TWO France players to RETIRE after Springbok defeat

Prop Uini Atonio and lock Ronan Taofifenua will retire from Test rugby, according to France coach Fabricien Galthie, following their quarterfinal loss to the Springboks on Sunday.

Taofifenua and Atonio are both 33 years old.

The Springboks defeated the home team, France, 29–28 in the Stade de France to eliminate them from the Rugby World Cup.

Galthie declared that the two forwards would be putting up their boots after the last whistle.

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Galthie’s contract expires in June 2028, although he declared he would not be leaving his position.

Following their quarterfinal defeat to the Springboks on Sunday, France coach Fabricien Galthie announced that lock Ronan Taofifenua and prop Uini Atonio would retire from Test rugby.

Atonio and Taofifenua are both 33 years old.

In the Stade de France, the Springboks overcame the French squad 29-28 to knock them out of the Rugby World Cup.

The two forwards, according to Galthie, will be hanging up their boots following the last whistle.

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Galthie’s employment is up in June 2028, despite his declaration that he wouldn’t be departing.

France head coach Galthie backed his skipper’s opinion but chose not to single out New Zealand match official O’Keeffe.

“I understand the players’ frustration,” Galthie said.

“I understand there is lot of frustration, emotion, it’s difficult to digest.

“I will accept it, as it’s already happened, the decisions,” he added.

France led by three points at half-time before South Africa introduced experienced halfbacks Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk.

Etzebeth forced over the line, with French defenders practically hanging off him, for a crucial try in the final 20 minutes before Pollard kicked a conversion and a penalty.

“The refereeing doesn’t take anything away from the South African performance,” Dupont said.

“They played really well in the second half. They dominated us up front,” 2021’s World Rugby player of the year added.

Three of South Africa’s tries result from putting boot to ball.

“They used high kicks well,” Galthie said.

“It gave them good moments.

“We prepared for it but they were efficient. The game came down to one point,” he added.

After the loss, Galthie declared that lock Romain Taofifenua and prop Uini Atonio would give up playing Test rugby.

However, the coach, whose contract is valid until June 2028, declared he will continue in his position.

Since taking over as head coach in December 2020, he has completely changed France’s fortunes, guiding them to a 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam and just one home loss.

“Over the past four years up until today, and today we wrote a great page in French rugby’s history,” he remarked.

“The team, the players, and the federation should be proud.

We didn’t receive the desired outcome, therefore we can also be sorry, he continued.