PART of the reason Aurelien Cologni became coach of France was because it was important for a Frenchman to be leading his country again.
French rugby league was once a giant, but it’s been a tough few decades. The days of Puig Aubert and Elie Brousse and Jean Dop feel far away.
France’s list win over Australia came in 1978, their last triumphs against Britain and New Zealand came in 1990 and 1980 respectively.
Now, the keepers of the flame in France are focused on smaller victories. Putting up a credible performance against Australia on Friday night would be one such victory.
“We want to give maximum energy. We want to play proudly,” Cologni said.
“You have to learn, and when the game will be finished you will take some lessons.
“When we play against the Kangaroos our objective is to improve our level after the game.”
France coach Aurelien Cologni speaks to the media in Canberra.
Cologni took over the national side late last year and is the first Frenchman to lead his country to a World Cup since 1995.
Giving French rugby league back to the French is a crucial part of getting the once great footy nation back on its feet.
Previous France squads have been dotted with expatriated Australians who have taken up in the local league — this time only one member of the squad is naturalised.
Catalans Dragons have endured an up and down existence in Super League, but they recently staved off relegation and celebrated their 10th season. Another side, Toulouse Olympique, are pushing for inclusion in the top flight.
For the first time, Catalans have established an academy. Junior players in the under-16s and 18s train with Catalans then go back and play for their clubs.
The key is providing avenue for young Frenchmen to play at an elite level, creating a true and reliable pathway from the backyards of Perpignan to Test football.
Puig Aubert inspired France a successful period in the 1950s.
Skipper Theo Fages says he understands the challenges the game faces in his home country — it is constantly on the back foot to the twin giants of rugby union and soccer.
But the St Helens schemer says the players recognise the responsibility on their shoulders to promote and nourish their game.
“It’s still hard to grow out,” Fages said.
“All the young boys at school, they don’t want to play rugby league, they want to play football or rugby union.
“It’s a responsibility of us to make the game in France bigger and make the French squad bigger.
“It’s on the up, we’ve got a responsibility to make this happen.”
France skipper Theo Fages understands the challenges rugby league faces in France.
The impact of the loss to Lebanon last week is still hitting the French.
A win would have pushed them through to the quarter-finals for the second tournament in a row and given the sport a real boost in France.
But early errors and a lack of polish on the last tackle killed the French, and Lebanon stormed home on the back of NRL star Mitch Moses.
It’s something that livewire hooker Eloi Pelissier knows they must rectify, and finding the balance between the expansive footy that is the French way and controlling the football is the line the team will attempt to straddle.
“Less mistakes is one of the more important. If you don’t have the ball it’s too hard. In union you can throw the ball into touch or have a slow game,” Pelissier said.
“You cannot cheat on this game. If you make too many mistakes, especially against Australia, they will make you pay.
“We need to be happy to play against Australia, and not be afraid.”
Elon Pelissier fires a pass for France against Lebanon.
Pelissier is one of the most experienced players in a young squad who will be better for the run and will be a formidable force in four years.
Fages in particular shapes as a serious player for the French side for the foreseeable future. This is already his second World Cup and he’s rapidly become one of St Helens’ most creative players.
He’s a serious man, as halfbacks go anyway, and could one day write his name alongside the legends of the past.
Fages says the French talk about the glory days, but they never let it haunt them.
“We’re talking about it but there isn’t really a pressure to live up to it,” Fages said.
“The past is the past — they were great, we all know that.
“The game’s changed since then.”
Damien Cardace celebrates a try for France against Lebanon.
Rugby league has changed since the big three were a big four, and with the rise of Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea the changes will keep coming thick and fast at Test level.
But France are still here. Still alive, still letting the ball swing across the field the way they always have.
A heavy defeat is in the offing for Friday night’s match, and quite possibly for next week’s clash with England.
While it might be hard to see it if France go home winless, they’re on the up.
It might take 10 years or 20 or 50, but the glorious past of French rugby league could one day yet return.
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