The Roosters show off again!
France produced a sparkling wine performance on the rugby field on Thursday evening when they beat Namibia 96-0 in Marseille.
The home team turned the pace taps of the game wide open and with adventurous running back the poor Namibians were steamrollered off their feet.
Coach Fabian Galthié made 12 changes to the French team – the Roosters must have kicked the clay a bit in their previous game against Uruguay – and his players immediately scored 12 tries against the Welwitchias.
A penalty try also provided scoreboard momentum.
“Stop the count” ????
Absolutely brilliant play by the French as Charles Ollivon completes the try ????????
???? Stream #RWC2023 live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/QcoaDOzeqB
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 21, 2023
However, there are concerns about Antoine Dupont after he butted heads with Johan Deysel early in the second half.
Deysel was initially sent off with a yellow card for his dangerous dive, but the bunker official replaced it with a red card a short time later.
In contrast, Dupont left the playing field in tears and there are whispers in the French media that the scrum-half may have a broken jaw.
“Antoine received a hard blow to the head and he will undergo scans to determine the extent of his injury. However, he is a strong player and we can definitely count on his toughness. At the same time, it also makes you aware of the danger of head-to-head contact on a rugby field,” said Raphael Ibanez, France’s team manager.
Jonathan Danty, who made his comeback after injury, was one of the handful of French players who scored more than two tries in the match.
France is undoubtedly firing on all cylinders again and when they are in such a mood, they will be extremely difficult to stop in the knockout rounds of the World Cup tournament.
- Scorers:
France: Tries: Damian Penaud (3), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2), Jonathan Danty (2), Charles Ollivon (2), Thibaud Flament, Antoine Dupont, Baptiste Couilloud, Melvyn Jaminet and a penalty try. Goals: Thomas Ramos (2).
Namibia: no.
