How hard it is. Despite the group, despite a four-year adventure, despite Dupont, despite Galthié, it’s over for the XV of France. The Blues lost on Sunday evening against the reigning world champions South Africa (28-29). A cruel disappointment that they will try to digest today.
Somewhat overshadowed by Irishman Jonathan Sexton, Dan Biggar also bowed out internationally on Saturday during Wales’ defeat against Argentina (17-29) in Marseille. Triple winner of the Six Nations tournament, the flyhalf of RC Toulon, who celebrates his 34th birthday this Monday, wanted to remember the good times spent with the XV du Poireau jersey. “Overall, it’s frustration and a bit of disappointment (the defeat against the Pumas). That’s always been my character, I hope people remember me as a passionate player who gave everything. I’m going to miss it, I didn’t think it would touch me like that, but it’s clearly sad,” confided the 4th top scorer in the history of his selection (664 points in 116 games).
Before being positive about the future of the team: “It’s going to be hard for a few days, a few weeks, but I hope that when I take stock of my career in a few years, I will be quite happy with what I ‘have done. I am 100% certain that the future will be good for this group and these young people. We can talk about redemption for this Welsh team, five months ago we weren’t there. But tonight of course it’s a disappointment. These young people pushed us. And the next few years are for them”
Author of the 3rd try for the All Blacks during the victory against Ireland (28-24) on Saturday, Will Jordan panics the statistics. The New Zealand winger of the Crusaders scored his 28th goal in 29 caps at the Stade de France. Since his first cap in November 2020, only Frenchman Damien Penaud has scored more than him with 29 tries on the international scene. The two players even widen a gap with the competition since no other exceeds the mark of 20 tries over the period.
Marseille is Argentina! Winners of the Welsh on Saturday, the Pumas qualified for the third semi-final in their World Cup history, which they will play against New Zealand on Friday (9 p.m.) at the Stade de France. Largely outnumbered in the stands of the Vélodrome stadium, the Argentine supporters made a lot of noise to support their team before continuing the party around the enclosure. In five days, Nicolas Sanchez’s gang will face the immense challenge of the All Blacks, supported by the unique fervor of its people.
