After losing to Canada on Wednesday for the first time in 11 years, France answered back defiantly in the rematch between the two nations on Saturday at Stade de France.
The IRB just announced the two nations will share a pool at the 2010 World Cup, but France had the added pressure of being the first women’s national team to play at the renowned stadium, and they did not disappoint the 8000 in attendance, shutting out the Canadians 22 – 0.
Canada had no choice but to batten down the hatches for the first 40 minutes as the French were relentless in their attack.
A quick try by France put Canada on the back foot, and they never really recovered.
Besides the magnitude and the venue, the match had a different feel to it than Wednesday.
France played to the occasion and controlled the game, contesting the ball around the fringes and dominating the point of contact.
Paige Burdett was one of two players to start both tests. The second row said the change of intensity by the French was the difference.
“France started a lot quicker than they did on Wednesday. They really challenged us up front and at the breakdowns. I don’t think we gave them as much of a challenge at the point of contact. We didn’t play our game because we were on defense for most of it.”
“France did what we wanted to do at the contact area, and around the fringes. They gave their backs the perfect platform to kick and attack from. They sucked our defense in and then played it out wide.”
Long said the slow start by the Canadians left them playing catch up.
“We just didn’t start very well. It was all about our execution. Unfortunately we just didn’t click. Once we let in that early try, we were left chasing the game after that.”
Though his squad was disappointed with today’s result, Long reminded them this was just a step towards 2010.
“There were still a lot of positives. Again we need to go away and work on the things that didn’t quite come together today, but we knew this was just the first step in preparation for the World Cup. There were some solid individual performances though; Megan [Gibbs], Gillian [Florence] and Kelly [Russell] worked their socks off and Paige [Burdett] impressed again.
“Paige did all the groundwork today, especially around the fringes. A lot of the time she stopped France’s forward momentum.
The next time France and Canada will play each other will be at the 2010 World Cup in London.
Today’s match marked the first time a men’s and women’s international test match would share the same pitch.
Across the English Channel at Twickenham Stadium, England’s women played the Black Ferns after the All Blacks beat England. For the first time in eight years the English managed to best the New Zealanders with a 10-3 win.
There will be highlights available from both France tests online on December 1. The link will be posted on the Rugby Canada website.
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FT: France 19 – 0 Canada
HT: France 12 – 0 Canada
France Scoring
Tries: Lucie Godiveau, Laetitia Salles, Anais Lagougine
Cons: Aurelie Bailon (2)
Pens:: Aurelie Bailon
Yellow card to Canada’s Tabitha Stavrou @ 60 mins
