2024 Northern Tour: Sunday 17 November France 30 - 29 New Zealand, Stade de France

Je vous souhaite la Re-bienvenue Antoine Dupont. Le Stade aussi. Vous avez entendu les spectateurs?

Les Bleus were typically French, great under pressure and stress, they really came into their own firing in the second half. Speedy, unpredictable. My French contact wondered if the All Blacks would trample them but I never had a doubt in my mind we would win.

We got the first try which can be important. And we scored last too. When you grow up French and/or in the French culture, faut savoir gérer le stress. The All Blacks can become undisciplined. It's also French to seize opportunities. My Kiwi contact who will always back the All Blacks said they're consistent*, I think, as in they don't adapt.

Of course not only do les Bleus have arguably the best rugby player on Earth as their Captain but personally he has a lot of motivation: the Rugby World Cup 2023 was stolen from France and it was their time, this was his second game for his country since winning Gold representing France at the Olympics, so he's fresh, possibly impatient and his passion is replenished.

Historically, France's winning streak has been unbroken since 2018 against the All Blacks and this match was essentially a repeat of 8th September 2023 and the opening match of the Cup.

3 wins in a row for the All Blacks? Non non non. And to be honest, England and Ireland aren't even at the same table as the All Blacks. The All Blacks pulled up a chair for les Bleus, they sat down, both stretched out their hands and shook them and game on. I think, if you keep up to date with it, New Zealand now go down a spot in World rankings and France remain 4th.

I don't have to experience what the loss for France feels like. The All Blacks supporters have the rest of Sunday and the week to go through it.

Watching the anthems and especially the haka on YouTube after the match, the loss of one point difference must have really hurt the All Blacks. 

Sure, New Zealand had to wear their alternate jersey but really? That design. You're not the All Whites, that's a different sport.

Go stick it the All Blacks.

-A.M.

* I may correct this later

2024 Northern Tour: Sunday 17 November France - New Zealand, Stade de France

Allez les Bleus. Welcome back Antoine Dupont. So to speak. One of the best if not the best rugby union player of his generation and the planet. In le Stade de France. Just over 81 000 capacity, likely most of the spectators rooting for France. The atmosphere was once described as "hostile" by someone from the Kiwi side, no recollection of who, if memory serves me right.

The last time France and New Zealand faced each other was 8 September 2023, the first match of the Rugby World Cup which saw France dominate the All Blacks 27-13.

To me, France are the first real opponent who actually is at their level of the Northern Tour, it's a battle. Really, England and we don't even need to mention Ireland, they don't get a look in. Then Italy?

In general, France and South Africa are worthy opponents, always have been and probably always will be. Physically, mentally, they can meet the All Blacks.

One example, the Rugby Championship (2024): Saturday 31st August South Africa 31-27 New Zealand, Johannesburg and Saturday 7th September South Africa 18-12 New Zealand, Cape Town.

If you take into account rankings, the latest men's rankings dated 11 November: the Springboks, the All Blacks and les Bleus. Or the sexy Bleus, the legendary All Blacks, and the stealing Springboks. Always at the top.

As I've said before, All Blacks are my love but for some reason, I want les Bleus to win. Maybe it's pain from the Cup 2023 which was stolen from them. Dupont could still be in that fresh, impatient phase this being his second game representing France since the Olympics this year. They could stop the All Blacks in their tracks with a loss and beat them a second time on their home turf. Consecutive years.

Now I think back to it, Antoine Dupont was hurt by France's loss, very hurt, and angry, and if he can transform his emotions into a win on the pitch then there's nothing bad about that. But he'll always carry that pain from the Cup which they so deserved.

I wonder how I'll feel if France lose and the All Blacks win?

I'm behind you Antoine, beat the Black out of the All Blacks, at home, fresh from the Cup 2023 opening match and against New Zealand and the Olympics 2024 which France won. You have the brains, the body, and on top of that that sexy class no other team has.

The Northern Tour so far:

Saturday 2 November, England 22-24 New Zealand, Twickenham

Saturday 9 November, Ireland 13-23 New Zealand, Dublin

Sunday 17 November, France - New Zealand, Stade de France

Sunday 24 November, Italy - New Zealand, Turin

-A.M.

Sources

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/533915/all-blacks-respect-dupont-but-plan-to-spoil-his-paris-party

https://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/all-blacks

2024 Northern Tour: Saturday 9 November Ireland 13 - 23 All Blacks, Dublin

When RNZ mentioned the match on 4th November, I knew Ireland were going to choke. I felt the same way on the 8th too.

When I heard on the 9th they indeed choked, I wasn't surprised.

Anyone with a perspective that take into account all contributing factors knows it comes down to the day. I did not know Ireland's ranking but it doesn't matter. But I'll humour those who count it. It actually reinforces my point.

On 28th October and 4th November, Ireland were ranked 1st and New Zealand were 3rd.

And they lost. Not only did they lose, they lost by 10 points. At home.

What was that? They were ranked 1st going into the Rugby World Cup 2023? Which they unsurprisingly and predictably choked in when they got to the quarter-finals? And didn't many believe and say that was the time for them to win?

The All Blacks have what it requires psychologically. As in, they can actually deliver. That is why they are one of the best teams in the World if not the best. This is about Ireland and the All Blacks, but France and South Africa have it psychologically too, which is why they're always New Zealand's counterparts. Les Bleus can thrive under pressure and stress, it's part of the French identity.

Choking and being weak mentally is in Ireland's DNA. Not only is why important but what's more important is strenghtening that deficit, and yes it is a deficit when it is a barrier to winning, achieving, whatever you want to call it.

I was looking up Ireland's nickname and it's "Wolfhounds". Never in my life have I heard them referred to as that and that does show the lack of familiarity and impact they have in rugby union in my eyes. What is hilarious is Ireland are babies: they were ranked 1st for the first time ever in 2019, then a second time on 18th July 2022 until 2nd October 2023 when they lost it. 

Apart from choking, no wonder I don't see them as a threat to the All Blacks, France and South Africa. Their rise might have been gradual instead of overnight which is easier to adjust to, but they're like the guest at the party who invited themself who no one likes but they have to be civil to otherwise there are repercussions. They're outranked and closer to and/or are British culture and probably always will be. One aspect of British culture is being reserved and polite and colonization was a long time ago, so they've been sitting on their white superior asses for years, no, generations. Yes, no shit, New Zealand was a British Colony, but geographically they're far away.

The All Blacks are white, Māori and Pacific Islander men and genetically some of them  are physically built like warriors which can help in rugby. Example: Nonu. Aotearoa is rugby and their cultural impact at home and internationally is ubiquitous. Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, to name.

Les Bleus are (small and) speedy, unpredictable, good under stress and pressure and, aesthetically, sexy. No one can play rugby like les Bleus. They're classy too. Who is the best player in rugby union? Antoine Dupont, brains, body and sexy. Triple threat.

South Africa have physically big players, but they're controversial and seem to have more antagonistic relationships with the All Blacks and les Bleus. Less or no respect. The All Blacks and les Bleus are opponents but they ooze respect for each other. South Africa are the heavyweights in all aspects. They also are a representation of hope and unity for their country I think, but that's a double-edged knife.

I know I said this wasn't about South Africa and France, but it came from Ireland being babies. You gotta crawl first before you can walk and then run. Maybe they'll always be at walking phase, too scared and mentally incapable of running.

-A.M.