Special envoy to Villeneuve d’Ascq
Are you satisfied with the content?Fabien Galthié: We all agree, I think. The victory is important given the scenario of this match which we were not able to control. This scenario was nervously difficult for the players on the field, who wanted to do well. But there was a Uruguayan team opposite who knew how to counter us, to give us problems everywhere, in all sectors of the game.
What lessons do you draw from this laborious performance? In the heat of the moment, it’s difficult to do an analysis. We will first recover well and share the pleasure of having won this match. There are quite a few reasons for satisfaction, including the return of Anthony (Jelonch). We will remember the positive…
Isn’t this match the worst of your tenure in four years? It’s the 41st match. We would have to analyze them all to answer this question… The important thing is victory. We are not here to demonstrate or produce a clean copy, but to win. The goal is reached. Afterwards, if there is frustration, it is for the players who did not have much fun, did not have fun. They are certainly frustrated. But let’s respect the opponent…
This disappointing performance does not constitute a worrying regression? It is you who used the word disappointing, I did not use it. I talked about the victory and the points for improvement… The players are frustrated and we will work on this match. From experience, I know that matches must be played. There we didn’t know the opponent, we didn’t know how he had prepared. We could have been surprised and we were. Unpleasantly. Uruguay achieved their plan. But we are satisfied because there is victory…
Does this match change your plans for the one against Namibia, next Thursday in Marseille? There are no injuries, it’s a second positive point with the victory. And material to work with. The plan is in motion and it’s going quite well. The World Cup is a long-term adventure where each match is a test. This allows us to strengthen the group’s bonds a little more and make us stronger in a week in Marseille.
A week ago, your team only conceded four penalties against the All Blacks. This time, she conceded fifteen… We had a poor performance in terms of collective control. We had a nervous French team that absolutely wanted to make a difference and, opposite, a team that fought a lot on the ground, with very aggressive players on the ball carrier. We were surprised at first, and then, afterwards, you doubt. It was a trap match. And we didn’t make it easy.
What did you think of the scrum refereeing? I won’t allow myself to talk about the refereeing. It’s such an important part of the performance… The referee wants things to go well, we want him to understand us. In this match, the scrum was a source of reward and punishment, of sanction. We will look closely to define areas for improvement.
Comments collected at a press conference
