The suspense is definitely lifted. Fabien Galthié announced Wednesday noon the team composition chosen to challenge the All Blacks on Friday evening (9:15 p.m.) for the opening match of this World Cup in France. And as expected during Tuesday’s training, Jonathan Danty will not be able to hold his place against New Zealand at the Stade de France. Affected in the hamstrings during the last preparation match against Australia, the three-quarter center of La Rochelle is replaced in the starting XV by Yoram Moefana.
In total, the coaching staff have made two other changes from the formation that dominated the Wallabies ten days ago. The first, forced, with the package of Paul Willemse in the second row. The massive Montpellier player will be replaced by Cameron Woki, associated with Thibaud Flament. The two men had already started together during the last autumn tour where the Blues had notably beaten Australia and South Africa.
The composition of the XV of France against New Zealand on Friday (9:15 p.m.)
Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière – (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Ollivon, Alldritt, Cros – Woki, Flament – Atonio, Marchand, Wardi
Substitutes: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet.
The last concerns the first line, where the Rochelais Reda Wardi was finally preferred to the Toulonnais Jean-Baptiste Gros as the left pillar. He will be associated with Julien Marchand and Uini Atonio.
Jalibert renewed at the opening
Fabien Galthié established a third line without surprise, composed of François Cros, Charles Ollivon and Grégory Alldritt. The hinge is unsurprisingly trained by Captain Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert. The Bordelais, convincing against Australia, is therefore unsurprisingly the holder designated for the position of ten after the package of Romain Ntamack.
Gaël Fickou, Gabin Villière and Damien Penaud will compose, as usual, the three-quarter line with Yoram Moefana. At the back, the Blues striker Thomas Ramos will start against New Zealand.
The tricolor staff chose to retain a bench with five forwards and three backs, with Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Dorian Aldegheri on the front line. Romain Taofifenua and Paul Boudehent will also be able to strengthen the pack. Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent and Melvyn Jaminet complete the list of substitutes.
