France captain Thierry Dusautoir has rubbished reports there has been a split between coach Philippe Saint-Andre and his players just days before the World Cup quarter-final against defending champions New Zealand.
“Since the start of the World Cup, the players and staff have been together and they will work together until the end of the World Cup,” Dusautoir insisted on Friday.
The 33-year-old skipper said he had “total confidence” in Saint-Andre, a former France captain who will step down after the World Cup.
French newspaper Le Nouvel Observateur published an article on Thursday citing a “source close to the players” who said there had been a players’ uprising against Saint-Andre.
“I don’t know where that’s come from, but you need to ask the person who wrote the article to tell us more,” said Dusautoir.
The journalist who wrote the article is not among the large travelling French press pack covering Les Bleus, penning the opinion piece from Paris.
“We’ve been preparing for this game against New Zealand with all the boys and coaches and manager,” Dusautoir said.
“It’s a team that is ready to play against New Zealand. I don’t really understand what people are talking about.
“It’s not really my problem, I’m just focused on what we’re doing.”
Asked whether he had confidence in Saint-Andre, Dusautoir added, “Yes, totally. We are a team and we will continue our work as a team.
“The spirit is the same since the start, there’s the same appetite.”
Dusautoir said that “everyone’s focused on playing this weekend, to win this quarter-final and to be there next week”.
“What interests me most is getting through this round.”
Harry
Guest
And so it proved. French rugby will be back soon enough, in blue shirts please rather than those red things tonight.
Paul
Guest
Good honest player plagued by poor team unity
ROTUMA ISLAND
Guest
either a French win or they'll be thrashed by the ABs.
the french
Roar Rookie
Agreed (regrettably). All Blacks by 4 tries.
Muzzo
Guest
Same old, same old. Didn't something like this happen in New Zealand, in 2011? If the French use this tactic as some sort of motivation, I can't imagine the likes of Hansen falling for it. The French would possibly be the most erratic team, in world rugby, as we know, but if they do decide to play, we all know they can turn it on. Anyway Kia Kaha All Black's, & bring back Wiremu.
Kohatu
Guest
All Blacks by 12+
Harry
Guest
Everyone is expecting the French to fire up and really make a game of this. I suspect the French will do what they always do - the opposite of what everyone expects - and roll over for a fairly routine kiwi victory tonight. The french have pulled off big big games in the last 3 matches at the RWC against the best team in the world (99, 07 and 11) and they are overdue a shocker.
Ken
Roar Rookie
Deja vu