2023-10-16 10:12:50
It takes little to be happy. This Monday morning, the supporters of the Blues would not have spat on one or two additional points on the scoreboard yesterday on the French XV side. Defeated by nothing against South Africa (28-29), Fabien Galthié’s men have developed the unfortunate habit of being narrowly eliminated in the World Cup. In the last four World Cups, they have lost three times by a single point. A record.
2011: France – New Zealand (7-8), the most painful
After a contrasting World Cup and two group defeats, against the All Blacks… and Tonga, the Blues reached the final with forceps against the New Zealand ogre at home in Auckland. But this October 23, 2011 seems to be the day of glory for the XV of France, driven by the desire to seek its first World Cup title. Like captain Thierry Dusautoir, elected man of the match, author of the only try on the Blue side of the match.
In a fiercely contested match, with a South African referee not very conciliatory with the French, the All Blacks maintained their advantage taken at the start of the match until the end. In the 65th minute, François Trinh-Duc missed a long-distance penalty which could have given the Blues the advantage (and perhaps the Holy Grail). Next to him, Damien Traille, specialist in this type of penalties, is the forgotten one of the moment. Infuriating.
2019: Wales – France (20-19), the most frustrating
There, this October 20, 2019, the Blues can only blame themselves. After a flawless performance in the group stage of the World Cup in Japan – the match against England having been canceled due to a typhoon – the French XV are slightly favorites before challenging the Welsh. Their domination materializes on the field until the 49th minute, when the tricolors then lead 19-10.
Moment unfortunately chosen by second row Sébastien Vahaamahina to break down and change the match. During a maul, the Clermontois, who scored the Blues’ first try, delivered a violent elbow to the Welshman Aaron Wainwright in the face. After watching the video, referee Jaco Peyper did not hesitate and brandished the red card. At 14 against 15, the Blues tried everything, fighting to defend their advantage. But in the 74th minute, Wales managed to score a try, contentious some would say because it was possibly tainted by a 20-19 lead and a cruel disappointment for the Blues.
2023: France – South Africa (28-29), the most difficult to swallow
This Monday morning, it felt like I was living a bad dream. France eliminated from its own World Cup by a tiny point after an almost perfect start to the World Cup. The Blues could even advance confidently against the reigning South African world champion. And yet in the end, the experience ended up winning out.
Dominators in an explosive first meeting (3 tries on each side), Fabien Galthié’s men returned to the locker room narrowly in the lead (22-19) and at 15 against 14 almost for the next ten minutes. The gap increased to 25-19, protecting the Blues from a drop or a penalty. But Etzebeth’s powerful try (67th minute) put the Blues behind in the score. Despite a last big push, beyond the siren, a final forward from Reda Wardi puts an end to the hopes of the Blues. Yet another goodbye to the William Webb-Ellis Trophy. This one, at home, hurts more than the others.
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