The France rugby captain Thierry Dusautoir has rubbished reports there has been a split between coach Philippe Saint-Andre and his players on the eve of their World Cup quarter-final against the All Blacks.
Thierry Dusautoir and Morgan Parra of France after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between France and Ireland. Photo: Getty Images
"Since the start of the World Cup, the players and staff have been together and they will work together until the end of the World Cup," Dusautoir insisted this morning.
The 33-year-old skipper said he had "total confidence" in Saint-Andre, a former France captain who will step down after the World Cup.
The French media outlet L'obs Sport cited a "source close to the players" who said there had been a players' uprising against Saint-Andre after the team' 24-9 loss to Ireland and the players have been managing themselves and team selection since.
L'obs Sport suggests even the medical staff are giving their opinion on what should be done and the players don't know where to look.
The report said the French team were sworn to observe a code of silence on the trouble inside the camp.
"I don't know where that's come from, but you need to ask the person who wrote the article to tell us more," said Dusautoir this morning in response to the claims.
The journalist who wrote the article is not among the large travelling French press pack covering Les Bleus, penning the opinion piece from Paris.
"We've been preparing for this game against New Zealand with all the boys and coaches and manager," Dusautoir said
"It's a team that is ready to play against New Zealand. I don't really understand what people are talking about."
"It's not really my problem, I'm just focused on what we're doing."
Asked whether he had confidence in Saint-Andre, Dusautoir added, "Yes, totally. We are a team and we will continue our work as a team."
"The spirit is the same since the start, there's the same appetite."
Dusautoir said that "everyone's focused on playing this weekend, to win this quarter-final and to be there next week".
"What interests me most is getting through this round."
