Is this last match against the Wallabies for you like a dress rehearsal before the World Cup (September 8-October 28)?Antoine Dupont: Yes, we can say it like that because it’s the last time we can do errors before the start of the competition. So far, we have shown a good state of mind in defense and it would be good if we try to have more attacking content because in recent matches we have had trouble holding the ball, sometimes putting up our game. So if we could have a few more attack balls, that would be good. The objective would be to succeed in repeating on the ground what we do during the week. Australia will be a first step before the match against New Zealand because preparation is good, but it’s still more fun to compete.
Exactly, what does your last opponent in the preparation inspire in you? Australia are a team that can be very surprising on the pitch. We saw her in great difficulty at times on the Rugby Championship and we saw them leading by 20 points after twenty minutes against the All Blacks. They have a lot of individualities, players capable of making the difference on their own, who bring a lot of danger so it’s up to us to have a very efficient defensive line.
What do you expect from your association at the crossroads with Matthieu Jalibert? Let us continue our progress. These preparation matches are made to find rhythm, binder, continue to work, not reinvent yourself but be in continuity. It’s our last game before the opening of the World Cup, so try to find confidence, certainty, to play a full game… That will be the goal tomorrow (Sunday). The fact of working with Matthieu (in place of Romain Ntamack, package, editor’s note) changes a little bit because they are players with different profiles. Certainly, Romain was efficient in the defensive sector but Matthieu is capable of it too, he showed it against Fiji. But I have no doubts, he’s mentally ready, he’s a competitor, he knows the project, the system, the players… So all you have to do is…
Statements taken at a press conference
