Will France win the Rugby World Cup? We’re completely crazy, you might say. But no, it’s actually current. With victory against Japan this Friday in the third and final group game of the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup, the French have secured their ticket to the semi-finals and can continue to hope to win the World Cup.
The Blues had their fate in their hands heading into this clash against the Japanese. After a defeat against the United States and a win against New Zealand, France needed to win against the Japanese favorites to reach the last four of this competition held in Paris. Thanks to a great performance and fantastic composure at the end of the game, the Blues accomplished their mission brilliantly (50-49). In the semi-finals this Saturday in the Georges-Carpentier Hall in the 13th arrondissement, France will face Canada and Australia will face Japan. On Sunday the final will take place at the Accor Hôtel Arena (12th century). Tickets are still available in advance for 10 euros.
There are completely different rules than rugby
Wheelchair rugby has been a Paralympic event since 1996 and is very different from the rugby we have seen at the Stade de France and other pitches in France since September 8th. But the athletes don’t spare themselves. Contacts can be particularly tough and it’s not uncommon for competitors to fall on their side.
One of the main differences is the playing surface. Stepping off the long rectangular lawn, these rugby players are playing on a basketball court. The ball is also not the same as it is a volleyball. A game lasts four eight-minute periods. Each team can put four players on the field and eight on the bench.
The rules are borrowed from various sports. Thus, in wheelchair rugby, the basketball clock was used because a player cannot carry the ball for more than ten seconds in a row, a team has twelve seconds to cross the center of the field and forty seconds to score a goal. As in ice hockey, a prison was set up to punish players who made a mistake. Finally, unlike rugby, forward passes are allowed. The goal is to score a point by crossing the opponent’s line. In total, around a hundred points are scored during a game.
The Paralympic podium in the viewfinder
And in this little game, France is doing quite well: sixth in the world rankings, the Blues are hoping to finish in the top three and fight for a place on the podium at the Paralympic Games. “France is starting to gain a foothold in the big leagues with the Anglo-Saxons and the Japanese,” confirmed Ryadh Sallem, a member of the team, at the start of the competition. We are here and we will be here for a long time. I think we have to count on France for the big international events. »
This international cup, equivalent to the World Cup, proved Ryadh Sallem right. While the United States came to Paris as heavy favorites to finish first in the world, they will not even reach the semi-finals, thanks to a French team in excellent form. The Blues only have two games left to reach the Holy Grail. And to establish themselves as favorites for the next big event in just over ten months at the Grand Palais Éphémère.
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