[2015 RWC] Warm Up Match: England vs France (15/08/2015)

[Maverick1987]

So he's just being honest if you read the interview he's taking inspiration from other squad members who have stronger rugby backgrounds.

If he said he's not bothered if he's picked or not then he needs dropping . There's other players that would give a limb to be in that squad . He's being a prick basically ....

 

[Peat]

If he said he's not bothered if he's picked or not then he needs dropping . There's other players that would give a limb to be in that squad . He's being a prick basically ....

Maybe that's where they're going wrong. Giving up limbs only makes you better at wheelchair rugby. They should try being better than Vahaamahina instead.

Less flippantly, it's a weird sounding thing, but a player should be judged on how he plays rather than what he says.

 

[Maverick1987]

Maybe that's where they're going wrong. Giving up limbs only makes you better at wheelchair rugby. They should try being better than Vahaamahina instead.

Less flippantly, it's a weird sounding thing, but a player should be judged on how he plays rather than what he says.

I understand where you are coming from but my belief is I'd rather have a player that isn't quite as good as Vahaamahina but gives 120% than have someone who isn't too fussed if he's there or not . France have plenty of second row options from what I've seen ..

In professional sport if you don't give 100% at the top level you will lose irrespective to how good you are in more circumstances than not

 

[Tony Manx]

I understand where you are coming from but my belief is I'd rather have a player that isn't quite as good as Vahaamahina but gives 120% than have someone who isn't too fussed if he's there or not . France have plenty of second row options from what I've seen ..

In professional sport if you don't give 100% at the top level you will lose irrespective to how good you are in more circumstances than not

I do not think that is what he is saying!

I think he is saying that rugby did not figure in his life until quite late and he is learning from his team mates what it means to them!

Slightly different than I do not give a flying ****!

 

[Peat]

I understand where you are coming from but my belief is I'd rather have a player that isn't quite as good as Vahaamahina but gives 120% than have someone who isn't too fussed if he's there or not . France have plenty of second row options from what I've seen ..

In professional sport if you don't give 100% at the top level you will lose irrespective to how good you are in more circumstances than not

I'm not sure you did get where I was coming from, as if you're worried about whether he's committed enough based on a quote in an interview rather than how he plays and trains, you're disagreeing with me.

 

[TobesHodges]

I'm not sure you did get where I was coming from, as if you're worried about whether he's committed enough based on a quote in an interview rather than how he plays and trains, you're disagreeing with me.

I understand, but as a rugby player IMO as an active player its 60% mental strength when playing the game of rugby, I guess he will come across to a lot of people as not being mentally prepared, on the other hand players like Quade Cooper have been doing it all there career, so that's why I understand your point..

 

[valley commando]

If he said he's not bothered if he's picked or not then he needs dropping . There's other players that would give a limb to be in that squad . He's being a prick basically ....

He's not saying that he's not bothered, he seems quite humble its worth reading the interview.
Something may be lost in translation, but he comes across as a spiritual guy who if good enough for selection will welcome the opportunity to compete in the WC, but equally if not selected will accept the decision as what will be will be.

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I do not think that is what he is saying!

I think he is saying that rugby did not figure in his life until quite late and he is learning from his team mates what it means to them!

Slightly different than I do not give a flying ****!

Exactly

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I understand where you are coming from but my belief is I'd rather have a player that isn't quite as good as Vahaamahina but gives 120% than have someone who isn't too fussed if he's there or not . France have plenty of second row options from what I've seen ..

In professional sport if you don't give 100% at the top level you will lose irrespective to how good you are in more circumstances than not

If this guy gets picked he will give 100%, I think what he said has been lost in translation.

 

[Maverick1987]

Fair enough I think I only got half the story .

 

[ZeFrenchy]

World Cup time approaches, I announce my forum comeback.

I don't understand PSA's logic. I mean - I don't get his logic in general, and in particular I don't get it for this match.

