“We will talk about it in due course”. Since the start of the Autumn Tour, it’s a phrase that Fabien Galthié has used. Greedy for communication and elements of language, the coach of the XV of France has continued to postpone questions about the match against New Zealand. But after the unconvincing victories against Argentina and Georgia, the “due time” arrived.
Saturday November 20 at 9 p.m. (live on France 2 and france.tv), the Blues will challenge the triple world champions New Zealand. Although jostled by a defeat in Ireland (29-20) Saturday, November 13, the All Blacks remain formidable.
The All Blacks, the world top level …
It is quite simply the best on the Oval Planet. The All Blacks have always been considered the best team in the world. A question of culture on the one hand: New Zealand, this all-black team, which intimidates its opponents with its legendary Haka before matches and continues to provide the most beautiful players in this sport.
In terms of results, the record is eloquent: three World Cup victories (in nine editions), the only team to have retained its crown, eighteen rites in the Rugby Championship (tournament bringing together the best nations of the Southern hemisphere, who have won 8 of the 9 World Cups), ten All Blacks crowned best player of the year by World Rugby since 2001 … Nobody does better. It’s very simple, New Zealand is the only team on the planet to have a positive record (wins-losses) against all the other nations.
… despite a defeat in Ireland, last weekend
It will be necessary to wait to say if this Irish victory (29-20) showed the way to the Blues or if, on the contrary, it woke up the sleeping beast. While the fall tour of the Blacks was going, so far, without a hitch (victories over the United States, Wales and Italy), Beauden Barrett’s teammates suffered a stoppage on Saturday in Dublin. Their second loss of the season in fourteen games.
While it’s rare to see New Zealand lose twice in a row, it does happen sometimes. In November 2020, Australia (24-22) then Argentina (15-25), a week later, had dominated the players of Ian Foster. Before that, we must go back to 2011, in full preparation for the World Cup, for the Kiwis to suffer two setbacks: in South Africa (18-5) then Australia (25-20). Twice in ten years: complicated, of course, but not insurmountable.
The preparation is intensifying a few days before our meeting at the Stade de France #FRANZL #XVdeFrance #NotLet’sXV pic.twitter.com/j1UO5sLFNn
– William Servat (@WilliamServat) November 17, 2021
The Blues have not beaten New Zealand since 2009, but …
The interception of Maxime Médard, had sealed the fate of the meeting, ten minutes from its end, June 13, 2009. the last victory of the Blues. Starting from his 30 meters, the Toulouse back had scored the last try of the Blues, to finally win (27-22). At that time, the XV of France came out of a mixed Six Nations Tournament (three victories, two defeats). But the feat signed that day in Dunedin will serve as the beginnings of the Grand Slam achieved the following season. The last of the XV of France.
On the other hand, it is necessary to go back to November 18, 2000 to find traces of the last French victory on its soil (42-33). But against the All Blacks, the French have often given the lie to the forecasts for memorable victories. In 2007 with the victory (20-18) in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, or in 1999, in the semi-final this time with a heroic match delivered by the Blues of Christophe Dominici (43-31) against the roll -All Black compressor. In total, France has beaten New Zealanders 12 times, in 61 games.
Romain Ntamack back in 10, Jalibert on the bench
It was one of the main attractions of this test-match series. Associate two training opening halfs, one in his position of opener, the other in first center. After an unconvincing first outing against Argentina, the second had brought some elements of satisfaction. For the third … we will have to wait. On Saturday, Romain Ntamack will return to his position as opener, when Matthieu Jalibert will take his place on the substitutes’ bench.
“It’s a performance objective, Fabien Galthié explained at a press conference on Thursday. Collective experience is important. During these ten training sessions and these test-matches, we were able to associate Romain and Matthieu, but we were also able to associate Gaël and Jonathan Danty (…) Antoine Dupont also has a lot of experience with Romain Ntamack, so we chose this formula to start the match. It’s mostly a performance choice rather than a default choice. “
Aaron Smith – Antoine Dupont: the duel of the stars
“Antoine Dupont. This guy is on another level. Nobody can compete now.” On February 9, a rather particular Internet user answered the question posed by the Six Nations Tournament Twitter account: “Who is the best rugby player in the world right now?” For Aaron Smith, the scrum half of the All Blacks, the answer was not up for debate. At almost 33 years old (he will celebrate them on November 21), the one who was long considered the best 9 in the world seems to have appointed his successor.
@ Dupont9A this guy is on another level! No one is near him atm. He’s the point of difference for both his Club and country. He’s helping me look at parts of my game to improve #Respect # 9Gang
– Aaron Smith (@Te_Nug) February 10, 2021
Since their first and only direct confrontation, in 2017 (victory of the All Blacks 38-18), the Frenchman has taken on a whole new dimension. From a promising young talent, he became captain of the XV of France, double champion of France and champion of Europe. To the point of being nominated by World Rugby for the honorary title of player of the year.
While he had decided not to participate in the European tour, to stay with his wife who had just given birth, Aaron Smith was recalled as a backup following the package of Brad weber. The man with 101 caps has joined the national team in Ireland. Absent during the defeat against the XV of clubs, he will start on Saturday.