TOULOUSE, France: When France was confirmed on Sunday as New Zealand's quarterfinal opponent in the Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks were thrilled.

The All Blacks, the perennial cup favorites, were expecting to play France ever since the tournament host was stunned in the opener by Argentina more than three weeks ago. The Pumas defeated Ireland 30-15 on Sunday to ensure France finished second in their pool and kept what many consider a premature date with New Zealand this Saturday at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

“No matter who we got, we were going to get a good side but we probably got one of the tournament favorites,” All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen said on Sunday.

“We're better to get France in Cardiff than France in Paris. It's going to be a great week. Exciting.”

There was more good news when the scan on star playmaker Dan Carter's injured calf showed no major tears, and was diagnosed as a minor strain. That meant Carter should be available for the quarterfinal after pulling out of the lineup a day before the 85-8 win over Romania on Saturday.

Tri-Nations champion New Zealand has had the upper hand in clashes with the Six Nations winner, being unbeaten against France in seven tests since 2000. But there was no less respect for the French, especially as their 1999 predecessors defeated New Zealand in the semifinals in one of the cup's biggest upsets.

“They have got talented athletes across the board,” Hansen said. “On their day they can beat anybody and they have proven that time and time again. We've been fortunate against them a few times.”

Since the loss to Argentina, France had regained its swagger with big wins over Ireland, Namibia and Georgia, and Hansen said France was at a point where it was a serious contender again.

“When they've got confidence, they are a dangerous team,” he said.

France captain Raphael Ibanez hoped his team can pull off another victory like in '99, a result from which it draws a lot of confidence.

“Of course we would have preferred to follow another route but we're as determined as ever,” he said.

“We have pride, we believe in ourselves, and we will go to Cardiff with the desire to play a great match.”

France admitted to preferring to stay home, in one of the tournament's biggest ironies. But it still anticipates playing in a great match.

“They're only human beings. We've got lots of determination to go forward and beat New Zealand,” Ibanez said.

“We have reasons to believe, we have lived together for many weeks. This is an exciting week. We will play against one of the best teams, it's fantastic. We don't think they are the favorites. We will go with pride.

“We know what the All Blacks represent in rugby and we have a lot of respect for them but we're not going to Cardiff to watch them play,” captain Sorin Socol said. “It will be a fight and we will do our utmost to upset them.”

Laporte said France was ready to play now.

“The All Blacks are not insurmountable,” Laporte said.

“Quarterfinals are 50/50, so we have to use all the qualities and strengths we've got and consider it a one-off match,” he said. “Never think there's a favorite team and take your chances as they come.”