Quarter-final goal, an unprecedented opponent .. Challenges France – Fiji

It ended on a good note. Women’s 15th France face Fiji in their third and final group stage match of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday 22 October (8:15 am) in New Zealand. In a very good position in the Group C classification, the Blues definitely want to secure their place in the quarter-finals. But it will be necessary to deal with some absences and face an unknown opponent. Meeting bets overview.

Qualification for a quarter on the horizon

This is the main goal of the blues. Against Fiji, Thomas Darrac’s players will first of all seek to validate their ticket to the World Cup quarter-finals. In this new format of competition, with the quarter-finals for the first time, the top two teams in each group qualify directly for the remainder of the tournament. They are accompanied by the best thirds.

Secondly at the beginning of the last day of the chicken behind the English machine, the French have their fate in their hands. A victory over the Fijians will ensure that they occupy one of the first two places, regardless of the outcome of the other encounter, such as a draw. In the event of defeat, the Blues will be overtaken by their opponent today, and they will have to rely on the results of the other sets. Right now, they still have more points than any third.

The last team match #RWC2021 #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/3evwdWmh4e

France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 19, 2022

On the other hand, it seems difficult to reach the first position of the group. After being beaten in the second day’s crisis, the French let England flee. It will be necessary to rely on the poor performance of the 15th Roses against South Africa to take the lead.

Learn to play without Laure Sansus

France XV lost a major component of New Zealand. After being injured a quarter of an hour after playing against England, Laure Sansus had to lose the rest of the tournament. The Toulousin Stade player has torn his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, according to the Football Association.

From Saturday, the French will have to compose without the maestro, the best player in the last Six Nations tournament. During the crisis, Gaëlle Hermet’s colleagues did not allow themselves to be discouraged, and they showed a certain solidarity to give an encouraging performance. Pauline Bourdon, who replaced her against the English, will start on Saturday.

Les Bleues will also have to get used to this absence, as this package marks the end of the scrum half’s international career. Laure Sansus had announced before the tournament started that the New Zealand World Cup would be her last competition before she hung up her boots.

Defeat your ambitious young opponent

On Saturday, Les Bleues will step into the unknown, facing an opponent they have never met before. Sixteenth team in the world, Fiji plays the first World Cup finals. “It’s a team like the boys, a lot of creativity, a lot of initiative, an organization that it’s not always clear to watch”Blues coach Thomas Darrac explained. “There will be precautions to be taken against this team which we haven’t seen much since they’ve played a few games recently.”

quickly. Tussauds #duavataveilomanirakavi #RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/O5bcAbel32

– Fiji Rugby Union October 19, 2022

In their first World Cup meeting, the Fijians lost heavily to the England national team, and suffered the worst defeat in their history (84-19). But they rallied to dominate South Africa on day two (21-17) and stay in the race for qualification.