[2014 Mid-Year Test] Australia vs. France 07/06/14

[TRF Mr Fish]

Is Genia injured?

 

[Tahman15]

I would have liked to see Jones get a go in front of Carter. But in saying that I'm hoping to see Jones given a go in Melbourne and Skelton a go in Sydney. Apart from that i'd like to see the rotation of number 8's between Paul, McCalman and Higginbotham. The backline is as expected though.

I considered Jones ahead of Carter as well. Carter has been good but not quite at Jones' level plus he plays in a dominant team. Also I feel for Scott Sio he's been playing the house down and IMO he's better than Cowan. I also don't know what's so good about Paddy Ryan that sees him constantly getting picked. The scrum goes to crap when he's on. Anyway a relatively decent squad picked who should go alright though it does look like Link is experimenting.

 

[David Smith]

Is Genia injured?

Nope, Just been dropped. White and phipps are the form half backs

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I can't believe the best the Wallabies can do on the wing is Cummins and AAC (who I rate at 13 mind).

I don't mean to be dismissive or anything ... just that I've always rated the Wallabies backline and only recently and fresh in my mind are the times when Beale was in subime form at 15 and Ioane and JO'C were elusive runners on the wing with high workrates.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Nope, Just been dropped. White and phipps are the form half backs

But... It's White and Phipps :/

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

But... It's White and Phipps :/

My feelings exactly. Aus should still be favorites and this is a very capable side but somehow I just get the feeling that apart from Folau it is lacking some of that (and I hate the term) x-factor that one usually associates with Aussie teams; the kind of backline players that- working off each other or just individual brilliance- can break open a game despite the Aus forwards being on the back foot for most of the match.

 

[Tahman15]

I was really hoping Genia was going to get a start. He's been behind a pack that has been getting smashed while White and Phipps have been coasting behind packs who have been dominating. I really don't think Phipps deserves the bench spot ahead of Genia, Phipps has been good but his passing still isn't the best and Genia showed the other night what he can do. Though with some of his selections it looks like Link is experimenting a bit

 

[Darwin]

I'm surprised to see Genia miss out completely, and Carter getting the start, but apart from that it is a very predictable 23. I agree with Tahman that Sio should have been included (if only on the bench), and I would have preferred Jones over Carter (though I do think dropping Horwill from the starting lineup is the right choice - indeed I would have dropped him from the 23 altogether). It is good (from the Wallabies perspective) that Higginbotham is not included - he is a complete liability in my opinion.

I do feel the backline lacks a bit of 'x-factor' (as stormer2010 suggests) outside of Folau (and Foley to some extent). They should be pretty strong on defense though, and they have kicking options at 9, 10, and 12.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Surpised Genina and Higgenbottem aren't starting or even involved.

or is McKenzie starting to build the Gallows? I suppose win well and it was a great move I guess.

 

[Big Ewis]

haha "the Wobblies". Too bad to see Genia's form has degraded after being the best 9 in the world clearly...

 

[Tahman15]

I'm not really all that worried about this lack of X factor thing with the backline. Everyone is in form and it looks like a backline that can play well as a team and can score tries as team rather than relying on there own brilliance to score as we've seen previously. You have to remember this is basically the same backline as the one on the EOYT that scored a good lot of tries. Though I know this one doesn't have Cooper who I admit was a big cog in that backline. But Foley should do a good job as the fill in and he's shown he's a slightly less skillful and less unpredictable version of Quade that is more reliable in defense. I'm starting to look really forward to these tests. Go the Wobblies!!

 

[Gena_ZA]

Foley/Toomua combo could be very potent and Beale coming on later

 

[Big Ewis]

God, just how insane is it that Saint-André is picking Michalak to play ?! :lol: can't get over it, the more I read about it...the dude is almost 32 yo, he's washed up, he's ancient history, he had his time but now it's gone. The guy doesn't start for his team...in fact he doesn't even play substitute for his club !! And he's playing for France ! And add to that Trinh-Duc is alive and well and totally available in the most available of all availabilities.
Almost downright insane. Almost...seriously, soon, PSA may require 'help'.

 

[Jaguares]

I can't believe the best the Wallabies can do on the wing is Cummins and AAC (who I rate at 13 mind).

I don't mean to be dismissive or anything ... just that I've always rated the Wallabies backline and only recently and fresh in my mind are the times when Beale was in subime form at 15 and Ioane and JO'C were elusive runners on the wing with high workrates.

I think AAC is the most underrated player in the rugby history, the boy is nearly 90 caps with Wallaby jersey, one of the best national teams in our sport and has over 20 tries. He isn't a natural wing? Ok, but certainly is an interesting player with so much experience at the international level. I always want a player of those features on my team, he isn't the best winger in the world but always helps the team, someone who has 24 tries with Wallaby jersey, can play at winger, no doubt.

 

[Big Ewis]

So I just watched France's first interview session of its players. Huget says he's anticipating France to measure up Aus in the first test, get a good feel for their backs, because we know they like "to play", i.e. they have lots of intent on attack. So France needs to be organized enough and not go crazy and attempt anything outside the game plan, because off turnovers Aus will counter and put a bunch on that scoreline.
So I expect pretty boring Rugby from France in test 1 (at least). Sorry Oz, but we're just not nearly where we should be these days...we'll be happy if we can scrape one out of the grinder...and some good backs are missing on this tour...

