The women’s XV of France, by crushing Canada 36 to 0 on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland in the “small” final of the World Cup, perfectly succeeded in overcoming its disappointment suffered in the semi-final against the New Zealanders to finish with the bronze medal.
A relief for the Blues
What a relief ! At the final whistle, Les Bleues all hugged each other tightly to celebrate this big and clear victory, won thanks to five tries, including a double from winger Marine Ménager, which allowed them to win a sixth bronze medal. in nine editions – knowing that during the first World Cup in 1991, which saw the victory of the American Eagles, there was no bronze awarded, France and New Zealand sharing third place .
Despite the disappointment of the semi-final lost by a small point (25-24) against the New Zealand “Black Ferns”, the French women were therefore able to remobilize to largely dominate this Canadian team which could not offer much thing.
It is the country that has finished third most often in the tournament: it had already climbed on this step of the podium in 1994 (against Wales), 2002 (against Canada, already), 2006 (idem) , 2014 (against Ireland) and 2017 (against the United States).
A “consolation prize”
The pillar Assia Khalfaoui had mentioned this bronze medal during the week as a “consolation prize”, the winger Joanna Grisez had meanwhile blown: “It will be better than nothing”. Nevertheless, winning this match for third place in this way not only warmed the hearts of the French supporters, who carried their team throughout the match, but is definitely a good omen for the future: Six Nations Tournament in spring, and especially Mondial-2025 in England.
This bronze medal is also a great reward for four “great ladies” of French rugby who bowed out on Saturday in Auckland: second lines Safi N’Diaye and Céline Ferer, third line Marjorie Mayans and scrum half Laure Sansus, in the stands because injured since the match against England in pool.
As often, France took the game on their own in the first period, scoring three tries, by the second line Madoussou Fall (12th) in force, the scrum half Pauline Bourdon (37th), following a breakthrough from the Gabrielle Vernier center, and finally by Marine Ménager (40th + 1), in the corner.
The exits on yellow card and on injury did not change the course of the match
At half-time, without really having suffered any frank opposition from Canada, except in the physical engagement, the Blues, all of control both in defense and in their offensive phases, were already leading 22 to 0.
When they returned from the locker room, the French continued to do what they had succeeded from the start: penalty touch, ball carried and try, “English style”, the fourth being this time to the credit of the pillar Annaëlle Deshaye ( 29-0, 44th).
Marine Ménager then scored twice (61st), following a big phase of play from the French forwards: 36-0 for Les Bleues. Vernier’s yellow card outings in the 67th minute, then Marine Ménager’s injury, not replaced, did not change the course of the match.