QUARTER FINAL REVIEW: NEW ZEALAND V FRANCE

New Zealand, and any other team, hate preparing for big games against France, as they are so unpredictable. The normal rumours of French player rebellion against the coach have been circulating this week, which is just how the French will want it. New Zealand, with the most capped international squad ever (experienced or old?) have been quietly going about their business. With the strongest squad and players with the best basic skills of any nation, you don't need to get too stressed about a RWC QF. They can also play "what's in front of them" better than any other team and put players in space to score points. Ben Smith is a journeyman, but one that NZ coaches have turned into the most effective player in the world - watch him tonight, he never take a wrong option and always creates space for others, a thing of beauty.

So this should be a comfortable win for the All Blacks, but as the French have demonstrated in previous games, especially in the friendly against England, that they have an outstanding front five, and any team with such class as Dusatoir and Picamoles in the back row is going to be a threat up front. And France have replaced Basteareaud with Dumoulin in the centre so will plan to run at the NZ backline and put them under pressure. Freddic Michalak is a true enigma, who can be embarassingly awful or sheer genius, but he is one of the few to unlock the NZ defence. Let's hope he has his game head on, and France throw everything at New Zealand, if so, this could be a belter.

The matchday squads have been announced

New Zealand: Ben Smith; Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Kieran Read.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Joe Moody, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams

France: Scott Spedding; Noa Nakaitaci, Alexandre Dumoulin, Wesley Fofana, Brice Dulin; Frederic Michalak, Morgan Parra; Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani, Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Bernard Le Roux, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Damien Chouly, Yannick Nyanga, Rory Kockott, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud

Any score prediction? I think it will be tight but NZ by 7.