four reasons to still watch the semi-finals this weekend – Libération

2023 Rugby World Cup in FrancedossierThe Stade de France is hosting two seemingly unbalanced confrontations this weekend. But why deprive yourself of an opportunity to see our English rivals put up with the South Africans, or a new masterclass from New Zealander Ardie Savea?

As in 2019, the French XV was eliminated by a tiny point difference in the quarter-final. Infuriating. From there to completely ignoring the rest of the World Cup? We found four reasons (with more or less good faith) to swallow our resentment against the Sud-Afs and to nevertheless look at two posters where class gestures and other strokes of brilliance will not be lacking.

Because the English risk falling under the steamroller of the Springboks

We know how painful it can be to have to watch the English enemy fight for the supreme title when you yourself have no chance of achieving it. Except that these English people, certainly undefeated but in an extremely weak group and with a more than affordable quarter-final compared to those of its French and Irish neighbors, could well go out through the very small door facing the ogre South African. Sport is not about logic or certainty. But when we know that these Blues, who failed against the Boks, had made short work of the XV de la Rose six months earlier during the traditional Six Nations Crunch at Twickenham (53-10) – the biggest success of the history between the two countries – it is difficult to imagine the squad led by Owen Farrell overcoming the outgoing world champion. And this, even imagining all the devious scenarios, such as a premature exclusion from South Africa forcing the selection to play 79 minutes at 14 against 15, as the machine seems designed to defeat everything in its path this Saturday at the Stade de France. And if the English achieve the feat, it will be the fault of the refereeing body represented by Ben O’Keeffe, who will direct the match.

To admire the All-Black Ardie Savea at his zenith

You had to see Ardie Savea at the end of the Dantesque quarter won by his team at the Stade de France, shortly before receiving his man of the match trophy: arms outstretched, angry cry in the direction of the public, largely acquired at the Irish cause, the third line, embodied more than anyone the New Zealand mix of resilience and stubbornness. Facing the world number one Irish, he delivered one of his finest performances with the Blacks, even one of his greatest career matches in short. In attack (15 balls carried, 95 meters covered on these same balls) and in defense (14 successful tackles). Winger movements, scrum half sequences, when he took the liberty of sending a few balls into the Ile-de-France skies to extricate his own from the green net. Between two flashes, a crucial test. In short, the total.

The thirty-year-old is little known in Europe since he spent his entire career with the Hurricanes, a New Zealand franchise and first made his international debut in rugby sevens. Still, at the height of his 79 capes, “Ardz” remains one of the flagship assets of the All-Blacks, and could well demonstrate it again this Friday against the Argentine Pumas.

Because there are still places available

This is the other consequence of the quarters: the joint evictions of France and Ireland, which bring together the two largest contingents of supporters, have encouraged many of them to put their keys back on the market, absence of their favorite selection.

Tickets generally obtained after a long struggle on the opening day of the ticket office, which are now offered on the official website of the World Cup, by organizers keen to stock up at all costs. There were around 1,800 for the England-South Africa confrontation, in which the XV of France hoped to take part. The other New Zealand-Argentina duel was expecting 2,800 buyers to be sold out. Prices fluctuate between 350 and 550 euros. While we’re at it, and as long as we have the means, of course, why not take advantage of the opportunity and attend two high-calibre matches live? And who knows, if the arch-favorites South Africa and New Zealand fail to reach the final, then you will have witnessed one of the greatest exploits in world rugby. Even in front of your TV, it’s a shame to deprive yourself of it.

Because we won’t hear more about Fabien Galthié’s glasses

Well, normally, since France is no longer there. We’re hardly joking: the head of the Blues may have worn them on his nose for months, his thick black frames were still one of the attractions of this World Cup. The subject comes up almost every time the coach appears in front of the cameras. And beyond: at the coffee machine, during a conversation with fellow journalists, without hiding the eternal fashion faux pas remarks from friends and family. To the point that the term glasses appears first when you type Fabien Galthié’s name into the Google search bar. “These are plastic sports glasses that allow you to run, fall because I broke all my glasses before. They don’t move, I can play squash, golf, I can run with the ball in training,” explained the coach to Le Parisien in November 2020.

At the beginning of September, hostilities had not begun when, as a nod to his French counterpart, New Zealand coach Ian Foster had arrived at the pre-opening match press conference with sunglasses and a large smile, causing laughter in the assembly. It was at this moment that we understood that the subject was going to come up again and again. Until last Sunday. At least, we hope so.