It certainly wasn’t a vintage French performance at the World Cup opener, but worryingly enough for their competitors in the end they brushed past the Kiwis by 14 points.
Inflicting the first ever pool game loss in World Cup history on the Kiwis is no mean feat, but it looked exactly that on Friday evening. The All Blacks came out of the blocks fast with a wonderfully worked first phase moved finished of a few moves later by stand out Mark Telea, but form then on the men in black didn’t reach the same heights of intensity with the ball.
The French continued to adopt their kick-based approach, but unlike England, the majority of the kicks are done with purpose, with clear intent to regain possession, apply pressure or suffocate the Kiwis into a territory battle. The Kiwis succumbed to attempting to largely run the ball back, feeding into Shaun Edwards hungry defence who were keen to make an impression in front of the baying home crowd.
In this sense, it was vintage France under Galthie, the confidence and believe in their tactics is something to behold. Never does an air of panic overcome the team, the clarity of mission is what often drives them to victory. French teams gone by would bow to classic Kiwi pressure and intensity, but never once did you think the French would capitulate, with the superb goal kicking of Ramos they always remain in touch.
Surprisingly to most, Aaron Smith outperformed the poster boy of the tournament Dupont, and kept the French magician largely quiet.
The French also went into the game with a long list of front lines absentees, Williemse, Danty, Baille, and Marchand who went off within 10 minutes.
With these heavyweights, both metaphorically and physically expected to return for the knockouts, the French set up will be relieved and equally as excited.
With the obvious expectation that Dupont isn’t quiet for two games in a row and the return of the power up front, France will be a sight to behold come Quarter Final weekend.
Yes it’ll be a monumental match against either Ireland or South Africa, but the momentum behind them will likely be unstoppable.
With a Namibia and Uruguay next before Italy in the last pool match, squad rotation, the chance to prepare and keeping one eye on Pool B will be the focus for the next few weeks.
A fervent home crowd, a united belief and patience in their tactics, combined with the return of the power men, the French charge to the World Cup Final looks ominous.
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