Excitement wise, I'm counting on guys like Picamoles, Fofana, Huget and Dulin. Possibly Lamerat, the kid is REAL good, he's not just a battering ram center. We'll see if Fickou finally produces his big game in Bleus we've been waiting for.

 

[TheSaffycen]

So I just watched France's first interview session of its players. Huget says he's anticipating France to measure up Aus in the first test, get a good feel for their backs, because we know they like "to play", i.e. they have lots of intent on attack. So France needs to be organized enough and not go crazy and attempt anything outside the game plan, because off turnovers Aus will counter and put a bunch on that scoreline.

I look at Australia as a more organised France, both like to work on turnovers and use individual magic to score tries. Anyway has the France team been named ?

 

[Big Ewis]

I look at Australia as a more organised France, both like to work on turnovers and use individual magic to score tries. Anyway has the France team been named ?

that's not fair to the Wallabies. These guys have better attacking collectively than France and England put together, man. The fact that they've got such great athletic backs that can score on their own initiative doesn't negate that they put fantastic movements together every single match, regularly.
No France team named yet. I think Philippe Saint-André is too ashamed to show us what he's concocted yet...give him some time, he'll gather the courage to announce it eventually..

 

[RoosTah]

I can't believe the best the Wallabies can do on the wing is Cummins and AAC (who I rate at 13 mind).

I don't mean to be dismissive or anything ... just that I've always rated the Wallabies backline and only recently and fresh in my mind are the times when Beale was in subime form at 15 and Ioane and JO'C were elusive runners on the wing with high workrates.

Really? AAC has been carving all year and the Waratahs are in second position on the ladder (and will finish on top if they win their last three games because the Shawks have a bye coming) and are the leading try scoring team in the comp and have conceded the second fewest, and that is in no small thanks to AAC. Make no mistake too, like Horne, he's brilliant on the wing too. As for the Honey Badger, underestimate him at your peril ;-) . Although to be honest I reckon Rob Horne has been playing out of his skin and deserved it more...

As for the team more generally, I may be bias, but I reckon Phipps has been in stellar form for the Tahs - no other Australian half back gets the ball away more quickly and more accurately, and he's a great sniping running with good vision.

 

[David Smith]

I thinks it going to be good for the wallabies to have a solid 10,12,13 and NOT Flashy backs like Cooper, O'Connor and Beale. Look at the All Blacks for example. Over the years they used Carter, Nonu and Conrad. All solid players but aren't Flashy. Carter Doesn't throw 20 meter serial passes or behind the back passes or even put on a step,However plays a well rounded solid game and is considered the best in the world. Good luck France

 

[Big Ewis]

:lol: this 23 got me laughing a little bit. It seems like PSA and staff wanted to try everybody out at the same time and just shoved em all in a blender, drank the mix and then shat this out.

Criticism
- First of all: how the fk is Le Bourhis starting ?! It's his first cap ever, and he's a center who'll be playing wing. You've got to be kidding me... with all the guys we've got for that position ? You must be kidding me. April 1st was 2 months ago, Philippe, you're way late.
- Michalak starting: why would you take that risk ? What, coz he's fresher BECAUSE HIS CLUB DOESN'T EVEN PLAY HIM IN IMPORTANT MATCHES ANYMORE ? We'll have the Mich for 80min. Last time he played Australia, he did tear them apart. Maybe this is yet another revival for him (pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase ???????....) :cryy:
- Bonneval starting: what is this ? Dulin is actually playing (off the bench) so why the fk not start him ?!!
I guess this test match really is just that: a *test* match. Seriously. Completely experimental, trying out dudes. They may not be looking to win it, but just get a feel for certain things. I really believe that.
- Ouedraogo right back at test level, starting ? I'd have Burban start, and Ouedra off the bench in that case.

Now the things I can understand:
- resting Mr.Dusautoir, he's coming off a huge bicep injury. Picamoles, who's played a cumulative amount of 7546 minutes this year. Well, maybe not that number exactly but...
- Parra hasn't played for France since the November tests, and Machenaud HAS played well for country and club in 2014 so far. The latter gets a start over the former, it's *agreeable*.
PSA is possibly looking to recreate what he had in the 2012 Autumn tests. He had Machenaud+Michalak at halfbacks, Ouedra is back...

- Interesting: there are just 3 Toulousains starting (and 1 on the bench). Dusau, Picamoles, Nyanga, Médard rested. Fritz, an absolute regular, not even picked at all. Hmmm....

Things I like
- Lamerat is playing, finally !! Off the bench. I hope he gets good minutes and plays to his level.
- Burban finally getting some minutes in the Bleus jersey.
- That's a pretty good looking third row, considering the absence of Nyanga+Dusau+Picamoles, Lauret and Lapandry aren't on the tour (both played in the 6N) and Burban's on the bench.
- Fofana/Fickou: the center duo many have been waiting for. This combination lacks power, but could make up for it with deadly clean breaks. And Australia aren't England or South Africa, so a light weight midfield is acceptable.
- Tolofua is playing in Bleus !!!

So this first test is really a try-out of all the youngsters and new faces for France. Clearly. All the older guys are being rested, and the XV looks pretty experimental.
Mas is named captain !!...yikes. He's the most introverted, discreet dude on our squad :lol: they could've picked Ouedraogo who's captained Montpellier for e.g. !!...

In fact, it's a Brisbane record in low attendance from the Aussie crowd, I've just read.