2023-09-09 09:24:08
What an opening! They had dreamed of it, the Blues did it: cross this Friday September 8 without incident to leave the Stade de France through the very large gate and start this Rugby World Cup in an ideal way. By defeating New Zealand (27-13), the French XV proved its favorite status in front of a won over audience. “In a rather average match on our part, we scored 30 points, it’s super positive. We are capable of doing better than that,” even dares Antoine Dupont, satisfied captain of the Tricolores.
The day was however “very long, like the week”, admits the international scrum half. “A match at 9 p.m., a poster like that, the wait is long, especially when you stay in the room. You have to clear your head, think about something else. We managed it pretty well. The pressure at the start of the match was unconscious. We wanted to do things well. » Could stress be responsible for the New Zealanders’ try scored from the start (2nd minute)? “I don’t think so,” assures Thomas Ramos. We had prepared well, we knew what awaited us, a great atmosphere. You can get caught on a throw, behind them they score. We didn’t panic. »
“We had to free ourselves, we were inhibited at the start of the match,” continues his partner from Stade Toulouse Antoine Dupont. We gave away balls too easily, we didn’t play three times in a row. We had to let go, we had to play better collectively, pass more. It was not out of selfishness, but by the pressure of this opening match, it prevented this pass which normally feels good. » Everything then changed at half-time.
“It was huge, we took a slap with all this audience”
“We wanted to come back with better intentions from the locker room,” explains Ramos. We have a superb reaction. We were able to dominate our opponent. We knew how to keep the ball, which we didn’t do in the first half. As soon as we keep it, we harm the opponents. » “We have been able to build up confidence over the years,” recalls Antoine Dupont. So even when we take points, we don’t panic. This evening, our basics (defense, conquest, kicking, discipline) allow us to stay in contact and then take off. »
3 – France have now beaten New Zealand three times at the men’s Rugby World Cup, more than any other nation; they are also the first team to beat the All Blacks by more than 12 points in the tournament. AllBleus. #FRAvNZL pic.twitter.com/9RYmvrgr5d
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 8, 2023
Pre-match preparation also counted. Like this long moment between arriving at the stadium and warming up, disrupted by the opening ceremony. “We prepared him against Australia (during the last preparation match), says Gabin Villière. The very tight warm-up timing, the fact of staying in the locker room all together… It seemed hypernatural to us in the end. » And the last minute package of Sam Cane, New Zealand captain? “I found out late,” explains François Cros. I didn’t know if it was a package deal or a strategic choice. His experience is important in these matches. It was a loss for them but, for us, it didn’t bother us. »
Even Peato Mauvaka, who quickly came on in place of the injured Julien Marchand, seemed up to the occasion. “You’re never ready to go home this early. It’s a special match for me, concedes the hooker. I tried to quickly switch. My mother was in the stands. It was an adrenaline rush. »
The atmosphere at the Stade de France obviously played its role. “It was huge, just in the warm-up we took a slap with all this audience,” says replacement full-back Melvyn Jaminet, author of the liberating try at the end of the match. From the warm-up, we were directly in the game, we knew what to expect. It was magical. »
“Exceptional support,” confirms Grégory Alldritt, elected man of the match after having scrapped for 80 minutes. We may be used to having the Stade de France on fire for several years, but this time it was very strong. We expect the same thing in the provinces and from next weekend. » The message has gone through for Lille and the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, venue for the clash against Uruguay, Thursday September 14.
#free #triumph #France #Blacks #told