Toulouse (AFP)

In an interview with AFP, former national coach Guy Novès said that "it is France who offered this match to the Welsh", winners in the last minutes of the Blues, Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Cup. world (20-19).

QUESTION: What is your view of France's performance against Wales?

ANSWER: "The start of the match confirmed that France was prepared for a World Cup quarter-final, with intensity, speed and initiative, and then as in recent years , this team is able to be sparkling and wonderful and then spoil everything by individual behaviors.Today it was Sébastien Vahaamahina because the red card he receives is dramatic for his team.In the end, as often, as always even, we think that we could have won, that we should have won, but ultimately we lose.

Q: Fail one point is obviously cruel, right?

A: "When you lose a point it's always cruel.We have seen a team from France more dominating than Wales but dominating is not winning.We sometimes lacked a little intelligence tactical, too, so yes, it's cruel because we made two posts (1 transformation and 1 penalty missed by Romain Ntamack, Ed) but it was just as cruel for the Argentineans to lose two points against us at the opening match after missing a penalty that shaves the post Argentina could have won and we would not be talking to each other ".

Q: French inconstancy seems a recurring evil ...

A: "(he cuts) It is more France who offered this match to the Welsh than the Welsh who won it, this match should have been won, like many others elsewhere".

Q: Do you see some hope for this team from France who will now be coached by Fabien Galthié?

A: "Fabien arrives after two generations U20 world champions and if these players progress regularly in major clubs there is reason to believe, yes.By building on this new generation, Fabien will set up the game The SMIC will always be the fundamentals, the discipline and the physical impacts.There are talented players but who must realize once and for all that the high level does not tolerate certain mistakes. It's a serious matter, it's a matter of maturity and nobody can buy it instead of the players. "

Q: From a more general point of view, do the four semi-finalists reflect the current hierarchy of world rugby?

Q: "In the last years yes, finding these four countries (South Africa, Wales, England and New Zealand, Editor's note) makes sense.The Japanese were heroic for fifty minutes (defeat 26-3 against South Africa, Ed.) But they still suffer in the physical dimension ".

Q: To conclude, what will be the final poster in your opinion?

A: "I do not see Wales going against South Africa, and between England and New Zealand it's more open, the English confirm their appetite and the quality of their game, masi I see still a final New Zealand-South Africa ".

© 2019 AFP