France slammed by media as Japan face Tonga at W.Cup

Rugby writers in New Zealand rounded on France accusing them of sending out an understrength team to take on the All Blacks here this weekend, while pool rivals Japan were hit by another injury blow. The French team, named on Tuesday to take on the tournament favourites in their Eden Park citadel, was an "insult" and a "farce," some claimed. Behind the move was seen to be French manoeuvering to make sure they lose the game and thus ensure an easier route through the knock-out stages. "It is an insult to the 60,000 who have bought tickets expecting a contest between teams at full strength," fumed rugby journalist Peter Bills, in a column in the New Zealand Herald. "France have devalued the most eagerly awaited World Cup game for four years and blown an enormous raspberry at the IRB (International Rugby Board)," wrote Bills. "France have made so many bizarre selections for this weekend that the conspiracy theory is the only logical explanation," he added. The match is loaded with historical significance after France shocked the All Blacks in the quarter-finals four years ago, reviving memories of their famous 1999 semi when Les Bleus came storming back from behind to win 43-31. French coach Marc Lievremont named scrum-half Morgan Parra at fly-half, left usual number eight Inamol Harinordoquy on the bench, while giving Dimitri Szarzewski his first start of the competition at hooker. The French camp have hotly denied any suggestions that they are sending out an understrength team and insist they are bent on once again defeating the All Blacks. The top team in Pool A will face likely knock-out games against Argentina and either South Africa or Australia to reach the final, while the runner-up looks set to play England and then Ireland or Wales. The All Blacks meanwhile returned to Auckland to complete their preparations for the group stages blockbuster after a four days stay in Christchurch where they consoled victims of February's killer earthquake. Pool A rivals Japan and Tonga were playing the day's only match up in Whangarei, the most northerly of the World Cup venues and Japan's preparations were once again hit by injury. Centre Koji Taira became the fifth player from coach John Kirwan's squad to be be ruled out of the tournament after he sustained an injury to his left hamstring. Japan hve already lost heavily to France and New Zealand, the two strongest teams in Pool A and Kirwan has set his side the basic target of winning their last two games against Tonga and Canada. In the capital Wellington, Australia and the United States unveiled their lineups for Friday's match with the Americans making a tournament high 14 changes to their starting lineup. Australia coach Robbie Deans made six changes to the team that lost to Ireland with scrum-half Will Genia captaining the side in the absence of rested lock James Horwill. "We've got a big job ahead of us. The United States showed against ireland that they are a totally committed opponent," said Genia. England hero Jonny Wilkinson meanwhile warned his teammates that time was running out for them to eliminate the errors that are marring their World Cup campaign. Bidding to appear in a third successive World Cup final, England may have won their opening Pool B matches, against Argentina and Georgia, but both fixtures have seen them concede numerous penalties. Wilkinson is best known for the extra-time drop-goal that enabled then England captain Johnson to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy after a thrilling 2003 World Cup final against Australia in Sydney. "Mistakes in a World Cup are going to cost you," Wilkinson said. "They could have cost us very badly in the first half against Georgia. "We just can't afford to do it. Sooner or later it will be something we can't come back from."