The former president of the French Rugby Federation, Bernard Laporte spoke in the columns of Midi Olympique to discuss the victory of the XV of France won against the All-Blacks, Saturday evening at the Stade de France.
Initially, he indicated that he had blind trust in Fabien Galthié. Extract:
I have blind confidence in Fabien, I know what he is worth. Deep down, I am convinced that for Fabien, it is above all the victory of the players he has chosen. A coach cannot take ownership of a success. Fabien doesn't work that way.
I don't think Fabien has changed. Competition is part of the life of a group. There have always been some in the French team. A November tour means friendly matches. Now is the time to try out as many players as possible. The only competition to win outside the World Cup year is the 6 Nations Tournament.
He then returns to this match against the Blacks and asks the Blues not to get excited. Extract:
My feeling is that we gave them 40 points in the 2021 match, that we swept them away in the opening match of the World Cup and that this time we almost lost. The conclusion I draw from this is that the Blacks are falling behind. Not long ago, they were at rock bottom, today, it's no longer the same music. So I don't have at all the same analysis as you.
It's like the Olympic Games. In France we are happy when we win sixteen gold medals when all the other organizing countries usually win thirty. It makes me laugh. Afterwards, it is obvious that for Fabien and the players, beating the Blacks is always good for their confidence. The symbolism is strong, it gives energy. But let's not get excited: the team dominating the world today is South Africa.
He then returns to the moves less well known by the Blues. Extract:
Let's start by remembering that the French XV played the 6 Nations Tournament without Antoine Dupont. This is still important data. That doesn't mean the others aren't good, but it's not anecdotal. On the contrary. Then, I think the defeat in the quarter-finals was traumatic. A real setback. I was the first to be convinced that we would be world champions. So, put yourself in the players' shoes! The slap in the face against Ireland was that the guys all still had their heads at the bottom of the bucket.
If he defends Fabien Galthié, he also wants to protect him. Extract:
Everyone evolves: men, women, business leaders, sports managers. Depending on the circumstances, successful or failed experiences… It's a parameter of life. But I can already hear this little music playing on Fabien which suggests that he's the best, that this, that that… And if we don't win the Tournament, everyone will say that he's the worst. It's unbearable. Let's not draw too hasty conclusions.
To conclude, Bernard Laporte spoke about the last upcoming match against the Pumas. Extract:
Why a trap match? Argentina is a big team, it's not a trap. That would mean that we must necessarily win against the Pumas. No, that's not true. I am well placed to know that. You will see that next Friday it will be a very big rugby match. To prepare for the Tournament, it would be good to come out of this tour with three victories. This will allow us to prepare well for the Tournament. Because, I repeat, this is THE competition to win next year.
