Eliminated six days ago in the quarter-final of “its” World Cup by South Africa (28-29), the French XV will once again have to wait four years to try to win their first world title. This defeat against the Springboks resonates as a huge disappointment as the Blues seemed to have the potential to be crowned world champions at home. A feeling that coach Fabien Galthié conveyed to his players throughout the competition, particularly before the last group match against Italy.
The sequence was revealed Friday evening in the documentary Émotions bleues on TF1. “It’s my sixth World Cup, it’s possible, we’re going to do it. This jersey now has a different meaning. This one carries the sacred fire,” declared the French coach to his players before the Blues’ demonstration against the Italians (60-7). “This jersey is special because I think we are going to be world champions, with modesty,” added Galthié. “I repeat, with modesty and humility: I believe in it very strongly.”
Superior in the game in the first period, the XV of France failed to confirm its advantage upon returning from the locker room against the South Africans. If the refereeing made a lot of talk during this clash against the “Boks”, the disillusionment will necessarily be very difficult to digest for the players of the XV of France.
Despite the elimination in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Fabien Galthié, author of magnificent work with his players for four years, was confirmed as coach by Florian Grill, the boss of the French Rugby Federation .