The almost invincible world champions in the entry: the French women's rugby team starts its season with two tests against New Zealand, the first Friday, November 9 at 21:00 at the Stade Felix Mayol of Toulon, a giant to which she must stand up if she wants to build her World Cup campaign on a good foundation for 2021.
This ogre, France has faced him only 4 times in his history, so many defeats. The first, in 1996 in Edmonton (Canada), remains the worst setback in the history of Les Bleues (109-0). The last one dates back to 2010 in the semifinals (45-7).
"Do not apprehend this match"
"Do not put them on a pedestal, do not apprehend this game. The opener Caroline Drouin may well resume this antiphon of the outsider, difficult to optimistically consider a double confrontation - the second will take place in Grenoble on November 17 - against the Black Ferns: they won 5 of 7 World Cups in which they have participated and have lost only once in three years since Glenn Moore was coach.
If the "Black ferns" now give a little more credit to Safi N'Diaye, Romane Ménager and consort, it's probably because the French have achieved an excellent course at the 2017 World Cup in Ireland (3rd), bowing in the semifinal against England (20-3). "France could very well have been our opponent in the final," said Moore.
The contribution of VII
The French have since confirmed by winning the Grand Slam in the tournament of six nations, in favor of a victory torn against the same English (18-17). They have not gathered since, except for an internship in August. "We do not know where we are," recognizes the manager Annick Hayraud, "not worried" so far.
And this thanks to the girls of the VII (Drouin, Amédée, Neisen, Pelle ...), vice-world champions in July in San Francisco and who constitute a good part of the workforce. "The VII brings so much that 15, we quickly find its benchmarks," said Drouin. "When they play these crucial matches for the World Cup (at VII), it garners confidence," said Hayraud.
The goal is clear: to make its players the future champions of the world. "If you want to be the best, you have to face the best," says Auvergnate.
"It's part of the march pattern to the World Cup. It's very good to meet them now, " says coach Samuel Cherouk, for whom there is " still a lot of steps " to go before.
Drouin lists them: "keep this same dynamic with another Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament and a qualification for the Olympics with Rugby 7" . In the meantime, a feat against the Black Ferns, who just teased the United States 67-6 in Chicago, would be a huge step forward. France-New Zealand, Friday (9:00 pm) at Mayol
The starting XV
Les Bleues are ready for Friday night! Here is the composition of our team to face the @BlackFerns at 21h at Stade Mayol @VilleDeToulon! #NewsXV # FranceFeminine #FRANZL
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New Zealand
Winiata - Wickliffe, Waaka, Demant, Leti-I'iga - (o) Cottrell, (m) Cocksedge - Elder, Savage, McMenamin - Ch. Smith, Blackwell - A. Itunu, Faamausili, Love
Alternate New Zealand : Ngata-Aerengamate, Perese, Nelson, Patea-Fereti, L. Itunu, Parkes, Sue, Tagoai