Les Bleues have finally let go, as their coach hoped. Admittedly, it was necessary to wait for the hour of play before finding the XV of France, but here it is in the last four of the World Cup thanks to its large victory (39-3) against Italy, Saturday, October 29.
The meeting has long remained as tense as this failed try (47th) by Charlotte Escudero: out of the scrum, the third center line let the ball escape in goal after having done the most difficult. An approximation among many others (forwards, faults on the ground, lost touches) which have long prevented the Blues from validating their domination (60% possession and occupation in the first period). In total, two tries were canceled after video arbitration.
However, the Blues had entered their match perfectly. While the Italians showed signs of feverishness, missing their commitment or dropping a ball just recovered, the Tricolors made the choice to exploit the slightest recovery ball in hand to keep them under pressure. From the 3rd minute, the back Emilie Boulard pierced the transalpine defense with a fake pass and a clever hook, before serving her winger Joanna Grisez, who rushed to score the first try of the meeting (7-0, 3rd ).
Emilie Boulard Joanna Grisez#FRAITA #RWC2021 pic.twitter.com/Uh1F3N2QOq
– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 29, 2022
“Once again, we start very well, we score on one of our first chances. Behind, we have chances, but there are approximations, details that cost us. We are going a little too fast, and we are not materializing not”, summed up the boss of the Bleues Thomas Darracq at the break. If the offensive machine seized up, Gaëlle Hermet’s teammates gradually wore out their bodies by relying on a conquering melee and a few well-orchestrated mauls. It was also the forwards in the scrum who launched the revolt and the tricolor offensive festival (four tries in 20 minutes) by collecting a penalty try (61st).
The result of a physical and mental undermining work in which the French defense, the best of the tournament so far, has fully participated. The Italian opportunities were summed up in this rare penalty conceded by the Blues in their camp and validated by Michela Sillari facing the posts (7-3, 39th) and this game at the foot in the back well covered by Maëlle Filopon (15th).
Led by Joanna Grisez, author of a hat-trick (3rd, 68th, 70th), and Caroline Drouin impeccable at the foot and in the animation, carried by the freshness of her bench, the Habs finally won a sixth consecutive participation in the half- World Cup finals. They will face the host country New Zealand, which crushed Wales (55-3).