The outgoing France coach, Philippe Saint-André, accepted responsibility for his side’s comprehensive defeat to a New Zealand team he called “the Brazilians of rugby”.
Saint-André’s four-year reign came to an abrupt end in Cardiff as the All Blacks ran in nine tries to secure an emphatic victory, and there were whistles emanating from the stands at the Millennium Stadium when Les Bleus’ coach appeared on the big screen after the final whistle.
After talk of a squad mutiny before the game, France crumbled under wave upon wave of attacks. But Saint‑André (above) praised his players for their effort and said he was ready to stand up and accept responsibility.
Asked if he felt ashamed, he said: “As the coach, yes of course. It is more than difficult. That being said, I want to thank my staff, the players who since the 5 July have been working extremely hard. I accept my responsibilities. I’ve taken a lot of blows over the past four years, but I’m ready to take more.
“They [New Zealand] are the Brazilians of rugby. They go fast and they won 80% of the game. They play with so much flair and skill. We congratulate them for their performance today. To be honest, you would rather be clapped than booed. But I’m mostly disappointed for the players today.
“I think in our sport we have to show dignity in victory and in defeat. We have to congratulate New Zealand for its exceptional performance. We knew that we would have to put a great doubt in them to be close to their score.”
Richie McCaw, the winning captain, said the 2007 defeat to France here did not play on his mind beforehand, other than the knowledge that if his side did not turn up they would be punished. The All Blacks will play South Africa in the semi-finals and Steve Hansen praised his players. “It was a pretty special performance, there’s no doubt about that,” the coach said. “There’s a difference between pool play and knockout play, if you don’t turn up you go home. Tonight we turned up.
“South Africa are great rivals and we’re good mates with them. It’s going to be a hell of a contest. I love playing South Africa because there’s a special relationship with that group, they are the team that New Zealand have had the greatest challenges with over many, many years.”
