Standing up to All Blacks haka was France’s platform for World Cup upset
CARDIFF, Wales: Standing eyeball to eyeball with the All Blacks during the haka set the tone for France’s memorable upset Rugby World Cup victory. France overturned a 13-0 deficit to beat New Zealand 20-18 Saturday and book a place in the semifinals against England. Before Saturday’s match, veteran flanker Serge Betsen thought it would be a good idea to show France meant business. So the players lined up right in the faces of the All Blacks during their aggressive pre-match ritual. “We wanted to show we were ready. The haka was a big moment. It was a way of challenging them face to face,” France prop Pieter De Villiers said Sunday. “Certain [French] players told me that some of the All Blacks looked away or lowered their eyes. In a way that was comforting. It hurt them mentally.” France manager Jo Maso said that he and coach Bernard Laporte accepted it was a risky move, but let the players go ahead because it showed they were highly motivated. “They asked to do it and we said ‘OK, as long as it stays respectful and not a provocation’”, Maso said. “It’s fantastic that they took the initiative to do this. It’s not every day that you confront the haka.” [...]
Here’s the most famous French rugby player (Sebastien Chabal):
He looks like Obelix.