The Blues delivered a huge match to overcome the All Blacks 40 to 25 on Saturday night at the Stade de France. Ending with panache a black streak of 14 defeats.
At the Stade de France
There was a je ne sais quoi in the air that precedes the big nights. An arch-packed stadium for the first time in two years. A desire to vibrate to forget the pandemic, the closed doors. A desire to push behind the Blues, to sing their exploits, to scream his pride. And the Blues did things well. Two and a half minutes after a half-hearted haka – one more sign… – Peato Muavaka extricated himself from a carried ball to register his fourth try of the tour. Ideal for keeping supporters in fusion.
Two penalties from Jordie Barrett, the only one of the three brothers who survived after more than three months of the game for the All Blacks, it must be admitted, a little on the kneecaps, had given rise to fear of an outbreak of fire immediately circumscribed. But no. Led by a Romain Ntamack eager to prove that he was the custodian of number 10, the XV of France continued to press on the mushroom At the 14e minute, the Blues engage a distant movement. Passes fly, breakthroughs multiply, Damian Penaud sows chaos in the unusually white defense. And Ntamack, with a fake school pass, embarks the last guards to plant the second tricolor test (14e, 14-6).
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Melvyn Jaminet pushes the All Blacks back with his long kicking game, the forwards smother all the rucks in a fierce ground battle, the three-quarters defend with biting, Jonathan Danty slams into the pristine wall again and again tearing wow’s of contentment from the ‘arena. By force, it ends up cracking. Touch within 22 meters, the grouped-penetrating engages and Peato Mauvaka goes to flatten. His fifth attempt in three matches, including two as a substitute, for the bulimic hooker from Toulouse (24-6, 32e).
Vexed, the New Zealanders return after the break with another determination. And it immediately produces its effects. Jordie Barrett sounds the revolt of an essay at the conclusion of a furious streak (24-11, 47e). Then Dupont, in a hurry, loses the ball for a dazzling counter concluded by Ioane (51e, 24-18). It lists seriously in the tricolor ranks. A penalty from Jaminet, always so precise against the poles, does not calm the New Zealand fury. For a replica of Mauvaka’s essays. Touch, tuck-penetrating and strength test from Savea. More than two small points ahead of the hour, fear has changed sides (27-25).
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An action will turn the situation around. In his in-goal, Ntamack recovers a ball and, rather than clearing with caution, he raises. Raffut, acceleration, Jaminet and Dupont are at the relay. Unfortunately Woki spoils an unstoppable 3 against 1 at the end of the effort. But penalty, Jaminet continues his faultless (21 points at 8/8) and the air becomes a little more breathable (30-25, 64e). The Blues have recovered. Press again in defense. Damian Penaud appears like a devil from his box to intercept a ball and run for the test. 37-25 in the 68th minute. The All Blacks’ comeback will be for another time …
The Blues did so. Ended 21 years without a victory over the New Zealanders on French soil (2000 in Marseille). At 14 years of famine, since a feat in Dunedin in 2009. The black series of 14 losses has ended. And it is invigorating, enchanting and the bearer of wild hopes. This test, right at the mid-term of Fabien Galthié, was expected to find out what these Blues had in their stomachs. Character, desire, talent. What to continue to advance, to progress, serenely until reunion with the All Blacks. September 8, 2023, in the opening match of the World Cup. The demonstration of this Saturday evening will maintain by then the dream of a first planetary coronation.
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