Rugby World Cup: France's Cameron Woki labels performance 'unacceptable'
Last Updated: 15/09/23 9:26am
Santiago Arata is tackled by Romain Taofifenua, a challenge which resulted in a yellow card and sin bin punishment for the French player
France lock Cameron Woki labelled his team's showing as "unacceptable" after Les Bleus were penalised 15 times in their 27-12 victory against Uruguay at the World Cup on Thursday.
Coach Fabien Galthie had made 12 changes to the team who beat New Zealand in the tournament's opening match and the reserves failed to rise to the occasion, although the coach was satisfied with the win.
"Fifteen penalties is huge. It's unacceptable at international level, we're lucky to win after being penalised so many times," said Woki, who started against the All Blacks in a match France finished with only four penalties against them, prevailing 27-13.
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France eventually saw off Uruguay to bank a 27-12 World Cup Pool A victory in Lille, as Romain Taofifenua controversially avoided a red card. (Picture credit: RWCL)
On another night, France could have also been playing most of the match a man down after a high challenge from lock Romain Taofifenua on Santiago Arata was deemed only to be a yellow card after a review in the bunker by the TMO, Welshman Ben Whitehouse.
"We had worked hard [on discipline], we wanted to do something good and we just showed we were an ill-disciplined team", said Woki.
Cameron Woki suggested that France were 'lucky' to secure victory
"It's very frustrating.
"We struggled in the scrums, we knew we were better but then we were not patient - we have to be patient."
Galthie: 'We did not play to make a statement'Galthie said it was his players who were frustrated as he showed some understanding, saying it was "tough for them, emotionally, because they wanted to do well".
"Our plan is in motion, it's a long journey and every game is a test that is important for our life as a squad," he said after what was arguably one of the worst performances in his 41 tests in charge.
"You might say it's disappointing but I'm happy with the victory.
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Watch the best of the action as France beat New Zealand 27-13 in the Rugby World Cup opener.
"The players might be frustrated for various reasons but sometimes you can be surprised by your opponent when you don't know how they have prepared.
"We did not play this game to make a statement.
"We were bothered by a team who implemented their strategy but in the end we won."
France, who lead Pool A with eight points, next face Namibia on September 21 in Marseille.
