The seventh association of the two centers has not fully convinced with a view to the 2025 Tournament. If the pair is now favored by the staff, their effectiveness and complicity still raise questions.
Between now and January 31, the date of the curtain raising on the Tournament, the coach's little game, popular with observers from all sides, will continue to liven up the discussions in the bays and counters. Among the points of debate, the pair of centers will undoubtedly constitute a very lively subject of conversation: because the breeding ground there is abundant and allows a number of combinations with the emergence of Gailleton, Depoortere and other Costes; and because the pair favored by Fabien Galthié on this tour did not convince across the board.
After the match against the Blacks, the coach swept away any doubt when asked if he was satisfied with the tandem, tossed defensively and timid offensively: “Across the way, there was the best pair of centers in the world (Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane, editor's note) […]. For Yoram and Gaël, it was the first association of the year, after three weeks of work. In this context, facing players who played in the World Cup final together […]I say yes. Without a doubt…” At the final whistle of the success against the Pumas, the question still deserved to be submitted: the duo, more effective on the defensive level, lacked bonding and creativity with the ball in hand.
Moefana, stats and impression…
When it comes time to take stock, it is appropriate to separate the two elements. Placed on the bench against Japan, Gaël Fickou subsequently gave guarantees on his ability to remain the regulator of the back lines, the boss of the defense. Without causing great chills, by the way. The subject Yoram Moefana raises more questions. There is this statistical line which is striking: no try, two defenders beaten, one crossing, zero passes after contact, one so-called “decisive” pass, 69 meters gained, 70% in tackles (32 out of 42)… Beyond the numbers and their relative truth, there is above all the impression that the Bordeaux player cannot fully express himself: again on Friday, he regularly played away from the defense and created few differences. Frustrating, obviously. If his commitment and his physical impact are not in question, we are entitled to expect more from a player expected as tomorrow's 12 but who, in 30 selections (twenty as starter, thirteen at center) and at 24 years old , still seems to be breaking in, inside. The desire of the staff to give time to the duo – starting partner for the seventh time – remains no less obvious and it is in this sense that we can interpret the late entry into play of Gailleton (71st ), came close to scoring his second try of the tour. The convincing appearances of the Palois will fuel the debate, as will the upcoming return to the competition of Nicolas Depoortere or the performances of Jonathan Danty, candidate still in the running. Beyond the qualities of each, the question of complementarity obviously arises and, therefore, of a possible “re-switch” of Fickou to the position of first center, experimented without much success during the Tournament.
In any case, the subject is anything but secondary. Because if the tricolor hinge and rear triangle can today be considered references on the international scene, the same cannot currently be said of the center of the field which nevertheless does not lack talent.
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