As the competition kicks off this Friday, September 8 in France, with a shock against New Zealand, popular fervor is growing around the French XV who hope to finally win the world title that is missing from their list.
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The first time that France organized the World Cup was in 2007. Nicolas Sarkozy was President of the Republic and Bernard Laporte, coach. Candidate for the final victory, the XV tricolor had stopped in the semi-finals.
This time, the French supporters, enthusiastic about the current success of their proteges, firmly believe in a victory in the final on October 28th. Many are enthusiastic, even euphoric. Dimitri and his friends will be at the Stade de France for the clash against New Zealand this Friday, ” an unmissable event » for the thirties.
“I’ve been waiting for this for four years, since the end of the World Cup in Japan. It’s an important moment that I wouldn’t have missed for the world. I don’t see how we can’t be world champions. Right next to him, Jérémy adds to the fervor: “ It’s a bit like a football World Cup. Something is happening. I’m not very rugby, but there, I want to get started. Same feeling with Maximilien, the third thief of the gang: “ I was lucky to get a ticket thanks to friends. We will enjoy, as for the Olympic Games, as for Roland-Garros. Me, I love sport, especially during major events! »
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Blues supported all summer
And the enthusiasm should only grow if the Blues progress in the competition of which they are favorites. Since the beginning of their preparation, last July 2, they have seen the extraordinary enthusiasm around them. From Monaco to Capbreton in the Landes, where the tricolor coaching was able to organize training sessions in public. But also during the three preparation matches in France, against Scotland (Saint-Etienne), Fiji (Nantes) and Australia (Stade de France), on August 27, as a dress rehearsal against the All Blacks.
In short, it was a party all summer around the XV of France and the hooker Julien Marchand was able to realize it: “ We are aware of it, we have been able to see it every day. We have confidence in all these supporters who have been there since the start and who are really behind us. We could also see against Australia that there were really a lot of emotions, especially when the Marseillaise sounded a cappella, it gave us strength during the match”. His teammate, the powerful third line Grégory Aldritt adds: “ We feel this fervor around us. We have been given a lot for two months. We are going to have a boiling stadium (against New Zealand) and we are going to use that”.
A powerful and exciting XV of France
If the French public is so enthusiastic, it is because the XV tricolor has been sending back a positive image for several years. After a period of poor results, French rugby began its reconstruction at the last World Cup in Japan four years ago. Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Wales (20-19), the Blues, carried by an exceptional generation, beat all the major nations and won the biggest competition in Europe, the Six Nations Tournament in 2022, s even offering the Grand Slam (five wins in five matches).
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For four years, everything seems easy for this XV of France. And for Daniel Herrero, former rugby player and coach, the public can also easily identify with the Blues. ” The performance generated sympathy, but what generates excitement is the beauty of moral values. This team of France, it is beautiful in attitude, it is beautiful morally ”, ignites the one who is now a writer. ” She doesn’t have the melon, she doesn’t overplay her athleticism, is never disrespectful with the opponent. They are beautiful the French, they are plumed! “, he says chauvinistically.
Be careful all the same with the excess of confidence for the Blues and their supporters. In 2007, despite the support of the public, they had missed their entry in the running against Argentina at the Stade de France, before stopping in the semi-finals and seeing South Africa win the World Cup.