'We can't copy Ireland': France hint at game plan to beat All Blacks
Don’t expect France to replicate Ireland in the way in which they go about trying to beat the All Blacks in Paris this weekend.
That’s the verdict from France head coach Fabien Galthie, who told reporters on Monday [NZT] that his side cannot simply apply the same game plan that Ireland used to topple New Zealand 29-20 in Dublin over the weekend.
Starving the All Blacks of possession and territory for much of the match, Ireland punched their way over the advantage line time and time again with plenty of attacking variation and quick recycled ball to run in three tries to two.
In doing so, Andy Farrell’s men beat the Kiwis for the third time in five years, but Galthie is adamant France will implement their own style of play when they face Ian Foster’s side at the Stade de France this Sunday [NZT].
“Ireland have their own rugby, their own game. We can’t copy Ireland. We haven’t got the same players nor the same rugby as them,” Galthie said in the wake of his side’s 41-15 victory over Georgia in Bordeaux.
“They were able to play a fantastic match. There’s no superlative available to describe their performance.
“Despite that, the result was in the balance before a try [scored by Akira Ioane] was turned down by the referee decision for a forward pass [thrown by Rieko Ioane]. It tells us a lot about Saturday’s opponents.”
Star playmakers Romain Ntamack and Matthieu Jalibert will be key to France’s chances of condemning the All Blacks to a second successive defeat, but how Galthie will utilise the pair remains to be seen.
Ntamack started outside of first-five Jalibert in the No 12 jersey in France’s 29-20 victory over Argentina eight days ago, and the duo retained their starting places for the clash against Georgia.
However, Ntamack – the 2019 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year – moved into No 10 during the Georgian match, with Jalibert shifting to fullback.
While he acknowledged that both players are capable of covering various positions well, Galthie wouldn’t be drawn into commenting where exactly Ntamack and Jalibert will start against the All Blacks.
“We will take time to reflect. It was the choice we were looking at during the two first games. You will have seen we made changes in our strategy,” Galthie said.
The All Blacks will be tasked with bouncing back from their stunning defeat to Ireland over the weekend without the services of a key player. #AllBlacks #FRAvNZL #AutumnNationsSeries https://t.co/vEhRAM5mnI
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2021
“We have enough people to make the right decision ahead of next Saturday.
“We consider him [Ntamack] as a very good player if he’s flyhalf or 12. Like Matthieu Jalibert, who we consider as a very good player. If he plays outside-half or 15.”
Les Bleus may be without hooker Julien Marchand this weekend after he injured his ribs against Georgia, but young loose forward Cameron Woki starred at lock in his first test start since his impressive series against the Wallabies in July.
The 23-year-old, who stands 1.96m and 109kg, looms as a strong candidate to lineup against the All Blacks after catching Galthie’s eye alongside Romain Taofifenua in the second row.
“Cameron is a very good player at the lineout despite his young age. He leads the lineouts,” Galthie said of the 10-test international.
“He had a hybrid profile which makes me think about other second rows who started their career at back row.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments