Cooking up a French storm | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

The bottles of French champagne are on ice as hundreds of French-born locals get ready to cheer on their team.

The All Blacks may have played France 50 times since 1906 and won 37 times but their supporters say they won't go down without a fight.

Maurice Mourali, owner of Cafe Versailles, said the French team should not be underestimated.

"It's going to be a hard game for sure. The French team haven't being playing as well as we had expected but people should not write them off as either team has a chance of success. As we say, the best team will win on the day, we will have to wait and see.

Mr Mourali, who is set to host a house full of regular customers and special guests at a private party at his restaurant on Sunday, said he had created a special menu to mark the occasion.

It includes Bluff oysters, duck and wild pork terrine, pork belly, duck, French cheeses, profiteroles and crepes.

But, even if the All Blacks do win, Mr Mourali said he would be really happy as they had played so well throughout the tournament and deserved to win.

"Whatever the result is, I hope there are no hard feelings," he said.

Freddy Brignone, owner of Greerton-based cafe Le Chat Noir, said a crowd of around 50 of his French-born customers and other supporters would gather at his cafe on Sunday night to watch the game. "Having lived in New Zealand for over 10 years I know the support will be 99 per cent in favour of the All Blacks but I have to support the team from my motherland."

Mr Brignone said since the tournament started he had copped a lot of "friendly banter and abuse" especially from some of his Kiwi, Welsh and English-born customers when he flew the French flag but had taken it all in his stride as he knew how passionate Kiwis were about their rugby.

"One news presenter said last week that the French had been consistent at only one thing since the start of the tournament, that was at being inconsistent. That may be so, but people should not underestimate the French team as they are dangerous and could easily pull one out of the bag.

"I know the All Blacks are a very skilled and determined side but French pride is on the line here. You can be sure the French team will be just as determined and be putting in 150 per cent effort to take the cup."