Rugby World Cup – France-New Zealand, what to remember
“HeyWe are all invested in the mission. We all have a responsibility to do something great at this World Cup. »Antoine Dupont's powerful words to the press before the match against the All Blacks set the tone. The mission starts off well, even if the Ferns take a beating from the start.
Main points of the meeting
One minute and 32 seconds is the time it took the All Blacks to score their first try in this opener. Mark Tilia, this test happened, faster than lightning, painful. A strong blow to Galthia's men. “Movement, made of speed and power,” warned Jan Delaig the pointThat's the black game.
Thomas Ramos, the author of 17 points, did not shake, even though he was in sight of the New Zealanders, aware of the Frenchman's accuracy. The skilful Toulouse player is a key asset to the French side for the rest of the competition.
If the Blacks were dominant and confident in the opening period, Fabien Galthier's men initially struggled to get their heads out of the water. The statistics for the first period speak for themselves: 22 missed tackles on the French side… only 3 for the blacks.
However, the Blues did not give up after being manhandled, such as the influential Rochelet Gregory Alldrete. The French also showed strength in the crowds that undermined the All Blacks. A sector in which they also suffered during their last preparatory match, where they lost to South Africa (35-7).
At the end of the first period, in a tense atmosphere and sweltering heat, France's back XV held firm, as evidenced by Damien Benaud's raised fist after fortunately containing another New Zealand highlight.
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Benaud machine
It is Damien Benaud himself who will make the difference in the 55th minuteH A minute of play with the first French attempt. The winger, who was in good form during the preparatory matches, was not worthy of bringing the ball. The UBB player, full of desire, becomes the fourthH The best goalscorer attempt in the French League XV (30) tied with Philippe Sylla!
More aggressive in their game, Fabien Galthée's men finally succeeded in making blacks see life in black. At the end of the match, Melvin Jaminet scored the point. He entered the game at the age of 76H Minute, it took him a few minutes to show his potential by scoring a try. A player to follow.
Antoine Dupont, the World Cup star, was clearly expected. The Blues half showed their strength in the kicking game and found their speed in the second half. But the French XV captain wanted to be realistic: “I think we had a volatile game with the pressure of the opening match,” he said on TF1. He added: “This All Blacks team put a lot of pressure on us in the ranks but we managed to get through it. »
The French team won 27-13, a chance to break the All Blacks' record: the New Zealanders have never lost a group stage match in 9 World Cup appearances.
XV France top Group A and will face Uruguay on September 14.
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