Ultra realistic and author of 4 tries, the French team won not without difficulty against Japan (35-17) and ended its year 2022 undefeated, at the head of a series of 13 consecutive victories.
17:01 – Thank you
Thank you all for accompanying us for this 13th victory in a row for the XV of France against Japan, the last match of the year 2022 for the selection. We give you an appointment with Fabien Galthié and his men next February.
16:55 – The 13 victories of the Blues in 2022
After this last match of the year 2022 for the XV of France, here is the summary of all the matches of the year: France – Italy (37-10), France – Ireland (30-24), Scotland – France (17-36), Wales – France (9-13), France – England (25-13), Japan – France (23-42), Japan – France (15-20), France – Australia (30- 29), France – South Africa (30-26) and France – Japan (35-17).
4:50 p.m. – See you in February
After its victory, the 13th in a row, against Japan, the XV of France can spend the winter warm. His next match will take place on February 5 with a trip to Italy to start the Six Nations Tournament.
16:45 – The band of invincibles, the summary of the match
The France team is a protean predator capable of adapting to any situation in order to better swoop down on its prey and carve it up. A week after a titanic fight against the South African world champions, the Blues were offered a completely different equation with a playful and fleeing opponent, whose desire is to bring the ball to life by putting speed in their transmissions. A problem which materialized from the first moments of the match when in the axis of the ruck, Himeno gave way to a Taofifenua who was not attentive enough and went up almost 60 meters with the ball in hand. We then say to ourselves that the afternoon could turn out badly under the sad and rainy sky of Toulouse. However, the Blues played a first act of great maturity where they showed clinical realism, scoring at each of their forays into the Japanese camp. First, Penaud signed his 20th international try with great success and opportunism after Yamanaka was unable to grab the ball tapped crossed by Ntamack that the tricolor winger had extended at the foot. Ramos missed the conversion, his only failure of the day. Indeed, the three-color striker sanctioned all Japanese errors and enhanced the overflowing activity of Marchand, an insatiable scratcher on the ground. To this cold domination, Lucu added a touch of genius when on a touch deflected by Ollivon, he transplanted into the closed, slalomed between the opponents and escaped before giving back to his captain who had followed the movement. At the break, the Blues had made the difference and were leading by 18 points.
A good thing because the sequel was not of the same ilk already because the Brave Blossoms had finally decided to rebel. Faced with Tricolores who seemed to have left their intentions in the locker room, perhaps too confident, they changed pace. Upwind, Saito was serving Nakano who had come up to him. The center pierced the blue curtain and before giving back to his scrum half who had accompanied him for an early test, opening a quarter of an hour of suffering. Cornered, Ollivon is consort suffered but had the good idea not to collect points. Worse, it was they who proceeded against. Entering the game, Jalibert hit over for himself and recovered it thanks to a favorable rebound which lobbed Yamanaka on the cover. Chalureau ensured the relay before Lucu saw the excess and opened on the left where Penaud was responsible for finishing the job. If the Japanese responded tit for tat with a nice try out of the sidelines in stride, the last one would finally go to the locals and Jelonch after an action illuminated by an inspired Jalibert. Without being brilliant, the Blues had just thwarted the trap of a last match that many considered won in advance. Further proof of maturity for a group which, if it did not achieve everything this afternoon, won its 13th consecutive victory and completed 2022 without the slightest deletion. A perfect record that feeds confidence at the dawn of a much more important year 2023 and where France will certainly be the team to beat.
16:03 – Galthié’s balance sheet
“The important thing is to continue to have the feeling of progressing individually and collectively. We attacked this (autumn) tour out of balance with players injured or on recovery. We were not spared but it’s a combat sport. Collectively, the group responded well and we recalled players who were not in the circuit but responded present “appreciated Fabien Galthié, coach of a XV of France who continues to push his limits.
15:59 – Galthié: “A huge challenge”
“We always want to do better. The match was not easy but we won quite comfortably, comfortably”noted Fabien Galthié, to France 2, more relieved than happy to end this sequence of three games, in a format similar to that which the Blues could meet at the next World Cup and which he described as “huge challenge”.
