2014 6 Nations: Wales vs France (Round 3)

[BRSTLDRGN]

I think the Welsh pack has to be given a lot of credit. They went from a tired and clumsy performance in Ire to an intense performance against a decent French pack. As the Ire game show, you stop a teams go forward and back lines tend to stutter. Webb looked to move the game quicker and this bought time for Priestland to get the backs moving. I think Biggar would be a better option at 10. I thought Ball also put in a decent performance.

I am seriously worried about North's defence at 13. I thought at times he was beaten far to easily, as he is used to having the touchline to defend with. It's something I hope is worked on before the next game. With out Jonathan Davies Wales really don't look all that creative or much less likely to break defensive lines. I didn't really see much of Cuthbert or Williams in attack, but this may have been because they were holding their positions rigidly.

We really have become the bogey team for France of late. I wonder which France will turn up in the next round??

True, he still defends like a winger. Admittedly the initial slipperiness of the surface didnt help but too often he shifted outside slightly and couldnt react inside fast enough. Overall he did well but the sooner we get him back to wing the better

 

[Big Ewis]

one of my concerns is Wen Lauret. He looked AMAZING against the AB in November and I thought we had another genuine flanker to pick from at national level for certain. He did exactly what PSA picked him to do, slowed down ruck ball, gave them dirty balls out of the ruck to deal, tackled ferociously and relentlessly and even carried with strength in heavy traffic. But he was less of a factor against the Boks, obviously with his weight in comparison (95kg vs 115/120kg monsters) he couldn't challenge the rucks too often, and since the injury to start 2014 he hasn't been very good.
He's not winning any turnovers anymore, he tackles hard still, but that's about it. Not nearly as imposing at the breakdown as we've seen him...

This match we really really missed bigger guys at the breakdown like Burban or Le Roux, and Dusautoir or Ouedraogo seriously could've helped...

We really need an enforcer at the breakdown, the rest of the forwards do a good job (first row, second row and Picamoles) but at 6 or 7 we really need an enforcer and I was hoping Burban would be that guy for us this tournament, but of course he had to go down again.
It'll be less of a challenge in Murrayfield, but against Ireland, boy, we better show up at the breakdown.

 

[big ginger 8]

Yes lets blame it on a lack of MASS! Not doing things that you'd get a ******ing for if you did on my school team. Saint Andre is a big problem but at the same time the whole attitude and simple dumbness of the players is sympomatic of a larger problem.

From Ronan O'Gara's experience with French rugby so far he seems genuinely shocked by how bad some of it is and how resigned the players are to it.

 

[Draggs]

Still in shock from Alan Rolland's performance. If I didn't already know he was cr*p I'd say he's still trying to say sorry for *that* red card.

Ok, now that's just ********. People are overstating the Rolland factor, and ignoring how simply awful France are ATM.

Ball is going to be a good one isn't he? His fitness levels were way low, but he didn't lack effort. Could see him making 2015 if he keeps it up.

 

[Big Ewis]

From Ronan O'Gara's experience with French rugby so far he seems genuinely shocked by how bad some of it is and how resigned the players are to it.

:lol: Ronan O'Gara ?! You mean the Irish Michalak whose last memorable play was that hilarious kick-pass in his own 22 that almost cost Ireland a Scottish try ? The same Ronan O'Gara who "coaches" the backs of Racing Metro, the single worst team in Europe in terms of quality-on-paper/results ratio this year ?
Is he *shocked* by the fact that two French sides were in the H Cup final last year and EASILY got there ? And that another side beat both those finalists and other good teams to win the Bouclier de Brennus that same year ? Is he shocked by neighbors Stade Français's quality this year ?

Pretty funny post there ginger. O'Gara can say anything he wants, but the team he's coaching is dysfunctional as fk and maybe he should focus on that a little.

