10/4/2023 0 Comments Bomb squad tournament 2022![]() ![]() That accolade was last claimed by Ireland, who come into the competition as the world's number one ranked side. World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont added: "It was 200 years ago that our sport was born and there can be no better place to celebrate our birthday than here in France."įor all of France’s form, they are not the current Six Nations Grand Slam champions. Friday's match is a celebration, a joy, a great joy for us. "This is a team that has three World Cup titles to its name. "This is a team that hasn't lost a match in the pool phase since the World Cup began. "What could be better than New Zealand?" asked Galthie. New Zealand beat South Africa in the 2019 opener in Japan, but it was the Springboks who went on to beat England in the final. The last major global sports event on French soil before next year’s Paris Olympics will be held in nine venues across France, which previously hosted the 2007 World Cup and also staged several matches as joint hosts of the 1991 edition.Īll eyes will be on a dream start to the tournament when France play the three-time world champion All Blacks at the Stade de France on Friday: it is a match-up many pundits predict could go full wheel to be the final, at the same stadium, on 28 October.Ī defeat for France would not spell disaster, however. What's more, we're lucky enough to be hosting the competition, so we're hoping for public support." That hasn't been the case over the last 10 years. "We have a promising generation of talented players who have gained experience and continuity in the backbone of the team. "We have won 80 percent of our matches and the Six Nations in 2022. ![]() "We've never been so well prepared," Dupont told AFP. While the loss of fly-half Romain Ntamack to injury is a blow, France boast a deep squad with a consistency in selection often missing in previous campaigns. The time seems ripe for France, however, with Dupont key to a resurgence under coach Fabien Galthie, who has employed eye-pleasing tactics based around free-running backs and a disciplined pack. Since then, the trophy has remained firmly in the South Hemisphere: South Africa won in 20, while New Zealand triumphed in 20. The last - and only - team from the Six Nations to win the World Cup was England in 2003, when an extra-time drop-goal by Jonny Wilkinson sealed victory in Sydney over an Australian side coached by Eddie Jones. “The big thing I’ve learnt is you’re always desperate to be part of the Springboks and to wear the jersey but it’s only when it’s taken away from you that you realise how special it is.PARIS - Dynamic scrum-half Antoine Dupont will lead France into a home Rugby World Cup with hopes high that he can spark a first Northern Hemisphere victory in 20 years in the sport’s quadrennial showpiece. But credit to them for getting me back and back in the Springboks squad. I must give credit to Munster for looking after me and continuing to look after me because people can give up on you quite easily in this line of work. “It was a tough journey to be on but through all of it I’ve learnt a lot. It was a special milestone for me to get through. For the Springboks, the last time I played 80 was against Canada at the previous World Cup, so it’s been a while. ![]() On his trials and tribulations off the field, and also playing the full 80 minutes against Wales in the build-up to the World Cup, Snyman added: “It was my first 80 minutes since 2019 when I got injured. The past four years have been a struggle for Snyman, who has battled several injuries before capping off a return to full fitness as a key member in Munster’s Vodacom URC title win in 2022-23. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |