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France U20s credit 'crazy serenity' after overcoming another early deficit in final
It may have been Ireland who opened the scoring in the World Rugby U20 Championship final, but just like they did in the semi-final, France stormed home to take a big win.
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After the lead was wrestled back and forth throughout the opening 40 minutes, France came out firing in the second spell, scoring 33 unanswered points to claim their third consecutive U20 championship title.
It was another remarkable display of composure and accuracy from the young French team, who dealt with an even faster start against England in their semi-final. A 17-0 deficit with just 13 minutes played didn’t get the French team down, they instead went on to win 52-31.
Another 50-point performance in the final further proved the team’s quality under scoreboard pressure. Lenni Nouchi, the French captain, recognised his side’s composure as one of their great attributes.
“In the fifth or sixth minute of a match, there’s still 75 to go,” Nouchi said after the game, reflecting on another early deficit. “I think there are quite a few players who have played at a high level here, and we all know that a match is played over 80 minutes, not 10.
“We knew they were going to start strongly and I think we reacted very well, whether it was in the in-goal or on the field, we were always calm, just like against England. We were down 17-0 in the 14th minute and we remained calm. This team has a pretty crazy serenity. I think we reacted in the right way.”
The captain himself crossed the chalk as France’s momentum built into an onslaught. The backrower was determined to contribute to the scoreboard after fellow loose forward Marko Gazzotti was dishing out some friendly banter in the aftermath of the semi-final.
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“Marko told Lenni, ‘In the semi-final, I was the finisher’. So Lenni was very angry and wanted to show him that he could score, too,” France coach Sebastien Calvet chuckled after the match.
“There are a lot of X-factor players in this team, and we can’t be champions if we don’t have a lot of X-factors. This back row is talented and complementary.
“These boys are really remarkable for their human values. Some of them work on themselves to be active in the group, to bring their own touches. And, for others, it comes naturally. Each of them, with his or her own personality, has contributed as much off the pitch as on it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
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