Ce qu'il faut savoir sur France v Uruguay
Après une première semaine sans match, l’Uruguay s’apprête à entrer dans le vif du sujet pour son premier match dans la poule A en affrontant le pays organisateur à Lille.
Malgré avec 12 changements dans son XV de départ par rapport à l’équipe qui a battu la Nouvelle-Zélande en match d’ouverture, la France partira sans aucun doute favorite. Elle aurait toutefois tort de prendre de haut cette équipe d’Uruguay, qui progresse à pas de géant depuis quelques années.
Les Teros ne manquent pas d’ambitions et n’ont pas peur de le dire. En début de semaine, l’ailier Ignacio Facciolo a ouvert le bal : « Je veux jouer et me frotter au plus haut niveau. L’objectif de notre groupe est de battre l’Italie et la Namibie et de se qualifier [directement] pour la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2027. Nous ne tirons pas non plus un trait sur les matchs contre la France et la Nouvelle-Zélande. Nous allons les rencontrer d’égal à égal et nous allons gagner. L’Uruguay ne partira jamais vaincu d’avance. »
HISTORIQUE
Les deux pays ne se sont pas affrontés sur un terrain de rugby depuis les années 1960 et une tournée de l’équipe de France en Argentine et en Uruguay.
MATCH MARQUANT
Au Japon en 2019, l’Uruguay rencontre les Fidji en poule au Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium dans un match qui semble promis aux Océaniens. À l’arrivée, ce sont les Teros qui l’emportent 30 à 27 au terme d’un duel palpitant.
Trois essais transformés du demi de mêlée Santiago Arata, du troisième ligne centre Manuel Diana et du centre Juan Manuel Cat, auxquels s’ajoute une pénalité de Felipe Berchesi, permettent aux Uruguayens de mener 24-12 à la mi-temps.
Deux nouvelles pénalités réussies par Berchesi permettent à l’Uruguay de résister à la remontée des Fidjiens concrétisée par deux essais tardifs de Nikola Matawalu. Il s’agit à ce jour de l’une des plus grosses surprises de l’histoire de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
La France sait à quoi s’en tenir.
POINT-CLÉ
Il y a quatre ans, l’Uruguay a battu une équipe des Fidji alors classée neuf rangs devant au classement mondial World Rugby. En 2023, c’est un défi encore plus fou que les Teros se proposent de relever pour leur premier match, puisque quatorze places les séparent de la France au classement.
Sur le papier, tout semble déjà joué d’avance, et ce malgré la décision de Fabien Galthié de largement faire tourner son effectif. Mais l’Uruguay n’a absolument rien à perdre. Les Uruguayens se connaissent très bien, dans la mesure où ils évoluent pour la plupart dans le même club. Par ailleurs, plusieurs de leurs meilleurs joueurs jouent en France. Est-ce un match piège qui attend les Bleus ?
LE DUEL
Maxime Lucu face à Santiago Arata. Antoine Dupont étant mis au repos, les amateurs de rugby pourront se consoler en admirant le jeu de l’Uruguayen Santiago Arata, qui est probablement le deuxième meilleur demi de mêlée du Top 14.
D’après la rumeur, le Stade Toulousain serait très tenté de recruter l’actuel numéro 9 du Castres Olympique en vue de remplacer… Antoine Dupont, qui semble décidé à tenter une aventure à l’étranger après les Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024. Son face-à-face avec Maxime Lucu, demi de mêlée au profil classique, s’annonce passionnant.
LA STAT INCROYABLE
Diego Ormaechea détient le double honneur d’être le premier buteur uruguayen et le joueur le plus âgé de l’histoire de la compétition. Le troisième ligne centre avait en effet 40 ans et 26 jours lorsqu’il est entré en jeu contre l’Afrique du Sud en 1999 à Hampden Park, quinze jours après un essai décisif face à l’Espagne (27-15).
Ses fils Agustín et Juan Diego marchent dans ses pas depuis 2015. Le premier commencera le match sur le banc à Lille.
L’ARBITRE
Ben O’Keeffe (Nouvelle-Zélande). Dans les sports collectifs, on a coutume de se poser des questions rhétoriques sur l’acuité visuelle des arbitres. Dans le cas de Ben O’Keeffe, la question est déjà réglée, puisque cet ophtalmologue de formation a fondé une entreprise sociale spécialisée dans les technologies médicales conçues pour prévenir la cécité.
LES ÉQUIPES
FRANCE : Melvyn Jaminet ; Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Arthur Vincent, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villière ; Antoine Hastoy, Maxime Lucu ; Jean-Baptiste Gros, Pierre Bourgarit, Dorian Aldegheri ; Cameron Woki, Romain Taofifenua ; Paul Boudehent, Sekou Macalou, Anthony Jelonch (capitaine)
Remplaçants : Peato Mauvaka, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Bastien Chalureau, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Baptiste Couilloud, Thomas Ramos
URUGUAY : Baltazar Amaya ; Bautista Basso, Tomas Inciarte, Andres Vilaseca (capitaine), Nicolas Freitas ; Felipe Etcheverry, Santiago Arata ; Mateo Sanguinetti, Guillermo Pujadas, Ignacio Peculo ; Felipe Aliaga, Manuel Leindekar ; Manuel Ardao, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Diana
Remplaçants : Facundo Gattas, Matias Benitez, Reinaldo Piussi, Ignacio Dotti, Lucas Bianchi, Carlos Deus, Agustin Ormaechea, Felipe Berchesi
Comments on RugbyPass
2024 Rugby Championship: Sat, 10 Aug 2024 – Sat, 28 Sept 2024. Looking forward to watching the All Blacks coached by Scott Robertson, with or without the ‘dynamic’ qualities of Shannon Michael Frizell - see his display against South Africa at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium on July 15.
1 Go to commentsI agree about 8 being too many The English premiership has top four only Top 14 has six URC has 8 I think 6 would be fine It gives those other two teams an incentive But rewarding a team in perhaps 8th with three wins is atrocious If they get in they know they only need one big game
7 Go to commentsInteresting article. I think the answer lies in a comment Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup. Asked whether it bothers him that the Bok team doesn’t get more credit he said: “We don’t play for people to respect us: we play for each other and we play for South Africa.” The Springbok team is a brotherhood - an incredibly tight unit, most of whom are good friends off the pitch as well. Not only do they not want to let South Africa down, but they fight like crazy not to let their teammates down. Not saying they don’t care about their club teammates, but I think the bond shared in the Boks is just much, much deeper. Tough to forge the same sort of bond at a club over a handful of years. That must translate into superior performances for country over club.
31 Go to commentsThere is very little creativity in the 9-10 axis for SA. 10 needs to be solid, put the work in and kick the points. the SA counter is almost always via the edge or a kick through for a winger. When was the last offensive backline score from SA against a top team? Perhaps the ultra physical nature of the SA teams means players they get to hit more stats in those games. Maybe the SA pleyers are perfectly suited to the SA system. In other Words they are not club players gathered to play SA Internationals. They are SA International players adapting to play club.
31 Go to commentsJust what you want your prop doing 😂
1 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
2 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
31 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
31 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
2 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
2 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
4 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
7 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
7 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
7 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to comments