3 Reasons the All Blacks won't lose on Saturday

Here we go again. World Cup Quarter-final. France. Cardiff. Wayne Barnes? It's the nightmare every All Blacks fan would like to forget, but alas, here it is, back again, ready to haunt all of us once more. Mind you, there are plenty of reasons to be confident about the rematch of sorts on Sunday morning. Here's why the All Blacks won't lose to France on Sunday:

1. This isn't 2007

The nightmare is old and stale. Eight years is a long time and things have moved on. The All Blacks are defending world champions and twelve members of the current squad helped hoist the trophy four years ago. This team has the experience that the 2007 team lacked. They have been there and done that. Nothing seems to scare this All Black side anymore. This is a team that has gone a whole year unbeaten and lost a total of four games since the last World Cup. Revenge is sweet, and that's the feeling this side will be craving all week.

France meanwhile have been playing in a manner that only the French could - brilliant one game, terrible the next. They were rather tepid against Ireland in their crucial group game, but you can never rule them out of any contest come playoff time. Yet it was the way they lost that was concerning. The Irish had no troubles defending the rare attacks from the opposition, and the lack of fast-flowing, almost improvised play that the French have become known for, would have been concerning to their supporters. While they could have been saving themselves for the All Blacks, they don't look like the team that shocked the world eight years ago.

2. Depth

Probably the most important aspect of this All Black side moving into the knockout stages is their immense depth. No longer are the players on the bench lacking in experience or ability. This squad is equally brilliant from top to bottom. The fact that players like Charles Piutau, Lima Sopoaga, and Israel Dagg could not force their way into the squad shows just how talented this bunch is. It is important to note just how vital their bench has been over the last 24 months. Games have often been won by the impact substitutions in the closing stages of games, breaking through tired backlines with pace and skill. That kind of ability becomes crucial at this point of the tournament, and could just see this team go all the way once more.

3. Playing 80 minutes

80 minutes. That's the length of a rugby game. It's also the length of time that this All Black team plays their hearts out. They have been able to grind out results by continuing to press their opposition right until the final whistle, and it has become a real weapon. In 2013, when it looked like Ireland were finally going to break the hoodoo and beat the All Blacks for the first time in their history, the boys in black somehow managed to find the energy to score a try after the horn had sounded, securing an astonishing win. This kind of resilience and perseverance could be the difference against France, and is a key reason why the All Blacks will not lose this game.