Raillé by the New Zealand press, promised to a culoted, the lining of the XV of France claim to draw a strong motivation. To the point of hoping to sign what would be the greatest feat in tricolor history.
In New Zealand, since the beginning of the week, it is the excessive race for the former All Blacks who have become TV consultants. “Lack of respect”tonne; “Total bullshit”revolt the other; “The team that France sends is clearly undersized”mocks the last one. “You shouldn’t invite them”summarize Jeff Wilson, Mils Muliaina and Justin Marshall in chorus.
The cause of their wrath? The coach of the XV of France left all his executives at rest, with the exception of Gaël Fickou. Fabien Garthié does not make it cheerful of heart but by pragmatism, by obligation. When the New Zealand internationals play around twenty games per season, the best bruises, between Six Nations Tournament and Top 14, fall tour and Champions Cup, play almost double. It is therefore imperative to leave them summer to regenerate.
Taking players at 35 games is short-termism. If it is to degrade physically, put us in danger until the 2027 World Cup, it has no interest
Fabien Garthié
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Some Blues – Ntamack, Alldritt, Jalibert… – had pleaded to cross the oval planet and honor this prestigious tour. They were obviously not retained. “World Rugby advocates a season at 2,000 minutes (the equivalent of 25 games, editor’s note). Beyond that, we know that there are contacts that endanger the health of the player, explains Fabien Galkié to Figaro. Taking players at 35 games is short-termism. If it is to degrade physically, put us in danger until the 2027 World Cup, it has no interest. If the players come with too many minutes already played and do not have a recovery beach afterwards, I lost them for the World Cup. They will not have time to regenerate, or for the tour of next November – where we receive South Africa, Fiji and Australia -, or for the 2026 tournament. And, after, there is a debt of regeneration which endangers them on their level … “
So it went on all its so -called “premium” players, with the exception of Gaël Fickou, logically promoted captain of this experience without experience. Thus, during this first test, the tricolor starting XV has only two players at more than 20 selections (94 for the center of Racing; 57 for Rabah Slimani, but the last during the World Cup … 2019 for an unexpected return to 35 years). Conversely, there are five players at zero selection, no Toulouse French champion, no European champion Bordeaux, but Bayonnais, Clermontois, a pillar of the USAP or a Canadian playing in Montpellier (Tyler Duguid).
Only four victories in New Zealand
An inexperienced youth whose stars with the silver fern will, therefore, do only a bite this Saturday morning (9:05 am, Canal +) in Dunedin. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson made a pout when hear this statement from the Kiwis media. As he welcomed the criticisms of the elders with reserve. “Stop telling that they are diminished, that they are missing from players. Afterwards, they revolt, and we will meet in front of a fierce French team. The French have the depth of workforce and a lot of resources with all those talented young people who arrive. And the Blues are never as dangerous as when they are underestimated … “
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Well, it doesn’t happen so often. In New Zealand, where the XV of France had not visited since 2018 (three beating, etc.), the Blues only won four times: in 1979, in 1994 (2 victories) and in 2009. In Dunedin, already. And it was unexpected to say the least. So why not believe in a new feat, which would be even more staggering?
“When we are outsider, it still succeeds in the summer tours.”
“On networks, New Zealanders make a lot of noise, say they will put a lot of combat, speed. They also say they are a little disappointed that there are changes in our workforce. It is a source of motivation to show that we are not below. When we are outsider, it still succeeds in the summer tours, Quietly underlines Gaëtan Barlot, hooker of the CO leaving for the UBB. For three or four years, it’s always the same and we respond. When we put on the jersey of the French team, we want to do him honor. With them, on the land of rugby, it is only against all. I can’t wait to play this match … “
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Like his partners, he also knows that shining against the All Blacks is the assurance of scoring points with the tricolor staff. “For me, this is an opportunity to seize”confirms Barlot. Same story with its lining, the hooker of the Rochelais stadium Pierre Bourgarit: “This summer, I want to seize my luck thoroughly!” If we take three turned, everyone will say that it is normal. But I reassure you, we did not come there for that … “ Not sure that it reassures the All Blacks.
