As the World Cup nears in South Africa (9-11 September), the men’s rugby 7s team must perform better than they did in Toulouse.
The Blues won the “small” final against Samoa in Ernest-Wallon (17-12) thanks to three tries by Jonathan Laugel, Jordan Sepho, and Paulin Riva. This was their best result for the season.
“Finishing third, we can be satisfied. We deserve it. We’re hoping for more. We are eager to win a tournament. We are close to it,” said William Iraguha (one of France’s players), after the match for the bronze.
The sixth-ranked French septists flew to London with this in mind. They will face two teams in the group stage, one from Canada and one from New Zealand. The match against the third-ranked Australian “Blitzboks” may prove to be more difficult.
They must finish in the top two spots of their pool to reach the quarter-finals. We know that the pool in London will be difficult. The key is the state of mind and the need. It is up to us, the Blues coach, Jerome Daret, to create our game plan and be aware of our mistakes.
They will include Pierre Mignot and Iserois Ethan Dumortier, who are making their comebacks on the Toulouse stage.
The London tournament will be followed by a lengthy break for septists who will only meet in Los Angeles on August 27th and 28th for the 9th stage of the circuit.
