the essential
The FFR's decision to rest its “premium” players during the summer tour was not to the taste of everyone in New Zealand. A former emblematic scrum half of the All Blacks castigated the choice of the French.
At the beginning of July, the Blues will fly to New Zealand for the traditional summer tour. On July 5, 12 and 19, the French XV will face the All Blacks hungry for revenge after having suffered three defeats in a row against them. Except that this time, the prestige should be less, the FFR having already announced not to send its “premium” players, in particular the Top 14 finalists.
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In the country of rugby, which was eager to welcome Antoine Dupont and company, the decision did not pass. It was even criticized by the federation but also by former glories of the Blacks. This is the case of Justin Marshall (81 caps). “Send your number one team and try to come and beat us in our backyard,” he told New Zealand media DSPN.
“We are not sending our B team”
He continues: “We don't send our B team to face you at the end of the year because our players are tired. We send our A team to try to crush you in your own backyard. Try to see things from our point of view and see what we want.”
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According to him, if France really came to New Zealand without its executives, it would be a “lack of respect”. However, this will indeed be the case. The FFR made it official by signing the agreement in partnership with the LNR. And Justin Marshall sees this as “an injustice”, particularly towards the local public, who will not see the best French players.
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