English papers are quoting their French counterparts in claiming Saint-Andre has been “overthrown” and that while he is still likely to be in the coaches’ box at Millennium Stadium, the players have turned their back on him and are ignoring his instructions and game plans.
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It was even suggested in the report a few players were responsible for team selection and Dusautoir had taken over the coaching reins this week following last weekend’s stumbling defeat to Ireland in Cardiff at the pool stage.
Dusautoir hounded New Zealand into submission nearly on his own in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final in Cadiff, producing a tournament-record 38 tackles in a totemic showing.
He wasn’t entirely convincing but composed France captain Thierry Dusautoir pulled his best poker face and downplayed claims of another player-led revolt.
According to a source close to the squad, the players no longer trust the head coach, who has been head coach since 2012.
“The French will be very physical and both teams have plenty to play for”. We started as a team and want to continue as a team.
New Zealand All Blacks’ flanker and captain Richie McCaw catches the ball during a training session at the Lensbury Hotel in Teddington, south-west London, on September 16, 2015, ahead of the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup, which begins on September 18.
“If we lose the game against New Zealand we are out of the tournament so it’s most important to me what we do tomorrow”.
“If there’s not an uprising for this match, you must change sport”, the coach said in warning to his players.
Skipper Thierry Dusautoir is the only member of France’s matchday squad who started the 20-18 quarter-final victory over New Zealand in Cardiff eight years ago. “From a rugby point of view we’ve got similar athletes… their game is built around flair in the backs and real physicality up front”.
Maybe that sense of injustice, coupled with memories of past performances, will spur the French on to another knockout blow. “We have a special history together and we are going to write a new chapter (on Saturday)”.
“He lacks that lightning acceleration he had when I was working with him in 2007 but he’s an extremely experienced, smart player and Wales have to hassle him as much as possible”.
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“We are confident in his ability to fight a lot and run against New Zealand”, Bru said.
