The main thing is there. The women’s XV of France had come to seek qualification for the quarter-finals of this World Cup in New Zealand. Les Bleues obtained it after their victory against the modest Fijians (44-0), this Saturday in the rural stadium of Whangarei for their last match in this pool C. With this improved success, the French are guaranteed to finish among the four best teams in the qualifying phase, and to meet a lower-ranked team in the quarter-finals next weekend. So much for the accounting result.
For the rest, at the level of the game, everything is not yet perfect. The French, with a renewed team (11 changes compared to the XV which had hung the formidable English last Saturday), have certainly dominated, but without yet asserting themselves as a major contender for the supreme title. Like the start of the match where Thomas Darracq’s players preferred to leave the ball to the Fijians, the experienced Jessy Trémoulière, for her first match in the competition, using and abusing footwork.
In this relatively basic scheme, the Blues have the advantage of occupying the field. After some good work from the forwards, winger Marine Ménager flattens the first corner try. We have to wait 20 more minutes to see the exact copy of this action on the other wing, concluded by Mélissande Llorens (12-0, 29th). Les Bleues are slowly advancing towards their victory with the objective of scoring four tries, synonymous with an offensive bonus and qualification at the top of the table.
The double of Maëlle Filopon
It will be done shortly before the hour mark, thanks to a double from the three-quarter center Maëlle Filopon. The Toulousaine, one of the best French women in the field, is rewarded for her activity with a try before the break, and a second in the second period (25-0, 57th). The Fijians will try to save their honor, but the blue strategy of cornering them in their camp is working. And Gaëlle Hermet’s teammates unfold at the end of the match, with three tries from Gros, Boulard and Domain in the last quarter of an hour.
Even if the game of the French still lacks fluidity and suffers from some dross (imprecise passes, balls lost in touch, in front…), the state of mind, him, is irreproachable. Evidenced by this fierce new game in defense, with no points conceded. Other good news: at the end of this group stage, each of the 32 players of the France group took part in the celebration. Good for cohesion before attacking the cleaver matches, starting next weekend. Les Bleues will know the date and the name of their opponent in the quarter-finals after the last group matches on Sunday.
Dots
France. 7 attempts (M. Ménager 8th, Llorens 28th, Filopon 40th, 57th, Gros 63rd, Boulard 72nd, Domain 80th). 3 conversions (Trémoulière 29th, 64th, 81st). 1 penalty (Trémoulière 20th).