For the first time since September, the Top 14 will take leave this weekend to make way for the November test matches. The XV of France will face Japan this Saturday evening at the Stade de France (9:10 p.m.). Brave Blossoms very different from those of their 2019 World Cup epic, which worry and regress after the beautiful desires encountered. The opportunity to see the scrum halves duel at Stade Toulousain, between Antoine Dupont and Naoto Saito, while Gaël Fickou will be a substitute for the first time since 2019. Ireland, undefeated since 2021 on home soil, will have a hard time facing New Zealand and will seek revenge for his elimination at the last world championship. On Sunday, Fiji, reinforced by a back line made in the Top 14, can achieve a historic success on Welsh soil. Here is the information not to be missed before this weekend.
A Japan on the downward slope?
So it's this Saturday evening at the Stade de France, that the Blues host Japan (9:10 p.m.). Without disrespect to the men of the archipelago, this meeting is on paper, the most affordable of the fall tour. Because the time seems far away when the Japanese, in full rise and on their momentum from the 2015 World Cup, had come to snatch a draw (23-23) on the Arena lawn. We were in 2017. How far away it also seems when the Brave Blossoms, during their World Cup in 2019, reached the quarter-finals before falling to future champions South Africarallying an entire nation behind them. Since then, water has flowed under the bridges. During their last visit to France in 2022, Kazuki Himeno's partners had logically fallen (35-17) against the gang in Galthié.
Since 2019, the land of the rising sun seems to rest on its achievements. Jamie Joseph, the former coach, was enormously criticized in the country for his choices. One of the reasons? Do without some local talent to make way for naturalized players. This game of speed, instilled from the youngest years and anchored in Japanese rugby culture was sometimes neglectedat the expense of more power, particularly behind. The results were felt. And despite a 2023 World Cup that is far from ridiculous, Japan was unable to advance from the group stage, falling to Argentina in the deciding match. From ? Eddie Jones took over the reins. We believed that the former guru of England or Australia would finally return to the DNA of Japanese rugby, based on the game of movement, made of speed, incessant races with a desire to do constantly experiencing it swells. At the dawn of the fall tour, Japanese rugby aficionados were disillusioned.
The results are not there. Despite a final at the Pacific Nations Cup, the Japanese lost heavily against a decimated Fiji formation (17-41). A fortnight ago for the reception of a New Zealand also reorganized and despite a very good start to the match, they exploded like popcorn, suffering a scathing 64-19 in Yokohama.
It is therefore difficult to arrive confidently when it comes time to challenge our French. Especially since once again, Eddie Jones took the gamble of launching Siosaia Fifita in the center alongside Dylan Riley. On the wings Jone Naikabula, sometimes hazardous, is also lined up while Malo Tuitama will start at the back. Power, little footwork, but is this the right plan to thwart the French assaults? Not sure, knowing that on top of that, players from the archipelago have been particularly feverish defensively recently.
Up front, the lack of density in certain positions could be felt and prove detrimental. You will have understood it, the Blues will be big favorites in this clash. And it is not the Japan of 2019 which will present itself at the Stade de France.
Exit the Tatafu duel, two Toulouse residents meet
We could, rightly, have evoke the duel between the homonyms Tevita Tatafu. On one side the third row of Japan, playing at UBB, on the other the pillar of Aviron Bayonnais starting on the right of the French scrum. Born respectively in Samoa to Tongan parents and in Tonga, the two men are also cousins. A story worth the detour, we grant you that. But the two players are used to crossing swords on Top 14 pitches and, above all, do not play in the same position. The duel which rightfully attracted our attention was therefore the one between the two scrum halves from Stade Toulousain. I ask Antoine Dupont (27 years old) and Naoto Saito (27 years old).
