“Everyone would like to play this match,” Fabien Galthié assured Marcoussis this week. To ease the pressure on his new full-back Romain Buros ahead of his first selection, the coach of the French XV, which ultimately won with a crushing victory over New Zealand on Saturday at the Stade de France (30-29), ensured that it would have been “a dream” for the 27-year-old from Bordeaux. This shock against the All Blacks, however, could have turned into a nightmare. “I’ve had a not easy week”, admitted Buros after the match. I’ve been stressed since Monday. I tried to have fun. Before the hymns and the haka, I left a lot of input in the warm-up.”
After a start to the race that he himself judged to be “a little subdued”, Romain Buros explained that he had freed himself. Even scoring his first goal, that of the blue revolt, as first selection. Like their youngest, the entire France XV managed to compose themselves wonderfully and manage their emotions. A saving mental boost when the Blues had just conceded two tries and after half an hour of play they were 14-3 down, out-conquered, dominated on all impacts and deprived of the ball.
“There was no panic or stress”
Many teams would not recover. But these Blues never doubted. “We’ve been telling ourselves all week that our strength is our character,” explains Paul Boudehent, author of France’s second attempt, the equalizer. As French, I am convinced, we have a little more soul. On the pitch we are capable of surpassing ourselves. Even when we are led, we tell ourselves that we are capable of it. There was no panic or stress. »
Even when the All Blacks are close to breaking, just before the break. “This sequence in which we don’t take a point before half-time is good for us,” says Thibaud Flament from the second row. It allows us to keep one foot in the game. It allowed us to concentrate, to continue to believe in it, to start again well. In the locker room we told each other that we believed in it, that they would explode, that we had faith in our resources to get back into the game. »
Dupont’s speech at halftime
“In the locker room we look at the score. We tell ourselves that we are only seven points away (10-17) and that we can go up, adds Mickaël Guillard, one of the latest arrivals in this group. And then, Antoine spoke. Captain Dupont, his aura, his confidence, his desire to win, have undoubtedly contributed to instilling that ”extra soul” that his teammates talk about.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, the Blues close ranks. “We felt better defensively in the second half,” continues Guillard. We said to each other at half-time that we would stop watching the rucks if we weren’t worried about the tackles. We had to move quickly because they moved the ball a lot. » A strategic adjustment that hits the mark. “We have been resilient,” summarizes Gaël Fickou.
The Azzurri were also able to count on two “Louis’ attempt hurts them. We know him, with his speed qualities, we know that there is a good chance of reaching the end, admits his Bordeaux teammate Romain Buros. And Tommaso, this evening, demonstrates once again that we can count on him. He is a world class player. »
“We wanted to make history too”
Once they had taken the lead (24-17 in the 51st minute), they still had to resist the New Zealand comeback towards the end of the match. Also in this case the solidarity and state of mind of these Blues made the difference. “Feeling that we can count on each other when we defend in line is an exhilarating feeling,” greets coach Antoine Dupont, proud of his team, after the match. Winning the All Blacks is always cool. »
For him it is the third time in a row, since that founding match (40-25), right here 3 years ago. For another part of this group, looking towards 2027, this victory could have the same effect. “There are quite a few players who watched this 2021 match on TV,” admits Paul Boudehent. And we also wanted to make history. » Seeing the explosion of joy from the 80,000 spectators on Saturday at the Stade de France was a success.
How does a player’s debut performance impact their confidence and the team’s overall dynamics?
Time.news Interview: An Insight into French Rugby’s Resilience with Rugby Expert Dr. Claire Moreau
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good day, Dr. Moreau! Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent electrifying match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France. It seems like the French XV has shown remarkable mental fortitude. What’s your take on their performance, particularly regarding Romain Buros’s debut?
Dr. Claire Moreau: Thank you for having me! Indeed, Romain Buros’s debut was nothing short of extraordinary. The pressure he faced was tremendous, especially playing against an iconic team like the All Blacks. It’s commendable how he managed to channel his pre-match anxiety into a spirited performance, scoring his first try, a significant milestone for a player in their first international match.
Interviewer: Buros mentioned having a challenging week leading up to the game. How crucial is mental preparation in high-stakes matches like this?
Dr. Moreau: Mental preparation is critical. The psychological aspect of sports often gets overshadowed by physical training, but it can make or break a performance. The fact that Buros was stressed yet managed to relax during the match speaks volumes about his resilience. The team’s mental strength allowed them to remain composed and believe they could turn the game around even when they were trailing. This speaks to their collective character and preparation.
Interviewer: Paul Boudehent commented on the team’s character saying, “We have a little more soul.” How would you interpret this?
Dr. Moreau: It’s fascinating to see this sense of identity and pride in their play. “Soul” in sports often refers to an intangible quality—a deep-seated belief and passion that drives players to perform under pressure. Boudehent’s confidence reflects a team that believes in each other’s abilities and is willing to dig deep when the going gets tough. This cultural aspect of French rugby, where players feel a strong connection to their heritage and how it influences their game, is incredibly powerful.
Interviewer: You referenced their comeback ability. What psychological strategies might they be employing when they’re down in a match?
Dr. Moreau: One key strategy is positive reinforcement; maintaining belief in their capabilities even when faced with adversity. Captain Antoine Dupont’s speech at halftime is a perfect example of this. His leadership likely encouraged the players to focus on the task at hand rather than the scoreline. Instead of panicking, they concentrated on tactical adjustments—like tightening their defense and working collaboratively. This resilience and ability to regroup are often what separates good teams from great ones.
Interviewer: Thibaud Flament mentioned the importance of staying focused. How significant is it to have players reminding each other of their goals during tense moments?
Dr. Moreau: Extremely significant. Continuous communication among players helps to keep everyone grounded. When a team rallies together, it reinforces individual accountability and collective support. Flament’s remarks highlight that crucial mindset; maintaining focus allows for strategic planning rather than succumbing to despair. Their ability to communicate effectively and stay task-oriented indeed played a pivotal role in their comeback.
Interviewer: In your experience, how does such a win impact the team’s morale and their trajectory in upcoming matches?
Dr. Moreau: Wins like this can serve as a massive confidence boost. It validates their hard work and mental strategies, creating a strong winning mentality that can carry through future matches. The team will likely carry the resilience they demonstrated against the All Blacks into their subsequent games, motivating them to trust their skills and strategies even further. This win acts as both a lesson and a testament to their growing potential.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Moreau, for your insights. It’s clear that both mental and emotional resilience play critical roles in rugby, reflecting a rich tapestry of teamwork, strategy, and spirit!
Dr. Claire Moreau: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing such an inspiring match, and I’m excited to see how the French XV builds on this momentum in future competitions.