For seventeen Blues, the match of this Saturday, November 20 represented the discovery of a monument of the oval ball. Indeed, among the men of Fabien Galthié, only Uini Atonio, Gaël Fickou, Cyril Baille, Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud and Anthony Jelonch had measured themselves against the terrible All Blacks, the great benchmark of world rugby.
Before the meeting, Romain Ntamack, who was among the novices, did not hide his admiration: “These are great players, […] and that famous black swimsuit that makes you dream. As soon as she plays, everyone vibrates. “ The opening half was probably not disappointed. From haka to crazy physical intensity, he lived, with his teammates, the whole All Blacks experience.
An experience that begins with the traditional haka, a moment that is always out of time. A show of force that the French were able to appreciate at its true value. “VSit was a pleasure to enter the stadium, to see the haka, it was huge “, said Melvyn Jaminet in the mixed zone after the meeting.
“The notion of pleasure takes on its full meaning this evening”
Melvyn Jaminetin mixed zone after the match
If the notion of pleasure is often returned in the words of these Blues, the concentration was just as much to face such a monument. “In the hallway, just before entering, we felt that everyone was at 200%, we needed that”, continued the USAP player. No more stars in your eyes, it’s time to fight.
A fight for which the Blues had bitterly prepared. “We did a month of intensive training in preparation for this meeting”, revealed Cyril Baille, who was playing his fifth game against New Zealand. Melvyn Jaminet abounds: “when it is the level of the Blacks opposite, you have to give your all and let go of the horses.”
Gathered since the end of October to prepare for this Autumn Nations Cup and the three matches against Argentina, Georgia, and New Zealand, as a highlight, the Blues were able to reap the fruits of their work. “Thanks to all of that, we beat one of the best teams in the world today”, soberly summed up Jonathan Danty.
Saturday night, however, they were not alone. Carried by a whole stadium, all returned to the support of the public to achieve this result. “It helped us to hear the crowd pushing in the weak times and even louder in the strong times “, approves the Rochelais. More than ever, the Blues have savored the return of their audience, after more than a year behind closed doors. “We feel proud to offer a beautiful show to everyone, to the 80,000 people who were behind us today.”
The scenes of joy at the final whistle didn’t lie. Moved and happy, the French spent long minutes on the lawn, between lap of honor, clapping at the foot of the bend, and a few photos with the supporters. As if to prolong the magic of this great premiere as much as possible.