[2014 Mid-Year Test] South Africa vs Scotland 28/06/14

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't think anyone will deny that, on form, FTD is one of the top 10s around, but he's flakey as f**k.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Italy is going to suffer indeed, probably more than Scotland, but this isn't good. I think this says more about Scotland being bad than South Africa being good. S.A. have really found form in the past just-about-year, we all know that, and the fact they were missing players shouldn't be all that read into really because they did have some of their main players, and are deep and we all know that. But for Scotland, going 55-6 after only just barely surviving a match in Canada, barely beating the Pumas B...ain't too good a sign.

The NH/SH gap is now considerable...

but i'd say never decide to play the springboks when we have to pick players from 2 teams only. we were missing some key players in defence which cost us. i now dont know what is scotland next step for gaining our form back.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Don't think anyone will deny that, on form, FTD is one of the top 10s around, but he's flakey as f**k.

cant really see how you can put flakey and FTD in the same sentence his defence is superb and his kicking much better, no 1 in drop goals last season even beating Sir Jonnie and his attack one of the best no 10's in the world at the moment although PSA and friends dont think so, but thats another story!!!!!!!! you obviously have not see much of him from last season!!!!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Flakey doesn't mean poor defence, just means he can have really bad off days.
Like brock james, except not that bad (and he's better than James).

 

[TheSaffycen]

cant really see how you can put flakey and FTD in the same sentence his defence is superb and his kicking much better, no 1 in drop goals last season even beating Sir Jonnie and his attack one of the best no 10's in the world at the moment although PSA and friends dont think so, but thats another story!!!!!!!! you obviously have not see much of him from last season!!!!!

He's very good but Olly is right he is flakey. He isn't the most consistent, which is what seperates the likes of Carter and Wilko from the rest.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

no olyy im the only scotty, jes can we get back to the topic now ?

 

[Big Ewis]

I don't know what gaston will say about that (FTD being "flakey") but although I see where the ppl saying that are coming from, I would say that is a general misconception about him. He certainly was inconsistent for France, one game he looks like a god of the oval ball, the next he's missing tackles, missing kicks, goes straight into touch, doesn't make a mark on attack...but again I have seen a few MP games this season, and along with either of Paillaugue or Pélissié at hb pairing they have rocked the Top 14. I saw one mediocre FTD performance out of the 12ish games I saw from MP.

But it's interesting to see through such remarks from outsiders how the Top 14 still is fairly obscure despite its exponential unstoppable growth and the exposure it gets in theory. The only teams ppl really know of are the ones who make it to the H Cup playoffs, not even pool stages. Toulon, Clermont, Toulouse..
The only way FTD would get his just due in terms of world wide credit and rep is by playing the way he does for MP, for France for a full season. I'm not blaming anyone, but indeed ppl need to discover a guy throughout a 6N series or even better RWC. Ppl watch that, and pay attention.

I'm not saying FTD has been an invincible god in the T14, but he's certainly not the player I read in posts from outsiders (i.e. non-French).

 

[welshglory]

I just don't think he's that good a flyhalf, he's a very good rugby player though.

The Montpellier games i have seen he still looks like his old self except in form of course! But his playing style isn't going to improve France's team performance imo.

True he should have been selected ahead of Michalak by now, although to be fair i could understand PSA selecting him (michalak) after the 2012 nov tests where he actually looked pretty good. But when Lopez, Plisson and Tales are all fit i think they are better options.

 

[gaston le gaff]

The main problem people believe what they read, FTD is not selected for France so therefore he can't be that good, the great difference between most of the TOP 14 forumers is that we speak both languages and understand journo's both sides of the channel, this i doubt is the case with most of the forumers on the other side of the channel, (this is no disrespect its just how i see it) by this i mean we read reports in both countries and i also see every one of FTD's matches. i read newspapers both English and French same with the Tele and internet reports, when i say that most of French journos AND LOADS OF PLAYERS are crying out for FTD to play for France this guy is not flakey . Montpellier finished 2nd in the TOP 14, they lost the semi against Castres but this is only our 3rd season rubbing shoulders with the elite so to openly critisize a player without any real proof or eveidence i find totally unjust, certainly on this last seasons showing, but this does not surprise me at all, as most try and run the French down in general i think its a game that everyone in Blighty enjoys. Toulon win the H Cup and everybody cries foreingers and too much money, its old and boring, but then again if these people have nothing more to offer i can understand, so easy to critisise with knowledge. Why did Toby Flood come to France, money of course, but not the only reason, i'm sure he was not paid peanuts at Leicester and Toulouse are certainly not known for offering big money to all and everyone, probably the same at Leicester you come for the team, you only have to look at their recuitement, they rarely sign a bad player and nearly always finish up supplying a good % of the French team although that does displease Noves some what. If you want to name a player flakely bring some eveidence to the table from this last couple of seasons and not 4/5 years ago, then we can see who is and who is not FLAKELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

I just don't think he's that good a flyhalf, he's a very good rugby player though.

