All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty is expecting a fired-up French side when the two nations go into battle on Sunday morning (NZ time).
France will be missing at least 16 first-choice players ruled out due to injury, many sustained during the gruelling Top 14 domestic competition.
France face an uphill battle having won just three of eight matches this year, and last defeated the All Blacks in 2009.
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Even the players in the French camp believe they will struggle against the world champions.
"You have to be realistic, we're playing the best team in the world," said France outside back Yoann Huget.
"Looking at our results, most of the world sees us losing this match. We'll try to give our best to hang with them and make their task as difficult as possible."
Despite that, Crotty is still expecting France to put up a fight.
"The French team will still play in a similar way that they always have. They have that flair, free-flowing rugby, they like to offload.
"No matter what backs are there, they always have good footwork and express themselves in the way they play rugby - so that's French rugby and that's what we're going to expect on Saturday night."
France currently have 46 players in camp with the team and while the All Blacks don't have as many, they have been boosted with the addition of six players who featured for the Barbarians during their match against New Zealand.
Atu Moli, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock Dillon Hunt, Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo'unga have all joined the squad for the French leg for the tour and all will likely play the French Barbarians on Wednesday (NZ time).
Crotty said the addition has been great to help the team prepare for France.
"The guys who have come in from the Baabaas have been awesome. There are a few young, nervous guys but they've fitted in seamlessly and helped us train really well [on Tuesday]. It was a sharp session, and they've brought a wee bit of fresh energy."
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