France – New Zealand. Paul Boudehent's big night, sparkling against the All Blacks

Paul Boudehent may have had twelve selections on his CV, but there will certainly be a before and after November 16, 2024 in his international career. If he was one of the big winners in the preparation for the 2023 World Cup, even getting a ticket for the queen of this sport's competitions and never leaving the France group since, he was still missing one step to take to give a new dimension to his adventure with the Blues. Until then, considering that the reception of Italy in the last 6 Nations Tournament was not an XXL meeting, the Rochelais had never started a meeting at the top. But his destiny surely changed at the beginning of last week, when the concussion protocol was fatal to François Cros… Boudehent stood out as obvious, especially since several members of the staff had campaigned to make him a place in the XV of departure at the start of the autumn tour and that the random form of his maritime teammate, Grégory Alldritt, could have led to a reorganization of the third row.

Nevertheless, it was against the All Blacks that his big night was awaited. “Paul is someone who is with us for some timeaffirmed William Servat, three days before the match. He joined the group with his human and player qualities. At the opening of the World Cup, he made a magnificent debut against New Zealand. He asserts himself from match to match. He brings character, that’s an important factor in a Rugby team.” A reference therefore to his already successful record against the “All Blacks”. This time, he had to mark the bodies and minds at the entrance. “Some did not have Never played against the All Blackssaid Boudehent on Saturday. And many of us, like me, were watching the 2021 game on television. We wanted to make history. This may have been our strength somewhere. The group was over-motivated and didn't want to give up their chance.” He clearly grabbed his.

The kind of match that counts

On the pitch at the Stade de France, the Rochelais was undeniably one of the best Habs. The only one perhaps to respond to the physical intensity imposed by his adversaries in the first act, and even to dominate them thanks to his (super)natural power. “There was a lot of rhythmhe smiled after the final whistle. You could see it in the races, the impacts. This is the kind of match that counts. So, to put in a good performance against a team like that is definitely satisfying.” A mild understatement, as his activity was capital and decisive. If the XV of France, battered for a long time, has remained alive, it owes it in part to this constant slaughter (fourteen tackles, no misses, for twenty-five meters gained with the ball in hand). And the credit (logically) went to him for scoring the try which changed everything upon returning from the locker room following a school “offbeat carry” on a penalty. A combination specifically designed for this duel? “I'm not going to tell you everythinglaughed the person concerned. But, in any case, it worked!”

Like the choice to move him up in rank. Boudehent, a guarantee for the future. And it is also hardly conceivable not to see him renewed against Argentina, especially since he was very reassuring about the suspicion which made him leave the field in the 70^e minute. “I'm happy with the personal feelings but especially for the grouphe proclaimed. For us, the challenge was enormous and the motivation was there. I was keen to see the XV of France succeed where England and Ireland failed. Afterwards, itThere is only one match left but, with several players, we wanted to show thatthey are very present, that we can bring something to the team and that we are not extras.” In this case, this did not escape anyone.