 

[big ginger 8]

:lol: Ronan O'Gara ?! You mean the Irish Michalak whose last memorable play was that hilarious kick-pass in his own 22 that almost cost Ireland a Scottish try ? The same Ronan O'Gara who "coaches" the backs of Racing Metro, the single worst team in Europe in terms of quality-on-paper/results ratio this year ?
Is he *shocked* by the fact that two French sides were in the H Cup final last year and EASILY got there ? And that another side beat both those finalists and other good teams to win the Bouclier de Brennus that same year ? Is he shocked by neighbors Stade Français's quality this year ?

Pretty funny post there ginger. O'Gara can say anything he wants, but the team he's coaching is dysfunctional as fk and maybe he should focus on that a little.

Your complete lack of understanding actually illustrates my point nicely cheers. Your ignorance is astounding.

To quick points O'Gara isn't the backs coach he's the kicking coach and youth team coach. Also from the French team yesterday you've got three starters from the two teams that made it so easily to the final.

Anyway of course ignore every other point to go on about one comment from someone on the inside of French rugby. It's all really about MASS!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Your complete lack of understanding actually illustrates my point nicely cheers. Your ignorance is astounding.

To quick points O'Gara isn't the backs coach he's the kicking coach and youth team coach. Also from the French team yesterday you've got three starters from the two teams that made it so easily to the final.

Anyway of course ignore every other point to go on about one comment from someone on the inside of French rugby. It's all really about MASS!!!

good God ginger...you're so uselessly virulent...
I'd be a fool to answer this rationally. But yes, it's all about MASS. That much I can salute in that post of yours.

 

[Thingimubob]

I'm gonna guess that it's unlikely that we'll see North at centre for the England game? Beck should be match fit by then (ruled himself out saying he didn't feel ready apparently), plus was Davies rules out due to the injury or lack of match fitness? He came through that Scarlets game a few weeks back fine from what I heard.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Davies injured, apparently.
He was originally available but recurrence put him out - not sure whether it's a "it's not 100% so give it another week" type injury, or a "oh sh** it's torn again" type injury.

 

[dullonien]

Quick rating of the Welsh players:

01 Gethin Jenkins (8). Excellent all round display. Sin binned along with Mas at scrum time, but hardly his fault.
02 Richard Hibbard (7). Not at his barnstorming best, but lineout was much improved, and a more industrious display than against Ireland.
03 Adam Jones (7). Put in some good work in the loose, tackle on Picamoles stands out. Overall he got the best of his opposite number in the scrum, but gave away a few penalties in this area as well. Needs to watch his bind.
04 Luke Charteris (7). Very solid display, great work rate and a new nice little touches.
05 Jake Ball (7). Impressive first start. Did a lot of grunt work. Mostly solid at the re-start.
06 Dan Lydiate (7). Much, much better. Close to his destructive tackling best.
07 Sam Warburton (9). My MotM. Excellent in everything he did. Secured great tail ball at the lineout, put in some big hits in defence, turned over some ball and made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown, and took his try well.
08 Toby Faletau (7). Not as prominent as he can be, but did everything well.

09 Rhys Webb (7). Very solid first start. Added a zip to Wales in attack, and contributed well in defence (tackle on Picamoles stood out for me). Couple of slightly wayward kicks, but generally good there as well. Didn't see much of his running game, which is his main strength.
10 Rhys Priestland (6). A number of important tackles elevates his score. Otherwise he was a little quiet, with Webb supplying Roberts the ball directly on many occasions. Still not totally convinced with his tactical kicking game.
11 Liam Williams (6). Struggled to get involved, and didn't manage to catch Charteris' ambitious offload (admittedly difficult, but possible). Stood up well defensively though.
12 Jamie Roberts (8). Another industrious display. Wales' main source of go forward and crossed the gainline at will. Contained Fofana well.
13 George North (6). Mixed display. Started and finished first try well. Looked a little lost at times in the centre though, both in attack and defence. Struggled to contain Bastereaud. May have picked up an early injury which could explain some of it though.
14 Alex Cuthbert (6). Precious little opportunity in attack, didn't come looking for the ball as much as usual. Defended well, forcing Picamoles into touch on two occasions.
15 Leigh Halfpenny (7). Good place kicking display (missed one of the easiest of the night though). Solid aerially, and added a little in attack too. Still expect more from him though, especially going forwards.

