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<\/a> <\/p>\nFrance<\/a> have not suffered a defeat like Saturday\u2019s 81-12 thrashing by the Black Ferns in Hamilton for three decades.<\/p>\n As WXV Global Series<\/a> 2026 resumed, Whitney Hansen\u2019s side ran riot at FMG Stadium, scoring 13 tries to launch their home campaign in emphatically.<\/p>\n The last time Les Bleues lost by more than 60 points was at the 1996 Canada<\/a> Cup, when New Zealand<\/a> ran out 109-0 winners.<\/p>\n It was an inexperienced France team out on the turf, with many of the matchday 23 having five caps or fewer.<\/p>\n The squad was also without the world-class experience of Manae Feleu, Madoussou Fall Raclot and Pauline Bourdon Sansus.<\/p>\n \u201cI take full responsibility for the fact that I\u2019m the one who put them on the pitch,\u201d Ratier said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re doing the best they can with the abilities they have, but I\u2019m the one who selected them \u2013 I want that to be clear. I take ownership.<\/p>\n \u201cThe players shouldn\u2019t be hanging their heads in shame; that\u2019s what we\u2019ve told them. That said, we did ask them to do their job this week, because they do have a job to do.\u201d<\/p>\n France will have little time to dwell on the defeat. Next weekend, the two teams will meet again, this time at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei.<\/p>\n While downbeat, Ratier believes his squad must harness their disappointment and turn it into something positive if they are to enjoy long-term success.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce again, we\u2019re at the start of a new cycle,\u201d he said. \u201cIt really hurts. Honestly, it just sucks. One day we\u2019ll look back on this as just a moment in our journey. A bad moment. We have to turn it into something positive.\u201d<\/p>\n