15:56 – Three long years
Japan have been chasing a victory against a European nation for over three years. During “their” World Cup at home, the Brave Blossoms had completed their group stage with a fourth success in four matches by dominating Scotland (28-21). Since then, they have failed 8 times against their rivals from the old continent.
15:54 – Ollivon: “Not everything was perfect”
“What dominates is three wins in three games. Everything has not been perfect but we continue the series and gain confidence”welcomed Charles Ollivon, happy captain and author of a test against Japan.
15:49 – France did not flinch against Japan (35-17)
At the end of a more unbridled second period where they lost control, the XV of France overcome Japan and sign their 13th success in a row to end the year 2022 without any defeat. If they suffered for 20 minutes, they were able to counter the Japanese and break their rhythm before regaining their colors in an unbridled end to the match to ensure a big victory.
15:46 – The Japanese at fault
On a very short dismissal at the exit of 22 meters from the Blues, the Japanese attack wide on the right. Matsushima plays the excess by serving behind his back Riley. Nakano proposes a relay and is stopped at 5 meters. There, a Japanese throws himself on the ground to protect his center. Penalty which will allow the French to emerge.
15:42 – Ramos plays with the wind (35-17)
Under the “Toulousains, Toulousains” of a conquered Stadium, Ramos adjusts to the wind and transforms Jelonch’s try with talent (35-17).
15:39 – Jelonch signs the 4th French try (33-17)
Jalibert is good for the tricolor offensive game. The Bordeaux opener surprises everyone with a clever little overcoat. He wins the ball and finds support from Alldritt. Under the posts, Couilloud opens on the right where Danty plays decisive passing wingers for Jelonch (33-17).
15:37 – Ollivon against, Penaud plays in touch
On a touch in the Japanese 22 meters, Ollivon counters in the background of the alignment. The action starts on the big side but the Blues do not find an opening. In a position of back opener, Penaud plays with the foot over in the diagonal. New touch 0 15 meters from the in-goal.
15:34 – Test refused to Danty
On a beautiful clear action in the Japanese 22 meters, Danty is shifted on the right wing and with an acrobatic jump avoids the tackle to flatten in the in-goal. The center is skilful but flattens on the line at the height of the corner post, synonymous with touch. After several minutes, the try is logically not granted.
15:29 – Lee transforms (28-17)
Facing the posts, 15 meters away, Lee has no problem transforming and bringing his team to 11 points (28-17).
15:28 – Fifita responds to Penaud with a try (28-15)
Following a good touchdown 5 meters from the in-goal, Sakate hands inside to Fifita who has come to offer a solution up close. The winger tears the tricolor defense and signs the second test of the Brave Blossoms (28-15).
15:26 – Double change for the Blues
At the hour mark, Marchand leaves under the ovation of the Stadium of Toulouse and is replaced by Mauvaka. At the same time, Taofifenua gave way to Chalureau.
15:26 – Ramos converts the try (28-11)
Shifted to the left, Ramos applies to roll up the right and gives air to the mistreated Blues (28-11).
15:25 – Sheepish doubles the bet (26-11)
Not well in the second act, the Blues managed to sign a third try. On the raise, Jalibert taps for himself over it. The rebound favors him by cheating Yamanaka, who slipped. The opener fakes his defender, progresses in the 22 meters and finds Chalureau inside. The second line is surrounded by two opponents and keeps the ball 5 meters away. The overman is on the outside left and Macalou is found. Arrested, he fixes his defender and offers the double to Penaud (26-11).
15:23 – Japanese throw not straight
At the entrance of 22 meters, Sakate does not throw straight. The referee saw it and raises his arm. Scrum to follow for France.
15:22 – The Blues can’t do it anymore
This second act is an ordeal for the French. On the ground, Taofifenua loses his support when he had come to support and concedes a penalty. The Japanese will return to the blue camp.
15:22 – Ntamack leaves
Hit in the nose on the previous action, when the change had already been made, Ntamack left the field and was replaced by Jalibert.
15:20 – Good inspiration from Nagaré
Behind his forwards in the regrouping, Nagaré is fairer in his kicking game and with the favorable rebounds finds a touch 5 meters from the tricolor in-goal. The ball is well taken in the air and the Tricolores give themselves air at the foot.