Stick hits back at French claims about 'stolen' World Cup
PARIS, FRANCE: Emotions have been running high in Paris this week in the build-up to the Springboks’ highly anticipated clash with France, with compliments and accusations dominating the news.
There was talk of revenge, and that it is a grudge match.
But there were also compliments. Fabian Galthié, who oversaw Les Bleus’ heartbreaking 28-29 quarterfinal defeat to the Boks on home soil at the 2023 World Cup, said he has enormous respect for what Erasmus’ men have accomplished.
“We’re very proud of taking on this massive challenge,” Galthié said. “They’re maybe the best team ever.”
Perhaps the coach’s remark was meant to deflect attention away from a more provocative one – made by French scrumhalf Maxime Lucu, who spoke bluntly about the lasting sting of the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal.
“It was a massive defeat for us,” Lucu said of his team’s 28-29 loss at home.
“For us, the French people, it’s really stuck with us. It was our World Cup, and they came and stole it off us. It was such a great game.”
The Springboks’ last press conference of the week ahead of the game was held on Friday afternoon with Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, at the same time as the French captain’s run.
This meant French media had to choose between going to the Springbok hotel or staying at Stade de France after the Boks’ captains’ run, which took place in the morning.
A few attended the Springboks’ media opportunity as it was also an ideal moment to talk to Kolisi about his 100th Test match.
One question that came up was how the Springboks felt about Galthié’s compliment.
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Stick responded, saying: “It means a lot, coming from an expert in the game. He knows his rugby well. For him to give us that compliment, it’s a nice one.
“But from our side, we don’t talk much about that. The main thing for us is what is going to happen tomorrow.
“France has spoken about revenge during the week. But for us, we just want to make sure that we represent our people back at home. And we know everyone will be watching and supporting.
“The funny thing is I read that they said we stole the World Cup from them. You don’t steal something if you don’t have it.
“So, the comment made during the week – it’s been…again, we understand it,” Stick said, adding “they are playing at home, they want to make their people proud, so we’ve got respect for that.”
This might indicate that the comment by Lucu during the week might have touched a nerve in the Bok squad, adding some extra needle in the game at Stade de France.
His remarks set a tone of vindication for the upcoming contest: France are not just seeking a win, but resolution.
