a blue invincibility to preserve, confidence to regain for the Wallabies… The stakes of the match

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Before returning to South Africa (November 12) and Japan (November 20), the XV of France has an appointment with Australia in Saint-Denis, Saturday November 5 (live on France 2 and france.tv ). The Blues, invincible for more than a year, intend to install a little more doubt in the heads of the Wallabies. The coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié, who has to face a few packages, gives a chance to several players who have points to score for the World Cup, in ten months (September 8 – October 28, 2023).

10/10 for the Blues, an invincibility to keep

The XV of France remains on ten consecutive victories, its last defeat dating back to July 17, 2021 against … Australia (30-33), at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Blues, with a very revamped team, had been close to creating the feat and winning the series of test matches on Australian soil, with a victory (28-26) and two narrow defeats (21-23 and 30-33 ). Since then, Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland and England have notably bitten the turf against the players of Fabien Galthié. In its history, the XV of France had already managed a series of invincibility of ten games, in 1981 (nine wins and a draw). Ten successes in a row, however, is a first, and the Blues will try to do even better to fill up with confidence less than a year from the World Cup.

In the departure lounge for the World Cup

Some players from the XV of France have a real card to play against Australia. Ten months before a World Cup at home, Thibaud Flament, Charles Ollivon, Yoram Moefana and Thomas Ramos will be lined up against the Wallabies. In the second line, Thibaud Flament takes advantage of Paul Willemse’s package to celebrate his tenth cap. He will try to show that he can be more than a substitute, as was the case during the last Six Nations Tournament.

In the third line, Charles Ollivon intends to take advantage of the injury of François Cros to regain his role as boss, even if Antoine Dupont keeps the role of captain. On the wing, Yoram Moefana, who replaces Gabin Villière, has a good shot to play, as does Thomas Ramos at the back. The Toulousain, often shunned by Fabien Galthié, has a golden opportunity to show his qualities against Australia.

Finally the big leap for the Wallabies?

In the last twelve months, Australia have only won four in 13 games. Coach Dave Rennie’s team is now only the sixth nation in the World Rugby rankings, down from the top five (Ireland, France, South Africa, New Zealand and England in order). Since a defeat in Scotland (13-15), almost a year ago to the day, the Wallabies have never chained two successes and suffered some not ideal rousts for confidence (17-48 against Argentina in August , 14-40 against the All Blacks on September 24). Dave Rennie is still looking for the right formula, and a second success in a row after a narrow victory against Scotland (16-15). It would be a first since October 2021 for the Wallabies, still in search of stability and confidence.


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