2023-08-28 11:08:53
Of course, we had to talk about this France-Australia (41-17), these forty-something points inflicted on the Wallabies and this successful dress rehearsal before the start of the World Cup twelve days later. But Sunday evening, in this passageway of the Stade de France which acts as a mixed zone, the Blues also caused the All Blacks, their opponent for the first match of this World Cup at home, on Friday September 8 (9:15 p.m.). But above all the knockdown that the New Zealanders received on the side of Twickenham, Friday evening, by South Africa (35-7), the most important defeat in the history of New Zealand.
Obviously, impossible to find a member of the XV of France to explain eye to eye that this setback was synonymous with an opening match won in advance or almost. The All Blacks retain their aura and are difficult to sweep away with a flick a selection that remained unbeaten in eleven games and won all its opposition in July against the other big selections in the Southern Hemisphere.
“We must not misunderstand this match. It remains a preparation meeting, I am convinced that they will offer a completely different face on September 8, asserts the opener Matthieu Jalibert. The All Blacks are still a great team who are used to these competitions and who always respond. We have a lot of respect for this team. »
“Don’t worry about them”
“It’s difficult to judge a warm-up match, even if it’s impressive. It’s hard to judge what state the two teams were in. It’s difficult to learn lessons, ”sweeps his coach Fabien Galthié. Same echo in the third row Charles Ollivon, who slips a little: “Don’t worry about them” when we probe him on the form of his future opponent.
Among the French, some even fear the repercussions of the Springboks’ demonstration for the opening match. “I don’t think this is good news,” slides pillar Dorian Aldegheri. “I think they took a slap. Media-wise, it’s going to be complicated for them. They will be revengeful and will want to show another image, ”anticipates Matthieu Jalibert.
But behind these speeches, we still hear another little music less than two weeks from the shock. Stalled in front of the television on Friday evening, some Blues had two or three ideas when they saw the South Africans swallowing these New Zealanders alive. “It’s interesting to see them dominate the All Blacks the way they did,” said full-back Thomas Ramos. We will watch the game again to see what worked for our confrontation. »
“They got into trouble. If we reproduce what the South Africans have done, it can be interesting for us, ”continues center three-quarter Jonathan Danty, whose power has wreaked havoc against the Australians. Everyone will now be able to think about it in their corner before meeting on Saturday to take up residence in Rueil-Malmaison. Where they will focus only on this team so battered at Twickenham.
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