It was at Molitor, located just behind the Jean-Bouin stadium where he spent seventeen years of his career, that the sidelines and specific tasks coach Laurent Sempéré arranged to meet us late Sunday morning. to debrief the November tour, crowned with three victories. For more than an hour, he returned to the reasons for the success before looking ahead to the next 6 Nations Tournament.
How is this tour successful?
It is a success in several respects. First, the results validate a method, an operation, and feelings. We felt the beginnings of this last summer in Argentina, particularly during the first test in Mendoza. During this period, we trained a little more to validate the method and allow our players to take more common cues. This is where we found a balance between quantity and quality of workouts. This tour, despite everything that happened, was rich. This allowed us to validate the method. In this continuity, we were all aware of the importance of the result and of continuing to follow the course for the three matches in November.
For what ?
Quite simply because French rugby needs a strong French XV, which speaks on the pitch through results and through play. From our first preparation meetings, this has been a leitmotif. And then, the success of this fall tour is also a good connection between all the components of the staff, not just the athlete.
Was it not a seduction operation to restore the image of French rugby, tainted by the affairs of the summer?
Not necessarily! We had especially endured the start of the Tournament where there were a few discoveries on the one hand and the World Cup to be settled on the other. But after the Italy match, there was a turning point where we began to better take ownership of the time and the environment, between new and old members of the staff. So we didn’t need to seduce, we were focused on our roadmap which should materialize in victories on this autumn tour, notably against New Zealand. This meeting had a special resonance, a real test match.
You mention the shift made after the match against Italy during the Tournament, marked in particular by more competition. A change that you validated during this tour…
(He cuts) We relied on a larger number of players. We became aware that over the duration of a competition, even if the international format is quite short, wear and tear can be present. We realized that we needed more emulation and more players involved. This is the path that Fabien (Galthié) has taken. And this is what we are on the verge of achieving. We can structure it even better because it requires a lot of accuracy in decisions.
What were the revelations to you during this tour?
Across all lines, many players have emerged. And it’s good for the collective. Just like certain elements that did not play much were very valuable and allowed us to train well.
Who is that?
I’m thinking of players like Maxime Lucu, Cameron Woki, Maxime Lamothe or Gaetan Barlot. And more. Everyone sees the performances on the pitch, but these boys allowed the team, without playing, to win.
Doesn’t this tour validate the 42-player working method?
I started on this staff during the Tournament with only 34 players available. I saw the difference on this tour with 42 players. This possibility allows us to better prepare the players and better anticipate coaching. This is also one of the keys to this tour with the versatility of the players. We spent a lot of time thinking about different coaching scenarios. When Marko Gazotti comes in to replace Paul Boudehent, we know that this coaching will impact changes in the alignment, in the way of attacking or defending carried balls. Having 42 players allows us to prepare all that.
Was it difficult to explain or get Charles Ollivon to accept that he would not play the match against Japan?
Charles is an intelligent and lucid boy in relation to the competition and his level of performance. He had a very classy attitude. He first returned to the club to play in the Top 14. He then came on as a substitute against the Blacks, he had a very good start which allowed him to start against Argentina. Anything but a coincidence. It’s linked to his attitude and it’s a great example for the group.
The consequence of Ollivon’s return during the tour was the withdrawal of Grégory Alldritt who had started the year as captain. Is this human resources management complex?
I don’t see it that way. Above all, it shows the richness of our workforce. Greg started in the first two matches, Charles showed that we had to reckon with him. Therefore, Greg came out. But it’s just emulation. They remain two important leaders of the team.
Has the duty to remember given way to the policy of the fit man?
The balance between these two notions is important. Players should not feel like they are playing with a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads every match. Fabien (Galthié) is very attached to his players and to this concept. But, while respecting this principle, we take into account individual performances and the form of the moment. It’s not a radical change, it’s just an evolution.
Fabien Galthié spoke of areas for progress on the evening of the last test. What are they?
When we see the level of the team and its ability to win matches while it still has shortcomings, for a coach, it is motivating. This tour allowed us to validate certain areas of work that we had prioritized. We will have others during the Tournament, in order to have more control over our game.
Is conquest, in touch or in melee, which has not always been sovereign during this autumn, the aim?
We can be more demanding in these sectors because we have very high quality players. However, we have not neglected the touchline or the scrum. But we want to be more efficient than that.
On a positive note, the try which unlocked the match against the Blacks came from a ball carried after touch. Is this satisfying?
Yes, it is an eminently collective and prepared action, like the try (by Thibaud Flament) against Argentina after a false maul which shows our desire to alternate.
Did Georges-Henri Colombe’s performance against the All Blacks surprise you?
He was the one who was probably surprised. He saw that he was capable of achieving this kind of performance. And I’m sure he can do even better. For me, he hasn’t found his limits yet.
What about Paul Boudehent?
Have you watched his performances with La Rochelle since the start of the season? He, like Mickaël Guillard with Lyon, Jean-Baptiste Gros with Toulon, were very strong at the start of the season. Before putting together our first list, we also worked a lot with the clubs, which helped us. There is no coincidence.
You don’t talk about François Cros, but he seems essential, right?
It’s Mr. Clean. He is cold and precise, capable of doing everything: scratching, jumping, moving… A complete player who helps us a lot in our desire to move around quickly. He’s the one who sets the pace. He really has a central role. But hey…
Oui ?
He was unable to play against the Blacks, which did not prevent the team from performing. That’s also the 42 method: it pulls everyone up.
Fabien Galthié had announced that he wanted to change the playing identity of the French team towards more possession. What about it?
The desire to hold the ball, to attack, is a strong conviction. We saw it in these three matches. We held the ball more, we played higher up the pitch. And then, if the playing times are so high, it is also because we want to keep the ball on the field. We are moving in the right direction.
Antoine Dupont was absent during the 6 Nations Tournament. Barely back, the XV of France shines again. Are you Dupont-dependent?
Antoine is a very great player, a world-class player. I had never coached him. He knows what he wants and understands very quickly what is asked. It saves time. It is also capable, with great relevance, of changing the system. It connects the players to the staff from this point of view and gives meaning to what we want to put in place.
On a personal level, what does it feel like to beat the Blacks?
It’s a very strong match emotionally, with exceptional character. We went through all the feelings during the meeting. And paradoxically, we didn’t really enjoy it. The evening of the victory over the “N-zed”, we were already talking about the match against Argentina between us. We didn’t want to ruin everything. The objective was really to have three victories in the month of November.
How do you view the next 6 Nations Tournament?
We haven’t really talked about it yet. The objective was really to win these three matches. With the group we have and following on from this November tour, we will inevitably approach this competition with a lot of ambitions. Our players know the international calendar. They know that we will need freshness because this Tournament, in its structure with these three trips to Italy, England and Ireland, will require a lot of energy and commitment from us. Moreover, emulation within the group makes each player responsible for their level of freshness and performance.
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