The Montpellier games i have seen he still looks like his old self except in form of course! But his playing style isn't going to improve France's team performance imo.

True he should have been selected ahead of Michalak by now, although to be fair i could understand PSA selecting him (michalak) after the 2012 nov tests where he actually looked pretty good. But when Lopez, Plisson and Tales are all fit i think they are better options.

Please exactly how many games have you seen to make such an expert call, out of the 3 you names only Lopez is adequate for the French team, and he spent most of the season injured i'm sorry but Tales is a good club player even excellent but not at 29 a French no 10, Plisson is not solid and will be ruined if PSA pesists and Mickalak well it would be like asking Sir Jonnie to turn up for the WC next season. All i'm saying is the majority of France wants FTD only PSA and Lagesquet dont want him, its personel, i know Francois very well and its personel.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I don't know what gaston will say about that (FTD being "flakey") but although I see where the ppl saying that are coming from, I would say that is a general misconception about him. He certainly was inconsistent for France, one game he looks like a god of the oval ball, the next he's missing tackles, missing kicks, goes straight into touch, doesn't make a mark on attack...but again I have seen a few MP games this season, and along with either of Paillaugue or Pélissié at hb pairing they have rocked the Top 14. I saw one mediocre FTD performance out of the 12ish games I saw from MP.

But it's interesting to see through such remarks from outsiders how the Top 14 still is fairly obscure despite its exponential unstoppable growth and the exposure it gets in theory. The only teams ppl really know of are the ones who make it to the H Cup playoffs, not even pool stages. Toulon, Clermont, Toulouse..
The only way FTD would get his just due in terms of world wide credit and rep is by playing the way he does for MP, for France for a full season. I'm not blaming anyone, but indeed ppl need to discover a guy throughout a 6N series or even better RWC. Ppl watch that, and pay attention.

I'm not saying FTD has been an invincible god in the T14, but he's certainly not the player I read in posts from outsiders (i.e. non-French).

I would imagine that most foreigners' knowledge re the Top14 would resemble my own. And that is we only really follow one or if you have a LOT of time 2 teams and then usually not religiously so if you see more than 1 game of another team it's a lot actually because 1) the Top 14 has a massive amount of games, 2) we have our own leagues to follow and all games impact on our 1st choice club/province and 3) for people outside France test rugby is the pinacle of the sport and the main draw IMO Rugby union has over other contact sports like NFL, RL and whatever other silly stuff there is. IE there's just so much rugby and only so much time the average person can spend on it if you aren't a millionaire playboy, 'washed-out-lay-about' or involved in the sport directly.

Though I would think in saying that I really mean most foreigners where their own country has a settled and fairly time consuming domestic league of it's own and who isn't piggy-backing the Top14.

 

[Draggs]

Afrikaans, What do you think about Francois Hougaard?

I'm not an Afrikaner, but a poor SH. Takes too many steps before passing. Granted, still better than Pienaar.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Please, no more Hougaard or Pienaar!

If FdP would be unavaiable for the Rugby Championship (I havn't heard any news on his injury yet) then I really hope HM has the balls to pick up 2 guys other than Pienaar and Hougaard who have had a ton of chances to step up but have underwhelmed on a consistent basis IMO. The squad is settled enough to warrant taking on a new player at 9. Who knows, just maybe they (Reinach and De Klerk the two in my mind) take their chances like Etzebeth, Vermeulen, Le Roux and now De Jager and Pollard have. JPP also has a lot to do to bump Hendricks while Mvovo will probably be on the bench because of his versatility.

 

[Big Ewis]

stormer: I'm not asking ppl to justify why they don't watch Top 14, you guys do anything you want. My post aimed at specific ppl claiming things about a player they probably haven't seen much of lately, and was a reply, i.e. a reaction, I'm not remotely whining about ppl not watching my country's clubs.

Otherwise: could FTD improve France ? I think so. Solely because France are a sum of their players, and practically nothing more. They're basically, as I've said before, a Barbarians side without the freshness and the try-scoring tradition. A guy like TD would undeniably bring a little bit of life to that dormant, nay, dead backline. He can bring assets to the French attack and game in general that don't need to be channeled through the gameplan. He can just individually bring the quality all by himself. How many flyhalves *in the world* can create like him, strictly out of nothing ? I'm asking the ppl who have actually watched him play recently enough, as if this needed mention.
But does he give France hope ? Nah...just a little plus.
What a wasted generation, people...what a waste.......

