France's players took control after Tonga defeat

The French players took control of their rugby union World Cup campaign after a humiliating loss to Tonga and ignored coach Marc Lievremont, veteran No8 Imanol Harinordoquy told respected French rugby publication Midi Olympique on Monday. The 31-year-old - who rebounded from an opening blast by Lievremont after the pool match with Japan to being one of their outstanding players in the 8-7 World Cup final defeat by the All Blacks - added he wouldn't miss Lievremont, who has been replaced by Philippe Saint-Andre. Harinordoquy, who was appearing at this third World Cup, said the final breaking point for the players came after they had lost 19-14 to minnows Tonga in a pool match. "From that match on, I did not attach any importance as to what Marc said," Harinordoquy said. "We decided to take matters into our own hands. It was imperative we distanced ourselves from him." Harinordoquy, whose words will echo with those of his footballing compatriots at last year's World Cup finals where they at one point went on strike, said that Lievremont should have kept his remarks about him and other players behind closed doors. Harinordoquy, who said he was looking forward to continuing his international career under Saint Andre, added that the players had gone to Lievremont, who referred to them at one point as brats, to try to improve his communication with them. "He allowed himself to hang our dirty washing out to dry in public," said Harinordoquy. "No-one within the squad, or anyone else outside it found this normal." Harinordoquy, who has been a member of three Six Nations Grand Slam winning sides, said that Lievremont's lack of experience as a top level coach prior to his taking over the reins after the 2007 World Cup had not helped. "He lacked a detached view, and experience," said Harinordoquy, who has also won two French league titles with Biarritz. "He also lost his cool with us far too often. He went too far and after that I felt lost. "I will not miss him."