There were a few shivers, a few shakes, then, finally, a few gasps. Applause also, of course, to the Blues players who put in an embarrassing display of domination by Fiji this Saturday evening in Bordeaux late on (34-21) after a lot of sweat, in the midst of a rather dismal autumn tour.
However, it was like a night of high tide on the Atlantic coast. With blue waves to start. It was as if it was necessary to erase as quickly as possible the humiliation inflicted a week earlier at the Stade de France by a South African mob that was stronger, more aggressive and also a better tactician than the team led by Fabien Galthié. The Springboks, two-time world champions, have given this autumn’s tour a bitter taste of disappointment with a late sweep of French X (17-32) in Saint-Denis.
Under a light, almost hot drizzle, the Blues launched an attack to avert the crisis that was sure to follow after an incomprehensible setback against a team ranked 9th in the world (the Blues are ranked 5th), winning only once in twelve games so far for the French XV. Fifth defeat in a row… Even with all the odds, it will be difficult for the coach to once again absolve himself of all responsibility.
For all this, and no doubt also for themselves, Grégory Alldritt, hungry after coming out of the cupboard (he was excluded from the match against South Africa) and his teammates perfectly controlled the first twenty minutes. It’s true that it’s helped by players from the Pacific who are drawn to the open sea but leave plenty of ammo on the way, and some scenic highways.
Without vista and without soul
This is how Nicolas Depoortere, one of the regional players on the stage, dived with great speed under the posts (7) after a breakthrough from Pierre-Louis Barassi took advantage of Fiji’s weak defence. A fruitful maul by Julien Marchand (15) then support from Charles Ollivon, the second row with a long stride, ending an overflow from Louis Bielle-Biarrey (19) seemed to push the Tricolores straight into a calm and gentle evening.
That didn’t happen. Because these Blues players, so short of fuel, often play like robots, with no vision and no soul. Their initiative was still wavering, their leaders narrow-minded as the wind blew against them. Lucu-Ntamack’s hinge didn’t find much of a solution because breathing became short. The master duo weren’t too impressed. It was at this time that Antoine Dupont’s absence was most felt.
The islanders’ rebellion found a weak spot and the defenses were breached. They capitalized on missed tackles to score two tries before the break (28, 40), and a third after returning from the dressing room (21-21, 43). The Blues still had one advantage: they were able to withstand this huge wave, without genius but with minimal character and finally tried again from Bordeaux center Depoortere. It’s time, there are nine minutes left in the game.
Against Fiji, this small rebellion proved enough but we now better understand the growing gap with the current best teams. Australia, beaten by Italy a week ago and by Ireland this Saturday night, will not be scarecrows in a week at the Stade de France. We must hope that this is an opportunity to avoid a terrible scare this time.
