The XV of France, for its third preparation match for the World Cup-2023, returned, on Saturday August 19, in Nantes a clean and solid copy against Fiji (34-17), twenty days before the shock against the All Blacks at the opening of the World Cup.
And less than 48 hours from the announcement of the list of 33 who will compete in the World Cup (September 8 – October 28), Monday, on the set of the 1 p.m. news on TF1, some have scored points, such as the back Melvyn Jaminet, when others struggled, like the Jonathan Danty center.
After two half-hearted preparation matches against Scotland (25-21 defeat in Edinburgh, 30-27 victory in Saint-Etienne), the Blues, whose executives had been left to rest in Capbreton (Landes), thus avenged the humiliating defeat (21-14) of November 2018 at the Stade de France against these same “Flying Fijians”.
The performance of this “bis” team against a relatively uninspired although solid opponent was serious and applied, with three tries in the key (Mauvaka, Atonio, Macalou), even if sometimes lacking a little madness. But it was a preparation match and the flights will be for later.
The XV of France now has an appointment for a final test next Sunday against Australia, before launching “its” World Cup against New Zealand on September 8 in Saint-Denis. The Fijians, meanwhile, will find next weekend at Twickenham the English, who suffered Saturday in Dublin the law of Ireland (29-10), the first world nation.
This thirtieth victory for Fabien Galthié since the start of his mandate has above all the merit of restoring a little balm to the hearts of the Blues.
Their week had indeed started badly, with the terrible announcement on Monday of the package of the opening half Romain Ntamack, victim of a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the left knee last Saturday against Scotland (30-27) at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium. . An injury that undoubtedly hovered in the minds of Grégory Alldritt’s teammates, for whom it was the first match as captain of the Blues, when entering the lawn, just like the approach of the “verdict of 33” .
The first period did not start with a bang, unlike the cannonball starts to which the Blues had become accustomed in recent months. Alas, we were even bored in the stands, to the point that, while Melvyn Jaminet chained the penalties, taking advantage of the indiscipline of the opponent, an incongruous “Pena Baiona” did not descend from the stands.
The Blues have tried a few attacks, but having trouble getting them to the end, the last pass missing several times.
It was thus necessary to wait for the 29th minute to see the first try of the meeting, the work of hooker Peato Mauvaka, his sixth in the blue jersey, to finally ignite the some 30,000 spectators of the Nantes enclosure.
No time to show off, however: the Fijians responded immediately, also in force and also through their No. 2, Tevita Ikanievere (16-10, 32nd).
Fortunately, just before half-time, the French forwards once again hit the mark thanks to La Rochelle prop Uini Atonio, his second in 52 selections, triggering a joyful “here, here, it’s La Rochelle” in the Nantes enclosure.
On returning from the locker room, apart from the entry into play of the pillar Thomas Laclayat, synonymous with first selection for the former resident of Oyonnax, little to eat before long minutes.
Until the opportunistic interception of Sekou Macalou, who had barely entered the game, for a try between the posts (59th), transformed by Jaminet, with Swiss clock regularity (19 points).
