2023-11-08 21:42:12
Three weeks after the elimination in the quarter-finals against South Africa, the coach of the French XV, Fabien Galthié, took stock of the World Cup, saying “ a huge disappointment ».
Published on: 08/11/2023 – 20:42
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Twenty-four days after the one-point defeat against the Springboks (29-28), his explanations were impatiently awaited. He had remained silent, only announcing that he wanted to sue the magazine Here is who published naked photos of him and his partner. Since then, nothing.
His last words were in fact at the Stade de France, late in the night of October 15 to 16: “ It came down to a point… », sighed Galthié.
Before expressing oneself, it was necessary to respect “ time of mourning », in the words of the boss of the Blues, who spoke with players and staff before speaking to the press.
« The only goal we wanted to achieve was to be world champions. There was no other. The disappointment would have been the same if we had lost in the semi-final by one point. The disappointment would have been the same if we had lost in the final by one point. The difference is that we would have lived a week longer. The difference is enormous because we wanted to experience these moments for which we have been working for four years. So the disappointment is huge », he repeated, his face marked.
« I would do the same thing »
Setbacks and disappointments don’t change anything: “ On a tactical and strategic level, if I had to do it again, I would do the same thing ». « We die at one point. Despite all the facts of the game, despite the scenario, we play to win until the last action », insisted Galthié. “ We weren’t wrong about the strategy », Assured the former international scrum-half.
« When you enter the conclusion zone eleven times, it was way beyond our expectations. But on the last gesture, on the facts of the game… It wasn’t enough “, he explained, indicating that his Blues “ were in position to score 37 points “, a sign that he has not ” not deceived ».
Read alsoRugby World Cup: South Africa overthrow France and reach the final four
And now ? The Top 14 has regained its rights and the majority of French World Cup players have returned to the training grounds. Some, like Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka or Toulon third row Charles Ollivon, even played again. Others, like La Rochelle third row Grégory Alldritt, will experience a longer break.
« Requirement »
Fabien Galthié and the XV of France have a little over two months to move on before the next deadline: a clash of revenge against Ireland, on February 2 in Marseille, in the 2024 Six Nations Tournament.
After the international retirements of pillar Uini Atonio or second line Romain Taofifenua, new faces are expected, led by the generation of U20 world champions (Tuilagi, Jauneau, Gazzotti…) and the naturalization of the colossal Australian second line from Toulouse Emmanuel Meafou (2.03m for 145 kilos).
The staff, too, will be renewed since the attack coach, Laurent Labit, and the sideline coach, Karim Ghezal, left for Stade Français, while the performance director, Thibault Giroud, joined Bordeaux- Bègles. They will be respectively replaced by Patrick Arlettaz, from Perpignan, Laurent Sempéré, from Stade français, and Nicolas Jeanjean (internal promotion).
« The lesson to learn from this experience is that there is no limit to the demands. There is no limit to the requirements for French rugby players and to have the strongest possible French team. Let’s be demanding collectively, let’s be demanding individually, let’s all try to raise our level another notch. And it is at this price that we will be even more efficient. »
(With AFP)
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