France rue 'lack of killer instinct' after loss to Canada
A “lack of killer instinct” is how France co-coach David Ortiz is describing his side’s 29-20 loss to Canada at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
After a stunning upset of world champions New Zealand in their opening match, France ended their WXV 1 campaign with two losses, but Ortiz and fellow coach Gaëlle Mignot can see the positives of their time in New Zealand.
“There are certainly some elements of frustration and disappointment with this final result,” said Mignot.
“This is not exactly what we wanted during this tournament, but we were able to draw some results, some conclusions to see how we can improve for the future, to make things work better for us. But yes, definitely some feelings of disappointment.”
Ortiz paid tribute to the tough Canadian effort. This was France’s fifth loss to Canada in their last five meetings despite leading 10-0 after as many minutes and dominating territory and possession for much of the first half.
“Yes, I think that we started off with a lot of efficiency,” he said.
“But we lost this efficiency after those initial 20 minutes, that happened because we are able to keep the ball at length, like we can keep it for a long time and we can keep the momentum coming. But after a while we lost this momentum and we got tired. And this is when the Canadians were able to pick up and take it from there.
“I think we need to have a more of a killer instinct sometimes, and these are critical moments. And we lacked a little bit of pragmatism, I think, and this is where the Canadians were able to pick up.”
One bright spot for the French was the performance of scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus, with the veteran dictating play with sharp passing and a number of incisive runs from the ruck.
“Pauline is a very strong player and she’s a reflection of the team, actually,” said Mignot.
“She’s an amazing person and very strong within the team and she brings a very strong rhythm overall. And I think that within the match she brings a lot of good qualities, but she’s equal to all of the other players. There’s this element of being equal, and I think that we also work collectively as a whole.”
Bourdon Sansus herself was reflective of the French WXV campaign in a positive way, noting that the team was in a rebuilding phase.
“We work collectively and we work towards a certain goal and we learn,” she said.
“And it’s also been a long time since we didn’t have matches against this type of nations. So, you know, we have lots to learn. And we will go back to France and we will work and we’ll try to get better.”
Bourdon Sansus said that the result wouldn’t stop the French side celebrating their time together in New Zealand.
“It’s not the result that we wanted. That is true. However, this is a very fun, enjoyable competition that we are having. And I think that, yes, we’re going to go out, have some drinks, celebrate life, because these are life moments no matter what happens. And I think it’s good to cheer all together, have some drinks and celebrate.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Big empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
34 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
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