More than a year after their defeat against South Africa during the 2023 World Cup, the blues have returned perfectly to the playing fields of the Stade de France. On Saturday, November 9, Fabien Galthié’s players played against the Japanese (52-12), as part of the autumn tour. Antoine Dupont – back after his Olympic rugby sevens epic – and his teammates will surely have a harder time winning in their next match, against New Zealand, on Saturday 16 November.
The only drawback against the Japanese: the injury of the Stade Toulousa second row, Thibaud Flament, injured in the ribs, and the French defensive relaxation in the second half that allowed the Japanese to score two tries.
What to remember from France-Japan:
- The cador Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
The young Bordeaux winger was logically named best player of the match. In his left lane he made the Japanese suffer the entire game who never managed to control him. He scored two goals and delivered numerous key passes.
For 389 days, and after losing the quarterfinals against South Africa, Antoine Dupont had not played a single minute with the French XV. The Toulouse player had been released by the federation to concentrate on his Olympic tournament with his rugby sevens teammates. After the meeting, Dupont explained “Waiting for this return for many weeks”.
- The sentence. “Tonight, there are quite a few things to review. »
Words spoken by Louis Bielle-Biarrey at the TF1 microphone, at the end of the match. Like Fabien Galthié or Antoine Dupont, Louis Bielle-Biarrey recalled that the second half of the Blues was not enough and that the 12 points scored by the Japanese could have been avoided.
- The turning point of the match. The first attempt by the Japanese.
at 50my Minute into the game, the Brave Blossoms were finally rewarded for their efforts. After being denied a try by VAR a few minutes earlier, Harumichi Tatekawa legally smashed the ball behind the goal line. This is not a true turning point (is there a turning point when the score is 52-12?), but a highlight of this game.
On our sports rating scale that goes from “A” to “E”, this match is not the most exciting of the year 2024 and obtains the encouraging grade of C+. For a great match, you often need two great teams. Tonight, the Japanese, although very brave, were no match for the Blues.
