plain his admiration for Wales after they dumped Ireland out of the tournament in the quarter-finals last weekend.
"They play very good rugby in all areas. I was impressed by how they kept Ireland under control, because the Irish were in good shape too," Lievremont said.
The Welsh forwards are more mobile now than a few seasons ago and don't lack for courage, he added.
"They have a wonderful backline and the best centre of the competition, Jamie Roberts. I like their back row, and their big second row, [Luke] Charteris.
"They are full of confidence, they came out of the toughest pool and should have beaten South Africa [in their opening Pool D game, which the Springboks won 17-16]."
The teams paths' crossed briefly at the weekend, when they had a night at the same Auckland hotel.
"They looked pretty fresh for the day after a win," said Lievremont. "It's better to meet them here than at the airport to go back home."
The French significantly raised their game in beating England 19-12 in their quarter-final at Eden Park, but Lievremont is guarding against complacency.
"The risk is to spend the week being congratulated, to see agents promising us great things, to be kept busy by the media, to believe we are such great players," he said.
"But yesterday we had the same players out there as in Wellington against Tonga, except that they grew a big pair of balls."
The defeat by Tonga on October 1 was the big upset of the cup, and France's second loss in pool play. No team has won the cup after losing one, let alone two games earlier in the tournament.
France and Wales will be meeting for the 91st time on Saturday night, dating back to 1908. Wales hold a 44-43 advantage, with three draws.
What's more, there are just two points between their totals over that time - France have scored 1307 points, Wales 1305.
By David Leggat
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