ANALYSIS
While the Blues have recorded three victories in three games and enter the finals unbeaten, admittedly, the first period against Argentina was convincing, but "we do not know what this team is worth," says our consultant Eric Blanc , in Europe 1 Sport, which you can find the full debate above. "It lacks consistency and continuity". The shock expected against England on the last day of the group phase, finally canceled because of typhoon Hagibis, might have allowed to see more clearly, instead of that the XV of France was able to benefit from an extra week, to recover and prepare for the quarterfinals.
Welsh experience with French clumsiness
And France has a revenge to take, on itself and against Wales. Last February, she lost to the Stade de France (19-24) after leading 16-0 at the VI Nations Tournament. Winners seven times over the last eight direct confrontations, the Welsh naturally advance favorites. "They multiply playing times, have more experience, they know how to play in the width, alternate with the fight, the speed and the displacement", still analyzes our consultant about this team which according to him "the ambition hidden to go in the final ".
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The French clumsiness does not improve our odds before this meeting whose winner will face the surprising Japan or South Africa in the semifinals. "We have buttered hands, oiled, we concede turnovers and penalties," laments Eric Blanc again. The former player Jean-Baptiste Lafond abounds: "There is always hope, but at the rhythm for eighty minutes, we are not favorites."
Our youth and our carelessness in strength
The hope of staying an extra week in Japan does exist, however. First when we look at the profile of the opponent. "It's better to" meet the Welsh than the southern hemisphere teams "like New Zealand, Australia or South Africa," said Éric Blanc. "For the moment sincerely apart from this first half against Argentina, we do not do much. Now, players believe in them and are facing a 'half Everest', although this draw is overall favorable compared to what remains in the table, "continues our consultant.
Youth and carefree French could also be a key to this match against the world's second-ranked nation. Of the 31 players present in Japan, 22 are participating in their first World Cup. And among them, "we have a Dupont-Ntamack hinge that goes to the fire". Éric Blanc sums up the challenge of the Sunday morning game: "It's a quarter, what are we risking, a good surprise to win."