La Rochelle’s third row, Paul Boudehent, allowed the Blues to compete in the physical dimension against the New Zealanders who dominated the impacts in a terribly competitive match. He also scored an important try at the start of the second half, allowing the French to get back on track. It’s a safe bet that the Rochelais will remember his thirteenth selection for a long time.
The start of the match gave rise to fears of the worst for the French. The All Blacks managed to score two tries by tormenting the tricolors in the physical dimension. They thus played a rugby of which they have the secretwith very fast rucks and perpetual advancement. The New Zealand waves overwhelmed the willing Blues but they lost meters without finding a lull. Paul Boudehent played a key role in avoiding a tidal wave. He showed that he competed on impact, delivering a few attacking tackles when New Zealand returned to the scoring zone, even finding progress with the ball in hand.
He symbolized the hope of the Blues
For his thirteenth selection, and only his fifth start, the Rochelais instilled hope in his partners that the feat was still possible despite the incredible start of the All Blacks. It was said that Scott Robertson’s men had disgusted the English and Irish during previous weekends with their ability to fight, demonstrating that they were formidable in head-on rugby. Paul Boudehent was certainly the trigger of the French revolteven if the French third line was careful not to fall into triumphalism after the final whistle at the broadcaster’s microphone: “I’m super proud of the group, we were keen to put in a great performance against New Zealand. It’s good to succeed where the other northern nations have failed. We have to savor the moment but it’s We have to keep our feet on the ground and think now about the last match against Argentina.”
In line with his performance against Japan
It is true that this autumn tour is not over, that there is still a step to climb against a dangerous Argentine team, but it is already certain that Paul Boudehent is a very good surprise at the end of the year 2024. The Rochelais, who entered at the break against Japan to replace François Cros, had already completed a promising forty minutes, including two tries. Called to start against New Zealand due to the withdrawal of the Toulouse third row, Paul Boudehent responded even though he had only started against opponents of a lower level (Scotland, Uruguay, Italy) demonstrating that he could be one of the key men in Fabien Galthié’s second term. He ended the match prematurely, forced to leave the pitch in the 70the minute, after having made fourteen tackles (none missed) thus confirming by the figures a successful defensive performance.
A decisive tackle in the 51st minute
He also scored the first French try at the very start of the second half, allowing the Blues to get back on track in the 44the minute. He was also behind a decisive tackle in the 51ste minute, thus offering a recovery ball to Thomas Ramos. The opener hit the wing of Louis Bielle-Biarrey who was able to score the try which gave the advantage to the XV of France. Just coincidence? The UBB winger and the La Rochelle third row both scored three tries in these first two matches of the tour.
Morocco
