Benazzi excited at France's rupture

Legendary French loose forward Abdelatif Benazzi is pleased to see his national side playing exciting rugby and is especially impressed with the new mentality in the French camp.

Legendary French loose forward Abdelatif Benazzi is pleased to see his national side playing exciting rugby and is especially impressed with the new mentality in the French camp.

Speaking on the back of France's double winning-weekend start to the Six Nations, Benazzi, who won 78 caps for France, had nothing but good things to say about new coaches Marc Lièvremont, Emile N'Tamack, Didier Retière.

However, despite exciting wins over Scotland and Ireland, Benazzi believes it's a little too early to pass judgment on the new set-up. Like the new coaching staff, he views the current situation in its broader, long-term perspective.

“It's a little hard to start drawing conclusions after only two matches but the overall impression is a positive one. We see players who are experimenting, ready to fight for the ball. Even if defeats come, and inevitably they will one day, this new vision pleases me a lot, ” he told lesite.

“The coaches demand attacking rugby. That's part of the French culture, the players are inevitably going to progress with each outing in this new framework, ” he said.

Many pundits in the French press have been speaking of a “rupture (break from the past) with regards to the change in style compared to the Bernard Laporte era when “pas de faute” (no mistakes) was the mantra in the French camp.

Commenting on whether France needs such a drastic break from the past, Benazzi is of the opinion that it isn't fair to compare the two periods but that Lièvremont's policy of giving players more liberty is a step in the right direction.

“One shouldn't compare eras and we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. What is sure, is that we're not orienting ourselves towards conservative rugby. The new staff seem to want to stick to a certain playing philosophy, even if that means accepting loosing some matches. The will have to manage the intangibles and the consequences of this ambition.

“The style that is being put in place is very physically demanding, with a lot of running. That's not easy to reconcile with an already overloaded season. But it's the right choice. The day that they need it, in a decisive World Cup match maybe, les Bleus will have acquired certain reflexes in their style of play that will offer them the maximum amount of possibilities.

“All the messages that are continually being communicated, and all the playing time accumulated, will serve as a sort of endowment.”

Commenting on the France's poor second half performance against Ireland, Benazzi believes that it was to be expected.

“It's normal. Considering the attacking play and the energy spent in the first 50 minutes, it was foreseeable. Now we need to find the right doses. In the first year, that ambition is needed.

“For sure, if France loose four matches in a row, it will be interesting to see their reaction. For now, until the summer tour of Australia, it's reasonable to accept loosing some games. The players should enjoy the liberty that has been given to them. On the whole, without considering England, the French system remains superior to those of Scotland and Ireland.”

Commenting on Lièvremont's experimenting with new players, he agrees that now is the time to give youngsters a chance, that cooperation with the French clubs is vital and that the benefits of international exposure go both ways.

“It's a good thing, even if it's been bold sometimes. Some players might not be back, others might not be back right away, but the clubs will also benefit and be appreciated more. You can see it with Albi and Montpellier. The message is positive, the French team belongs to no one.

“If Brugnaut had hard time against Ireland, that match will benefit him later. The same for Faure, they've done a self-evaluation and it's a good point for their new status. I like the communication that's being put in place between the national team and the clubs with regards to this rejuvenation and blooding of young players.”

Benazzi, who was born in, and played for Morocco, is excited about the young Montpellier flanker and fellow African, Fulgence Ouedraogo.

“I really like Fulgence Ouedraogo. He looks like a good prospect in the loose forwards. I think Serge Betsen has found a good successor. François Trinh-Duc wasn't bad at all. Otherwise the Toulouse players are in great form and Bonnaire and Szarzewski are confirming their potential.

“It's a very good thing to have named [Lionel Nallet] captain. In his behaviour, his manners and his humility, he calms the group. One can feel that the guys want to follow him.”

France's next Six Nations game will be against England in Paris, and as always, the French are approaching the match against the old enemy with a healthy amount respect for their rivals. With memories of the World Cup fresh in their minds, all of France will be baying for their team to attack the English with new-found fervour.

“It's always the same with the English, they have a very direct style of play. They play conservative rugby that is relatively easy to read, but remains effective. Above all else, we must not fall into the trap of play their style of rugby but rather impose our speed. It's the lesson to be learnt from our defeat in the World Cup.

“Let's never forget that they're a team that fear the French. Let's play our game without fear or complexes and let's keep the smiles and the pleasure of progressing that's motivating the players.”