That's a misquote from elsewhere in the media Luka (or at the least pasted together later from several interviews, and said much later when someone had had a word with him), which you'll see if you watch the actual first interview (1:46:12):
http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=283295. The words 'France' or 'French' are not mentioned - McCaw is faux-humble, and he'll never go down as a great in the rugby world at large (unlike say Carter or Lomu, who are universally respected), because so many people think he's a cheat (I myself am ambivalent about this, my dislike for him stems from today).
I wasn't saying that he shouldn't have accepted the praise, just that he should have been more gracious in a game where the ABs were clinging on in the second half, and where there were two better back row players on the field than him (by common consent of neutrals). France had been gracious the previous week when they in turn had been outplayed, much as I disliked their performance, as (I think) had Australia after their fortunate victory over SA. Fitzpatrick was fair in his analysis - great player and commentator. It's not an anti-NZ thing, just an anti-Henry and McCaw thing.
I was really surprised Dagg didn't turn up today; he was the star of last week's victory. Similarly with Jane and Weepu. The ABs are certainly the best team in the world in general, no argument about that, but they went from sublime to being flairless in the backs between last week and this. I'd've been interested to have seen a NZ-SA semi-final.
Guess I'm also a bit bored of being told about supposed Southern hemisphere dominance/better back play. SH sides are definitely better in closing games out, no argument, and the SH-NH score of 6-1 bears that out clearly, but both England and France made better line breaks in the last two finals than SA or NZ. Seems that the SH sides don't trust their backs in the final analysis.
[I thought Australia had the best backs in the world pre-tournament, but hey - where was the evidence when it really counted (OK, Beale had injury problems, and he's prob the best of all to be fair, but still)?]
Plus, refereeing today! NZ can hardly complain about 2007 (though they would be justified in doing so in isolation)...
As for the game itself, I'd say it was the most exciting of all the WC finals I've seen (didn't see all of 2003). France remain the most thrilling team in world rugby bar none when on song, although my faith in that was rigorously tested over the past few weeks. However, a minor point but utterly bemusing observation: what the fuck was up with both Parra(?) and Weepu kicking the ball out for the end of the first half in semi-final and final respectively, when their team had good possession? Hopelessly negative and completely unremarked upon by ITV - I've rarely seen anything so bizarre.