McCaw no France target

STV
McCaw no France target

France captain Thierry Dusautoir said Richie McCaw was just one of the problems his side would face in the Rugby World Cup final.Ahead of Sunday's final in Auckland against New Zealand, Dusautoir responded to claims France would target the All Blacks captain, who has been troubled by a foot injury during the latter stages of the tournament.

Dusautoir, a member of the side that knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup quarter-finals, said McCaw was a legend in the sport.

"I have great respect for him but the list would go on and on if I had to mention all the players that I respect," he said.

France were nervous but at the same delighted to have their chance to play in the final, he said.

"All children dream of being world champion and we are going back to our dreams this week," Dusautoir said.

"You can't aim higher than becoming world champion and we hope to be able to achieve our dream."

Dusautoir was convinced France had desire and needed to make the most of the chance they had been given.

Coach Marc Lievremont said he would be handing things over to Dusautoir from the captain's run on Saturday, and from that point it was up to the players.

"At the moment I am feeling relaxed and I am feeling concentrated and focused and I am really hoping to appreciate this moment," Lievremont said.

"All the moments this week have been last moments for me. We had the last moments, with the staff, the last training session, the last video sessions and this is the last press conference. It will be trying to leave you behind," he said.

Lievremont said he was looking forward to the end of tournament and hoped that it would all finish well  - down to the celebratory hangover on Monday morning.

Claims in the New Zealand media that France might revert to dirty tactics, especially in targeting McCaw, were discounted by Lievremont.

"I think the French team is one of the most disciplined in this competition and our goal is to remain disciplined for this match. I think at no point on the pitch, or off the pitch, have we been guilty of any actions of that nature. The players have been very respectful," he said.