Three reasons to watch the Blues in New Zealand

It stands to reason that the World Cup semi-finals will occupy the media space this weekend. But between New Zealand-Argentina this Friday (9pm) and South Africa-England Saturday (9pm), you’ll have the chance to see a French rugby team in action, and perhaps console yourself (a little) from being eliminated in the tournament. Blues vs Springboks (29-28). Here are three good reasons to wake up on Saturday morning (8am on TMC) to watch the match between France and New Zealand in Wellington.

Because WXV is a completely new competition

It’s not every year that a new competition sees the light of day, especially in rugby, which is notoriously conservative. Last spring, World Rugby announced the creation of the WXV, a three-tier tournament (WXV1, WXV2 and WXV3) that brings together nations according to their level.

Thus France, the stronghold of international rugby, finds itself in the WXV1 tournament with New Zealand, Australia and Canada, but also with England and Wales, which it will not face because it has already played them during the Six Nations.

If this WXV tournament’s position on the calendar raises questions, in the middle of a men’s World Cup, it at least has the advantage of bringing together the best teams on the planet. It remains to be seen whether they will all be at the expected level.

Because the Blues must get revenge

Before facing Australia (October 28 in Dunedin) and Canada (November 4 in Auckland), the Blues start with New Zealand. The one that knocked them out in the semi-finals of the World Cup, which was actually held in the New Zealand archipelago, last year. At the end of an epic match at Eden Park, France lost by a very small point (25-24), while Caroline Drouin achieved victory at the end of her leg from a penalty kick in the last moments.

Unfortunately, the first-half kick was too short and the Blacks Ferns were able to continue their path to the title, a week later, against England (34-31). On Saturday, 13 of the 23 New Zealanders in attendance during the half will join the French.

Because Madusu Val and Lina Quiroi are back

On the other hand, the Blues will be in 12th place on the match list, having suffered a defeat last year. Above all, coaches Gael Minot and David Ortiz will be able to count on the return of Madousso Fall and Lina Quiroy, both absent due to injury during the tournament in April.

The strong second line has established itself in 2022 as the main spearhead of the Blue squad. In the first half, she showed her talent during her participation during the match. This time, Queyroi will have the keys to the truck from kickoff. “I was able to convert balls starting from nothing, with the technical quality you can have with your feet or your handsHe received his partner, Gabrielle Vernier. In the few matches we’ve seen of her, she’s been able to shine. »