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Mauvaka, a double against his father's idols
In the absence of Julien Marchand, injured, one wondered logically if Peato Mauvaka, his teammate at Stade Toulousain, was going to hold the hut as hooker. He did a lot better than that. The number 2a of the Blues, elected man of the match on Saturday, was impressive during this fall tour. A try against Argentina, then two doubles against Georgia and New Zealand. He finished top scorer in the XV of France during the three autumn tests. Sacred tour de force. The native of Noumea, New Caledonia, scored many points during this tour. If he still has to gain in regularity during his throws in touch, the Toulousain has taken quite a step ahead of the other liners at the hooker position (Gaëtan Barlot, Pierre Bourgarit, Camille Chat).And at the final whistle, her tears in front of the France Televisions cameras left their mark on the general public. At the height of the emotion felt by the French supporters, so long frustrated against the New Zealanders. The 24-year-old couldn't hold back tears as he thought of his father, who died suddenly in 2018 and loved the All Blacks.
“It was a dream, I played against my dad's favorite team and it got me… I couldn't describe my emotions… I'm sorry,”
he blurted out.
On and off the pitch, Peato Mauvaka made an impression on Saturday.
Read also The tears full of emotion of Peato Mauvaka after the success of the XV of France
The fervor of the Stade de France public
The tribute comes from coach Ian Foster. “
I had never seen an atmosphere like this. It really is special.
In fact, we had felt it long before kick-off. This huge and happy crowd. To fill the Stade de France again to the hangers. To believe again that this XV of France was capable of a feat. So, from the warm-up, the 79,000 people present in the Dionysian enclosure gave their voice. Then more and more. The authoritarian start of the Blues kept the flame alive. And when it got harder, the Marseillaises fell from the stands to encourage their players to hold on. “
From the start on the pitch, we felt this support,
confirms the captain,Antoine Dupont.
Never had the hymn sounded so loud.
We could feel the audience behind us, who believed in us, who wanted to see us achieve a feat.
They carried us through the crucial moments.
Tonight, I would rather be French than New Zealand.
This evening will remain etched in our memories…
”
Read also Galthié: "We will not take ourselves for others"
Read also Notes from the Blues: Dazzling Ntamack, infallible Jaminet
Scratches
All Blacks at their wit's end
A well-deserved end of the season. The end of an unbreathable tunnel. Since August 28, the All Blacks have left their country, lived in isolation due to health restrictions and played a series of matches. Eleven in all! An insane rhythm, an infernal cadence. The Rugby Championship (6 matches), a stopover in the United States, then four test matches in Europe. So inevitably the Kiwis were blunt on Saturday. They came out of the Irish washing machine, and they took a new dose at the Stade de France. At times, we did not recognize the Men in Black: hand errors, rough choices, lack of sharpness. And yet, after having conceded two entry tries, they found the strength to come back to two points of the Blues. By scoring three tries, formidable efficiency. But the step was too high. Blues,who obviously largely deserved their victory, were unleashed. The New Zealanders were obviously blunt. They will have time to rest. After a week in isolation before returning to their homes. End of the tunnel.
Woki's Masterful Failure
The crazy action has been running since last night on all social networks. Ntamack raises in his goal, escapes three defenders, serves Jaminet on the line, relay Dupont. Exceptional. But this relaunch of crazy audacity, this French Flair which frightens our adversaries so much, could have, should have resulted in the test of the year, of the decade itself no doubt. But after a regrouping, Cameron Woki, served large side, soars with his large compasses. Again makes a difference. For a school 3 against 1 to play. Except that the Bordelais does not make the pass and will impale himself in the defenders in front of him, forgetting Danty and Penaud on his right. An annoying lack of taste. Fortunately, his action will still change the trend of the game. On his point of fixation, the Blues recover a penalty,successful by Jaminet, and find themselves in numerical superiority with the yellow card inflicted on Ardie Savéa.
To read alsoXV of France: in video, the crazy relaunch of Ntamack which tilts the match
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