More than a year after their defeat against South Africa during the 2023 World Cup, the Blues have returned perfectly to the pitch at the Stade de France. Saturday November 9, Fabien Galthié's players played against the Japanese (52-12), as part of the fall tour. Antoine Dupont – back after his Olympic epic in rugby sevens – and his teammates will surely have more difficulty winning in their next match, against New Zealand, Saturday November 16.
The only downside against the Japanese: the injury to Stade Toulousain second row Thibaud Flament, injured in the ribs, and the French defensive relaxation in the second period which allowed the Japanese to score two tries.
What to remember from France-Japan:
- The cador. Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
The young Bordeaux winger was logically elected man of the match. On his left lane, he made the entire game suffer for the Japanese who never managed to control him. He scored twice and delivered numerous key passes.
For 389 days, and the quarter-final lost against South Africa, Antoine Dupont had not played a single minute with the XV of France. The Toulouse man had been released by the federation to concentrate on his Olympic tournament with his sevens rugby teammates. After the meeting, Dupont explained “waiting for this return for many weeks”.
- The sentence. “Tonight, there are quite a few things to review »
Words spoken by Louis Bielle-Biarrey at the microphone of TF1, at the end of the meeting. Like Fabien Galthié or Antoine Dupont, Louis Bielle-Biarrey recalled that the Blues' second period was not enough and that the 12 points scored by the Japanese could have been avoided.
- The turning point of the match. The first attempt by the Japanese.
At 50e minute of play, the Brave Blossoms were – finally – rewarded for their efforts. After being denied a try by VAR a few minutes earlier, Harumichi Tatekawa legally flattened the ball behind the goal line. This is not a real turning point (is there a turning point when the score is 52-12?), but a highlight of this game.
On our sports rating scale ranging from “A” to “E”, this meeting is not the most exciting of the year 2024 and obtains the encouraging grade of C +. For a great match, you often need two great teams. This evening, the Japanese, although very brave, were no match for the Blues.
