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The Autumn Internationals Preview: France
By James Harrington
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France Schedule
vs Samoa – Sunday November 13, 12:30am HKT
vs Australia – Sunday November 20, 4:00am HKT
vs New Zealand – Sunday November 27, 4:00am HKT
After a disappointing fifth-place finish in this year's Six Nations France are looking to make strides this Autumn under (relatively) new coach Guy Novès. Can he deliver on his promise to restore the long-lost 'French flair' to the national side?
What to look out for
Flair, French flair. During the successful-yet-dull Bernard Laporte years it all but shriveled up and died, and his thud-grunt-graft model was repeated, with rapidly diminishing success, by Marc Lievremont and Philippe Saint-Andre. Guy Novès record is, in the right light and sold by a good-natured liar, fairly encouraging.
Strengths
As the All Blacks in particular are well aware, on their day the French can beat anyone. And that pack looks pretty formidable.
Weaknesses
Those aforementioned victories are rapidly disappearing in the rear-view mirror. Les Bleus haven't been that good for years.
Coaching situation
When he took over, Novès promised to restore the French national side to its former glory, but admitted even he had no magic wand to create instant improvement. And it showed in the 2016 Six Nations. Novès has since been busy banging administrative heads behind the scenes to get something approaching a competitive international set-up – and he got it. Now he needs to start delivering.
Player to watch
Arthur Iturria. Many will focus on winger Virimi Vakatawa as he continues to make the step up from sevens to 15s while cunningly avoiding playing any competitive 15s rugby between internationals. Others will wax lyrical over Louis Picamoles, who's clearly enjoying life in Northampton. But Clermont lock Iturria, who's only in the squad as a late call-up after club team-mate Paul Jedrasiak picked up a knock, is some talent in an area where France have struggled for years, and could – given the chance – ensure his name is first on the teamsheet for years to come. In permanent marker.
Best chance of an upset
Samoa first up in Toulouse could spring a surprise if France aren't careful.
Prediction
They'll run away with it in the last 20 against Samoa in Toulouse and edge a nervy encounter against Australia in Paris. Their third test against New Zealand will be a high-scoring encounter.
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Latest Comments
A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!
The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.
Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)
I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.
This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).
This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.
Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!
Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍
Go to commentsWouldn’t mind seeing that grounding in slow mo there. Too much to ask?
Go to comments