We will not return to this irrelevant opening ceremony, at the Stade de France, Friday evening, finally explaining to us that it was better before. Although… the All Blacks were able to say it to themselves at the end of a match which saw them disappear over the minutes and lose by a score of (27-13). No doubt, yes, not so long ago it was better…
We will not talk about a tricolor exploit either. That’s enough ! There was none, but the simple observation that, from now on, the famous gap in favor of the nations of the South (New Zealand, Australia and to a lesser degree South Africa) no longer exists. The French team won logically without having to put forward a huge riot of energy, French flair or luck. None of that, quite the contrary. “It’s not an achievement, added coach Fabien Galthié, but it is an important victory. »
A pattern already seen in preparation matches against the Fiji Islands, then against Australia
The French team, although still far from its peak form expected for the quarter-finals, rolled out a well-oiled game plan that is now known to all: “In the first half, we didn’t control the game. There were a lot of clashes. No doubt we were taken by the atmosphere in the stadium and the stakes of this opening match? But our discipline allowed us to hold on,” explained the coach.
A pattern already seen in preparation matches against the Fiji Islands, then against Australia: “The numerous New Zealand mistakes allowed us to always stay afloat thanks to the foot of Thomas Ramos. Although a little inhibited, we stayed in the match and that was the main thing”analyzes Captain Antoine Dupont.
All that remained was to move into a second period where “the finishers changed things and the showdown was won”, continues Fabien Galthié, before Antoine Dupont adds: “In the first half, we played too safe. The extra pass was still missing. We refocused the shot in the locker room at halftime. The second part of the match was a great success. We were very collective in defense and with the ball. »
Without forcing in the face of the weakness of the New Zealanders, to the point that Mourad Boudjellal, former boss of RC Toulon, explained on his blog that if he were still at the head of the Var club, he would not take any of the Blacks who were on the team. field Friday evening, the France team is moving slowly but surely towards its next meeting, Thursday, in Lille (9 p.m.), against Uruguay. Missing, unfortunately, is Julien Marchand injured, but, with such a bench, it would be surprising if the Blues did not continue their march forward towards what has obsessed them for four years, lifting, on October 28, the trophy Webb Ellis.
2023-09-10 17:24:12
#Rugby #French #allrisk #insurance #LHumanité
