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Two French stars retire in aftermath of World Cup exit
By Josh Raisey
France head coach Fabien Galthie has confirmed that prop Uini Atonio and lock Romain Taofifenua have retired from international rugby following their quarter-final loss to South Africa on Sunday.
The World Cup hosts crashed out of the tournament in Paris on Sunday night, narrowly losing 29-28 in what has now turned out to be the final appearance in blue for the heavyweight duo.
La Rochelle tighthead Atonio has been a mainstay in the France front-row during this World Cup cycle and started against the Springboks. The New Zealand-born prop will retire with 57 caps to his name. Lyon's Taofifenua came off the bench to replace Thibaud Flament for the final half hour at the Stade de France in what was his 49th and final game for Les Bleus.
Galthie said after the match: "This arrow of time gave us a very clear vision. The French team will continue to play, move forward and develop. Only two players are retiring, Uini Atonio and Romain Taofifenua. As for the rest, what we've just experienced is part of writing the book for the French team.
"It's difficult. We used ‘the arrow of time’ [analogy] to work and grow with the players according to a certain methodology. We've worked really well over the last four years with the staff, the players and the federation, and we've achieved something great."
The pair, both 33, will leave a sizeable hole in the France pack with Atonio weighing 146kg and Taofifenua weighing 136kg. With that kind of weight, they have been instrumental to France's power up front over the past four years.
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Latest Comments
Sam Cane is a superstar, someone New Zealand should be proud of. How unfair to always compare him to Richie, like saying Mother Theresa is ok, but she's no Jesus. Let's not forget, Sam started in 2012 around the time Richie was probably starting to think, this will be my last world cup cycle if you think he didn't have a big say in who the backup 7 would be and who was best to take over from him after 2015 then you don't understand how clever and forward thinking the man was. Sam Cane was Richie's choice, as apprentice and replacement. Not many people can say they are a better judg Anyone who understands rugby knows the loosies are a trio picked to complement each other, not 3 guys who score trys and make line breaks. No doubt Sam would love to be doing what Ardie does, that's not what was required of him. He had to hit rucks hard , force turnovers and tackle like an animal On defence, that's what he did.
Go to commentsThis article overlooks how the 9 position has developed to be a playmaker, which these 2 are both excellent at. Defences are so good now there is not the luxury of going 9 -> 10 on every play. Playing “off 9” as they say, has become very commonplace these days, but 10+ years ago you hardly saw this. Boiling the great modern 9s down to box kicking doesn’t do justice to how good the great ones have become. Dupont would be the first choice 10 in most teams in the world, JGP pops up in places you would never expect a 9 to be.
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