All Blacks prop believes France will be better in second test
Photo:
JAMES GOURLEY
All Blacks prop Pasilio Tosi reckons France will have their tails up after coming close to knocking the hosts over.
The
All Blacks scraped home 31-27
in last weekend's opening test as the inexperienced French team went within four points of causing a boilover.
Pasilio Tosi clears out a ruck against France.
Photo:
Martin Hunter/ActionPress
The second test is in Wellington on Saturday night with the match, like the first game, sold out.
Tosi came on as a substitute last weekend in Dunedin and he quickly realised how tough the tourists were going to be to beat.
"There was heaps of talk about how it was their B team, but they really did step up to the plate," Tosi said.
"I reckon they'll have a bit of fire in the belly. Coming off the last game, they were only four points behind and I think that they'll be frustrated that they let that one slip.
"We're expecting an aggressive France team this Saturday to really test us."
Tosi said the All Blacks were their own worst enemies at times in Dunedin and he said they're motivated to produce a more dominant performance in Wellington.
"There were quite a few errors that we made out there and that resulted in three disallowed tries. The boys are ready to right their wrongs this Saturday and we know that we're going to be going up against another good France team."
Pasilio Tosi.
Photo:
Photosport / Evan Denworth
The All Blacks set piece and scrum was one of the better parts of their game in Dunedin, with the team winning a scrum penalty at the end of the game to help seal the result.
Despite that, Tosi said it was it was a real battle with the French front row and reminded him just how big the gap is between Super Rugby and internationals.
"The European teams they're big boys. They're just a different kind of strong over there," Tosi said.
"I feel like there were a couple of scrums there that we got lucky on and luckily the ref gave us the that last penalty.
"There's always room for improvement and you can always scrum better. That's the beauty of being in this team, you're never comfy and you're always looking for how to get better."
The All Blacks will be captained by Ardie Savea for the rest of the three-match series after
Scott Barrett was ruled out
with a calf injury.
Ardie Savea.
Photo:
Chloe Knott/Actionpress
Tosi concedes it hurts to lose Barrett, but he insists the All Blacks lose nothing with Ardie Savea as skipper.
"Ardie is stepping up and we all back him," Tosi said.
"He's captained the side before and we've got confidence that he can lead us into a good game this Saturday.
"They both have high standards and are men that lead with actions more than words. They're the ones leading the charge."
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