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    • “In New Zealand, they called me “forward pass””
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    “In New Zealand, they called me “forward pass””

    Pabio Posted on

    Some memories last a lifetime, and the Rugby World Cup 2007 quarter-final against New Zealand in Cardiff is one of them. “I remember exactly where I was when I watched that match,” says Mathieu Bastareaud on BastaShow.

    To open the third season of the program, visible exclusively on RugbyPass TVthe former French international center invited his friend Frédéric Michalak (42 years old) – 77 caps as fly half for the French team and since become assistant coach of Racing 92 – to look back on rugby news and share his memories.

    Inevitably, in this nearly 50-minute interview, the conversation turns to the 2007 Rugby World Cup – Michalak’s second, after Australia in 2003 – and the legendary confrontation in Cardiff against the All black people. The match remains iconic from start to finish, from the haka response to the 18-20 victory after the Blues trailed 13-3 at half-time. That unforgettable day was October 6, 2007.

    “I often get chills when I meet French supporters and they come up to me to talk to me about this 2007 match,” says the player. “They tell me: ‘When you played the All Blacks, you were all in blue-white-red, all one meter from each other.’

    “I don’t really remember who decided to wear the blue-white-red and move forward. But we were all united on this. We had to create a surprise and show that we, France, were moving forward.

    “There was a broader message than just rugby, and it gave us a real boost. When you look at the World Cup as a whole, we didn’t really play, except for that match.

    Damien Traille’s pass

    There was another moment that left a lasting impression on generations of rugby fans across the world: a small but crucial moment that led to the Blues’ second try, marking their comeback.

    It was 68th minute of the game. France was trailing 18-13 and Michalak had just entered the field alongside Christophe Dominici.

    Following a melee, Damien Traille was first addressed by the center Luke McAlisterthen by Richie McCawwhich brought him to the ground. Despite this, Traille managed to free the ball and pass it to Michalak, who was there to support him. A few meters later, Michalak is tackled by Nick Evansforcing him to pass to Jauzion, who then scores.

    The try was validated by referee Wayne Barnes, but slow-motion footage shown around the stadium suggested Traille had sent a forward pass to Michalak. Seventeen years and one month later, the mystery remains unsolved.

    “After the World Cup, I went to South Africa playing for the Sharks,” Michalak recalls. “And when we went on tour, we played against the Auckland Blues and others. When I first set foot in New Zealand, everyone called me “Forward Pass”. Imagine how much this affected them! »

    A question of angle

    Looking back, Michalak has his own vision of the action: “Damien Traille makes a pass. He advances, but he is tackled. And when he is tackled, we see the ball move forward slightly. Depending on the camera angle, you might think it’s a forward pass. But it all depends on the camera angle.

    “A bit like Etzebeth’s interception attempt,” notes Bastareaud, referring to the 2023 World Cup quarter-final between France and South Africa.

    “For Joe Rokocoko (who started on the wing that day, editor’s note), he thinks it was forward. For my part, there is no forward pass,” laughs Fred Michalak.

    Vincent Clerc’s magic kick

    Another moment from Rugby World Cup 2007 that went down in history was Fred Michalak’s kick sent from the outside towards Vincent Clerc against Ireland, a decision many believed to be the result of careful practice. However, the former fly-half shatters the myth: ‘He was pure inspiration,’ says Fred Michalak on BastaShow.

    “Above all, I think Vincent and I had a good understanding since our time together at the club. These connections with clubs can sometimes make these moments possible.

    “At that point I noticed their winger was defending inside Ronan O’Gara. I think their strategy was for the last row to hide behind the “third curtain”. But he got a little too carried away, pushing too hard in the melee. With Vincent, it was above all about creating a beautiful piece.

    Pabio
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