French success can't make Laporte smile

France's 42-33 win over the All Blacks in Marseille on Saturday was not enough to put the smile back on Bernard Laporte's face.

The French still have their renowned flair and can produce superb performances but coach Laporte believes his team still lag behind the Southern Hemisphere nations after losing two of their three home Tests this month.

Defeats to world champions Australia and New Zealand at the Stade de France confirmed that France still lack patience and tactical intelligence.

The third Test also proved they were one step behind physically, said Laporte.

The hosts, leading 17-0 after a brilliant start in Marseille, faded to concede three tries before the break. The second half was a little better but the French relied heavily on Christophe Lamaison, who piled up 27 points. Laporte said: 'It's good to have heart and great will but it's far from enough to make a great team. It's not enough to put you among the best.'

The French players are aware of their lack of consistency and were reluctant to get carried away.

Captain Fabien Pelous said: 'We must keep cool. It's just a victory and tonight we didn't become the best side in the world.' Laporte echoed his skipper when, surrounded by cheering journalists, he said: 'They are still well ahead of us. The All Blacks are still a great team and the Southern Hemisphere countries are still one step ahead.' Laporte was especially angry at last week's 39-26 defeat to the Kiwis, blaming the indiscipline of his team. He said: 'We gave the victory away. We gave them the stick to beat us. It's really frustrating because, physically, we were level with them.

'It's worth nothing to play a great match if the next one you just have a poor performance. The great teams are the ones who can produce several great matches consecutively.' Laporte, who considers Australia the example to follow, believes France are too dependent on their Latin culture. 'We must walk towards professionalism like the nations from the south do,' he warned.

'I spent a lot of time overseas to try to understand why the difference has been so obvious since the 1995 World Cup.When I went to training sessions I was not impressed. But the main difference is that they are true professionals.' Laporte is ready to take on the tough work needed to bring France up to that level. He added:'I will have to make the players understand a lot of things. Maybe one day the message will find its way into their minds.'