Staying in a hotel with a view of the bustling platforms of Gare de l’Est, one can’t help but be reminded of the novelist Émile Zola. Though one might initially think of the former Chelsea player and Watford manager Gianfranco, it is Zola’s work that comes to mind. His books are filled with brutish, incredibly strong men who commit terrifying acts of violence, making it fitting to think about them as the Rugby World Cup’s quarter-final weekend approaches.
Zola’s work, while sensationalist and lurid, also delves into philosophical questions. Is human experience determined by free will or something predetermined? Are our lives like speeding trains, hurtling towards a predetermined destination? Or are they more like scooters unpredictably zipping along Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis?
If France’s destiny is to win the Rugby World Cup, the universe has placed a significant obstacle in their path. The upcoming match between the world-champion Springboks and the host nation feels like a final, with an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. It’s like two speeding locomotives on a collision course.
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, attempted to change the direction of the build-up with an entertaining and calculating media briefing. During the briefing, he covered everything from the threat of Parisian bedbugs to Fabien Galthié’s barefoot touch rugby sessions in Limerick.
Erasmus is a highly intelligent coach and a brilliant tactician who led the Springboks to victory in Japan four years ago. He has often publicly criticized referees when results didn’t go South Africa’s way, but he has now announced that peace has been made between the team and match officials. He expressed remorse for his past behavior and emphasized that they want to be liked.
However, Erasmus couldn’t resist making his own accusations, this time targeting France. He claimed that they are “very clever” in exaggerating high tackles by opponents to win penalties. This was a clever move to control the pre-match narrative and send a message to Sunday’s referee. It was also an attempt to disrupt Les Bleus in their preparation.
The challenge for Erasmus, as he acknowledged himself, is that Galthié’s team seems unflappable and in control of their emotions. This is a departure from the stereotypes of the French character. France’s attack is strong, and breaking down their defense under Shaun Edwards’ guidance will be one of the biggest challenges of Erasmus’ career.
Ultimately, though, it will be the players on the pitch who decide their own fate. Regardless of the pre-match sparring, both teams are in a good moment. And on Sunday night, it will be Erasmus and his tactics that become part of the text itself. Zola believed in determinism, but it’s the players who will ultimately shape their own destiny.
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