Arriving on the sly on the banks of the Garonne in the off-season, Naoto Saito won over the public of the Pink City from these first appearances. Capable of energizing the game, very fast and endowed with great individual technique, his debut was promising in the absence of Antoine Dupont. Since then, he has alternated hot and cold. But a good number of Toulouse supporters place him ahead of Paul Graou who is having a more difficult start to the season. Above all, we must not neglect the adaptation time for a player, who has never played outside his country until now. The language barrier, getting to know a new championship, so many elements that are not currently working in his favor. But the scrum half with 21 selections, dubbed by certain country specialists, may still surprise a good number of followers.
And why not this Saturday evening? He will face him, the number 1 at his position in the clubAntoine Dupont. We no longer present the French rugby superstar, who will celebrate his 53rd cap against Eddie Jones' men. The two players, partners in Toulouse, will meet on the pitch at the Stade de France for a duel that we will follow closely. Especially since the French, has not played in Blue since the last World Cupin a quarter-final against South Africa on a now infamous October evening, more than a year ago.
Gaël Fickou replacing, first since 2019
As crazy as it may seem, Gaël Fickou (30 years old, 90 caps), will start the test against Japan this Saturday evening on the substitutes' bench. A small event. For what ? Because the three-quarter center of Racing 92 remained on an incredible series of 48 consecutive starts in Blue! Realize it, the native of La Seyne-Sur-Mer has not been a substitute with the XV of France since February 2019. More than five years. An eternity then. How to explain this? Already by competition law. Capable of playing both in 12 and 13, the player must face Yoram Moefana's very good start to the seasonperforming with Union Bordeaux-Bègles in a role as first attacker. At the second center position, the injury to Nicolas Depoortere reshuffled the cards. Emilien Gailleton holds the rope and will therefore be established. Are we at the dawn of a radical change at the center of the French attack? Nothing indicates this yet and Gaël Fickou could regain his place against the All Blacks. Still, it is a rare enough event to be highlighted. Since the start of Galthié's mandate in 2020, each time the French coach had Gaël Fickou available, he lined him up as a starter.
Ireland, to extend its invincibility
Is the XV of Clover, at the time of writing these lines, the best team on the planet? The question deserves to be asked, as Andy Farrell's men, winners of the last 6 Nations, impress with each of their outings on the green rectangle. With South Africa, these are the two nations which demonstrate the greatest soliditywithout necessarily deploying an exceptional offensive game.
This Friday evening (9:10 p.m.), at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland will have the opportunity to take revenge on what remains, without a doubt, their biggest trauma of the last ten years. Favorites for the world title in 2023, winners of the Springboks in the group stages, the teammates of the retired Jonathan Sexton had, once again fell at the quarter-final stage of a World Cupagainst New Zealand (24-28). These same All Blacks who will go to Dublin this evening with the firm desire to put an end to Irish reign.
Because as incredible as it may seem, the men in green are undefeated at home since February 14, 2021 and a success for the XV of France (13-15). From, the Celts remain on 19 victories in a row on their grounds at the Aviva Stadium. Impressive. And reassembled, eager to take their revenge from a year ago, the Irish advance favorites against Sam Cane's partners. Above all, while the Pacific players are coming out of a grueling season, the locals are only at the beginning of theirs. A word of advice, tune in tonight. 9:10 p.m., it might go boom.
Historic Fiji, for a first victory in Cardiff in history?
Concerning Sunday, we could have lingered, it is true, on the oh so enticing Scotland-South Africa. But we preferred to focus on Wales-Fiji which is looming.
For what ? Because the Fijians, defeated during the last World Cup by the same Leek XV, are more than never able to achieve the first success in their history on Welsh soil in the legendary Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Often, although they were announced as favorites, the men of the Pacific missed out, the fault of chronic indiscipline or inexplicable bad choices when they had the match in hand. On Sunday, they must not miss each other. Firstly, because Welsh rugby is going through an unprecedented crisisperhaps the worst in its history. And above all, on paper, the Fijians seem superior to their hosts of the day. If in front it remains solid, note the back line carefully. Lomani, Muntz, Radradra, Tuisova, Nayacalevu, Wainiqolo or Karawalevu with in particular a certain Sireli Maqala on the bench. Mind-boggling. They will have to ride on the title acquired during the Pacific Nations Cup to achieve a historic first.
