Following a tough 17-32 loss to South Africa at the Stade de France, the French national rugby team, frequently enough referred to as Les Bleus, is facing intense scrutiny.However, players like third-line forward Anthony Jelonch are urging a more balanced viewpoint, pushing back against what they perceive as an overly harsh media reaction.
Jelonch, a key figure with 33 caps for France and a standout for Stade Toulouse, expressed his surprise at the widespread sentiment that the team’s performance was a complete disaster. We have the impression that it was a shipwreck when reading the press; it looks like we took 50 points,
Jelonch remarked to reporters. He emphasized that the game was much closer than the final score suggests, highlighting crucial moments. If we go back in front in the 70th minute, where they have a penalty that we can also take for ourselves… Afterwards, over the last ten minutes, there is only one team on the field.
Focusing Beyond the Final Ten Minutes
The disappointment among the squad is palpable, but Jelonch stressed the importance of remembering the first 70 minutes of the match. We are very disappointed with the result; we saw that we were in the match until the 65th minute when they went one point ahead,
he explained. Jelonch, who is expected to start in the upcoming match against Fiji, added, Many remember these last ten minutes, where the match is one-sided on the balls carried, in the scrum, but we must not forget the first seventy.
This sentiment echoes the experience of many sports fans who have seen games turn dramatically in the closing moments, sometimes overshadowing a strong performance for the majority of the contest.
french attack coach Patrick Arlettaz also weighed in, acknowledging the criticism while maintaining a forward-looking approach.I have no problem with criticism; I know the game very well, it helps me move forward,
Arlettaz stated. He drew a clear line between constructive feedback and outright dismissal of the team’s efforts. It’s all about knowing where we’re going. If we take the criticism which says that everything is to be thrown away, I do not agree. If we say that we got beaten at home when we wanted to beat them, no problem.
This perspective suggests that while the loss is a setback,the team is focused on learning and improving rather than dwelling on a single outcome.
Les Bleus have two more opportunities during their autumn tour to regain momentum.After facing Fiji in Bordeaux, they will play Australia on November 22nd, again at the Stade de France. These upcoming matches will be crucial in demonstrating the team’s ability to rebound and build confidence as they look ahead to future tournaments, including the 2027 World Cup. The resilience shown in these next fixtures will be a key indicator of their potential.
