Ntamack: New Zealand tours are unique

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France flyhalf Romain Ntamack hopes to fulfil his “dream” of touring New Zealand even if it means missing out on a Top 14 final with Toulouse.

Les Bleus claimed a second Six Nations title under Fabien Galthie with Saturday’s win against Scotland, but next up for them is a daunting tour of New Zealand in July.

Galthie’s side have three Tests against the All Blacks but there are doubts about the quality of squad he will be able to select.

The French Rugby Federation and the country’s professional clubs announced in August that no players involved in the Top 14 final on 28 June will be selected for the tour.

Top 14 holders Toulouse and their all-star side, including 25-year-old Ntamack, are currently top of the log, while Bordeaux-Begles, with their thrilling backline, are second.

One certainty is the absence of Ntamack’s halfback partner Antoine Dupont after the talisman was ruled out for six to nine months with a serious knee injury.

“I don’t know what’s exactly possible or not, if those in the final are allowed to go to New Zealand,” Ntamack told reporters after the 35-16 win over Scotland. “It’s my dream to play there so if I’m lucky enough to go, even if the club are in the final, it will obviously be a pleasure.”

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New Zealand Rugby is understood to be frustrated by the idea of welcoming a weakened team to its shores in a few months’ time.

Meetings between France and the All Blacks are part of rugby folklore, especially at World Cups. However, France have beaten New Zealand on their own turf just four times since their first visit in 1961.

“Maybe there’s an exception to be done with the tour because it’s quite exceptional to go and play in New Zealand,” Ntamack said. “Final or no final, if I go it will be a pleasure because tours of New Zealand are unique.”

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Since Galthie took over as France head coach in late 2019, mid-year tours have been restricted to second or even third-choice players.

Last July’s scandal-hit series in South America was littered with debutants, while their three-game visit of Australia in 2021 included game time for players from the French second division.

“We have no news on that for now. I’ll leave the coaching staff to answer it,” Ntamack’s club and Test teammate Thomas Ramos said. “Maybe there are players who will go, those who won’t. We have less certainties compared to previous years.”

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The 29-year-old Ramos finished the Six Nations campaign as France’s record point-scorer, overtaking Frederic Michalak’s 436 haul.

“It was the icing on the cake to beat Fred’s record,” said Ramos, whose 20-point tally against Scotland took him to 450. “It’s a great moment of pride to surpass a player like that, a player who I admired when I was small. I’m happy but I don't want to finish there.

“We’re all competitors, so from time-to-time individual rewards do some good but my priority will always to be win titles for the team.”

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

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