After a good first period, the French showed a bad face when they returned from the locker room. Faced with a vengeful and efficient New Zealand in the scoring zone, the Blue conceded a heavy defeat 39-14 in Vancouver on the last day of the Women XV. Penultimate in the ranking, the French will have to show a different face during the next Tournament.
During the night from Saturday to Sunday, Saturday afternoon in Canada, the French women’s XV ended the Women’s XV 2024 with a gala clash against the reigning world champions New Zealand. In this duel of great rugby nations in bad shape (the Blacks Ferns remained on three defeats in a row, the Blues had lost against Canada before beating the United States with difficulty), it was misfortune for the vanquished one year from the 2025 World Cup organized in England… the country which currently sits at the top of the world ranking.
From the start of this game organized on the synthetic turf at BC Place in Vancouver, the French did not show themselves in their best light (penalty conceded for offside, 2nd; ahead of Séraphine Okemba, 6th). So many mistakes not to be made against the vengeful New Zealanders who scored two tries in a row by Ayesha Leti-I’iga (5-0, 8th) then Katelyn Vaha’akolo (10-0, 14th). However, Hannah King’s lack of success kept France in the match. Especially since they showed realism by going straight behind the opposing line via a nice number from Emeline Gros (10-7, 17th).
A solid end to the first period
After that, and following an avoidable forward from Chloé Jacquet (19th), the Blacks Ferns returned to the French scoring zone. After a lot of work from her front line, Alana Bremmer came to make the last crossing to score her team’s third try (15-7, 21st). The Blues did not let themselves be counted out with a big opportunity for a double missed by Emeline Gros on a kick from Lina Queyroi (26th) then a try scored by captain Manae Feleu at the level of a regroupment (15-14, 31st).
At that time, if the French doubled before the break (20-14, 40th). We said then that the Blues had the ability to win and climb to third place in the world ranking ahead of their opponents of the day.
More information to come…
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