Player ratings: French flair
The biggest positive from the match is that the French seemed to have regained their flair – with some sweeping movements the highlights.
Jan de Koning rates the French players!
15 Brice Dulin:
He seemed to beat defenders with ease, but still conceded far too many turnovers.
6/10
14 Noa Nakaitaci:
Another player who is impressive with ball in hand, but lacks the overall skill to make the impact expected of him.
6/10
13 Remi Lamerat:
Was well marked by the New Zealand defence, but made some big hits of his own.
6/10
12 Wesley Fofana:
Was a disappointing day by his usual high standards.
5/10
11 Virimi Vakatawa:
A monster with the ball in hand, but his workrate off the ball is not what you expect of an international wing.
6/10
10 Camille Lopez:
He showed some great game management and was solid on defence, but spoilt a great game with two turnovers.
6/10
9 Maxime Machenaud:
Another masterclass from the scrumhalf, who is everything that is good about this French team.
7/10
8 Louis Picamoles:
He had his moments, but generally a very disappointing day at the office.
5/10
7 Kevin Gourdon:
By some distance France's best forward – in terms of workrate, defence and taking up the ball.
8/10
6 Charles Ollivon:
Tended to disappear at times.
5/10
5 Yoann Maestri:
Lasted only 15 minutes. Not enough time to be rated.
4 Sebastian Vahaamahina:
Made all his tackles and worked hard off the ball. Some impressive carries as well.
6/10
3 Uini Atonio:
Very energetic and talented player, but still raw and far from the finished product. Spoilt a good game with too many turnovers.
5/10
2 Guilhem Guirado:
Does the basics well, but could improve his workrate.
6/10
1 Xavier Chiocci:
Outside of the scrums there is not much to enthuse about.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Camille Chat (on for Guirado, 70th min)
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Cyril Baille (on for Chiocci, 61st min)
Poor workrate and conceded a penalty.
5/10
18 Rabah Slimani (on for Atonio, 61st min)
Did his work in the set pieces, but struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.
5/10
19 Julien Le Devedec (in for Maestri, 15th min)
Not in Maestri's class and made far too many mistakes.
4/10
20 Damien Chouly (on for Picamoles, 68th min)
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Baptiste Serin (in for Machenaud, 48th min)
Showed why the French are racing so much about his skills.
6/10
22 Jean-Marc Doussain:
Not used.
23 Gael Fickou (on for Lamerat, 61st min)
Made his tackles and had a couple of decent carries.
5/10
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