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PARIS - France first five-eighths Frederic Michalak expressed frustration on Wednesday over coach Bernard Laporte's tactics in their World Cup semi-final defeat by England where the hosts looked a shadow of their flamboyant selves.
"We were given instructions and we had to follow them," said Michalak, who came on as a substitute in Saturday's 14-9 loss to the holders that ended France's dream of a triumph on home soil.
Instead of picking Michalak, a symbol of French flair, Laporte chose Lionel Beauxis to start the match at number 10 because he is a powerful kicker.
Laporte, who will step down after the World Cup to become a junior minister for sport, faced criticism after France stuck to poor place kicking and failed to spark the moves they would have needed to destabilise England.
Laporte opted for the same game plan that had worked in the quarter-final win over New Zealand but France fell short.
A penalty and a drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson in the last five minutes consigned the French to Friday's third-place playoff against Argentina and they will have to watch England and South Africa battle it out for the title the next day.
"There was no evolution in our game and we were predictable in some areas," Michalak told reporters. "It could have worked, it came down to very little."
The 25-year-old, who will win his 50th cap on Friday, said it had been a pleasure to work under Laporte.
By Patrick Vignal
PARIS (Reuters) - France first five-eighths Frederic Michalak expressed frustration on Wednesday over coach Bernard Laporte's tactics in their World Cup semi-final defeat by England where the hosts looked a shadow of their flamboyant selves.
"We were given instructions and we had to follow them," said Michalak, who came on as a substitute in Saturday's 14-9 loss to the holders that ended France's dream of a triumph on home soil.
Instead of picking Michalak, a symbol of French flair, Laporte chose Lionel Beauxis to start the match at number 10 because he is a powerful kicker.
Laporte, who will step down after the World Cup to become a junior minister for sport, faced criticism after France stuck to poor place kicking and failed to spark the moves they would have needed to destabilise England.
Laporte opted for the same game plan that had worked in the quarter-final win over New Zealand but France fell short.
A penalty and a drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson in the last five minutes consigned the French to Friday's third-place playoff against Argentina and they will have to watch England and South Africa battle it out for the title the next day.
"There was no evolution in our game and we were predictable in some areas," Michalak told reporters. "It could have worked, it came down to very little."
The 25-year-old, who will win his 50th cap on Friday, said it had been a pleasure to work under Laporte.
- REUTERS
