Home > Rugby > France can win the Rugby World Cup - and here's why
by mary louis on 26 July 2007
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France will win the 2007 Rugby World Cup - that’s what all French citizens want to believe. France's footballers won the World Cup at home in 1998 and now their rugby counterparts aim to do the same. They've yet to do it after five attempts since 1987 but here's why I reckon they'll pull it off on home soil this time.
1987: The year of the first Rugby World Cup. Daniel Dubroca's side reached the final in the country of the Long White Cloud, where rugby is more than a religion. France had beaten the All Blacks in Nantes during their November 1986 tour - and a few months later won the Five Nations tournament.
Yet the beginning of this 1987 World Cup wasn't good for Les Bleus - a Serge Blanco try salvaging a 20-20 draw with Scotland and ultimately giving France first place in the group. After a weird quarter-final against Fiji, they met tournament co-hosts Australia in the semi-final. This match was the summit of the French campaign Down Under - a 30-24 win in Sydney. However, they celebrated too much (rugby was not a professional sport before 1995) and as a consequence, the William Webb Ellis trophy went to David Kirk's All Blacks by a 29-9 margin – and not to Dubroca and his friends.1991: France and the UK. Nothing to say except that France lost their French flair and temper in the quarter-final against the XV of the Rose – who went on to face a home final against the Wallabies. It didn’t bring the locals any luck, though - England 6, Australia 12. Or if you prefer, Southern Hemisphere 2, Europe 0.1995: South Africa and its new president, Nelson Mandela, welcomed an even bigger ‘Rugby world’. Under public pressure, the Boks went through some tough times in the first round but for their semi-final against France, their best players were back. Abdel Benazzi and his friends fainted - indeed lock Benazzi himself scored a try… 15cms in front of the try line! Result, 19 -15 for the locals, who went on to beat the All Blacks in the first all Southern Hemisphere finale. Note: when you score a try, make sure you have crossed the line! 1999. The World Cup returns to the Old Continent ; for the first time, 20 teams were competing in this first real ‘professional’ World Cup. France reached the semis (again) and met the All Blacks. New Zealand, as ever, were favourites - even though they had won only one World Cup (the first!) Christophe Dominici described them in his book as the ‘'Men In Black, walking out of their bus, wearing their black tux, sunglasses, looking at the French as if they were nothing.'' And the Men in Black just collapsed in front of the mini blue chicken. As in 1987, France played their best in semi-final and lost the final 35-12 against the new ogre of southern rugby, Australia.2003. Australia, the only country to have won two World Cups, hosted the world - and me! Fabien Galthié, the four times French World Cup captain, led his men to the semi-finals yet again, after beating the Irish. Unfortunately for Les Bleus, the weather conditions weren’t helpful. And Fred Michalak, the rising French star, wasn’t as good as his opponent Jonny Wilkinson. Galthié, whose godfather (and rugby idol) had passed away the week before the semi-final, left his team-mates who, in a half-empty Olympic Stadium, were to meet the All Blacks, who had lost the previous week against their Tasman neighbours. That Saturday, England gave Europe its first World Cup. Southern Hemisphere 4 Europe 1.And now, why can France win the 2007 World Cup?
My article may be a bit confused but it’s just how I feel as a French girl. I can’t believe I have just written a lengthy article about why can France win the World Cup, when I am the first to cheer on the other teams!
Comments (14)
by Steffy on July 26, 2007
In the article you state "rugby was not a professional sport before 1995" I have been watching professional rugby for 40 years and my father and grandfather were watching professional rugby for many years before me.
by Mary Louis on July 26, 2007
Before '95, the only rugby that was professional was Rugby at XII. I quote Rugby for Dummies (in French, page 25): The Southern Hemisphere players saw the 95 World Cup as a good occasion to become professionals ; and the Southern Federations signed a contract with the billionnaire R.Murdoch that year." I maintain my saying/writing : rugby at XV became professional around 1995 (but it doesn't mean that before, the players were not paid for their 'duty to the nation'. They had extra-fees, not regular incomes.)
