What are your feelings after this victory against the All Blacks, and what overall analysis do you make of this meeting?
“It is certain that this victory does us a lot of good. There was a less than ideal scenario at the start, notably with the injury to Tevita Tatafu. We encountered problems in scrum and conquest, and there was an interception which cost us a try. But the team pulled together, it knew how to be very strong in weak times, especially in the first half. In the second half, we managed to resolve the problems of conquest, to rectify the situation. »
We saw a French team which made fewer passes, which had fewer meters covered than New Zealand, and which yet managed to win. What is the secret of this success?
“It doesn’t mean anything, it’s not statistics that count. What matters is the result, the efficiency. We played a team that has been together for six months, oiled and well-established… Whereas we have been together for three weeks, with just one match against Japan. We have been pragmatic, we have a roadmap that we are following. The players were able to do it despite a negative scenario in the first period. It didn't put us in difficulty, the players didn't give up. It was [un match] positive for three weeks of working together. »
“They’re special guys.”
What's the news for players out with injury?
“Tevita Tatafu received a crutch, the other two received HIA protocols (for concussions in particular, editor’s note). Paul Boudehent and Romain Taofifenua did not return. Fortunately we had a 6/2 bench, because two players were only able to play a few minutes. »
When the final whistle blew, we saw you very emotional, you immediately shared your joy with the staff… Was that important to you?
“We worked a lot to get here, we haven't always been rewarded but we made the right decisions, the work and the preparation we are offering are fair; victory justifies the work. You can let go of your emotions, they were strong and pleasant. It was joy, pleasure, happiness and letting go. We are proud and happy with the players. I've been with it for 5 years, they're special guys. »
You are on an impressive run of three wins in the last three matches against the All Blacks. Does this series mean something to you?
“It’s written, it’s done. Three times they came, three times they fell. It's always been difficult matches, but it's three victories. These matches are good to take. »
“They tried a strategy adapted to our defense”
Tell us how you perceived Louis Bielle-Biarrey's try at the start of the second period.
“First there was good collective defense, Gaël (Fickou) and Paul (Boudehent) allowed us to recover the ball. Thomas (Ramos), he knows that Louis (Bielle-Biarrey) is there, he sees space and he puts a rolling ball at his foot, then Louis makes the difference with his legs. It rewards the team's ability to defend well, to make good use of the ball immediately. That's how we won the match, especially in the second half. »
At a press conference on Thursday, you insisted on the kicking game, explaining that New Zealand risked using this weapon regularly. Were you surprised to see that this didn't end up being the case?
“They kicked the ball 16 times. This is not at all what they have done so far (since the start of the international window). Instead, they made passes well that skipped the first block, they found space. They tried a strategy adapted to our defense. They still used the pressure foot game, but we were present. Especially since we had very competitive players on our side, like (Romain) Buros. »
“The team was able to stand up together”
The choice to put Thomas Ramos at the opening was widely commented on. What did you think of his performance, and that of Romain Buros (who played his first match with the Blues this Saturday, editor's note)?
“It’s you who comments on the team composition, the choices. Romain Buros was very solid on high balls, very impactful in the way he goes up the balls. Both (with Thomas Ramos, editor’s note) were very good. »
Does this victory allow us to definitively turn the page on the World Cup, after a year 2024 which was sometimes complicated?
“I find you tough compared to the 2024 season, especially when we compare with Ireland and England. We are currently the best European team, we only lost against Ireland in the restart after the World Cup, then against Argentina in conditions you know. But I find that 2024 is a solid year, with matches that were not always successful and difficult, but during which the team was able to hold its own. There were a lot of squad problems… This year of post-World Cup transition was rich and difficult to get through. [Dans le groupe]there are the players, the soldiers who responded this evening, and young people, new capes who are taking up space. We always make the team to win, the best team possible. We could be wrong, but the only thing we want is to win. »
