What better way to rebuild yourself than to overcome your demons, the ones who put an end to your dreams almost a year ago? This is what the French women’s XV achieved for its first match in WVX, a brand new international tournament, this Saturday in Wellington. Facing New Zealand, the team responsible for their elimination from the World Cup in November 2022, the players of David Ortiz and Gaëlle Mignot signed, with a starting line-up that smacked of youth, a landmark victory, 18- 17.
After a quarter of an hour of play, and with only 2% of the time spent in the opposing camp, the Blues were already in front, which was a bit of a miracle. After the first five minutes of being subjected to New Zealand’s onslaught, Romane Ménager rose well to cut off a pass and passed it to Emilie Boulard, who completed a try of almost 80 meters with long strides.
If the Black Ferns did not wait to equalize straight away (7-7, 10th) by Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, the tide has not turned around yet. Each incursion of the Blues on New Zealand soil was converted into points. After a scrum, the shift was found on the right. Cyrielle Banet, the Montpellier winger, played tightrope along the touchline to avoid two tackles and flatten (12-7, 16th).
A lack of experience… on the New Zealand side
Before the match, David Ortiz, co-selector, had assumed that his fifteen was potentially a little soft. For the occasion, Manae Feleu, 23, nine caps, wore the captain’s armband for the first time. “We’re trying to put players on the field who haven’t played with us for a while, and give experience to players in key positions,” recalled David Ortiz.
He didn’t think he was saying that well. Its players seemed to take the measure of the high world level as the minutes passed. The French gave the impression of gaining experience visibly, recovering balls in the rucks and regularly pushing the New Zealanders into mistakes… Enough to lead 15-7 at half-time.
The second half was much more closed. Returning from the locker room, Morgane Bourgeois first took a penalty. Then the match turned into a close duel in which the French showed their capacity for resistance. Ultimately, it was the Black Ferns who showed a lack of experience during a clearing completely outside the ruck, head to head from Chryss Viliko on Gabrielle Vernier. Red card without appeal (63rd) for the New Zealander, who leaves her partners at fourteen, numerically inferior.
Unable to flatten, the Blues have however proven that they have plenty. And it was necessary to last until the end in this meeting, especially after Katelyn Vahaakolo’s try, which allowed the Black Ferns to come back to a point, eight minutes from time. A stifling match scenario, which gave even more flavor to what this victory for the XV of France represents: an achievement.
This success is also a reference match for this young and developing group, which will have other opportunities to compete at the very high level in this WXV, with upcoming matches against Australia, on October 28, and Canada , November 4.