TOPS
A historical series
Never since the 1930s, the French team had signed ten victories in a row.
It is now done for the troop of Fabien Galthié, who won this Saturday in pain against Japan.
Blues who have not lost since last summer in Australia and who have since beaten the All Blacks and achieved the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament.
For the first time in its history, the XV of France ends its season undefeated.
A remarkable performance that will have to be confirmed this fall against the Wallabies, the Springboks and the same Japanese.
Couilloud, perfect impact player
The Blues have long been without solutions against the Japanese.
And then the light came from Baptiste Couilloud, substitute scrum half, who scored the winning try less than ten minutes from the time of the match.
As soon as he entered the game, the number 9 of Lyon tried to animate the game and unlock the situation.
Without success at first, before finding the flaw in the Japanese defense in the most beautiful way.
In competition with the indestructible Antoine Dupont and Maxime Lucu, Baptiste Couilloud, top scorer in the last Top 14 (11), has perfectly fulfilled his role as an impact player.
And savior of the Blues.
Yamanaka shines in Tokyo
At the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, we have long seen him.
Japanese full-back Ryohei Yamanaka has been one of the most prominent players.
Sharp reminders, excellent initiatives, a permanent danger for the Blues.
The number 15 who plays for the Kobelco Steelers in the Top League (forfeited last week because of the Covid) was at the conclusion of his team's two superb tries.
A leading performance which was not enough for the Japanese to overthrow the Blues, however uninspired.
FLOPS
Ineffective footwork
Fabien Galthié had announced it: he expected the Japanese to play a game of dispossession for this second test match.
In response to this, his players have therefore long been confined to playing with the foot, to returning the ball to their opponents.
With more or less success.
Matthieu Jalibert thus often abused the game on foot, when several shots could have been attempted by hand.
A tactic that almost cost the Blues dearly, long without a solution and apathetic.
A hinge that lacked control
In the absence of the Toulouse pair Antoine Dupont-Romain Ntamack, the keys to the truck had been entrusted to Bordeaux residents Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert.
And, this Saturday in Tokyo, the hinge of the XV of France seriously creaked against the Japanese.
A lack of control and initiative that was glaring.
Lucu was almost transparent on this match, when Jalibert lacked his vista to lead the game of the Blues.
A match to forget for the two UBB players, when they had been convincing during the first test match.
