France-Fiji: Blues win 54-17, but lose Ntamack for the next Championship of Nations

The XV of France won an enhanced victory against Fiji (54-17), Saturday 7 November at the Groupama Stadium in Decines, near Lyon. With eight runs and 17 points after the fourth day, the Blues regained first place in the Northern Hemisphere standings of the Championship of Nations. The success was, however, darkened by Romain Ntamack's injury to the left shoulder: Fabien Galthie announced that his opener could no longer play in this competition. [S1] [S2] [S9]

A victory built on conquest

The magnitude of the score must not mask a start of encounter struck. The French committed malfeasance and suffered the intensity of Fijian placards before imposing their conquest, especially in a melee. Jean-Baptiste Gros opened the brand at the 15th minute. A penalty trial then dug the gap, then Sipili Falatea and Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang allowed the Blues to join the locker room with a 26-3 lead. [S1] [S2] [S11]

French domination did not immediately produce new points after the break. The AFP's English-language report highlights the errors that delayed the progression of the score, until Kalvin Gourgues's essay, for his first tenure in selection. Theo Attissogbe then concluded an action launched by Antoine Dupont and relayed by Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Charles Ollivon, then Dupont, finished the game. [S1] [S11]

Fiji responded with two essays, written by Vinaya Habosi and Selestino Ravutaumada, without questioning the outcome of the meeting. The AFP states that they concede their fourth consecutive defeat in this first edition of the Championship of Nations. Their physical power was therefore not sufficient to compensate for the difficulties encountered in deploying their offensive game. [S2] [S11]

One point of the story differs according to the publications: the TF1info summary provided after the meeting attributed the 22nd minute trial to Paul Boudehent, while the Nice-Matin match sheet and the AFP's English-language report indicated a penalty trial. These last two sources are consistent with this attribution, which is retained here. The final score and the total of eight French essays are not debated. [S2] [S6] [S11]

Ntamack package, without full duration known unavailability

The injury occurred on the action of the third French test. After a decisive crossing, Ntamack fell on the left shoulder following a plating and remained on the ground. He left the field at the 34th minute, with his arm supported in his jersey, replaced by Maxime Lucu. The reunion with Dupont at the French hinge, after 609 days without association in selection, will have lasted less than a half-time. [S1] [S2] [S9]

At the break, Fabien Galthie evokes a probable dislocation. After the match, the breeder talks about a "somewhat serious shoulder injury" and announces the player's absence "for the rest of the competition," reports South West. This announced package must be distinguished from the medical diagnosis: the available information does not specify the complete nature of the injury, the treatment or the total duration of the unavailability. [S9]

Lucu took over at the opening and foot during the meeting. This reorganization allowed the Blues to continue their domination, but it is not an announcement of tenure for the next game. The issue of the future hinge remains open in the proceedings consulted. [S1] [S2]

Smaller solutions before South Africa

The choice of staff is all the more constrained as two other options at the opening are already unavailable. Matthieu Jalibert, injured in the quadriceps, should not be restored for the weekend of the finals in late November, according to the account of the AFP taken by France 24. Thomas Ramos is also absent, touched by a thigh. These packages include those of Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou in the second line. [S1] [S10]

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday 13 November against South Africa at the Stade de France. The reports of France 24, Nice-Matin and Sud Ouest converge on the immediate record: a net success, but a further significant loss in the conduct of the game. The Blues have solid bases in conquest; Their frames must now recompose the hinge before this next test. The first place found concerns the classification of the Northern Hemisphere, not a title already acquired. [S1] [S2] [S4] [S9]