Rugby World Cup: Reunion gearing up for a big party

We left them four years ago after a bitter quarter-final defeat to Wales (20-19). Tonight, the French XV start the competition in a completely different position. A team that is one of the favorites alongside the champions of South Africa, the Irish or even the New Zealanders. These same Blacks will be the first test tonight for Fabian Gattalhi’s men. See you at 11.15pm for the first shock of the competition. The meeting is ready.

With the flawless turf, and the infrastructure set up specifically for this event, one would almost think that St Paul’s Olympic Stadium is hosting the opening match of the World Cup this evening.

Watch the Réunion La 1ère report in the Saint-Paul fan zone:

Rugby World Cup: A fan zone has been set up at the Stade Olympique in Saint-Paul for the opening France-All Blacks match

On the ground, there are no individuals from France – All Blacks, but rather a certain area from Reunion – Madagascar, tonight, starting at 7 p.m. A match to launch hostilities and a long evening of rugby awaits the reunions. “We had to reward the rugby players who couldn’t attend the island games. We had to thank their commitment by having them play this match against the Madagascar national teamThis was announced by Daniel Blondy, Chairman of the Regional Rugby Committee. A match that is expected to be difficult for the Reones. The Malagasy has its sights set on participating in the World Cup again, which is the 2027 edition.

The Reunion-Madagascar match, the catering, the entertainment, everything will be planned to keep the crowd waiting before the highlight of the show: France-New Zealand. To do this, two giant screens have been prepared since this morning with all the necessary picture and sound quality. “We are installing two screens 5 meters wide and 2.80 meters high, but also a sound system so people can get live feedback“, explains Jean-Charles Secon of Stage OI.

“Everyone is welcome, we want as many people as possible, tonight should be a rugby party.”

Daniel Blondy

Chairman of the Regional Rugby Committee

An Olympic stadium like home to better enjoy the show. “Everyone is welcome, we want as many people as possible, tonight should be a rugby party“, launched Daniel Blondy. The match is at 6:30 p.m., and the Olympic Stadium will open its doors for free.

They won’t be playing tonight but they were able to learn from the best. The Sporting de Choudron club, located in Saint-Denis, had the opportunity to observe the level of participation and danger of the South African players, which was enough to learn some lessons.

Watch the report of Réunion La 1ère at the Chodron Sports Club:

Rugby: At the Chodron Sports Club, between the All Blacks and the French XV, hearts are pounding!

Pierre Jock is the club’s assistant coach, and he understands the work that still needs to be done to get to this level. “We just returned from a wonderful week-long trip to South Africa. We were able to meet two teams from Johannesburg. What is striking about the South African national team is their discipline and rigor, both in training and on the field on match day.He explains. But from our side, we are not professional players, the players here come to have fun, to have fun, that’s the most important thing.“.

“Despite the recent defeats, the blacks are still the blacks. It will be one of the best matches of the World Cup.”

Diego Sifay

General Manager of Chodron Sports Club

Players will be amazed at the start of the World Cup this evening. At Cauldron Club, we are preparing for great moments. Diego Cifai is the club’s general manager. It’s hard to know who will win the All Blacks or France’s XV. “Despite their recent defeats, blacks remain black. It will be one of the best World Cup matches“.

On the players side, their hearts are pounding. Of course there are French supporters. “My heart beats naturally for FranceDamian declares. We have had some injuries but we have a good generation and a great group that has been built for a couple of years. The physical preparation has taken its toll, there’s a strong face but with this first game against the All Blacks we’ll be in the bathroom right away.The player concludes.

Some don’t see Fabien Galthier’s men going far. This is the case for Martin: “There are four very high-level selections with Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and France. I see South Africa and New Zealand in the final. It is unfortunate that France will emerge from the crisis much sooner than we think, much to my chagrin“.

Finally, others dash any expectations, like Rudy, who puts a coin on his favorite team, the Fijians. “I see Fiji in the semi-finals, and here we love the southern teams, especially their style of play, and it’s fun to watch. The ball spins, they focus on physicality and rhythm, which is what we love about rugby.Column says.

It is certain that, regardless of the winners or losers, everyone will gather tonight at the clubhouse in a good mood to watch the game and share a great sporting moment, for the love of rugby.

Adults train but so do children. Rugby can be played for everyone from the age of three at Bras de Pontho Primary School in Le Tambon. The establishment is branded “Ballon Ovalie”. Around 317 children from junior sections up to CM2 get two rugby sessions a week for maximum fun. “Today we are playing rugby all morning, he is very nice, I love him, we are running“, launches a young player. For others, the important thing is participation: “It is not like that It doesn’t matter if we don’t win, the important thing is to have fun. When we are with our friends, it encourages us to playanother amateur practitioner explains.

The goal here is not to recruit at any cost, but rather a much more honorable one. Raphael Gerrard was elected to the Regional Rugby Committee. For him, the interest is to introduce another sport to young practitioners. “The aim above all is to promote rugby values ​​such as respect and diversity within the school, and to develop an educational project around the sport, especially on the eve of the Rugby World Cup.“.

Reunion, new ground for rugby? With 2,500 licenses in place, the system hopes to ride into the World Cup to see a new generation of players reach the island’s 16 clubs.