'We're even a bit greedy': Galthie wants more after France's win over Japan
REACTION: France head coach Fabien Galthie praised the “energy and commitment” of his players at the end of a long season after cruising to an emphatic 42-15 Nations Championship win over Japan on Saturday in humid Tokyo.
Also read: France outclass plucky Japan
France scored six tries against a gritty Japan, who were ultimately outclassed by the Six Nations champions.
France finished their three July Tests with wins over Australia and Japan after a narrow defeat to New Zealand.
Galthie said his players “responded so well” to the long journeys for the Tests, which came at the end of a long and tiring season.
“Everything went smoothly, and above all, the energy and commitment of the players were magnificent,” he said.
“They were rewarded with the work they put in, and we produced a very strong performance today.”
The game kicked off in 28-degree Celsius heat and high humidity in front of more than 50,000 fans at Japan’s National Stadium.
France wing Theo Attissogbe said the team were prepared for the conditions after spending the week sweating it out in training.
“We switched off all the air conditioning in our hotel rooms and spent as much time as we could outside,” he said.
“We also trained at the same time as the match, and there was conditioning at halftime to keep the body cool.”
Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lamothe scored two tries each for France, with Alexandre Roumat and captain Maxime Lucu bagging the others.
“We took an enormous amount of pleasure in playing these matches, and the fact of visiting three countries, we had a constant smile on our faces,” Lucu said, despite the disappointment of the opening 32-34 setback in Christchurch two weeks ago.
“You could see that from day one, even though there was a lot of frustration and disappointment after the defeat in New Zealand.”
‘Greedy’ France
Japan went into the game after an opening win over Italy in Tokyo and a defeat to Ireland in Newcastle, Australia.
Kippei Ishida and Sojiro Otsuka both scored tries in the first half.
Coach Eddie Jones admitted France had dominated his team in the maul and in the aerial contest.
“I’m pleased with the commitment of the players today,” said the Australian.
“I thought they stuck at it, played hard, played together, didn’t give up.”
Both teams started with completely new front rows, anticipating a fierce physical contest.
France scored the opening try in the second minute as Lamothe rumbled over the line.
Japan hit back and briefly took the lead when Ishida turned on the afterburners in the 15th minute.
Jalibert, Roumat and Lucu then put France in full control, with Japan’s Harry Hockings sin-binned midway through the first half.
Japan gave themselves a lifeline when Otsuka scored a try four minutes before halftime.
Jalibert scored again two minutes into the second half, before Lamothe also got his second of the game less than 10 minutes later.
“You’d have to be blind not to see everyone’s performances,” said Galthie.
“We’re even a bit greedy – that match in New Zealand left us wanting more.”
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