The Epic of Ait Lahbib and Coudert from Montpellier, New Zealand’s military world champions

Two minutes after the end of the final, New Zealand had a 7-6 lead over France. Inside, the trophy reaches the New Zealanders. Blue throws all their troops into battle. Then the referee blows the penalty kick which should allow the three colors to make use of it at the best time.

The inaugural half Emma Coudert takes care of him. She does not shiver and presents the first world title in history to a French rugby union team. “Already in the semi-final against Fiji, I got a penalty kick to win (7-8), Explains the one who just signed this season for the MHR ranks from Clermont-Ferrand. These, 20 seconds left, I had no doubts, I knew I was going to wear them, I was calm. But this final was different. I told myself that I would be able to give birth to 35 girls, and I had more pressure.”

Coudert: “Intense and emotionally charged”

But Emma Coudert did not shiver. However, a few weeks ago, you would not have imagined participating in this Military World Cup in New Zealand. “I’m not in the military at all. This summer, the coach asked me if I was available to strengthen the squad. He had the possibility to face players from abroad. I started this adventure with people I didn’t know at all. We only spent three weeks training before we left In New Zealand, we established relationships, things went really fast, and we felt great “It was full, intense and emotionally charged. Being a world military hero is a wonderful thing. What more could you ask for? It was great especially in rugby country.”

If Coudert played a decisive role in winning this world title, another Montpellier player Hérault Rugby made an impression. Arkia Ait Lahbib (30) was chosen as the best French player in the tournament. The 10 selection column with France, the last being during the 2021 VI Nations Championship, saw opposing defenses.

You will long remember this unusual experience: “The fact of going so far, to change countries, is not easy to manage if you never do. But, we quickly got lucky and it was really quick in the end. Anyway, we only had a match for three days after we arrived.”

Ait Lahbib: “Like revenge”

Nor was it a gift for the Blues who had to play against the locals since the opening and ended up losing. The rest of the competition went unimpeded: “The level was mixed with weak teams like Papua New Guinea and other very strong teams like Fiji, New Zealand, Australia or England, Ait Lahbib continues. We got scared in the first match. When we beat Fiji in the semi-finals, we thought we’d go all the way. It was a tough match in commitment, physical and rough.”

A fight like this in the semi-finals, winning the world title will remain etched in the memory of Arkia Ait Lahbib, army reserve and key player in MHR in Elite 1. “It was like revenge for not choosing the Civilians World Cup. I am very happy with this title, the work pays off. In the final, it was fun to beat the New Zealanders at home. We couldn’t have asked for better.”

Thanks to Montpellier, the French team fulfilled their dream in rugby country.