‘The enthusiasm is amazing’, the All Blacks meet French fans
Enas Zaghloul, Editing by Gautier Delomez / Image credit: DAVID ROGERS / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
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09:33, 24 September 2023
Before facing Italy next Friday in Lyon, the All Blacks stopped at a sports store in Paris to meet several French fans. This Rugby World Cup, New Zealand players are among the most awaited players by fans.
“I ask you to welcome Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie…!” shouted one speaker to a crowd gathered at a sports store in Paris. New Zealand players are being welcomed like stars wherever they go, on the sidelines of the Rugby World Cup in France. It must be said that it was the All Blacks and their Haka team that created the French dream from the beginning of the competition. They transport French crowds across France.
“I’ve come to get my stuff signed by the All Blacks. It’s even more impressive than what’s on TV already… You don’t see players from the best team in the world every day!”, enjoys one young fan over the Europe 1 microphone.
The All Blacks discover the French art of life
Beauden Barrett and his teammates willingly leave the oval to shake hands with football fans. Football. “Even against the French, the fans were friendly, lively and passionate… The enthusiasm here is really great,” confirms the fly-half.
Off the course, New Zealanders play golf in Lyon, enjoy the pleasures of the Arcachon Basin, and the French art de vivre. “I love croissants! But you shouldn’t eat too much, just to stay fit!” another team player agrees, adding: “I also had to taste snails, which are a specialty from here apparently.”
All of this could be enough to motivate New Zealand’s star XV, Damian McKenzie, to join the ranks of the Top 14, the premier division of rugby in France. “Maybe later in my career,” he thinks. “That could be an option because France is a very beautiful country and the people are very welcoming, so maybe one day,” the New Zealand international admits. Currently, the All Blacks are focusing on their next match against Italy next Friday in Lyon.
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