France - New Zealand U20: Echegaray tried everything, the French team wasted too much... The highs and lows

TOPS

Jon Echegaray tried everything

While some of the French players were not always present during this cruel defeat against the New Zealanders , he put in a commanding performance at the back. Constantly on the restart and solid in the ground coverage, the Bordeaux full-back deserved better. At the origin of the first two French tries scored by Gourgues (also excellent) and Britz, Echegaray rewarded himself with a try in the second half, which then sounded the revolt of his team. He finished the match with 15 carries (match record) and a crossing. Three lost balls to his credit, but we will not hold it against him, given his incessant work.

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Making a feast out of crumbs. This is how we could roughly summarize the performance of the young New Zealanders this afternoon. Largely dominated in the fight by the Bleuets throughout this match, the men of the Pacific exploited the slightest French weakness to invite themselves to the final. Particularly on the first try scored by Solomon ( ^2nd ), with a kick missed by Luka Keletaona. Subsequently, they scored on almost all their incursions into the opponent's 22 meters, thanks to Bason (excellent under the Italian sky), Wiseman, then Vakasiuola. If the French team can have immense regrets, the Baby Blacks, for their part, played the perfect match and can rejoice.

Lyam Akrab had fire in his legs

While Echegaray put in a solid performance at the back, Lyam Akrab also struggled in the French forward pack. Author of six runs and several explosive attacks, the French hooker did his team a lot of good. In the second half, starting behind a good ball carried, he collapsed in the in-goal area without being rewarded. With 94% of the lineout, the Montpellier player had a solid performance in the lineout sector and held the fort in the closed scrum. He will need to find this energy and attacking drive for the third-place play-off, scheduled for next Saturday. We will also remember the 21 tackles of Elyjah Ibsaiene, a real pruning shears in this Italian semi-final, or the determination of Pau's Fabien Brau-Boirie, author of a try and two crossings.

FLOPS

Missed opportunities

Interceptions, a lack of patience, inaccuracies, and an incredible number of knock-ons. The conclusion is clear. Les Bleus, well above the New Zealanders, sabotaged themselves this Monday afternoon. In the first half, there were at least three situations that should have ended in the promised land. The French team finished this semi-final with 21 lost balls, an astronomical figure and, above all, a crippling factor for any hope of reaching the World Cup final. Not to mention the numerous balls carried close to the lines, most of which were buried by the Baby Blacks' defense. Against Argentina last week, Cédric Laborde's men had, however, been surgically successful. The "off day" came at the worst possible time. For the first time since 2018, the Tricolores will not reach the World Cup final. A huge disappointment for a generation that deserved better.

A try conceded in double power play

An action that symbolizes the match. While the Bleuets had just scored the try of hope through Jon Echegaray ( ^63rd ) and they were playing in double numerical superiority (15 against 13), the latter found the way to concede another try a few minutes later, sealing the fate of this semi-final. In power, the substitute Vakasiuola came to dampen the hopes of the Tricolores. At the start of the action, a forward on a restart of play where Cédric Laborde's men certainly rushed too much.

A disappointing hinge

Excellent against Argentina last Wednesday, the French defense, Daroque-Keletaona, had a more complicated semi-final. Under pressure from aggressive attacks from the Baby Blacks, the two men were not always able to find the keys and bear their share of responsibility for this defeat. Keletaona's missed kick on the Baby Blacks' first try, or Daroque's intercepted pass on a key moment a few meters from the line are striking examples. More control and patience would have been necessary. There will be better days for two such talented players.