In an audacious display of confidence, Joris Segonds, the fresh-faced fly-half for France, has casually dismissed the monumental leap to Test rugby as "not so hard" after his debut against the rugby giants, the All Blacks. During France's tour of New Zealand, despite a series defeat, Segonds stood his ground against the formidable All Blacks, even squaring off against the legendary Beauden Barrett.
Segonds, who faced Barrett in his first two caps, expressed admiration for his counterpart, "It’s evident that Beauden Barrett is class, and now that I’ve faced him, I’m even more convinced." The respect between the players was palpable, with Segonds securing Barrett's jersey as a cherished memento.
"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,"
Segonds revealed.The young Bayonne star wasn't shy about the challenges and excitement of facing the All Blacks. He found the intensity of the matches exhilarating, enhancing the thrill of his first Test appearances. "Having played against the All Blacks multiplied the pleasure tenfold of playing my first Test matches," he commented, reflecting on the close first Test where France nearly upset the world's second-ranked team.
Despite the eventual 3-0 series loss, Segonds saw the experience as a valuable test of character and a boost to the team's morale, especially given the makeshift squad France fielded due to other commitments. "Before the first Test, most of the selected players had only been working together for two weeks... Everything is very strategic," he acknowledged, noting the tactical nature of Test rugby.
Segonds admitted that while the Top 14 had prepared him well for the intensity of international play, the All Blacks' speed and ruck-clearing prowess were on another level. However, facing the haka was more inspiring than intimidating for him.
"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 shared.Though his introduction to Test rugby was baptism by fire, Joris Segonds's calm demeanor and quick adaptation suggest that France may have a new rugby stalwart in their ranks.