Fabien Galthie’s France preparing for next ‘Rugby World Cup final’ after thumping Italy
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Yoram Moefana scores France's sixth try in the 60-7 Rugby World Cup thrashing of Italy.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LYON – France coach Fabien Galthie said his team are focused on playing another “Rugby World Cup final” after securing their place in the knockout stage
The hosts completed a perfect pool-stage record with their 60-7 thrashing of a team who ran them close less than eight months ago in the Six Nations.
Les Bleus are widely expected to face reigning champions South Africa in the quarter-finals next weekend but could also face world No. 1 Ireland, or even Scotland. It all depends on the Ireland v Scotland clash on Saturday – that result was not available at press time.
France have already beaten one of the pre-tournament favourites in New Zealand in their opening Pool A match, and Galthie said every game from now on will be like a final.
“Having played one World Cup final against New Zealand, now we have another one,” he said.
“I’m delighted to have stamped this qualification but our next appointment is on Sunday (Oct 15) and it is another World Cup final for us.”
Galthie would not be drawn on who he either expects or would like to face, nor was he prepared to say much about any potential opponents.
“South Africa are world champions and have clearly been preparing to win back-to-back titles and on the other side is the No. 1 team in the world,” he simply said.
“The draw did its job, now it’s up to us to do ours.”
This victory was secured off the back of a dominant pack, who routinely softened up Italy’s defence before allowing the scintillating French backs to exploit gaps out wide at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Seven of France’s eight tries were scored by backs, but every time it was the work of the forwards that made it possible, which delighted Galthie.
“The breakdown was successful, likewise the scrum, line-out, attack and defence. These were areas that were very positive,” he said. “We put Italy under permanent pressure in that respect.”
For the Italians, this was a second humbling in the space of seven days against fellow Tier 1 teams they were supposed to be able to challenge.
After last week’s 96-17 hammering by the All Blacks, which was their biggest defeat since 1999 – before they joined the Six Nations – this trouncing was their biggest-ever loss to France and their 45th in 48 clashes.
Azzurri coach Kieran Crowley felt that the main difference between the sides was one simple element – power.
“You’ve got to have power, that’s it,” said the Kiwi.
“You look at New Zealand, you look at France, you look at South Africa. Our guys gave everything they’ve got but teams at the top international level play a power game.
“We’re just lacking a bit in that.”
On Saturday, Louis Rees-Zammit scored a hat-trick of tries to help Wales seal top spot in Pool C with a six-try 43-19 win over Georgia. This was their fourth successive win ahead of the quarter-finals, where they will face Argentina or Japan.
But they lost fly-half Gareth Anscombe in the warm-up with a groin injury that has put his campaign in doubt. AFP, REUTERS
