Tokyo (AFP)

Faced with defenses always better organized, teams should rely on speed and abundant use of foot-fighting - offensive, grazing or aerial - at the Rugby World Cup in Japan which begins in a week.

Each edition has its own specificity. That of 2015 had devoted the game of movement and the speed of the nations of the southern hemisphere, who had trusted the last square. The All Blacks had won in a splendid final against Australia (34-7), the most prolific in history: five tries were scored, a total slightly lower than the average of the competition (5 , 6 tries per match).

Four years later, do not expect a step back, according to observers interviewed by AFP.

"I think the World Cup will be as open as in 2015. (...) This summer's international tests and Super Rugby have shown that the focus is on the game, holding the ball and putting on speed. "believes Christophe Laussucq, Agen's manager.

This is also the opinion of his counterpart of Bayonne Yannick Bru, former head coach of the XV of France (2012-2017): "We see that all the teams bet on it.I saw the squad of the Neo Zealands: they do without a form of power, solid foundations like Owen Franks (right pillar to 108 selections and two world titles), and put in all positions on players able to propose a change of pace, speed , balloon quality in hand. " The coaching of the Blues also took this bet, sacrificing for example his vice-captain Mathieu Bastareaud, not very mobile.

- Counterattacks -

The evolution of the rules, always more "turned to the spectacle and the safety of the players" according to the co-coach of Pau Nicolas Godignon, should also promote the speed: the referees are more and more inclined to leave a yellow card, leaving a team in numerical inferiority, which mechanically releases spaces.

The weather could also be a "determining factor", according to Lyon winger Xavier Mignot. High heats and high humidity are expected, especially at the beginning of competition, which "increases perspiration and makes the ball slippery".

Therefore, the ninth edition could be that of "turn-overs, recovered balloons and counter-attacks", ahead Mauricio Reggiardo. "More and more teams are working on the fastest and most effective transition between defense and attack," says Castres sports director.

- No "easy balloons" -

Remains the ultimate weapon against hermetic defenses: the foot.

More and more selections rely on the offensive footing game to bypass defenses always more "beefy", says Bru: "passes at the foot of the ten, footing after several phases of play behind a curtain to roll back the defenses. .. Offensive footing will become more important than at previous World Cups. "

"The teams that dominate world rugby today, be it Welsh, Irish or New Zealanders, have really chosen to use the game of foot, especially to never give back easy balls, but always to make sure that it is very difficult possessions "for the opponent, abounds Godignon.

To the nations cited by the Pau technician may be added the England of Owen Farrell, who wandered France in February (44-8). The Rose opener also triumphed in the European Cup with the Saracens, who abuse the game at the foot behind which they climb in packs to put a mad pressure on the opponent.

The rain could reinforce the use of this weapon returned to the front of the stage, whether it takes the form of a foot-footing game or candles in the air. Wings and wingers are prevented.

© 2019 AFP