fifteenth of France. Antoine Dupont, French Flair, attacking play… How were the Blues seen in New Zealand?

In the Land of the Long White Cloud, the image of the Blues is much appreciated after the battering (40-25) that hit the Blacks last November. Liked by Antoine Dupont, the return of French flair, an unusual regularity… Here’s how the blues are seen in New Zealand.

“Oh, she’s wonderful” (Oh, she’s wonderful, in French). That sentence is on everyone’s lips when we ask New Zealanders what they think of the blues. Historic rivals to the tricolor, the kiwi are very excited about the idea of ​​talking about why they would like to see France play.

The blues “kicked our butts” last November

For most questioned, their last XV photo for France dates back to the heavy defeat (40-25) suffered by the All Blacks, on November 20, at the Stade de France. “They played so well, it was frustrating to watch because you couldn’t resist them,” recalls Blacks supporter Jeremy. “And then, this hike from Ntamack, awesome, the procedure was worth to finish.”

By 15 points, the Blues had the biggest win in history against New Zealand. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen France hit our ass that way (laughs), and yet I was there in 1999 and 2007,” said Hamilton Chiefs fan Adrian Turner. “I remember we watched the match with my brother and dad. We were all speechless to see such a performance.”

Antoine Dupont, head of French rugby

The best player in the world in the title, Antoine Dupont has the advantages of a kiwi. He manages to do things I would never have thought possible on the rugby court,” says Sam, wearing an Auckland Blues shirt. For Gregory, the Toulouse half “represents very well what the spirit of French flair can be. He has all the qualities of an excellent semi-scrum, and in addition, he loves space, he is a dream for the team.

For Jimmy Wall, a journalist for Radio New Zealand and Ragbybas, the praise doesn’t stop there: “He’s the most influential player in the game when he’s on the pitch. How he controls the game is very important. What I find amazing is that even if he’s not there, There is enough talent in the French group to win the big matches.

Fifteenth regularity for France ‘not usual’

After the 2011 generation, France was not at its best. There was no trophy in the Six Nations, a mediocre performance in 2015, then a little better in 2019. Fabian Galthe’s arrival changed a lot of things, including consistency. “I was surprised by such consistency in the game,” adds Jimmy Wall. “It’s not unusual for the 15th French national team to be so regular.”

With Galthié, the Blues know “the kind of rugby they want to play” according to Ole Ritchie, a journalist at Newshub. “It is a team that has learned to use the ball. We have seen how difficult it is for the All Blacks to manage the attacking waves. In my opinion, they are the big favorites to win the World Cup next year.”