RUGBY at 7 – World Cup: Blackout for France – Rugby

After the logical elimination, but on the wire of the Blues in quarters by the holders of the title New Zealand (12-7), there was no miracle in San Francisco for the French women who, for their first World Cup final, also suffered the hard law of the Black Ferns, their pet peeve (29-0).
            

It was dark night for the French teams last night in San Francisco. After the big blue of a Saturday almost spotted for rugby 7 tricolor, whose two teams engaged in this World Cup remained in contention. Between the Blues, who filled their contract by slipping into the quarterfinals – a result far from being acquired after a 11th place on the world circuit this season – and French women capable of creating an unprecedented feat.

France coach David Courteix gets a special celebration from his side after winning silver at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/9TuJpnhUp1

– Rugby World Cup Sevens (@ WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018 [19659005] Never a team from France had reached a World Cup final. The girls of David Courteix did it, after a perfect course that allowed them to crush Japan (33-7) and then to dominate Canada (24-19), against which they had fallen at the tournament of Paris last month. But especially at the price of a superb "remountada" in the semifinals at the expense of the Australian Olympic champions and favorite grandissimes of this shock (19-12).

In the world's elite

But the walk turned out still too high in the final against the Black Ferns, who remain more than ever an insoluble problem for these Blue, swept (29-0, half-time: 15-0) also "enraged" (their nickname) they are. The title holders, in the wake of their star Portia Woodman, remain untouchable. But the teammates of Fanny Horta, now installed in the square of the world's best nations, take a date for the future (*). This silver medal already had the gift of filling them, while waiting for better.

The future of their male counterparts remains more uncertain. But their Californian course is a promise, like this short setback (12-7, half-time: 0-7) against the New Zealanders, also World Champions in title, who were led to the break after the Paulin Riva's essay, but ended up imposing their law. As 5 years ago, New Zealand can aim for a double for both men and women.

@ lamane13 captain of # France7 : "The @ AllBlacks7s were better than us on details …" # RWC7s

▶ ️https: //t.co/HB0vnLxzKZ pic.twitter.com/lsYpw4qqQD

– World Rugby UK (@WorldRugby_UK) July 22, 2018

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(*) Anne-Cécile Ciofani and Lina Guerin are the 2 French players to be invited to the dream team of this 2018 World Cup.