Scoop Audio: French Ambassador on eve of RWC Semi-Final

Friday, 14 October 2011, 5:22 pm
Article: Gordon Campbell

Gordon Campbell: Interview with Francis Etienne on eve of RWC semi-final against Wales

French Ambassador
to New Zealand Francis Etienne - Photograph supplied by
French Embassy

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The staff of the French Embassy in Wellington in French Colours - Ambassador Francis Etienne is pictured center.
Photographs here and below supplied by French Embassy

Gordon Campbell interviewed the French Ambassador Francis Etienne this morning (October 14) about New Zealand’s relationship with France and the importance of rugby.

Click a link to play audio (or right-click to download) in either
MP3 format or in OGG format.

From Ambassador says Rugby World Cup strengthening NZ-French ties | NATIONAL News:

The French Ambassador to New Zealand is "anxious, confident and excited" ahead of this weekend's Rugby World Cup semi final clash between France and Wales.
Francis Etienne will be at the game which he expects to be emotional and thrilling.
Etienne is hoping for a France - All Blacks final and says French supporters have been thrilled with the warm welcome they have received in New Zealand.
The RWC is helping strengthen ties between France and New Zealand and about 12,000 French supporters are estimated to have come to New Zealand for the tournament.
Etienne says the event has brought the two countries closer and stories and pictures about New Zealand are constantly being published in the French news.
The two countries met in the final in 1987 - the only time New Zealand has won the tournament.

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