 

[TRF_heineken]

Well I am very pleased with our performance in this game. But I had such a sour taste in my mouth afterwards. It was damn clear that politics had a big influence in the game. Supersport even chatted with the Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula during the 2nd half. How the hell did they come up with JP Pietersen for man of the match?? apart from his try, he was a bit of a spectator in the game. And we all knew that there was only one clear-cut winner who should've got the award, and that is Lood De Jager. What a performance by the big guy! he even made more tackles than any other player on the field for the time he was on.

Anyways, Handre Pollard has now shown that he is old enough to play, and man, did he play! But to me the guy who has just been getting better and better is Jan Serfontein. he was absolutely fantastic.

Now it's Super Rugby again, and then it's the RC. I hope Fourie Du Preez's injury isn't too serious. Although, I thought Hougaard played very well when he came on, and it seems that he's slowly shrugging off the monkey on his back of the Oscar Pistorius' trial, now that he won't have to testify anymore.

 

[goodNumber10]

Just watched the game on the train

Pollard was excellent, that first carry in the Scotland 22.. Power, vision, skills and composure..... it was fantastic.

He reminded me of Henry Honnibal. He might even be your answer at 12, though he really does being the full bag to the 10 position. You need to stick with him.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well I am very pleased with our performance in this game. But I had such a sour taste in my mouth afterwards. It was damn clear that politics had a big influence in the game. Supersport even chatted with the Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula during the 2nd half. How the hell did they come up with JP Pietersen for man of the match?? apart from his try, he was a bit of a spectator in the game. And we all knew that there was only one clear-cut winner who should've got the award, and that is Lood De Jager. What a performance by the big guy! he even made more tackles than any other player on the field for the time he was on.

Anyways, Handre Pollard has now shown that he is old enough to play, and man, did he play! But to me the guy who has just been getting better and better is Jan Serfontein. he was absolutely fantastic.

Now it's Super Rugby again, and then it's the RC. I hope Fourie Du Preez's injury isn't too serious. Although, I thought Hougaard played very well when he came on, and it seems that he's slowly shrugging off the monkey on his back of the Oscar Pistorius' trial, now that he won't have to testify anymore.

I too caught the political undertone. I have to say I didn't think Hougaard and Serfontein were of teh more impressive performers. Handling errors and Serfontein showed his inexperience on numerous occasions where some patience would have better served; just tried to do too much on his own rather than play in the team context IMO. That said he certainly has the ability and I am sure the more chances he gets the more rounded he will become.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Just wanting to correct you, as it has been bugging me.

Afrikaans is a language spoken by Afrikaners.

If you say

Afrikaans, What do you think about Francois Hougaard?

, then you're basically talking to a language and won't get a response.

Rather ask Afrikaners what they think. But then just remember that you won't get a response from every South African, as only Afrikaans-speaking South Africans qualify to be called Afrikaners. English-speaking South Africans, will never be called Afrikaners, and also hate the term, hell, some of them will even find it offensive.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Just wanting to correct you, as it has been bugging me.

Afrikaans is a language spoken by Afrikaners.

If you say , then you're basically talking to a language and won't get a response.

Rather ask Afrikaners what they think. But then just remember that you won't get a response from every South African, as only Afrikaans-speaking South Africans qualify to be called Afrikaners. English-speaking South Africans, will never be called Afrikaners, and also hate the term, hell, some of them will even find it offensive.

Yeah, that 'Afrikaans' also had me chuckling but one can't hold it against the guy. It's a funny thing in SA. Very difficult to just call a South African something without knowing their background and preferences. Fr instance I prefer not to be called 'Afrikaner' but rather either of 'Suid-Afrikaner/South African' as a catch-all and the fact that I identify with SA (all of it even the parts I don't particularly like) or 'Boer' specifically even if I have a big problem with almost a majority of people who identify themselves as being 'Boere' and what they see it standing for. But I don't offense from whatever a foreigner calls me as I don't expect them to know exactly what they are calling me.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Yeah, that 'Afrikaans' also had me chuckling but one can't hold it against the guy. It's a funny thing in SA. Very difficult to just call a South African something without knowing their background and preferences. Fr instance I prefer not to be called 'Afrikaner' but rather either of 'Suid-Afrikaner/South African' as a catch-all and the fact that I identify with SA (all of it even the parts I don't particularly like) or 'Boer' specifically even if I have a big problem with almost a majority of people who identify themselves as being 'Boere' and what they see it standing for. But I don't offense from whatever a foreigner calls me as I don't expect them to know exactly what they are calling me.

I'm not holding it against him, that's why I thought it might help in mentioning it. With that said, I think there is also a difference in being an Afrikaner and being a Boer. I see myself as an Afrikaner, but not as a Boer, if that makes sense to you, but that is a total different discussion.

I thought I might just help Conrad, and basically anyone else that might have the same confusion.