Laporte: French can still be proud
Laporte will now begin a role as sports minister in the French government
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Sunday, 14, Oct 2007 10:02
France coach Bernard Laporte says his players can still be proud of their achievements at the World Cup despite losing to England in the semi-final.
Laporte felt his team did not capitalise on the chances they created and that those situations proved to be the difference between the two sides.
He said: "We put our heart and soul into this competition and this game. We are a great rugby nation, and the players can hold their heads up high."
Twice in the second half Les Bleus got to within a few meters of the England try line but were kept out by a combination of last-ditch tackling and poor French handling.
Speaking about Sebastien Chabal's chance ten minutes from time, Laporte said: "Semi-finals always come down to little things. That one came down to nothing."
Having lost their opening fixture to Argentina, France had to beat tournament favourites New Zealand just to reach the semi-final. Laporte claims that given the circumstances his players still represented themselves well.
"When you see the path that we followed, you can say we did well," said the coach, adding: "It stops tonight but I don't think it was a bad World Cup by us."
Captain Raphael Ibanez praised Jonny Wilkinson for his two late kicks which won the game for England.
"You have to recognise the cool of Wilkinson. In these important moments, he is a great player, that's all you can say," added the French hooker.
France have now lost to England at the semi-final stage of the last two World Cups and become only the second host nation, along with Wales, not to qualify for the final.