New Zealand as a foretaste of the World Cup organized in less than a year in ... New Zealand.
The XV of France female receives the reigning world champions for two matches, the first Saturday (3:00 p.m.) in Pau, and as many opportunities to gauge themselves.
At the Hameau stadium, where some 11,000 spectators are expected, the Blue are attacking a peak after an easily successful first fall duel against South Africa (46-3), last Saturday in Vannes.
The “
Women Boks
” are far from evolving at the same level as their male counterparts, winners of the last World Cup in 2019 in Japan.
Read alsoXV de France feminine: nine changes to face New Zealand
The level of adversity should therefore be quite different in Béarn even if the New Zealand women, weaned from international matches for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, have disappointed for their return to competition in Europe. They even suffered two slaps against the English, world No. 1 (43-12 then 56-15), yet deprived of Emily Scarratt, best player in the world in 2019, injured.
“
Starting a season of preparation for the World Cup with two defeats of this rank is not reassuring since an England - New Zealand match is a potential final.
It is a team against which, it is necessary to garner points, confidence and certainties
”, judge Laura di Muzio, consultant for
France Televisions.
But even lacking benchmarks, New Zealand remains No. 2 in the world rankings and especially the most successful team at the World Cup: five times in eight editions since 1991.
Return of Romane Ménager
“
We must remain vigilant. They still have very good players with a lot of experience, whether they are fifteen or seven. It's a very solid team that will come and face us
, ”assures Bleues manager Annick Hayraud. The last two duels with the New Zealand women had turned to the advantage of the French who had won 30-27 in Grenoble in November 2018 then 25-16 in Chula Vista, California, in July 2019 during the Super Series.
“
In our construction, it was important.
It allowed us to benchmark against the world champions, because most of the players had never played against them.
But Saturday is a new confrontation.
There have been developments since these two victories,
”explains third wing Gaëlle Hermet, captain of a more experienced French team compared to the first autumn test in Vannes.
The management made nine changes in his starting fifteen, including the return of Romane Ménager, who will play his first match in the blue jersey since the end of April.
The third line of Montpellier, 25, had missed the Tokyo Games, where the French septists won the silver medal, due to several concussions.