A few moments after his team's big victory against Japan (52-12), the coach of the French XV Fabien Galthié appeared before the media to review the performances of his men for this first international match of the season. He notably praised Emmanuel Meafou, Peato Mauvaka and Thomas Ramos. Without denying the weakness of the opponent and looking ahead to the next match against New Zealand.
What is the news regarding Théo Attisogbe and Thibaut Flament, who are out injured?
The most affected is Théo. It would be a sprain of the lateral (inner knee), which he has already had twice. He wasn't worried. He may be forfeited for this week. Thibaut is the iliac crest. We didn't want to take any risks.
What lessons can be learned from a meeting against a relatively weak opponent?
Some of us hadn't seen each other for almost a year. It was the first match after a two-week gathering of the best players from the French rugby team, concluded with this match. It was a leap into the unknown. It was our first official match this season. We had no time to lose. We are in preparation. We knew they were going to offer us a lot of speed and ball in play. We were not disappointed. It's a test match won and a good preparation match.
Also read:
France – Japan. The Blues' scores: Emmanuel Meafou crushed everything, Thomas Ramos and Louis Bielle-Biarrey shone
What is your feeling about the performance of Thomas Ramos, starting at opener and does the offensive performance of your team resemble what you want to aim for?
I'm not sure we'll score eight tries in all the matches to come. But, it looks like our roadmap on the offensive level and in alternation. Afterwards, we also had waste. We are not completely satisfied with what we produced. As for Thomas Ramos, he was very valuable in supporting Antoine (Dupont) in the management of the offensive and defensive game, but also in the alternation, his choices and his interventions.
Did Peato Mauvaka's performance blow you away?
He is in good shape, he is on the momentum of his end of season with Toulouse. He is a very, very, fit player. We see it in training. And what he does in training, he reproduces on the field in matches. He is a very good performance leader. I would like us to take inspiration from his physical state. At that level, it matters. Today he also helped us out. He started the match at the back, he finished on the third line with 23 or 24 tackles. He played a complete match.
How has Emmanuel Meafou become essential in your system?
Above all, he is a great rugby player. A skillful player with his hands, who reads situations well, a very big defender and rare power. An exceptional number five. We can clearly see what he produces with Toulouse. We have already been lucky enough to have him with us for the end of the Tournament, in Wales and against England. He helped us finish the competition well. And then, he’s a young player in development. As much as he made his mark in the Top 14, at the international level, he is still being discovered. It adapts over time. We still need to improve it.
Also read:
France – Japan – How did the Blues crush Japan?
What can you tell us about Blacks, your next opponent?
They are finishing their sixth month of competition and will play their 13e or 14e match against us. That's how it is. They seem to be very good. We find a Blacks team at the top of its rugby. They finished their international season very strongly.
Could the next match against New Zealand be a turning point in your second term?
This will be the second game of our second season. Why not ? But first it was the All Blacks who came to France with a series of three victories in Japan, England and Ireland. There is not much to comment on the opponent. Is this a turning point? I would rather say that it is a big meeting that we are all waiting for, with great desire.