You said "rugby was not a professional sport before 1995" - there was professional rugby before 1995.
by John Christie on July 26, 2007
It would be nice to see France in the final - but how about their form? Are the signs truly there? are they good enough to tip over Ireland, SA, Aust or NZ? I think it's a stretch and more Ireland are a very good all around side capable of causing a major upset - they could beat France in their pool. France have got their work cut out. But over here (NZ) past All Blacks reckon France will be a finalist! so maybe you are right.
Hey John, the French are doing now what the ABs did during the conditioning camps (beginning of the Super 14). We don't have much news about their fitness, the staff says they are getting better and better everyday. Now that they are back to their Golden jail, they have new training sessions with the ball, they really missed it! I think that that's only on October 21st that we will know whose preparation was best (ABs at the beginning of the year? European teams and Argentina now? Ireland and their freezing camps in Poland?) I can't tell... anyone can get injuried -and that would be awful for any team!
Hi Mary, it will be good to see a super fit French side and the SA are doing the same. Maybe it will all come down to (like the players say) the team with the most confidence to hang in there in the tight games. With this also I question the French, will their heads go down to quick? Where as with Aust (most cunning side on the planet)SA or NZ and Ireland I cant see those sides giving anything away. I got a tainted view of France due to what the AB's did to them in 2004 and in the last few years - they were not even close to the AB's (one game they got beat 47-3 in France)- whereas Ireland stayed within around 10 points of the AB's over two games. Historically the AB's winning margin is 12 points in all games. I reckon France have their work cut out.
by Mary Louis on July 27, 2007
Yes, we were at home in Novelber 04 and 06, but it was not the world cup! Not many people bet on France in 99 and see what happened... I tend to 'not support France', my dream final (and the dream final of many people here) is France vs. NZ. French rugby (see my article about Max Guazzini) would suffer a lot from an early defeat (not playing the quarter final is totally possible but it will 'abort' the fame of rugby in France) And if their heads can't support the pressure (as winners or losers), then whatever their fitness, they'll faint -coz we are Latin people!!! John, I don't know much about Ireland here, I try to grasp news from the other teams but can't be really sure what's true? and what's not? And know, what? in the end what will matter for us (rugby fans), is watching some good rugby matches -whoever wins, don't you think???? Again, see you on October 21st ;)
by John Christie on July 27, 2007
Mary, No question that the most exciting final would feature France. In years past most would expect that (with France at home) due to the French power, passion and rugby flair, who can forget that the French used to "own" the mantle of the best and most dangerous attacking rugby side ball in hand - Maybe it will turn out like 1987 again? but it will be a very hard road! there are 4 or 5 teams threatening big games. As they say maybe it will be the top 2 inches that matters! ie mental strength - I went to both games when the French soundly beat Sean Fitzpatricks All Blacks here in 1994, we were shocked then.
by John on August 01, 2007
Yes france can and will win the world cup. we just need to prove to the world we can beat any one at any time and just not on our day. John Toozer half welsh half french
by Neil on August 10, 2007
France are not the best team in Europe right now, ireland is. France was lucky in the 6 nations. They bet us on an awkward occasion missing 3 several of our key players. In my opinion, france wont make it into the finals, maybe the semis. It will be an Ireland All Blacks final!!! if the draw is good to us.. ÉIRE ABÚ!!!
by Pete on August 12, 2007
Mary, you have valid points but you miss the only true condition that would allow France to win the world cup: the All Blacks don't win. I'd like to point out that for the past 3 years the ABs have never played their top team, as no one knows knows what the top team is, such is the depth of talent. What other country could leave Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu out of their selection? And finally, NZ has a history of choking, but as long as there is not a poor referee or poor combinations from this team that has been together for longer than the other squads, NZ should defeat France at Stade de France in the final, as long as the French make it that far.
by PUMA on September 07, 2007
I can stop laughing, THANK YOU FRANCE, YOU MAKE MY DAY. The last French fan to leave the stadium, please, shut the lights down... 17-12 VAMOS PUMAS CARAJO!!!!!
by Dan on September 09, 2007
The French could still make the final easily, Ireland should defeat Argentina, and France in my opinion are more likely to emerge victorious against the Irish with much at stake and home advantage. Bonus points may help the French win top of their table and progress through the knockout stages more easily. - NZ'er
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