The XV of France female defeated Canada on Saturday, November 12, at the Eden Park of Auckland in the “little” final of the World Cup.
Le Monde with AFP
A triumph which helps to overcome the disappointment suffered in the semi-final against the New Zealanders. At the last whistle, the Bleues all hugged the arms to celebrate this large and clear victory, acquired thanks to five tests, including a double of the housewood worse, which allows them to win a sixth bronze medal in Nine editions.
Despite the failure of the semi-final lost at a small point (25-24) against the Black Ferns New Zealand, the French therefore knew how to re-mobilize to largely dominate this Canadian team which could not Propose much.
During the first World Cup in 1991, which had seen the victory of the American Eagles, there had been no awarded bronze, France and New Zealand sharing third place. France is the country which most often finished in third place in the tournament. He had already climbed on this podium step:
In 1994 against Wales;
In 2002 and 2006 against Canada, already;
In 2014 against Ireland;
In 2017 against the United States.
Pilber Assia Khalfaoui had mentioned this bronze medal in the week as a “consolation lot”, the wing Joanna Grisez had blown: “It will be better than nothing”.
However, winning this match for third place in this way was not only warm at the heart of French supporters, who carried their team throughout the game, but is definitely a good omen for the future, namely the tournament of the six nations in the spring, and especially the World-2025 World Cup in England.
The players of the XV of France are delighted with the test marked by the player Pauline Bourdon, during the little final of the Women’s World Cup Rugby , at the Eden Park of Auckland, New Zealand, November 12, 2022. Michael Bradley/AFP
Mastery of the game
This bronze medal is also a great reward for four “big ladies” of French rugby who bowed out Saturday in Auckland: the second lines Safi N’Diaye and Céline Ferrer, the third line Marjorie Mayans and the half of melee Laure Sansus, in the stands because injured since the match against England in the pool.
As often, France took the match on its own from the first period, marking three tests, by the second line Madoussou Fall (12 e ) in force, the half of the scrum Pauline Bourdon (37 e
é>), following a breakthrough from the Gabrielle Vernier center, and finally by Marine Ménager (40 e+1 sup>), in corner.
At halftime, without really they have undergone a frank opposition from Canada, except in physical commitment, the Blue, all of control both in defense and in their offensive phases, led Already 22 to 0.
On the return from the locker room, the French people continued to do what they had succeeded from the start: penaltouche, balloon worn and essay, “English”, the fourth being this time to put the pillar credit Annaëlle DESHAYE (29-0, 44 e ).
Marine Ménager then signed a double (61 e ), consecutive to a large phase of game of French forwards. Final result: 36-0 for blue. The releases on Vernier yellow card at the 67 e , then on the naval injury, not replaced, did not change the course of the match.
