Les Bleues against New Zealanders, a challenge in five figures for a place in the final

Les Bleues face their history. Against New Zealand, Saturday November 5 (7:30 a.m.), the French team is aiming for an unprecedented qualification for the World Cup final. A major challenge against the second nation in the world, host country of the tournament, title holder in this event, in search of a big victory at home. Focus on the key figures before the meeting.

7 tries and 35 points, the danger of winger Portia Woodman

The statistics of Portia Woodman, the best offensive player since the start of the tournament, are impressive. With seven tries and 35 points scored in four games, the 31-year-old New Zealander tops the individual rankings, and has even become the player with the most tries in the World Cup (20). The best player in the world in 2015 and 2017, also a Sevens specialist, carries the Black Ferns collectively. The host country is the collective which has scored the most tries (35, tied with England), and the second best points scorer (209).

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Portia Woodman breaks the record for tries in all World Cups! #RWC2021 | #NZLvWAL pic.twitter.com/ixgOP27u7g

— World Rugby FR (@WorldRugby_FR) October 29, 2022

5 world champion titles

The World Tournament is almost New Zealand’s preserve. Defending champions, the Black Ferns have been crowned five times in their history (in eight World Cups). Of the last six editions, only one has escaped them, delighted in 2014 by England. On the tricolor side, the prize list is still blank at the world level, despite qualifying for each of the World Cups.

100% wins in 2022

The Black Ferns have still not been defeated in 2022. The players of Wayne Smith, who arrived after the resignation of Glenn Moore in April, have not lost any of their nine games played since the start of the year. With 42 points scored on average for seven conceded, they show a total success. If they have also pocketed nine successes, the Blues have fallen three times this season, in the Six Nations Tournament against the English (24-12), in preparation against Italy (26-19), and in phase of hens against England (13-7).

7 semi-finals lost for Les Bleues

Les Bleues are facing their glass ceiling. Since the first edition of the World in 1991, the XV of France has never managed to cross the stage of the semi-finals. The blue dreams have almost always been shattered in the last four, with seven defeats at this stage of the competition in eight tournaments, including three already against the Black Ferns (2002, 2006, 2010).

4 rank wins against the Black Ferns

France arrives with a psychological advantage. Thomas Darracq’s players remain on three straight wins against New Zealand. They had won twice in test matches in November 2021 (29-7 and 38-13) and in November 2018 (30-27), and had also won the opposition in the Super Series, a competition between the best five world nations, in July 2019 (25-16).