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Ce qu'il faut savoir sur le match France v Nouvelle-Zélande
Les matchs d’ouverture d’une Coupe du Monde de Rugby n’ont jamais été aussi attendus que celui-ci. Les Français, qui ont retrouvé un nouveau dynamisme sous la houlette de leur entraîneur Fabien Galthié, sont opposés aux triples champions du monde, qui entament le tournoi après une défaite historique de 35 à 7 contre l’Afrique du Sud à Twickenham, il y a deux semaines.
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La France n’a pas perdu à domicile depuis que l’Écosse l’a battue dans un Stade de France vide lors du Tournoi des Six Nations 2021 affecté par le Covid-19. Il s’agit toujours de leur seule défaite en France sous l’ère Galthié. De son côté, la Nouvelle-Zélande n’a jamais perdu un match de phase de poule à la Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
Autant dire que l’enjeu devrait être important vendredi 8 septembre sur la pelouse de Saint-Denis.
Un face à face récurrent
C’est la huitième fois que ces deux équipes s’affrontent en Coupe du Monde de Rugby. Les All Blacks ont remporté cinq des sept matchs précédents – incluant les finales des tournois de 1987 et 2011, ainsi que le quart de finale de 2015 où ils sont passés à trois points d’enregistrer la plus large victoire de leur histoire contre les Bleus.
Ces deux équipes vont s’affronter au Stade de France pour la neuvième fois, mais ce n’est que la seconde fois dans l’histoire de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby que la France et la Nouvelle-Zélande font partie de la même poule. Six de leurs sept précédentes confrontations ont eu lieu lors des phases finales.
Un match mémorable
La demi-finale de 1999 à Twickenham est restée dans les annales comme l’un des plus grands matchs de rugby de l’histoire, sans parler de l’histoire de la Coupe Monde de Rugby.
Deux essais de Jonah Lomu avaient donné aux All Blacks ce qui aurait dû être une avance inexorable de 24 à 10 après 46 minutes de jeu.
Mais la France a marqué 33 points au cours de 28 minutes exceptionnelles – Christophe Dominici, Richard Dourthe et Philippe Bernat-Salles marquant tous des essais devant 70 000 spectateurs ébahis – pour revenir au score et s’imposer 43 à 31.
L’enjeu
La question évidente est de savoir si cette équipe France, sous la direction de Galthié – qui a opéré un remarquable retournement de situation pour la sélection nationale depuis sa prise de fonction officielle en 2020 – peut infliger aux All Blacks une première défaite en phase de poules lors d’une Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
Le duel
Matthieu Jalibert v Richie Mo’unga : Il promet d’y avoir de gros clashs sur tout le terrain lors de ce match d’ouverture de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby : Antoine Dupont contre Aaron Smith, Grégory Alldritt contre Ardie Savea, l’étoile montante Thibaud Flament contre Scott Barrett. En l’absence de Romain Ntamack, blessé, le défi de Jalibert, 24 ans, est de gérer le jeu et, peut-être, d’apporter l’étincelle décisive. Face à lui, le 10 titulaire des All Blacks aura à cœur de marquer le match de son empreinte dès le début.
La stat à retenir
Hormis la remarquable demi-finale de 1999, la seule autre victoire de la France sur la Nouvelle-Zélande en Coupe du Monde de Rugby remonte au quart de finale de 2007 au Millennium Stadium de Cardiff, lorsque les Français ont rattrapé un retard de 13-3 à la mi-temps pour s’imposer 20-18.
Le troisième-ligne français Thierry Dusautoir avait marqué un essai et a réalisé 38 plaquages lors de cette victoire.
Au sifflet
Jaco Peyper (Afrique du Sud). Peyper en est à sa troisième Coupe du monde consécutive en tant qu’arbitre.
Les compos
France : Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gaël Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villière; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (capitaine); Reda Wardi, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio, Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Charles Ollivon, Grégory Alldritt
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Remplaçants : Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifénua, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet
Nouvelle-Zélande : Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Telea; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Dalton Papali’i, Sam Cane (capitaine), Ardie Savea
Remplaçants : Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku
Comments on RugbyPass
Everyone 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.
4 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
4 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.
1 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.)
3 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.
6 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.
6 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.
6 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 commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
2 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
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