Rugby World Cup: Italy’s defeat forces the Blues to play their qualification in a week

2023-09-30 02:47:54

There was no exploit for Italy against the All Blacks. And indirectly, no qualification without playing this Friday evening for the XV of France. The Blues needed a transalpine success at Décines-Charpieu or a draw to enjoy the assurance of playing the quarter-finals of their World Cup at home in the middle of the two days of rest left by the French staff. But the Italians were dispatched far too quickly, with seven tries conceded in the first period, by the All Blacks (17-96) in the Rhône to give the French time to hope for anything from this meeting.

Result: France no longer has a choice. She will play her future in this competition in this same stadium against Ange Capuozzo and her partners on Friday October 6. Barring an improbable defeat or draw for New Zealand the day before against Uruguay, again in the suburbs of Lyon, Fabien Galthié’s men will be forced to win against Italy. A victory would at the same time secure the place in the quarter-finals and first place in order to return to the Stade de France, probably against South Africa, on Sunday October 15.

But to see Saint-Denis again, we will have to avoid the very unpleasant surprise against the Italians and a setback synonymous with a nightmarish elimination. “We are going to analyze Italy’s game, the way they play in this competition,” announced the three-quarter center of the Blues, Jonathan Danty on Thursday. What they saw from their future opponents should not have traumatized them in the middle of their break before finding themselves on Sunday in training in Aix-en-Provence.

“It will be like a round of 16”

But if the Transalpines have not beaten the XV of France since 2013, the staff still has what it takes to maintain the vigilance of its group in view of this final group match. Starting with the recent memory of the last Six Nations Tournament, launched at the beginning of February in Rome by the French with a very sluggish victory (24-29) and full of indiscipline with 18 penalties whistled against them. “We often encounter difficulties against them, especially during the first 60 minutes,” Danty said on Thursday. For us, it will be like a round of 16 match. »

Jonathan Danty during the victory against Namibia on September 21 in Marseille. Abaca / Icon Sport

There will be no suspense: in the Rhône, Fabien Galthié will line up his typical team of the moment. Captain Antoine Dupont, whose possible return from injury after his maxillo-zygomatic fracture suffered against Namibia on September 21 dominates the news of this group, should not be there, unless there is a huge surprise. But hooker Julien Marchand, injured in a thigh during the opening match won (27-13) against the All Blacks, is applying as is third row Grégory Alldritt, preserved against the Namibians after knee pain.

With or without their scrum half, the XV of France must avoid an industrial accident. And they saw plenty of inspiration on Friday evening with this New Zealand demonstration.