TARGET: Richie McCaw does some stretching exercises at the All Blacks captain's run.

Richie McCaw's injured foot will be targeted by the French who have boldly claimed the All Blacks will be leaderless if the captain can be forced from the field.

There can be no misinterpretation of France's intent on the eve of tomorrow night's World Cup final. The message was delivered in English by defensive coach Dave Ellis, an ex-league player from Castleford.

Ellis predicted a crippling psychological impact should McCaw's dodgy foot be - mysteriously - injured by a big French brute at Eden Park.

Asked if France will attempt to restrict the inspirational captain's time on the field, Ellis smiled.

"I'd like to think so. McCaw is major player. Somebody will stand on his foot, no doubt," he said before revealing France had become increasingly motivated by perceived media attacks on them and lack of respect for their achievements.

McCaw has battled on one foot in this tournament but his presence, guidance and leadership are invaluable to the All Blacks. With injured playmaker Dan Carter already absent, France feel half the job is done.

Remove McCaw and New Zealand could self-implode. It has happened before.

McCaw's influence has increased ten-fold without Carter. France realise that.

Ellis raised the McCaw issue while hitting back at the long line of French critics.

The French have a history of foul play, including at World Cups. In the 1999 World Cup final, Australian captain John Eales threatened to take his team off the field after allegations of eye-gouging against France. The week before they were accused of using underhanded spoiling tactics in their upset win over the All Blacks at Twickenham.

France have copped a barrage of insults this week, including from former South African World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar and English wing Chris Ashton. The Tricolors' desperation may push them over the edge. Being labelled everything from unworthy finalists to "filth" has riled them. Disrespectful articles are plastered around their hotel for inspiration.

France may embrace their dirty reputation if Ellis' comments were a gauge. The frank Englishman reflected the mood of an inspired French outfit that has been backed into a corner. The outsiders have adopted a siege mentality of us against the world.

Explaining the outlandish tactic to target McCaw's foot, Ellis felt the All Blacks crumbled once Carter left the field in that 2007 quarterfinal upset in Cardiff and suggested they were vulnerable without their superstar leaders when France defeated the All Blacks in Dunedin two years ago.

"That was one of the major factors in 2007 when we managed to make him [Carter] leave the field with injury. That was the turning point. He wasn't there in 2009 and neither was McCaw.

"There's other key players that if we can get to and influence, that'll have a knock-on effect. Some of them are their experienced players."

The longer this final stays close, the longer the jitters and potential déjà vu creeps into the All Blacks' subconscious. Fear is the best friend of the French.

France are capable of pressuring and potentially removing key figures, such as McCaw and Piri Weepu, by whatever means possible. It would not be a first.

Marc Lievremont's side have strategically analysed past signs of tension that will open doors for them to engage in the favoured mental battle. Their best chance at glory is to inflict self-doubt.

"What will happen to some of the All Blacks' players if we manage to keep them under continued pressure?" Ellis asked.

"In major sporting events there's always something in the back of your mind. We need to be going forward and putting their halfback under pressure."

The radical assertions did not cease there. Despite the All Blacks conceding just seven tries from six games in this tournament, Ellis was confident of breaking the shackles.

In last week's semifinal, Australia weren't able to cross the line but they did enough to expose New Zealand's weak links, Ellis claimed.

"There are more weaknesses in the All Blacks' defensive systems than what we found in the Welsh and Australians," he said.

"They're an outstanding attacking team, but there's certain areas of their defence we can exploit."