 

[The Jones Boy]

I don't know what game you watched but I thought George North was waaaaaaaaaay better than a crappy 6.

 

[Big Ewis]

I don't know what game you watched but I thought George North was waaaaaaaaaay better than a crappy 6.

you know this post could only possibly qualify as trolling, right ? There's no potential quality in which this isn't objectively trolling.
Don't hate me, just displaying the cards on the table as they are...

 

[The Jones Boy]

Your post is trolling and thats all it is.
George North's involvement in a key try was there from beginning to end.
His positional play was a little off skew but he's a winger not a centre.
He was hungry for working and a he was a powerhouse on defence with gas to go on attack and support Roberts and co.
A crappy 6?
Thats plain harsh.
Take your French trolling nonsense and shove it in your training bag to burn it off on the practice pitch which is where your team needs to spend a chunk of time if they are to have any hope of doing more at the next RWC than just making up the numbers.

 

[Big Ewis]

Take your French trolling nonsense and shove jot in your training bag to burn it off on the practice pitch which is where your team needs to spend a chunk of time if they are to have any hope of doing more at the next RWC than just making up the numbers.

but...why would it have to be "french" trolling nonsense and not just trolling nonsense ? :lol: do you not realize how much of your stereotypical self you give away with posts like that ?! :lol:
And you go on talking to me about the World CUP happening in a year and how France may not be good in it, and all... my, my..

 

[The Jones Boy]

Ewis, you have lost the plot if you think I'm trolling AND if you think North wasn't worth more than a crappy 6 rating.

 

[dullonien]

I don't know what game you watched but I thought George North was waaaaaaaaaay better than a crappy 6.

Justified imo. He fell off a few tackles which should have resulted in at least one try. I know Basta is a difficult guy to bring down, but I'd expect a player of North's size to do so. His part in the first try was important, but not exactly a world class piece of centre play, just a good inside pass and chase of the kick.

I just thought he looked slightly uncomfortable, understandable given his limited professional game time at centre, but as he was started at centre, he's got to be judged on his performance there.

I think its good that he's getting game time in the centre against quality opposition, as it gives us more options in the future, especially when it comes to cover from the bench. It may not be necessary in future games, when North is back on the wing, to have a centre cover on the bench, opening up the possibility of having a real game changing winger/fullback if/when one emerges (Eli Walker for example).

 

[Big Ewis]

meh...don't see what I've left out from his performance...maybe a...6.5/7 ?
Not very important anyways. We're wasting each other's time.
Catch ya later you New Zealander pervert whose national team needs to really uhm focus hard on not choking come RWC time next year because they can't win away from home and yadi yada......*burp*

 

[FrenchFan]

Your post is trolling and thats all it is.
George North's involvement in a key try was there from beginning to end.
His positional play was a little off skew but he's a winger not a centre.
He was hungry for working and a he was a powerhouse on defence with gas to go on attack and support Roberts and co.
A crappy 6?
Thats plain harsh.
Take your French trolling nonsense and shove it in your training bag to burn it off on the practice pitch which is where your team needs to spend a chunk of time if they are to have any hope of doing more at the next RWC than just making up the numbers.

we very rarely just make up numbers at WC unless you have Alzheimer or maybe your head is shoved too far up your own arse. We'll knock you out again.

 

[Big Ewis]

we very rarely just make up numbers at WC unless you have Alzheimer or maybe your head is shoved too far up your own arse. We'll knock you out again.

though at this point this is incredibly off topic, wouldn't it be amazing if we met the AB's in the 1/4F and showed the Twickenham crowd a spectacle only France are capable of if you know what I mean ?
If we finish second in our pool, to say Ireland or a little less likely Italy, we meet NZ immediately in the 1/4F.
Of course in the meantime, we need to fire PSA and shape the FK up in terms of team chemistry !!

 

[gaston le gaff]

{Of course in the meantime, we need to fire PSA and shape the FK up in terms of team chemistry !!{

if only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!