They put all their aggressiveness into it, all their frustration at not playing the final. Les Bleues du rugby crushed Canada in the small final of the World Cup, 36-0, at Eden Park in Auckland. “It’s a very positive assessment for this women’s XV of France which has shown all its ambition”, retains coach Thomas Darracq.
Despite the disappointment of the semi-final lost by a small point (25-24) against the New Zealand “Black Ferns”, the French women were therefore able to remobilize to largely dominate this Canadian team which could not offer much -thing. “I am very happy, satisfied that the girls were able to show all their qualities, the potential of this team. It was a very good performance to manage to put 40 points to the Canadian team, third in the world rankings and which almost beat England last week”, underlines Thomas Darracq.
Farewell to the “ladies”
At the final whistle, Les Bleues all hugged each other tightly to celebrate this big and clear victory, won thanks to five tries, including a double from winger Marine Ménager, which allowed them to win a sixth bronze medal. in nine editions, their third against the Canadians. The pillar Assia Khalfaoui had mentioned this bronze medal during the week as a “consolation prize”, the winger Joanna Grisez had meanwhile blown: “It will be better than nothing”.
This bronze medal is also a great reward for four “great ladies” of French rugby who bowed out this Saturday in Auckland: second lines Safi N’Diaye and Céline Ferer, third line Marjorie Mayans and scrum half Laure Sansus , in the stands because injured since the match against England in pool.