Antoine Dupont’s absence has been barely felt as Matthieu Jalibert produced plenty of magic to help France punch their ticket for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals by crushing Italy 60-7.
Five-eighth Jalibert’s lightning quick passing and inspired try lifted Les Bleus to the top of Pool A on Friday night with other tries by Damian Penaud (2), Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Peato Mauvaka, Yoram Moefana (2) and Thomas Ramos, who also scored 15 points from the tee.
Jalibert was just as sharp in his post-match comments about the opposition, whho beat Dave Rennie’s Australians less than a year ago but have now suffered two massive wallopings.
“We took this match seriously. We tried not to focus on what had happened between Italy and New Zealand and really concentrate on ourselves with a game plan to put them to the sword. I think we started perfectly,” he said.
“We knew they were mentally fragile after what happened last week. We had to start strong and that if we scored quickly, it would be easier. That’s what we were able to do. It’s satisfying. We played high-intensity rugby for 80 minutes and I think that’s good for next week.”
Fabien Galthie’s team, without Dupont as the mercurial halfback recovers from cheekbone surgery, won all their group games and are likely to face defending champions South Africa on October 15.
New Zealand, who demolished Uruguay 73-0 at the same Groupama Stadium in Lyon on Thursday, finished second in Pool A on 15 points, three behind France.
Italy had a huge mountain to climb, having lost their last 13 matches against France, who were on a 17-game winning streak on home soil.
The mountain proved much too high and, a week after Kieran Crowley’s team suffered a 96-17 humiliation by the All Blacks, they conceded their biggest defeat against their neighbours.
It was Crowley’s last game in charge after his contract was not renewed, despite his preference to stay. He is heading to coach in Japan with Honda Heat.
“I’ve said before I would like to take this team forward. I think the next World Cup is their cycle,” said Crowley.
“What needs to happen, though, is these players need to start being treated with a bit of respect off the field.
“They need to get some of their stuff sorted. So, quite honestly I don’t know whether I’d want to be involved unless they get it sorted. I’d love to take these boys forward but I will be eating some sushi and watching from afar.”
Asked if he thought his departure affected Italy’s poor performances, he said: “It didn’t affect my performance, I don’t think, although it made for an interesting dynamic. But New Zealand have been in the same boat, haven’t they, and they’re going to the quarter-finals. Ian Foster is in the same boat. The decision was made and you’ve got to roll with it.”
Les Tricolores equalled their highest score against Italy from 1967 and achieved the greatest margin ever. Only eight months ago in the Six Nations, France won 29-24.
The halves pairing of Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu and Jalibert showed they were more than a replacement option, combining perfectly throughout in front of 58,102 fans.
Penaud dotted down on his team’s first phase of play for his 34th international try and Bielle-Biarrey then ghosted past a couple of defenders to dive over after Jalibert and Penaud created an opportunity in the Italian 22 metres.
France’s Damian Penaud celebrates scoring the opening try during the Rugby World Cup 2023, Pool A match at OL Stadium in Lyon, France. Picture date: Friday October 6, 2023. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
It was then fullback Ramos’s turn to touch down before the hosts added another try on the stroke of halftime for 31-0. Penaud collected a splendid cross-field kick from Jalibert to go over again to become the second all-time France tryscorer, three shy of Serge Blanco’s tally of 38.
Jalibert was on the finishing end early in the second half as he finessed his way over with a dummy and some brilliant side-stepping.
Mauvaka scored twice, either side of Manuel Zuliani’s lone try for Italy, with his second and last try for France coming minutes before the speakers blasted out Gloria Gaynor’s hit “I will Survive” – Les Bleus’ theme song from their triumphant 1998 soccer World Cup campaign on home soil.
Italy flanker Sebastian Negri summed up the hurt in the Italian ranks.
“We struggled at the start. Our discipline was poor again and we let them in far too easily. Another difficult day for us. I am just gutted,” he said.
“We’ve got to get our basics right and discipline and breakdown again. Those are disappointing areas and they have been disappointing areas throughout the World Cup, if I am honest.
“We’ve got to anticipate the carriers a bit more, win that race and be a bit more, I don’t want to say violent because that will probably get me in trouble, but we’ve got to get more physical. You’ve got to impose yourself and we let ourselves down in that area again.
“I am gutted and I am also gutted for Kieran (Crowley, head coach). We wanted to put in a really good performance he could be proud of and we didn’t do that.”
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