A triumph that helps to overcome the disappointment suffered in the semi-final against the New Zealanders. At the last whistle, Les Bleues all hugged each other to celebrate this big and clear victory, acquired thanks to five tries, including a double from winger Marine Ménager, which allowed them to win a sixth bronze medal in nine editions.
Despite the failure of the semi-final lost by a small point (25-24) against the New Zealand Black Ferns, the French women were therefore able to remobilize to largely dominate this Canadian team which could not offer much. thing.
At the inaugural World Cup in 1991, which saw victory for the American Eagles, there was no bronze awarded, with France and New Zealand sharing third place. France is the country that has finished third most often in the tournament. She had already climbed on this step of the podium:
- in 1994 against Wales;
- in 2002 and 2006 against Canada, already;
- in 2014 against Ireland;
- in 2017 against the United States.
The pillar Assia Khalfaoui had evoked this week this bronze medal as a ” consolation prize “and winger Joanna Grisez said: “It will be better than nothing. »
However, winning this match for third place in this way not only warmed the hearts of the French fans, who carried their team throughout the match, but definitely bodes well for the future, namely the Six Nations Tournament. in the spring and, above all, the 2025 World Cup in England.
Mastery of the game
This bronze medal is also a great reward for four “great ladies” of French rugby who bowed out on Saturday in Auckland: second lines Safi N’Diaye and Céline Ferer, third line Marjorie Mayans and scrum half Laure Sansus, in the stands because injured since the match against England in chicken.
As often, France took the match on their own from the first period, scoring three tries, by the second line Madoussou Fall (12e) in force, scrum half Pauline Bourdon (37e), following a breakthrough by center Gabrielle Vernier, and finally by Marine Ménager (40e+1), corner.
At half-time, without really having suffered any frank opposition from Canada, except in the physical engagement, the Blues, while in control in defense as in their offensive phases, already led 22 to 0 .
When they returned from the locker room, the French continued to do what they had succeeded in doing from the start: penalty kick, ball carried and try, “English style”, the fourth being this time to the credit of the pillar Annaëlle Deshaye ( 29-0, 44e).
Marine Ménager then scored twice (61e), following a big phase of play by the French forwards. Final result: 36-0 for Les Bleues. Vernier’s yellow card outings at 67ethen an injury to Marine Ménager, which was not replaced, did not change the course of the match.
