New Zealand Fallers Saturday in Dublin (29-20), the Irish can inspire the Blues. But for Fabien Galthié, the French coach, no way “to copy them” in a week against these same All Blacks, he promised at a press conference, Sunday, November 14, after the victory of the Tricolores against Georgia (41-15).
What do you take away from this victory against Georgia?
Fabien Galthié (coach of the XV of France): We expected a tough game, it was. We played in the rain, which could be the case on Saturday against the All Blacks. We had changed the composition. The group, little, but the composition, yes. All this made it possible to be in the nails of what we had planned and prepared. It gives light for the future and to make the right decisions for next Saturday.
Exactly, are you worried before facing the All Blacks?
When you prepare to play the best team in the world, “worried” is not the right word. We are aware of what is happening on Saturday at the Stade de France. It will be necessary to be able to face it. We will try to match with them, everywhere and all the time. When you are 25 years old on average and about 18 caps, when the best players in the world come to challenge you, I think you are in it. You want to put yourself in front of them and put yourself at their level. See more.
Are you going to take inspiration from Ireland, who beat the All Blacks on Saturday?
They were fantastic, there is no word to describe Ireland’s performance. And in spite of that, the match is played on a decision of the referee and a refused try. It says a lot about Saturday’s opponent. You know it, we know it. We will take the time to think. The Irish have their own game, their own rugby. You should not copy the Irish, if not try to be as brilliant as they are in substance. But, in terms of form, we don’t have the same players or the same rugby.