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NZ Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: How weakened touring side cheats rugby out of a proper contest
Strategically, leaving so many of their frontline troops to rest and recover in the French summer may ultimately prove to not be an effective form of cheating. Not taking the opportunity to test themselves against the All Blacks in a three-test series may turn out to be an opportunity lost – a blown chance to galvanise a team that was looking frighteningly good by the end of this year's Six Nations. Ireland showed the value of going all-in, when they brought every man and his dog to New Zealand in July 2022, won the series and then embarked on a 17-test unbeaten streak that ended in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final. French coach Fabien Galthié is bringing a weakened line up into the first test. Photo / Photosport Maybe it will prove to be the masterstroke coach Fabien Galthié hopes it will be – a way to preserve the mental and physical vigour of his best, while finding the odd gold nugget buried deep within his squad here in New Zealand. Whether resting so many players this July helps or hinders France is not the point, though. This shouldn't be happening. It contravenes the goodwill agreement between the top-tier nations about the respect they show for international rugby and while the term cheating may be harsh, it is accurate. It is cheating the system of reciprocity – damaging its credibility and integrity. The deal is that international rugby is best v best, and what France have done is turn up to the All Blacks' house party with a bottle of unremarkable Côtes du Rhône when they promised to bring Saint-Émilion. They will still have the temerity to expect the All Blacks to bring something splendid from the Gimblett Gravels next time they are due in Paris. It is cheating the All Blacks out of the contest they wanted. It is cheating New Zealand Rugby out of the marketing story it needs and hampering its future ability to sell tickets. And it is cheating the fans as it's a dupe: a straight consumer case of not being sold what was advertised. The punishment for France will likely be a difficult three weeks in which they battle to contain an All Blacks team that should have too much pace, power and experience for them. It could get embarrassing – scorelines that run away on them – but obviously the French aren't overly worried about that, or they wouldn't have selected the way they have. They have come with a mindset that they have nothing to lose as they threw the series away the instant they picked the squad they did. Now they believe they only have a potential upside to think about which is the possibility of this rag tag group of good but inexperienced players finding a way to punch way above their weight. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson during the squad naming for 2025, held at the Coastal Rugby Club in Taranaki. Photo / Dean Purcell All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has sidestepped making any pronouncement on the issue, preferring instead to frame the series as what his side can gain from it rather than focusing on what they have been denied. But then what else could he say or do? This whole business is above his pay grade and he will be judged just the same as he would have had the French brought the heavy cavalry rather than the light infantry. His goals remain unchanged, but the ability to achieve them has unquestionably become significantly easier. This is now a series in which the All Blacks can get their scrummaging honed – the timing fractionally more precise and the all-important art of adapting to the referee and adjusting to his interpretations improved. It's a series in which they can lift confidence in their driving maul and their ability to defend it, and it's a series in which they can build familiarity with their attack patterns while tinkering with their midfield and back three set-ups. There will be the illusion of this being the big time – but on the field there will be a fraction more time for the All Blacks to pass and catch, a little bit of naivety to exploit at set-piece, a little bit of leeway to make the odd mistake and not be harshly punished for doing so. It all sounds great, maybe even a good thing that the All Blacks can open their season with a tough but underpowered opponent to give them a challenging but not overly intense means to feel their way into 2025. But again, whether playing France Lite is indeed a better way for the All Blacks to start their campaign, is a moot point. The French have cheated everyone. Gregor Paul is one of New Zealand's most respected rugby writers and columnists. He has won multiple awards for journalism and written several books about sport. For live commentary of this weekend's All Blacks v France test, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.
Forbes
07-04-2025
- General
- Forbes
What's The Difference Between Cabernet Sauvignon And Merlot?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are like siblings—both come from the Bordeaux family, both are widely loved, and both can be found in everything from weeknight pours to high-end cellars. Yet, despite their shared origins, these two grapes have distinct personalities. If you've ever stood in the wine aisle debating between the two, this guide will help you understand the key differences—without making you feel like you need a sommelier certification. Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot hail from Bordeaux, France, where they are often blended together. Cabernet brings structure and bold flavors, while Merlot smooths things out with plush fruitiness. Think of Cabernet as the serious older sibling who wears a blazer to dinner, while Merlot is the easygoing one who shows up in a sweater and still gets seated at the best table. Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its strong tannins and deep flavors. When you take a sip, you'll often taste blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum, along with notes of cedar, tobacco, and sometimes even a bit of green bell pepper (which comes from a compound called pyrazine). It's dry, intense, and has a firm grip on your palate, thanks to those tannins. Merlot, on the other hand, is softer, rounder, and more fruit-forward. It leans into ripe plum, cherry, and raspberry, with hints of chocolate, vanilla, and baking spices. It still has structure, but it's generally more approachable. If Cabernet is a handshake, Merlot is a hug. Winery workers treading red wine getty One of the biggest differences between these two wines is their tannin levels. Tannins come from grape skins and seeds, and they create that dry, almost puckering sensation in your mouth. This difference in tannin structure also affects aging potential. Cabernet Sauvignon ages beautifully, developing complex flavors over time. Merlot, while still age-worthy, is often best enjoyed earlier in its life. Choosing between Cabernet and Merlot often comes down to what's on your plate. If you're bringing a bottle to a dinner party and aren't sure what's on the menu, Merlot is the safer bet—it's like the wine version of being effortlessly charming. Both wines are widely available at almost every price point. You can find affordable bottles under $20, as well as high-end, collectible versions that require a small financial commitment (and possibly a special occasion). If you want to experience Bordeaux-style wines, you can explore French blends that combine both grapes. Left Bank wines (like those from Médoc) lean more toward Cabernet, while Right Bank wines (like those from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol) are Merlot-heavy. woman buying wine in the supermarket getty So, which one should you choose? It depends on your taste: At the end of the day, there's no wrong choice—just the right wine for the moment. And if you're still unsure, well, there's always room for both on your wine rack.
