Beating the world champions one day and then falling against outsiders is very French. The women’s tricolor XV experienced this misadventure, Saturday morning, in Dunedin (New Zealand), losing (29-20) against Australia, fifth nation in the world ranking, a week after having achieved the feat of beat (18-17) the world champions New Zealand during the WXV, a new international tournament.
The French, too often approximate, conceded four tries during the match, including three from the powerful Australian forward Eva Karpanai (3rd, 51st, 70th). More determined in groupings, efficient in recovering balls on the ground, dominant in each scrum, the Australians led throughout the match before taking off on the scoreboard in the second half.
During the first period, Emilie Boulard had nevertheless allowed the Tricolores to believe in a second success by being at the conclusion of a nice movement involving Marine Ménager and Morgane Bourgeois (14th, 7-5).
At half-time, the Wallaroos only led 12-10, but it was upon returning from the locker room that Eva Karpani changed the game by breaking through the defense of the French XV for the first time, in force. at the end of a long sequence of twenty-two phases of play (51st, 17-10). The Australian forward then sealed the fate of the match in the 70th minute by once again showcasing his power. Transformed, this new try gave the Australians a 19-point lead (29-10), much more than needed to calmly control the end of the match.
Signed Elisa Riffonneau (74th) and Gabrielle Vernier (81st), the last two attempts of the players of Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, the French co-selectors, then had the sole effect of saving honor.
“It was very physical. We knew that the Australians would be waiting for us in the contacts. They were there and we couldn’t respond, declared French captain Manae Leleu after the meeting. The last minutes of the match showed that we could find our game, but it was too late. »
Despite everything, the pill is bitter for the French, who could have high hopes in this WXV after their success, on October 21, against the New Zealanders. Now fifth (out of six) with 4 points, far from the English, who already have 10, the Blues will conclude their tournament on November 4 against the Canadians, fourth in the world rankings.
