The reunion between French and New Zealanders promises to be explosive this Saturday evening at the Stade de France (9:10 p.m.). More than a year after the last clash, which saw the French XV triumph in the opening match of the 2023 World Cup, the All Blacks have changed a lot. With in particular a new coach, Scott Robertson, who has still not experienced defeat against the nations of the northern hemisphere.
A few hours before the reunion between the French XV and the All Blacks this Saturday evening at the Stade de France (9:10 p.m.), more than a year after the opening match of the 2023 World Cup, the poster contains some promises, despite the few absences on both sides. “The match will inevitably be very tough, very hard, very balanced, but we have our chances,” imagines Emile Ntamack, interviewed this Saturday morning on RMC.
The context around the Blues is known. After a summer that was far too eventful, this fall tour is full of challenges. The image must be restored after a summer of controversy and supporters want to find the XV of France version 2O22 after a last VI Nations Tournament that was not very flamboyant.
“Today, we have a group of qualities, competitive players who compete at all levels, details the ex-international, before throwing the credit on the French coach, Fabien Galthié, whom he rubbed shoulders with with the jersey blue “I know he’s a hard worker. He's always been like that. We must not forget the four wonderful years that made the French dream.”
Undefeated against northern hemisphere nations… since defeat to France
Opposite, those who will be dressed in white this Saturday evening at the Stade de France, the All Blacks, have had a great last year. Since the opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup (lost 27-13 against the XV of France), the All Blacks have recovered well… reaching the final of this prestigious competition, losing by just one small point against South Africa, after playing outnumbered for more than 50 minutes.
What’s next? A change of coach. Scott Robertson replaces Ian Foster and begins his tenure with a faultless friendly at the start of the summer, against England twice and Fiji. Enough to be well prepared for the Rugby Championship. Narrowly defeated by South Africa, then by the surprising Argentina team, the All Blacks finished second in the competition, behind the Springboks, 2019 and 2023 world champions.
A little break later, here we are already in November for the fall tour. Beauden Barrett's teammates already have three matches in hand (compared to just one for our Blues, 52-12 victory against Japan), for three victories, including two prestigious ones against England at Twickenham and Ireland at Aviva. A great series of victories which allows Scott Robertson's men to arrive at the Stade de France, undefeated against the nations of the northern hemisphere, since the defeat against the XV of France (seven wins in seven matches).
“A legendary team”
If the New Zealanders remain on a series of five consecutive victories, the gap with France has reduced drastically if we compare with the previous decade. Before Fabien Galthié's mandate, the last French victory against the All Blacks dated back to… the 2007 World Cup and the famous quarter-final won 20-18. But since the former Toulon coach took his place at Marcoussis, the results have completely changed. In two matches, the Blues have only known the taste of victory.
Never two without three? Emile Ntamack, guest this Saturday morning on the RMC Anaïs Matin show, believes in this scenario. “Now, we perhaps have less complexes. In the past, we knew how to beat them, even if it seemed like a feat.”
The former player of the great Stade Toulousain of the 90s, winner four consecutive times of the Top 14 between 1994 and 1997, also sees a New Zealand team very different from previous generations. “They are necessarily less frightening. The domination of the All Blacks has wreaked havoc in the past, but it still remains a legendary team with players of exceptional quality. We have progressed, little by little closing the gap in level that it there was,” recalls the former three-quarter.
