“The threat is coming”, Dupont and Galthié launch the clash against the All Blacks

The Blues crushed Japan 52-12 on Saturday to open the fall tour. An easy success before facing the New Zealand ogre in a week.

A return in the form of a demonstration. A year after its painful elimination in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup at home, the XV of France found the Stade de France, Antoine Dupont, and a good dose of confidence by crushing Japan (52-12), Saturday, in Saint -Denis.

For this first test of their autumn tour, the Blues did not really go into detail with eight tries scored, including two doubles from Union Bordeaux-Bègles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, logically named man of the match, and third row of La Rochelle Paul Boudehent.

Galthié: “We are all waiting for this big meeting”

Obviously, all eyes are already on the reception of the New Zealand ogre, next Saturday (9:10 p.m.). The All Blacks have made progress since the summer, like their recent victories at Twickenham (24-22) and Dublin (23-13). “We all like to see the All Blacks play like that as fans of Rugby and this sport,” said Antoine Dupont after the success against Japan.

“We see the great actions that they are capable of doing, but it is above all the physical density that they are capable of imposing on their opponents which has been striking these last two weekends. Beyond their individualities , that's what struck me the most and I think they will come with the same state of mind next weekend. It's up to us to raise our level to be able to respond to the threat that is coming.”

Same speech from the French coach Fabien Galthié: “They, it's their sixth month of competition. They are good. They seem to be very, very good, even. We find an All Blacks team at the top of his rugby. We are all looking forward to this big event.” The tour will then end against Argentina on November 22.