2023-09-06 20:36:44
It is a little before 3 p.m. in Hall 2 of the Gare de Lyon this Wednesday, a young woman with a yellow scarf around her head is playing the piano while filming herself with her smartphone. She is probably far from imagining that one of the best teams in the world of rugby is about to disembark from a train at 4:08 p.m. from Lyon Perrache.
The All Blacks, who have taken up residence in Lyon since their arrival in France, have indeed joined the capital, two days before the first match of the World Cup, against the Blues, at the Stade de France, this Friday.
Several railway police officers are gathered in front of the access to the platforms. A precise protocol has been planned for the arrival of the New Zealand team. No mixing with the crowd for security reasons: it will be an exit from the back of the train. Ian Foster’s men will disembark track 23.
On their descent from car 1, specially reserved for the occasion, at the back of the train, members of the staff and players quickly go to their bus, protected by the police. Smiles, closed faces, helmets on their ears, the future opponents of the Blues will not stop.
“17 of the 20 teams will use the train”
Present for the occasion, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, was delighted to welcome “a legendary team with all due respect”. Clément Beaune, Minister Delegate for Transport, welcomed the massive and unprecedented use of the train for this 2023 World Cup. “These are sporting events (also in reference to the Paris Olympics) which are ecological, he assured. Pay attention to modes of transport. We have a completely new partnership (with the SNCF) since 17 of the 20 teams in this Rugby World Cup will use the train to get around. 80% of trips, trips, teams and equipment will be done by train, mainly or by bus.
The All Blacks have joined Créteil and will train this Thursday at INSEP. Friday, they will find the Blues of Fabien Galthié eager to launch against them a long-awaited World Cup.
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