2023-09-10 17:19:05
With hindsight, the performance of the France team in the opening match of the World Cup, Friday September 8, against the All Blacks (27 to 13) is even more impressive than it seems. Never in their history at the World Cup have New Zealand lost a match in a group stage. Here they are picked up cold by the Blues who have confirmed their status as favorites for a first world title at home.
“A lot of pressure in the first half”
However, everything was not perfect in the furnace of the Stade de France. The timid start – with a try conceded after one minute and thirty-two seconds – and the up-and-down play of the Blues during the first half raised fears of a complicated scenario to start the competition.
At the end of the match, the French captain, Antoine Dupont, conceded: « We were a little inhibited at the start of the match. We played with the handbrake. We had to let go, manage to play attacking balls. » Same analysis from the coach, Fabien Galthié: “We felt that there was a lot of pressure in this first period. It was difficult to free ourselves. »
“A clear ability to quickly get back to the right place”
Given this face shown against the Blacks, it is difficult to judge the first match of the France team. A first half spent enduring, a second much more convincing. Former international Philippe Sella sees this “a clear ability to quickly get back to the right place and quickly become aware of shortcomings”. “This French team was messy, then very lively in the second act, very forward to thwart the Blacks who had been twirling until then,” analyzes the man with 111 selections.
Generosity and self-sacrifice seem to be the key words to define this team since Fabien Galthié took over the reins. Maxime, a supporter of the French team from Toulon, makes no mistake: “This French team scares us but the advantage is that we tell ourselves that with them, things are never decided in advance. Even if it’s still early, we’re already looking forward to the quarter-finals. Mais against Ireland or South Africa (France’s two probable opponents in the quarter-final, Editor’s note), a failed start to the match will not forgive. »
A big burst of energy
For the coach of the French team, Fabien Galthié, optimism is however in order three days before facing Uruguay and transforming the test made by his protégés against the Blacks. “There are points for improvement but to have gone through this match and come out victorious, it will do us good, to the whole delegation,” he assures.
Especially since in terms of waste of energy, a victory against the Blacks is expensive. Hooker Julien Marchand, injured in the thigh, will also be unavailable for a month. In the direct elimination phase, in 1999 as in 2007, the Blues, victorious over the Blacks but rinsed, were eliminated in the following match. A scenario excluded this time. The two teams will not be able to meet again before the final, and the Blues will, for once, have a little time to recover.
An audience already won over
In the meantime, during a meeting with the public at the Rueil-Malmaison rugby school (Hauts-de-Seine), Saturday September 9, the Blues were able to measure their growing popularity. The former hooker and current member of the staff of the XV of France Raphaël Ibanez, was not mistaken. “It allows the players to see the enthusiasm and excitement around our team, he explained, as well as the passion that seems to drive all these young players and future rugby players. » For the iconic ex-captain, there is no doubt that this first victory will lead to others. “It creates a dynamic, it gives a very positive momentum. »
Especially since, with this huge first piece out of the way, much more modest opponents now await the Blues. Starting with Uruguay, on the program for Thursday September 14, which presents itself as Tom Thumb in Pool A despite progressive professionalization. Another future opponent of the French XV, Italy sent a message to be taken seriously: Saturday September 9, for its entry into the World Cup, the Squadra Azzurra crushed modest Namibia with a score of 52 to 8. Excess trust is not permitted.
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