French captain Thierry Dusautoir said in Auckland that his team will be looking to upset the All Blacks first rugby union test at Eden Park.
While the All Blacks have won 38 of their 51 internationals against the European side, France have produced a number of high profile upsets, most notably in World Cups.
France also won their series 2-0 in New Zealand in 1994 with then winger, and now coach, Phillipe Saint-Andre sparking “the try from the end of the world”.
The victory was the last that any side have achieved over the All Black at Eden Park, though Dusautoir almost inspired the French to an upset victory in the 2011 World Cup final before the All Blacks edged a nervous 8-7 win.
Dusautoir said the venue was considered a special place for his side.
“Our coach won at Eden Park. Personally I have played a final of a World Cup over there so I hope to experience a victory out there tomorrow for once because it’s my, I think this may be the last game there so I hope that I will exit of the pitch tomorrow with a great smile and a victorious feeling,” the loose forward told reporters at the team’s central Auckland hotel.
France will play three tests against the All Blacks, with the second match on June 15 in Christchurch and the final test a week later at New Plymouth.