Ghosts of the past return to haunt ‘Les Blancs’
On an evening when the French Rugby Federation was celebrating 100 years of international rugby, the presence of over 200 former French stars on the field prior to kick off fuelled an emotionally charged evening.
When Raphael Ibanez led his side onto the field in a strange all-white strip, a replica of the first international side in 1906, they received a standing ovation. However, the rugby team in all white looked somewhat angelic compared to the might of the All-Blacks.
Their playing gear wasn’t the only unrecognisable element about the French from the first test. They defended with a commitment and ferocity that restricted the All Blacks to two tries. If Bernard Laporte was seeking respectability, then reducing the margin of defeat from 44 points to 12 in seven days may represent some form of hollow success.
However, for the likes of Serge Blanco, Phillip Serge and Denis Charvet who were present at the Stade de France, the French tactics must have been a major source of immense frustration.
I have never seen a French team to kick away so much possession. The spark of genius that one always associates with Les Bleus behind the scrum was sadly missing, as well as their lack of ambition. Laporte’s team played to contain New Zealand and in some respects, it worked. France have major problems at out half. Damien Traille is a quality centre but lacks the vision and authority for the No 10 position.
I will be returning to the No 1 ranked side in the world in Wednesday’s column — New Zealand played well within themselves and will be frustrated with certain aspects of their performance.
In the end Richie McCaw lifted the Dave Gallacher Cup to a muted celebration. In less than ten months, they plan for a return visit to the Stade de France to receive an altogether more important trophy — the Webb Ellis Cup.
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