Cédric Chasseur and Axel May with AFP // Photo credit: Mike Hewitt / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP
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11:24 a.m., September 15, 2023
Friable and conceding two tries, the XV of France finally defeated Uruguay (27-12) Thursday in Lille for its second match of the Rugby World Cup with a team largely reworked compared to that which had tamed the All Blacks (27-13) last week. It took a big mistake from the modest Uruguayan “Teros”, 17th in the world rankings, for the Blues, approximate and undisciplined, to give themselves some breathing room with a second try (20-12, 55th), scored by the newcomer Peato Mauvaka, after the first of N.10 Antoine Hastoy (10-5, 11th).
The Blues surprised at the start of the match
The late try from winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey (27-12, 73rd), who became the youngest French player to play in a World Cup, finished killing the suspense at the same time as increasing the score. But would the French have scored a second success in their group A if in his 22 meters, the Uruguayan fly-half Felipe Etcheverry had not sent the ball bouncing off a teammate, allowing the French hooker to flatten? Previously, Fabien Galthié’s usual finishers and complementary players were tossed around, several times having to be saved by refereeing decisions. As against the New Zealanders, the Blues conceded an early try (6th).
Less depth than expected
And the match could have frankly gone badly if the yellow card received by the second row Romain Taofifenua (27th) had turned red for his high tackle on the Teros scrum half and Castres player, Santiago Arata. Or if the second Uruguayan try had not been canceled for obstructing an opponent without the ball (34th).
“We could and should have shown another face out of respect for the people who made the trip. It was the least we could do to give a good performance. We have to roll up our sleeves and tell ourselves the truth,” said declared Paul Boudehent, the 3rd line of the XV of France.
Without Antoine Dupont, resting like the main executives (Matthieu Jalibert, Gaël Fickou Grégory Alldritt), the replacements did not shine. And for his return from injury, six months after his rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the third row Anthony Jelonch signed 50 discreet minutes (3 tackles) for the standards of this basic man of the Grand Slam 2022. “I am happy to have seen the France team. There was a try, we played good rugby for a minute,” declared Philippe, a loyal supporter of the national team.
As for the second row Bastien Chalureau, the controversial selection after his conviction at first instance for racist violence, he entered in the 50th minute in place of Taofifenua. The Blues, diminished by several injuries to senior players in recent weeks, display less depth than hoped. But there is still a month until the explosive quarter-final which looms in mid-October, undoubtedly against Ireland, the world’s leading nation, or South Africa, crowned four years ago.
“What is important is victory. We are not here to give demonstrations, we are not here to produce clean copies. Our ambition is to win matches and the first objective has been achieved “, reported, for his part, Fabien Galthié, the coach of the France team.
Until then, their next match against Namibia in a week in Marseille, or the following on October 6 against Italy in Lyon will be an opportunity to see center Jonathan Danty, hooker Julien Marchand and left pillar Cyril again. Yawns, muscular injuries. Because qualification for the final phase is in very little doubt for Antoine Dupont’s squad, resting on Thursday, they just need to rank among the first two in their group.