I'll start from the following premise: he'll be using the two England games to decide who leaves the squad, and the Scotland game to start giving playtime to the first-choice XV. I believe this is the case for two reasons: first, he postponed the squad announcement from the 16th to the 23rd, which means he has some doubts still. Second, I'm pretty sure that two out of Ouedraogo, Nyanga and Goujon and one out of Fickou, Lamerat and Dumoulin won't make the cut, so given they're all in the squad for this game, it seems they'll be playing for the remaining spots.

Given this, I'm worried about Michalak not being there. Maybe he's injured (for a change), but it could also be that he's already in (I really, really hope not). Another alternative is that he's thinking of 9-10 as combos: Parra-TD, Kockott-Tales and TB-Michalak, but that would contradict what I said before (about waiting until Scotland to settle partnerships).

Now, onto this specific match: the press is saying that the likely starting team would be:
Debaty, Szarsweski, Mas, Maestri, Flanquart, Ouedraogo, Nyanga, Picamoles; Parra, Trinh-Duc, Dulin, Lamerat, Dumoulin, Guitoune, Spedding.
Bench: Guirado, Chiocci, Atonio, Vahamaahina, Goujon, Kockott, Tales, Fickou.

So the logic would seem to be: play similar and/or non-complementary players (Ouedraogo-Nyanga, Lamerat-Dumoulin, Dulin-Spedding-Guitoune) to see who performs best! England will have a field day at the breakdown and around the rucks, and it will be a completely useless match.
England by 15.

 

[Tony Manx]

Welcome back and very pertinent points made, as usual, particularly the last as the match being a waste of time!!!!

 

[Jaguares]

Any idea about the new French jersey?

 

[Chistera]

World Cup time approaches, I announce my forum comeback.
Given this, I'm worried about Michalak not being there. Maybe he's injured (for a change), but it could also be that he's already in (I really, really hope not). Another alternative is that he's thinking of 9-10 as combos: Parra-TD, Kockott-Tales and TB-Michalak, but that would contradict what I said before (about waiting until Scotland to settle partnerships).

I agree, seems like PSA has given up on forming a half-back pairing of his own, he's just going with proven partnerships and players who have experience playing together: Parra-TD with France, Kockott-Talès at Castres and TB-Michalak at Toulon. Basically, he's admitting that his 4 years of erratic search for a long term half-back partnership.
Michalak's inclusion was PSA's most surprising choice, he's well past his prime and I dearly hope that he doesn't make the cut as well.

 

[Maverick1987]

When will France name their team then ?

 

[McTallshort]

What TV channel is it on?

 

[TobesHodges]

What TV channel is it on?

Sky Sports 1, Coverage starts at 19:15.

 

[McTallshort]

Nice one, will get the kids to bed and the Aldi stubbies on ice.

 

[Peat]

So the logic would seem to be: play similar and/or non-complementary players (Ouedraogo-Nyanga, Lamerat-Dumoulin, Dulin-Spedding-Guitoune) to see who performs best! England will have a field day at the breakdown and around the rucks, and it will be a completely useless match.
England by 15.

We are completely capable of ignoring such open invitations you know! Hopefully it will be entertaining at least.

And welcome back.

 

[HowieLO6]

When will France name their team then ?

Sometime in November. 2018. Might have it sorted by then.

I feel somewhat sorry for the French. Despite everything, they have some cracking talent. To be able to send that 12 from Stade F packing, despite his form over the past 6 months must indicate a semblance of talent? Yet no halfback pairing of note. How is that even possible? We've an embarrassment of semi-precious riches, yet they have nothing. To improve Anglo-French relations, you can have Burns.

 

[valley commando]

What TV channel is it on?

Sold out to sky again so that only the rich or those on benefits can afford to watch it.

 

[Maverick1987]

Sold out to sky again so that only the rich or those on benefits can afford to watch it.

Good job I got my social then ain't it bro . Gonna sit down and crack out my smart price lager