The French scattered a very weak Namibian team on Thursday in Marseille (96-0), and regained the lead of Group A before their last match against Italy. Antoine Dupont was released for a “concussion” protocol.
After its sluggish victory against Uruguay (27-12), the XV of France more than responded in style, Thursday September 21 in Marseille. Faced with harmless Namibians overwhelmed from the first French offensive, the Blues recited their rugby to offer an avalanche of tries, twelve in total, (96-0) and offer themselves the largest victory in their history in the Coupe du world by surpassing the 87-10 inflicted in 2007 against… Namibia.
Antoine Dupont, involved in almost all the tests before leaving in the 46th minute for a concussion protocol after a head impact, Damian Penaud, Jonathan Danty and Louis Bielle-Biarrey (eight tries out of the thirteen between them) were the big players in this historic turnaround.
With twelve changes from the victory in pain against the Teros, Fabien Galthié had decided to give playing time back to executives to instill confidence in the team. And no one was missed. From the first minutes, the Blues set fire to a Namibian defense which took on water from all sides: on touch, on foot and at speed.
The offensive bonus in 20 minutes, 54-0 at halftime
The foot precisely, that of Antoine Dupont then Matthieu Jalibert, allowed France to take the lead quickly without looking back, with two tries for Damian Penaud (6th) and Jonathan Danty (9th), returning from injury and who was playing his first World Cup match, after two editions where he was not selected.
The rest of the match was just a long ordeal for the Welwitschias, who had already conceded 123 points in the first two matches (52-8 against Italy, 71-3 against the All Blacks). Almost all French offensives found the goal, thanks in particular to the exceptional vision of the captain, the felling of Gaël Fickou in the center, or the explosiveness of Louis-Bielle Biarrey along the sidelines, author of two tries and a decisive pass for the second French try.
Dupont leaves on “concussion” protocol
With the victory acquired a while ago, Fabien Galthié will be able to rail against the exit of Antoine Dupont just after half-time, stunned by a head-to-head clash with Johan Deysel (46th). The Namibian try which followed was logically refused and Deysel expelled. His replacement Baptiste Couilloud then took the opportunity to avenge him with a try straight away.
Uninspired against Uruguay, the Blues found the lethal speed of execution that makes their mark, behind the impetus of an inspired and precise Dupont-Jalibert hinge at the foot. Damian Penaud, author of three tries, overtook Philippe Saint-André with 33 goals in Blue, Jonathan Danty confirmed that he was essential to free Gaël Fickou, not rewarded despite an excellent match.
It will undoubtedly be difficult to draw real lessons for the French staff in the face of an opponent overwhelmed in all areas of the game, but the main thing is there: France has more than reassured itself and the managers have responded. We will now have to hope that Antoine Dupont can hold his place against Italy on October 6 in a decisive match for qualification. Because there is a team without him, and one with the Toulouse player.