A victory for confidence, no injuries for serenity, the essential is assured: the XV of France has completed its preparation for the World Cup by quietly dominating Australia (41-17), Sunday August 27, 2023, at twelve days from the start of the competition.
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After a defeat in Scotland (25-21) then two victories against the XV du Thistle (30-27) and Fiji (34-17), the Blues had four tries, by the center Jonathan Danty (7th) as well as the wingers Damian Penaud (57th, 74th) and Gabin Villière (63rd), to the Wallabies at the Stade de France in this fourth and final preparation match for the World Cup (September 8-October 28). They even came close to the biggest French success against Australia, which dated back to 1976 and a 34-6 success in Paris.
Better, they are especially avoided the last minute sores, as during the match in Saint-Étienne, mid-August, where they lost the opener Romain Ntamack (cruciate ligament) for all the competition and the pillar Cyril Baille (calf) for the first three matches.
Finally, Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert were able to answer the doubts concerning their duo in the hinge. Associated with the kick-off for the eighth time, the first since a victory against Georgia (41-15) in November 2021, the Toulouse scrum-half and the Bordeaux-Bègles opener did their job as the hub of the French game. Failing to really shine, apart from this sublime perforation, launched by Dupont, continued by Jalibert, ended with a yellow card for the Australian winger Suliasi Vunivalu (52nd) and sanctioned by Penaud’s test a few minutes later. The new hinge of the XV of France thus delivered decisive passes on three of the tries of Danty (Dupont), Penaud (Dupont) and Villière (Jalibert).
Still some details to work out
But, if the substance is there, it was sometimes necessary to conceal the form. Especially in the first period, where the Blues were often rough, even downright clumsy. Less than two weeks before the start of the World Cup on September 8 against the All Blacks, all is not perfect. Far from there.
Fabien Galthié and his staff will certainly not have appreciated the first Australian try, with a hazardous climb from the back Thomas Ramos, who opened the door wide to winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (13th). The two lost touches (out of 17) will also leave a bitter aftertaste in the tricolor frame, like the twelve penalties conceded.
The Australians, who have not won for five matches, will have a lot to do in Pool C, with Georgia, Portugal, Fiji and Wales. Les Bleus will launch the World Cup against the All Blacks before facing Namibia and finally Italy.
It will then be time to think about the quarter-finals and a terrible shock against South Africa, reigning world champion, or Ireland, world No.1. Even Scotland, the team that has beaten Les Bleus de Galthié the most. The countdown begins.
(With AFP)