Rookie France playmaker Joris Segonds has opened up on the experience of taking on the All Blacks on Les Bleus’ recent tour of New Zealand and said the step up to Test rugby was not so hard.
The All Blacks sealed a 3-0 series triumph after notching victories in Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton and Segonds was handed his Test debut in the first game before also wearing the number 10 jersey in the next encounter.
The 28-year-old gave a good account of himself in the series and going head-to-head with two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett in the first two matches was a definite highlight for the Bayonne star.
“It’s evident that Beauden Barrett is class, and now that I’ve faced him, I’m even more convinced,” Segonds told Midi Olympique. “Playing at this level at 34 and after a 12-year Test career is something.
‘He’ll have a nice place at my home’
“I made a point of swapping my jersey with his after the first Test. I’m going to frame it; he’ll have a nice place at my home.”
France head coach Fabien Galthie received plenty of criticism after he left several of France’s first choice players at home with most of them plying their trade with Top 14 finalists Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles.
Although Les Bleus failed to win a Test, facing the All Blacks in New Zealand was a terrific experience for Segonds.
“Having played against the All Blacks multiplied the pleasure tenfold of playing my first Test matches,” he said.
“The first Test in Dunedin left us all with a taste of unfinished business, especially finishing within four points of the No.2-ranked side in the world.
“It was a test of character for all of us, and we rose to it.”
Despite facing the men in black with an understrength Les Bleus team, Segonds revealed that the challenge of taking on the All Blacks boosted the resolve of France’s players and they came close to causing an upset before eventually suffering a 31-27 loss.
“Before the first Test, most of the selected players had only been working together for two weeks. I joined them after the [Top 14] semi-final,” he added.
“So, I only had a few days of work to get up to speed with the others and learn the game plan.
‘Everything is very strategic’
“That was to play in New Zealand’s half and avoid mistakes. But during the series, we also realised that at Test level, there are no huge flights of fancy, everything is very strategic.”
However, Les Bleus failed to reach the high standards in the second Test in Wellington as they were comprehensively outplayed en route to a 43-17 defeat.
“There are no excuses here. After the first Test, we thought we could compete, but the second Test brought us back to Earth,” said Segonds.
“We were dominated from the start, and against them, when you concede three or four tries in quick succession, it’s impossible to come back into the game.
“We tried to pick ourselves up in the second half, but it was too late.”
Segonds was not involved in the third Test in Hamilton but France delivered another competitive performance although the All Blacks clinched a series whitewash when they notched a 29-19 victory.
He said making the adjustment to international rugby was easier due to the intensity he had experienced playing in the Top 14. He admitted though that the All Blacks increased their speed when playing the ball, and they were faster in clearing from rucks than he was accustomed to.
“But, in terms of intensity, our championship is very similar to a Test match. The past season in the Top 14 helped me a lot to prepare for these first Tests.”
Facing the haka for the first time was all he had heard about from family and friends since being selected.
“It’s impressive, but I find it more motivating than scary, actually. Being able to face them and look them straight in the eye really stimulated me before the match,” he revealed.
“The more I watched the All Blacks, the more I was looking forward to the fight.”