Rugby World Cup: Ntamack, Dante and now Willemse… Has the Blues’ preparations been so difficult?

Unfortunately, there was no shortage of it. On Friday, second-row Paul Willemse, injured in his thigh, was forced to withdraw, leaving a list of 33 players selected for the competition. Two days ago, we learned that Jonathan Dante, who was injured against Australia on Sunday, had a very good chance of missing the start of the World Cup against the All Blacks on September 8. Add in Roman Ntamack, a first-half starter for the Blues, the victim of a cruciate ligament tear against Scotland on August 12, and on the wing for the entire competition. Then mainstay Cyril Bailly, who was injured in the same match and unavailable at least for this first shock.

“It’s a good balance and hard to find.”

In total, here are four key players who have been affected to varying degrees before playing a match in this World Cup. The French side lined up in training mode on Sunday against the Wallabies and were forced to review their version in light of the clash against the New Zealanders. What raises questions about the nature of the Blues’ physical preparation, which is coveted and praised by the French management?

“It’s a good balance and hard to find,” says a physical trainer from one of the top 14 clubs. “Yes, the high intensity that this crew wants is more tiring and increases the chances of injury. But on the contrary, if you care too much, your guys won’t be ready and are more likely to To explode during matches. »

So yes, the Blues have struggled this summer with the intensity required. We particularly remember this training, which took place in the midst of a heatwave at the end of August in the Landes, where the players turned out noticeably. Willemse himself had to cancel his appearance before the press, because he was exhausted from such long minutes of effort in the full sun. But on the contrary, the staff sometimes left out some players, such as François Cros, or always Paul Willemse.

Was scheduling four summer matches against Scotland twice, Fiji and Australia too intense? “We cannot hope to reach the best level or gain momentum in the four-match qualifying stage to play the decisive quarter-finals,” Galthier stressed in June, before all these problems began. A principle maintained before the Wallabies challenge.

“We feel better and better”

In recent days, many players have also told their loved ones that they are fitter than ever, and some have shed excess weight. “We are able to unite efforts and go the distance. We feel increasingly better, and the performance is expected to reach a peak very soon. It shows in our game,” praised Mathieu Jalibert of Sunday’s opener.

Final point: The Blues aren’t the only ones who have seen their dispensary fill up this summer. The All Blacks will be without imposing second row Brodie Retallick for the opener, while Irish hooker Dan Sheehan is also expected to miss the start of the competition. “We must also ask ourselves a question about the sequence of these heavy seasons for our French players,” slips this physical trainer bitterly.