By crushing Argentina (37-23) on Friday evening at the Stade de France, the Blues victoriously completed an autumn tour full of great promise and certainty.
Icy weather, incandescent atmosphere. Once again, the France the mark of a furious attempt.
Let's say it straight away, this France-Argentina was not a great match, despite some flashes (Antoine Dupont's chisteras, a treat). To vibrate more, the Pumas would have had to be more enthusiastic and imaginative at the end of an international season which they ended on the knees. Or that the Blues don't stop playing after the break. But that does not detract from the pragmatism of the latter, which suits them well in this autumn season bringing certainties before switching to the VI Nations Tournament.
For six months, Argentina had developed the unfortunate habit of redacting its start to a match, like the 17-0 inflicted by Ireland last week. Yesterday, at the Stade de France, she exploded to even greater proportions, receiving two yellow cards (Montoya 4eGonzales, 35e) and conceding three tries and thirty points in the first half (30-9). The meeting was over.
Bielle-Biarrey takes the blow
Japan (52-12), New Zealand (30-29), Argentina (37-23), this victorious Tour is not trivial. It bears the fruits of the enlargement of the group, the versatility of the players and their determination to win, whatever the tortuosities of the path. Fabien Galthié will be able to enjoy the denial through actions of his own words spoken in his debriefing of the World Cup: the French team does not belong to anyone, there is no longer a free hand given to executives.
However, it was they who destroyed all the suspense after Gabin Villière showed his legs and Ramos his skill against the poles, including a penalty of more than 50 meters. No, there was no “comeback”. Taken by the aggressive defense of the Tricolores, Argentina tried a timid rebellion in the middle of the period, but the heart did not seem to be there, like the false rhythm which governed the entire game. Above all, there was the Bielle-Biarrey wisp opposite, who dealt the blow an hour into the game (37-16, 58e).
It is true that opposite, the Blues, although confused in the scrum, left only crumbs to their opponents. With this 31e victory in 35 matches at home for four years, Galthié's men have definitively turned the page on their failed World Cup and rekindled the flame after a catastrophic summer. Now it’s time for the good old Tournament, same place, same time, with France-Wales opening. From tango to Leek. Same illumination?
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