France’s Philippe Saint-André departs the stage on night to forget
- 9 years ago
There was to be no swashbuckling sayonara for Philippe Saint-André, no repeat of former Gallic glory in his last game as France coach. Instead, his reign ended with red heads hanging and gloom growing. Perhaps they should have worn blue.
The All Blacks did not fall into the same trapdoor that gaped open eight years ago, but produced the kind of scintillating attacking rugby that has long been missing from this French side. Saint-André’s men were ripped apart time after time. Revenge for former upsets had already been served in 2011, but this breathtaking blitz will surely carry greater scars.
New Zealand’s Julian Savea scores hat-trick in nine-try rout of France
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Saint-André departs after four years during which France have regularly disappointed at the Six Nations and have rarely set the pulse racing in this World Cup. It would have taken a monumental effort for any side to defeat the All Blacks on this form, yet Saint-André’s tenure will not be remembered solely for this loss, but for his poor overall record and a campaign that almost ended in mutiny.
In fairness, there was certainly more attacking intent, cut and thrust, and downright hunger than during last weekend’s insipid defeat to the Irish.
Yet it cost them 62 points at the other end and, in reality, there were only fleeting moments when New Zealand had hands to the defensive pump.
A revolution akin to the 2011 World Cup under Marc Lièvremont this campaign may not have been, yet all was not well in the France camp before this crucial match. Under Saint-André, France have won only eight out of 20 Six Nations matches. They slumped to three fourth-placed finishes and ended bottom of the pile in 2013. For Guy Novès, who takes over as coach after this tournament, the only way is surely up.
Before this compelling quarter-final, Steve Hansen, the All Blacks coach, had said: “France have always had great athletes. Their game was built around flair in the backs and real physicality up front. I’m no
The All Blacks did not fall into the same trapdoor that gaped open eight years ago, but produced the kind of scintillating attacking rugby that has long been missing from this French side. Saint-André’s men were ripped apart time after time. Revenge for former upsets had already been served in 2011, but this breathtaking blitz will surely carry greater scars.
New Zealand’s Julian Savea scores hat-trick in nine-try rout of France
Read more
Saint-André departs after four years during which France have regularly disappointed at the Six Nations and have rarely set the pulse racing in this World Cup. It would have taken a monumental effort for any side to defeat the All Blacks on this form, yet Saint-André’s tenure will not be remembered solely for this loss, but for his poor overall record and a campaign that almost ended in mutiny.
In fairness, there was certainly more attacking intent, cut and thrust, and downright hunger than during last weekend’s insipid defeat to the Irish.
Yet it cost them 62 points at the other end and, in reality, there were only fleeting moments when New Zealand had hands to the defensive pump.
A revolution akin to the 2011 World Cup under Marc Lièvremont this campaign may not have been, yet all was not well in the France camp before this crucial match. Under Saint-André, France have won only eight out of 20 Six Nations matches. They slumped to three fourth-placed finishes and ended bottom of the pile in 2013. For Guy Novès, who takes over as coach after this tournament, the only way is surely up.
Before this compelling quarter-final, Steve Hansen, the All Blacks coach, had said: “France have always had great athletes. Their game was built around flair in the backs and real physicality up front. I’m no