In Limonest (Rhône),
We did not imagine for a moment seeing the players of the XV of France follow one another, this Wednesday at the cultural center of Limonest (Rhône), to announce to the press their desire to beat in two days the incredible gap of the All Blacks match – Italy (96-17, +79). Rest assured, the caution/vigilance +++ mode was activated since during an hour of press conference with Fabien Galthié and five starters of this last match of group A of the Rugby World Cup, the prospect of the clash of the quarters final against South Africa was never mentioned. Mathematically speaking, this France-Italy on Friday (9 p.m.), at Parc OL de Décines, is certainly “a round of 16” since a defeat (even with a bonus) would eliminate the Blues (if New Zealand does the job on Thursday against Uruguay).
In fact, it is just unimaginable to see the best possible French team (excluding Dupont, obviously forfeited) collapse against the Azzurri who were so massacred by the All Blacks last week. But obviously no one has come close to this level of confidence (apparently) on the French XV side. “We suspect that the Italians will not show the same face as against the New Zealanders,” immediately warned Charles Ollivon, captain on Friday in Décines. It’s going to be a whole different game against us. We are sure they will put another level of commitment. There will be a lot fewer missed tackles on their side [33 sur 125 tentés face aux All Blacks], it is obvious. We read a little of what they said in the press: they are going to give everything for this playoff match. It’s a match that will hit hard against them! »
The memory of a feverish success in Rome in February
Charles Ollivon skillfully gives a helping hand to the FFR marketing teams by (over)selling what really does not look like a potential poster, given the forces present. We can, unsurprisingly, count on Fabien Galthié to deliver a ladle: “It’s a Latin team that has been injured so we expect a very, very strong reaction from them. Italy has made adjustments to its team composition and has everything to gain. We expect a very, very difficult match, just like our last match in Rome which we talked about again.”
Because yes, on February 5 in Rome, at the opening of the VI Nations Tournament, we were light years away from the 14 tries scored last Friday by the All Blacks against this same selection. Feverish as possible, the XV of France won by a mini-margin (24-29), leaving some doubts, even if Italy has not won against the Blues for ten years.
“The tension is a little greater, we can go home”
“It’s special because Italy is almost every time the first team we face during the VI Nations,” says Jonathan Danty to justify the regular difficulties on the French side in this opposition. When you come out of two weeks of preparation, it’s always a little more delicate compared to a match in full competition. There is always a lot of tension in our matches and Italy has been progressing on the international scene for three years. » This is obviously not what emerged from the carnage suffered at Décines, but the precautions of the Charles Ollivon gang are clear.
“In four years, there have been very few easy matches against them [22 points d’écart en moyenne depuis 2019], insists Grégory Alldritt. You will have to be very good in the collision and conquest phases. They have a lot of pride and self-esteem. They will want to wash away the insult, show a different image, we have been warned. » We too understood the message. “They are going to be vengeful,” continues Peato Mauvaka. In the fight and the conquest, it will be a big challenge for us. » Before facing Ange Capuozzo and his partners, Maxime Lucu drives the point home: “We know very well that it is a direct elimination match. The tension is a little greater, obviously, because we can go home.” Well, sorry Maxime but 20 minuteswe have already set up our system to cover the France-South Africa match on October 14 at the Stade au France.