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France has not faced a setback as severe as the 81-12 defeat to the Black Ferns in Hamilton for the last thirty years.
As the WXV Global Series 2026 continued, Whitney Hansen’s team dominated at FMG Stadium, recording 13 tries to begin their home series with great impact.
The last occasion Les Bleues suffered a loss by over 60 points was during the 1996 Canada Cup, where New Zealand emerged victorious with a staggering 109-0 scoreline.
The French squad that took the field was largely unseasoned, with many players in the matchday 23 holding five caps or even fewer.
The team also missed the elite experience of Manae Feleu, Madoussou Fall Raclot, and Pauline Bourdon Sansus.
“I accept complete accountability for the fact that it was my decision to put them out there,” Ratier remarked.
“They are doing their utmost with the skills they possess, but I am the one who chose them – I want that to be clear. I take full ownership.
“The players shouldn’t feel ashamed; that’s the message we’ve conveyed to them. However, we did ask them to fulfill their responsibilities this week, as they do have roles to play.”
France will not have a lot of time to ponder the defeat. The two teams are scheduled to face each other again next weekend at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei.
Despite feeling low, Ratier is convinced that his team must convert their disappointment into something beneficial if they aim for long-term success.
“Yet again, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new cycle,” he explained. “This honestly hurts. It just feels terrible. One day, we’ll reflect on this as just a moment in our journey. A challenging moment. We must find a way to transform it into something constructive.”
France’s early experiences under Ratier have indeed shown sharp contrasts. Back in May, the team headed into the final weekend of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations in pursuit of a Grand Slam, only to be decisively defeated by the Red Roses in Bordeaux.
During the WXV Global Series, they have faced two losses against the Black Ferns, a narrow contest with the Wallaroos, and a victory against a struggling Canada team in La Rochelle.
Thus, it remains hard to determine France’s actual capabilities, especially considering their extensive list of unavailable players.
“At this moment, clearly, no one feels pride or satisfaction with the result,” Ratier said. “We are experiencing shame; that’s not the image we intended to convey.
“Apart from the reality that our rivals dominated, showcasing a distinct difference in performance, they were simply superior to us. We played in a manner contrary to how we should have, which complicated matters immensely.”
