They haven’t won against the All Blacks for 12 years now. The last victory of our Blues against New Zealand dates back to June 12, 2009. It was in Dunedin, in the Otago region. Saturday evening, the two teams meet as if to prepare for the opening match of the World Cup, which will take place in France in 2023. For this fall test match, coach Fabien Galthié has bet on physical density and made some changes from the previous two matches against Argentina and Georgia.
Not just a rugby team
Because to beat the almost invincible All Blacks – although they remain on a defeat against Ireland last Saturday – nothing must be left to chance. Jean-Pierre Elissalde knows this well. Unlike his son Jean-Baptiste, also a former international scrum-half, he has never beaten New Zealand. However, he keeps fond memories of these encounters. “There is admiration because for 120 years, this small island has been able to win against all the big countries and the big forces,” he said.
“When you meet the Blacks, you don’t just meet a rugby team, you meet a history, a religion, an identity… It’s very rich. And yet, we should tell ourselves that these are only 15 men who meet 15 others”, judged Jean-Pierre Elissalde on South Europe. “But today the players are there to win and there has to be a much more technicotactic than affective approach.”
“It is magic”
Precisely, the Blues should not be impressed on Saturday night. With 25 years and 18 caps on average, some players from the starting XV lined up by Fabien Galthié have never met the All Blacks in their lives. This is the case of the young second-line of Stade Toulousain, Thibaud Flament. He released the blue jersey during this autumn tour, which ends in apotheosis with this meeting against the New Zealanders. “As a young player at the start of his career, it’s interesting to be able to confront them and learn from them”, explains the one who will start on the bench.
The starting opener against the All Blacks, Romain Ntamack, is also impatient. “Having the chance to play a match against them in France is magical,” explains the Toulousain. All are unanimous, even the manager of this France team, himself a former international. “Meeting New Zealand is undoubtedly reopening the history books, listening to the testimonies of various generations … It gives a particular relief”, assures Raphaël Ibanez, who wonders despite everything. “Is it really significant for the players who will face the Blacks on Saturday night?”
Still, the Blues have not played against New Zealand since a disaster tour in June 2018. Saturday evening, 79,000 spectators are expected at the Stade de France to attend this reunion. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) also advises spectators to go there well before kick-off time, in order to anticipate health pass checks.