Kumamoto (Japan) (AFP)
Mission accomplished: despite a new uncompleted performance against Tonga (23-21) on Sunday in Kumamoto (south-west) of Japan, the XV of France qualified for the quarterfinals of the World Cup before his last match of hen.
The Blues would probably have signed with both hands for such an outcome at the time of the draw, which had placed them in the "chicken of death" (C) in company, in addition to Tongans, Argentina, United States. United and England. Before, precisely, to find the XV of the Rose next Saturday in Yokohama, they are already assured to participate in the elimination phase, as in 2015 (heavy defeat in quarter against the All Blacks).
Assured, with 13 points, to finish in front of the Pumas (6 pts), they will approach the "Crunch" with the only pressure to finish first, ahead of England (15 pts). And, above all, to prepare their best quarter-final, October 19 or 20 in Oita (south), most likely against Wales or Australia.
The minimum target set is therefore reached with this third win in three games, after those won against Argentina (23-21) and the United States (33-9).
It seemed far from obvious at the end of the Six Nations Tournament, worrying. But since another competition will begin in a little more than a week, according to the saying, the XV of France will have to raise its level of play if it wants to dominate clinically England and participate in the last square.
- Constance -
Sunday, as against the Pumas and Eagles, he once again lacked consistency, despite a team made up of two-thirds of holders, and while he passed a test in the matter of the confession of his captain. one day, Jefferson Poirot.
Consistently, these Blues, still recovering and learning, have demonstrated during these three group matches. To start foot to the floor, but for, also, then to know a hole of air.
In Kumamoto, faced with Tongians as promised rough in the frontal challenge, they have started perfectly, leading 10 to 0 from the 6th minute, after a penalty of Romain Ntamack (3rd) and an essay by Virimi Vakatawa. Splendid, with several effective relays, in the right tempo, and a breakthrough by Alivereti Raka.
And then, as against the Americans, the game tricolor frayed after a quarter of an hour, and during the same period of time. Front-runners (17, 19, 25, 27, 29), one touchdown pass from Vakatawa (17), two penalties conceded (19, 24), a direct kick in touch by Maxime Médard (26). Almost all the panoply has passed.
The Blues came out of this air hole by a try of Raka (32nd), more legs and safer hands than Wednesday, a benefit annihilated by the Tongan test, signed Sonatane Takulua just before half-time (17). -7).
An attempt born of a penalty conceded in closed scrum, the big black spot of the evening with the number of balloons lost (22). They have been sanctioned three times, more than one free kick, having already suffered in this sector against the Argentines, and the United States before the entry of the bench.
- Discipline and In-Front -
On the other hand, they managed to solve their problem of indiscipline, since they were four times less penalized (6) than in the first two matches together (25).
They were also able to show coolness and authority to resume, with two penalties Ntamack (52nd and 59th), a lead to score (23-14) after a test cap (Medard deceived by the rebound, 48th) .
Offensively, they were credited with some beautiful movements, unfortunately too often spoiled by foregrounds. Which led to the cancellation of two tries (46th and 69th), which would have given them a bigger lead before the last Tongan test (Kapeli, 79th).
Three tries conceded all the same: they will have to adjust the target, as in other sectors, before facing opponents of another caliber.
© 2019 AFP