Big Ewis
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http://leplus.nouvelobs.com/contrib...ictoire-precieuse-mais-un-bilan-decevant.html
good read for french-readers...
Basically, the good points in there:
* have had loads of opportunities, where all the play that's led to those opportunities were good (rucks, good ball carrying etc...) but have had tremendous trouble concluding, finishing. The very symptom of teams that "can't free themselves" as it's put there. We lack that confidence, and just like Wales, I bet with every match we get a little bit better and gain that confidence. It's all in the head (AND THE GAMEPLAN), on paper we've the potential to achieve quite smt, think about, all sectors of the game covered. Even "no fullback" turned into "good fullback" in Huget.
* consistency WITHIN A MATCH. As seen against Italy and England: two good, strong first halves, and the second crappy (of course, to do with the subs as well, but that's reductive, it's our psyche itself that changes). Or, the opposite - shytty first half, good second half. Ire and Sco.
We need to find a way to be consistent during the game, saying it's an age-old problem for France isn't enough to explain this, we've shown dominance with weaker teams before; and I think with confidence building gradually, again, the rhythm will flow.
Personally, I don't buy the whole "November was nothing". It's shown what we can do in the NH, the qualities of some and the flaws of some sides too. The way we beat the Aussies and Argentina was inspiring, it wasn't like just our scrum, it was the breakdown, the pressure, and the LOCKDOWN defense we're capable of giving. Some flair too, and that confidence on attack, we looked incisive.
But we need a true gameplan, and I can't stand that we simply rely a lot on the superstars we've got. I've said it before, say it again: what if we didn't have an overpowerful no.8 ? A ridiculously gifted center in Fof who scores a try all by himself ?...etc...
Some teams (this very tournament) have achieved a lot more - obviously a lot more, we got the freakin spoon ! - with a lot less on paper. But as a team, we need to come together and show that class that's within this side's veins.
A thread should probably be started for the NZ FRA 3 test matches this summer ?
good read for french-readers...
Basically, the good points in there:
* have had loads of opportunities, where all the play that's led to those opportunities were good (rucks, good ball carrying etc...) but have had tremendous trouble concluding, finishing. The very symptom of teams that "can't free themselves" as it's put there. We lack that confidence, and just like Wales, I bet with every match we get a little bit better and gain that confidence. It's all in the head (AND THE GAMEPLAN), on paper we've the potential to achieve quite smt, think about, all sectors of the game covered. Even "no fullback" turned into "good fullback" in Huget.
* consistency WITHIN A MATCH. As seen against Italy and England: two good, strong first halves, and the second crappy (of course, to do with the subs as well, but that's reductive, it's our psyche itself that changes). Or, the opposite - shytty first half, good second half. Ire and Sco.
We need to find a way to be consistent during the game, saying it's an age-old problem for France isn't enough to explain this, we've shown dominance with weaker teams before; and I think with confidence building gradually, again, the rhythm will flow.
Personally, I don't buy the whole "November was nothing". It's shown what we can do in the NH, the qualities of some and the flaws of some sides too. The way we beat the Aussies and Argentina was inspiring, it wasn't like just our scrum, it was the breakdown, the pressure, and the LOCKDOWN defense we're capable of giving. Some flair too, and that confidence on attack, we looked incisive.
But we need a true gameplan, and I can't stand that we simply rely a lot on the superstars we've got. I've said it before, say it again: what if we didn't have an overpowerful no.8 ? A ridiculously gifted center in Fof who scores a try all by himself ?...etc...
Some teams (this very tournament) have achieved a lot more - obviously a lot more, we got the freakin spoon ! - with a lot less on paper. But as a team, we need to come together and show that class that's within this side's veins.
A thread should probably be started for the NZ FRA 3 test matches this summer ?
