It was a sickening evening in the stands of the Stade de France. A bit humid cold, we sit for a long time without moving, we forgot the hat and mittens at home, and now we start the week with blocked sinuses for a while. It was also an evening to get sick on the lawn of the Saint-Denis enclosure.
A nasty cold, the one caused by a gust which blew over the left wing of the French attack, and which carried away Anton Lienert-Brown and Sevu Reece. A burst named Louis Bielle-Biarrey, came to blow away the two men in particular and the All Blacks overall to allow the Blues to take the advantage.
We were playing the 51st minute, and the Stade de France screamed, screamed, and screamed again with each meter taken by the Bordeaux-Bègles winger on his two opposite sides, although not the slowest on the plane New Zealander for this tour. Thomas Ramos had just hit a ball that had fallen from the opposing team’s hands. And “LBB” did the rest, rushing like crazy to leave two and three-quarter All Blacks behind him and come to flatten in what became his corner of the pitch at the Stade de France after his double, in the same area, he a week ago against Japan.
His ninth try in 13 selections, the one which allowed the Blues to make the break (51st), during the victory of the XV of France, this Saturday, November 16, for a young man of 21 years old in a very hurry. On the pitch, as in the locker room of this French team, where his status and his rating have continued to rise for a year and a half. Called up for the first time in January 2023 for the French team. First appearance in a preparation match for the World Cup against Scotland where he had – already – scored. And finally, the youngest French international to start a World Cup match in September 2023 against Uruguay.
A decisive tackle on Will Jordan
Louis Bielle-Biarrey had reached a milestone in this World Cup at home, ignoring Gabin Villière to become a starter for the rest of the competition, until this cursed quarter-final against the Springboks, where he seemed, for the first time, overwhelmed by the challenge. But his trajectory in blue was not slowed down by this South African pitfall.
The player, comfortable and relaxed in front of the media despite his inexperience, once again asserted himself during the difficult moments of the Six Nations Tournament this year. With this test, already at the end of a crazy sprint, to allow the French team to win in Scotland in February. Making him even more of an essential part of the Blues attack with his partner from Bordeaux-Bègles, Damian Penaud.
This last patient, Bielle-Biarrey has become the main arrow of the Blues, the one who loves balloons. Like against Japan a week ago. The one we use to go very quickly and very far. The young man also knows how to defend: he showed it with the Gironde club in April, with a splendid save against Clermont, and again against the All Blacks with a superb intervention at the end of the line on Will Jordan on a try opportunity New Zealand.
“LBB” brought the Stade de France to its feet one last time this Saturday evening. Another long sprint. More screams. Another thrill in the New Zealand defense. But there was no attempt at this final offensive. It was already magnificent. It would have been incredible.
