The coach, struck by the “intensity and violence” of the clash against the Springboks, praised the mental strength of his players.
Among the scenarios you were considering before this match, was this one of them?
Fabien Galthie : Not at all. But we knew we were going to enter a zone of intensity, harshness, unprecedented violence. Afterwards, the cards, the concussions, the injuries… As long as you haven’t experienced it, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The players felt it during the week, but there they really touched it. Until you live it in real bullets, you can’t imagine it. We must keep in mind this intensity, this precision of the opponent to progress. I hope this team will remember what they experienced there. Let them keep this in mind to continue to progress. The speed, the hardness, the intensity. Their lucidity too, South Africans read situations very quickly. It was still the world champions opposite…
What do you remember from this game?
First, victory. Then the script. This moment when you take over, then this moment when you no longer take it, and, finally, you take it… All the players went for victory, they refused defeat. We felt that it was prowling, we even saw it up close. But the players refused it. But at what cost ! And how ! When we see our last quarter of an hour, how they tortured them collision after collision, decision after decision. I want to pay tribute to everyone, starters and finishers alike.
“We are addicted to victory. It’s a good shot. »
Do you feel like you have witnessed a rare match?
Yes, but it was expected… At one point, we lost a bit of confidence. It was very strong on the part of the players this ability to remobilize after losing Antoine (Dupont) and taking this test just behind. But we are addicted to victory. It’s a good shot, and I hope we keep it.
How ?
Always wanting to be better. We must continue to believe in ourselves, to federate around us. As long as the players still want to hurt themselves, as long as they are thirsty for victory, as long as they are addicted to that, to those sensations… So we have a driving force and that gives meaning to what we do, to our preparation, to our commitment, to our research. They know what they train for. There are always problems to solve. It’s up to us to be lucid in order to work on the points for improvement.
Statements taken at a press conference