FAVORITES
The matches follow one another and Damian Penaud continues the trials. This Sunday, against the Wallabies, the winger of the Blues again panicked the counters. It doesn’t take much for him to shine. The future UBB player has indeed scored his 28th and 29th tries in the blue jersey. Efficiency never taken for granted. No team can resist his burst of speed and his devastating support. He is certainly one of the X factors of this French team which will try to win, in less than two months, its first planetary title. An already busy international career since he is only one test away from Philippe Sella (30), icon of the XV of France. Then come two other famous wingers, Philippe Saint-André (32 tries) and Vincent Clerc (34). Penaud could overtake them during the World Cup. The record held by Serge Blanco (38) is still a bit far but Alain Penaud’s son is only 26 years old. And he already has 44 selections…
The shadow of Anthony Jelonch hovers in the third row. The dark spot attendant of the Blues is expected, at best, against Namibia, during the second pool match. In the meantime, Shaun Edwards, the head of the tricolor defense, can breathe. Long injured, François Cros is back. Last week, against Fiji, the Toulousain, just back from convalescence, had already shown his appetite for the role of pruning shears: 15 tackles (for three misses) in 50 minutes. Against the Australians, he played the entire game to finish best defender of the XV of France with 18 tackles (but still three misses). His speciality ? The lawnmower. Take the opponent by the ankles to stop him by knocking him down. Effective and valuable. To make matters worse, Cros also distinguished himself by his discipline (no penalty conceded) and a few offensive relays which put his team in the lead. So Jelonch or Cros? The choice is difficult…
For the first – and only match – of the summer at the Stade de France, the Fédé did things big. Tifos with great fanfare, light and sound show, 80,000 spectators conquered. As a taste of the opening of the World Cup, which will take place in this same stadium, on September 8 against the All Blacks. During the break, it was the Bleuets who took their place on the green square of Saint-Denis. The recent U20 world champions came to present their trophy to the Lyon spectators. Decked out in the jersey of their formative clubs, Marko Gazzotti, Hugo Reus and company were acclaimed by the French public, both surprised and happy with this presentation. Nice rehearsal while waiting for the first coronation of the greats.
CLAW STRIKES
The Bordeaux-Bègles flyhalf needed 50 minutes to warm up and come to the support of his captain and hinge partner after a great breakthrough in the center (52nd). He then delivers a mischievous kick for Gabin Villière who plants in the corner (63rd). Late awakening. This crazy end to the match from Matthieu Jalibert and his partners at the back will not make us forget the first period of the French opener. Non-existent in the current game, often replaced by Jonathan Danty or Thomas Ramos as first attacker, and absent in defense. Eight attempted tackles but four missed for the UBB No. 10. Fortunately, the Australian faults allowed Matthieu Jalibert to warm his foot on the dismissals. A taste of too little after this match against the Wallabies and the concern, post-injury of Romain Ntamack, not yet fully resolved.
The return to the country of Eddie Jones is far from being a success. Since taking over the reins of the Wallabies at the start of the year, he has still not won. Conceding his fifth defeat in as many games on Sunday. The concern is great in Australia and the press is having a field day criticizing the choices of the former mentor of Japan and England. Relations between the technician and the journalists are icy. The choice to do without Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper is difficult to pass. And it is not this last match against the Blues, before the start of the World Cup, which will improve things. A disjointed game, no guideline, just a few flashes, the Australians navigate on sight. Normally their pool was well within their reach, since it is enough to beat Fiji or Wales to advance to the quarter-finals. But now it doesn’t seem so easy… Are we headed for a nice industrial accident?
Unfortunately for him, his magnificent mule, the best effect for his red hair, did not help to make him less visible on the lawn of the Stade de France. Because the Wallabies opener and scorer, Carter Gordon, would have liked to hide in the first half when he missed a penalty, a transformation and a new penalty in quick succession. All within the realm of the feasible. As a result, at half-time the Blues miraculously led 16-5, not 16-13. In the end, a pitiful 1/5 against the posts! Asked about the lack of precision of his striker after the match, Eddie Jones was careful not to overwhelm him more than reason. “It is a 100% concern. But all we can do is work with the young man…” A bet for the future with this 22-year-old opener who only honored his 5th selection and who will have the heavy responsibility of leading the Australian game during of the World Cup.
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