2023-10-14 08:43:16
“Imperial”, “effective”, “key man”. At each outing of the French team, there is no shortage of qualifiers from the press to salute the performance of the French third row, Grégory Alldritt. As the French XV prepares to face the formidable South African Springboks in the quarter-final, this Sunday, October 15, the double European champion with La Rochelle is no stranger to the Blues’ good start to the World Cup. .
A complete player
Against New Zealand in the opening match (September 8), or more recently against Italy, during the last match of the group stage (October 6), the number 8 of the Blues was elected man of the match. A random ? Not really. Strong in the impact on his advances, the native of Toulouse is difficult to stop for his opponents. Against the Italians, Alldritt gained 68 meters and beat three defenders. Defensively, he is not to be outdone, since by going to scratch the ball, he obtained a penalty.
Crucial, his third line role is the “link between the fronts and the backs”recalls for this purpose the former international (78 caps) and former third row Abdelatif Benazzi. “A good number 8 must be strong, fast, intelligent. It is a central position in the organization. He is part of the backbone of a team, just like the hooker, the hinge (scrum half and fly half) and the back. »
Gradually, this fan of the Irish rockers U2 and golf enthusiast established himself as a key man in Fabien Galthié’s system. However, in the eyes of neophytes, the importance of Grégory Alldritt is not always perceptible. “This is undoubtedly due to the personality of Grégory who is discreet, but who is nevertheless one of the undeniable leaders of this team”estimates the 1999 finalist.
Having become deputy international vice-president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) in June 2023, Abdelatif Benazzi tries to make a comparison: “ Compared to Charles Ollivon, who in terms of leadership has imposed himself, or compared to the charisma of Antoine Dupont, we can think that he is a little faded. However, his behavior on the pitch is very inspiring. He’s one of the quiet people, that’s his personality. But he has the makings of a captain. »
A role too often forgotten
Rare are the teams to have dominated the oval planet without a great number 8. New Zealand, world champion in 2011 then 2015, had legends like Richie McCaw or Daniel Carter in its ranks. But the omnipresence of third line Kieran Read, capable of slowing down the opponent’s ball exits in the rucks and adopting the right defensive strategy, was no stranger to the Blacks’ golden period. Read will also be awarded the title of best player in the world in 2013. The same goes for South African Pieter-Steph du Toit, crowned in 2019, the year of the Springboks’ third world title.
When it comes time to start the tough matches, the French XV can boast of having one of the best number 8s in the competition. “Yes Ardie Savea.” (New Zealand) is perhaps more explosive, and Jasper Wiese (South Africa) nastiest, Grégory Alldritt is the most complete of all”believes Thomas Lièvremont, the former number 8 of the Blues (37 caps) and Biarritz Olympique. “At this level, he is one of the best, if not the best”agrees Abdelatif Benazzi. “He combines power and ball play. He is very playful, he always monopolizes two or three defenders opposite, and that will be an essential asset against the Springboks. »
To dream bigger, Fabien Galthié’s men will have to focus more and more on this 26-year-old boy, trained at FC Auch with his compatriots and friends Antoine Dupont and Anthony Jelonch. A piece of advice: don’t trust your youthful face. The person concerned is perfectly aware of the issue, which he summarized again at a press conference on Thursday October 12: “It’s not a trivial matter to be in the quarter-finals but we have been scheduled for four years to try to go further. »
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