Richie McCaw denies New Zealand will enter Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against France with a crucial psychological edge.

France have not beaten the All Blacks since 2000, losing eight of the nine meetings since then and shipping an average 43 points per game in the last six of those contests.

Even on home soil Les Bleus have stumbled, crashing to a series defeat last November, and they have been installed as heavy underdogs for their Millennium Stadium showdown.

But All Blacks skipper McCaw, who has never been on the losing side against the French in seven matches, insists recent history will count for nothing at the Millennium Stadium. "I'm not sure that we have the upper hand on France. Every Test match is different because there's that fear to get the result we want," said the 26-year-old.

"It will be really important to get on top early. If there's any doubt there you must try and find it. The French are passionate and physical and they put the pressure on. If we don't match that we'll be in trouble."

While recent head-to-heads point to a New Zealand victory, the All Blacks arrive in Cardiff struggling with the mental baggage of 1999 and 2003. Eight years ago they were sent tumbling out in a stunning semi-final upset by France, and in Australia it was the Wallabies who rubbished their favourites tag - again in the last four.

The consistent failure to justify their billing as favourites - their one and only World Cup success was 20 years ago - is a shortcoming the New Zealand public are desperate to see addressed. But McCaw, who featured in the 22-10 defeat by the Wallabies in 2003, is adamant the current All Blacks squad is superior to its predecessors.

"We are a different team from the sides that went out back then. We have faith that we are better and will do whatever it takes to win on Saturday," he said.

"When you play against them (France) you can't allow them to use the ball or throw it around. If you give them the space to do that you're in trouble."

Meanwhile New Zealand are appealing against a two-week ban on Sione Lauaki that rules the reserve number eight out of the World Cup quarter- and semi-finals.

Lauaki was banned on Monday for a dangerous tackle in the final pool game against Romania last Saturday. A hearing is expected to take place today.

Contepomi laid low

Felipe Contepomi, the World Cup's current second-highest points scorer with 53, was confined to bed with flu on Tuesday, missing Argentina's training, team doctor Mario Larrain said.

"He's in bed with flu . . . so he'll miss training today and maybe tomorrow," said Larrain.

Contepomi, who played at centre and outhalf in the Pumas' four pool wins, hopes to be fit for the quarter-final against Scotland at the Stade de France on Sunday.