The French rugby team, in its third preparation match for the 2023 World Cup, delivered a clean and solid performance against Fiji (34-17) in Nantes. This victory comes just twenty days before the showdown against the All Blacks in the World Cup opener.
And with less than 48 hours until the announcement of the list of 33 players who will compete in the World Cup (September 8th – October 28th), some players made their mark, such as fullback Melvyn Jaminet.
After two lukewarm preparation matches against Scotland (a 25-21 loss in Edinburgh and a 30-27 win in Saint-Étienne), the French team, with key players resting in Capbreton (Landes), sought revenge for the humiliating defeat (21-14) suffered in November 2018 at the Stade de France against the same « Flying Fijians. »
The performance of this secondary team against a relatively solid opponent was serious and focused, resulting in three tries (Mauvaka, Atonio, Macalou), even if occasionally lacking a bit of flair. However, it was a preparation match, and the flair will come later.
The French team now has an ultimate test next Sunday against Australia before launching « their » World Cup campaign against New Zealand on September 8th in Saint-Denis. Meanwhile, the Fijians will meet the English next weekend at Twickenham, following England’s 29-10 defeat by Ireland in Dublin, the world’s number one team.
This thirtieth victory for Fabien Galthié since the beginning of his tenure primarily serves to uplift the spirits of the French team. Their week indeed started poorly with the terrible announcement on Monday of the withdrawal of fly-half Romain Ntamack due to a torn left knee ligament sustained in the previous match against Scotland (30-27) at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
This injury undoubtedly weighed on the minds of Grégory Alldritt’s teammates, for whom it was his first match as captain of the Blues, upon entering the field, just like the approaching « verdict of the 33. »
The first half didn’t start as energetically as the explosive beginnings the Blues had accustomed us to in recent months.
However, even in the stands, boredom was palpable, to the point that with Melvyn Jaminet’s succession of penalties capitalizing on the opponent’s indiscipline, an incongruous chant of « Pena Baiona » echoed from the bleachers.
Les Bleus did attempt several attacks, but they struggled to bring them to fruition due to multiple missed final passes. It took until the 29th minute to witness the first try of the match, crafted by hooker Peato Mauvaka, his sixth in the blue jersey, finally igniting the approximately 30,000 spectators in the Nantes arena.
Nonetheless, the Fijians responded immediately, also displaying their strength, with their number 2, Tevita Ikanievere, also scoring through the same means (16-10, 32nd minute).
Fortunately, just before halftime, the French forwards struck again, thanks to prop Uini Atonio of La Rochelle, his second in 52 selections, inciting a joyous « here, here, it’s La Rochelle » chant within the Nantes arena.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, aside from prop Thomas Laclayat’s entrance, signifying his first selection as a former Oyonnax player, there wasn’t much to note. But then came Sekou Macalou’s opportunistic interception, barely after entering the game, resulting in a try between the posts (59th minute), converted by Jaminet with Swiss-like precision (19 points).