While France lost in the quarter-final, the commentators of TF1, were not spared from viewer criticismas indicated by Isabelle Ithurburu on Friday October 20, 2023 at Télé-Loisirs. On social networks, François Trillo, the former French international player Benjamin Kayser, Christian Califano, Thomas Lombard and to a lesser extent Stefan Etcheverry, were widely attacked by Internet users. The host of 50′ Inside, who also hosted the post-match news, also suffered criticism. “I found it very hard for them. It was totally exaggerated, they were paying for the ‘TF1’ label, which doesn’t often broadcast rugby” she explained. “When I replaced François Trillo on Canal+, I was criticized, some demanded the return of the ‘real connoisseur’. You have to say that it’s not serious.”
She tries to put things into perspective
Although there have been many criticisms, there were also kind comments. For Isabelle Ithurburu, we have to focus on it. “It’s like in politics: what counts is the silent and benevolent majority. It’s not the nicest ones who make the most noise” she put it into perspective. “It’s much easier to achieve unanimity when you’re hosting than when you’re commenting. In fact, I wouldn’t be able to do it.” In any case, the presenter had a lot of difficulty recovering from the defeat of the French team. “I find it more difficult because it’s the first time, since I’ve been playing rugby, that there was so much chance of going to the end. It wasn’t just a dream to support, it was very reasonable” she explained to our colleagues. “We have to move on quickly, but we can’t when we present the rest of the competition. There will be a little pang in the heart during the next Mags.” A defeat which touched her so much that she let a few tears escape. “I’m going to make some people laugh who think there are too many ads on TF1, but it allowed me to dry my tears. I was in a state… In management, they said to themselves: ‘Wow, we’re going to lose her!’ A minute before going on air, someone in the Mag audience shouted ‘Come on Isabelle, it’s going to be okay!’ It was very cute. I was very moved, I made big French mistakes on the air, I forgot to introduce the set, I wasn’t really there. I did the whole thing!” she recalled with a laugh.