Former France forward Louis Picamoles says the All Blacks can beaten if France creates “madness” in the three match Test series starting on Saturday.
Picamoles, who played 82 Tests between 2008 and 2019, told an online bookmaker site, that the All Blacks preferred playing against well-structured teams and struggled with free-flowing sides like France or Argentina.
“Playing our French brand of unstructured rugby can sometimes upset the All Blacks,” he wrote.
“Because, in spite of appearances, the All Blacks are always a very structured team, very pragmatic, and they are more used to playing against other Anglo-Saxon teams.
“Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland all play more or less the same way. But we French, and I would say the Latin countries, with Argentina and even Italy, play a more free-flowing game, a less structured game.
“It’s a style which is difficult to work on in training, which is perhaps why the famous French victories against the All Blacks have all come from the spark of madness in our game that the New Zealanders are not used to dealing with.
“Perhaps not so much in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final in 2007, but the historic French victories have all come from playing free-flowing, unstructured, running rugby, with a touch of madness. Because the All Blacks are not used to playing against teams like that.
“You have to surprise them. If you stick to your systems, stick to your game plan, against a team like New Zealand you have little chance of upsetting them.
Rieko Ioane of New Zealand reacts as he performs the Haka prior to the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between England and New Zealand All Blacks at the Allianz Stadium on November 02, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)
“But if you think and play outside the box, create a little madness, the All Blacks are not at ease with this kind of unstructured play. And often, that is how you can beat them.”
Despite Picamoles’ rallying cry, the All Blacks are strong favourites to sweep the series, with the tourists bringing a weakened team down under.
However, star forward Ardie Savea said he was ready for a close battle.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for them and their mindset to come here and try and beat us,” said Savea.
The Moana Pasifika back rower said the Super Rugby season took a lot out of him but he felt ready for a return.
“There was a bit of fatigue, but the heart was full, and when the heart and spirit are full, it takes over your body when you’re doing the things you love. So, it was nice to take a breath and relax,” said Savea.
“It’s nice to come back in here and get stuck into it. It’s easy for me to do that, I need to be at my best.”
The Roarhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2025/07/02/all-blacks-are-not-at-ease-with-this-french-greats-blueprint-to-topple-kiwis-with-a-touch-of-madness/‘All Blacks are not at ease with this’: French great’s blueprint to topple Kiwis with a ‘touch of madness’
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