EOYT: France v Australia, 10/11/2012

[ZeFrenchy]

Yohann Maestri has been ruled out with a lumbar ache. Sute starts and Vahamaaina (or however it's written) goes to the bench.
Huuuuuuuuge loss for France.

It was being rumoured since the beginning of the week (someone claiming to be Maestri's uncle had said he was in pain in an internet forum), though I thought it wasn't true because the press wasn't talking about it. The rules didn't allow PSA to call a replacement in without officially declaring Maestri ruled out. He took the risk of waiting for him to recover, and lost. Tough luck.

 

[The big Kangaroo]

I'm a bit worried about this one having so manny tahs in the team there's always a cance of a boil over. 9 In the wallabies is too manny crazy when you think there is only 2 reds (yes I'm a queenslander). would not surprise me if we lose this one , better lose to France then one of the home nations with the British and Irish lions tour next year thoa. If Beale plays a great game we will win if he gets unsettled we will lose.

Also can someone tell me why paddy Ryan is getting the call up am I the only one rates Greg Holmes he is a great prop at the scrum and is not a lemon on the field. Fantastic player who I thing could help answer our scrum problems although I do rate Skope kepu

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

You're right a whole lot depends on Beale but he had a stormer of a game vs SA in our last encounter and it didn't help much (except for that 1 try of course but the match was already over). the guys who will decide your fate IMO would be TPN, Timani and Hooper. You'll probably get pummeled in the scrum but Aus are masters in winning games despite suffering in the scrum dept. Maybe us Saffa's put too much stock in forwards but those guys will decide how you fare to a large degree I hazard. Harris taking the kicking pressure off of Beale is a good thing though.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I'm happy this guy isn't playing:

 

[Big Ewis]

^ haha I know you're kidding but, it sucks to not have a full-strength Aussie side against us tonight...against a full-strength French side too btw...
Also: I srsly have no clue how Pocock got THAT BIG....it's ridiculous, and he's still so young !

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Michalak is running the show here!

56 mins gone and its 23-6 to France.

 

[RWC2011Fan]

30-6 now, 10 minutes remaining.

 

[Surefire]

Way to go France! Let's take this home!!

 

[wertas]

I though referee can ask TMO for foul play in international match. Wierd decision by Owens only to go with penalty.
Besides, France full-back - absolutely disastrous.

 

[nicobodjj]

Where is the aussie team ? it took 67 minutes to the Austalian team to put in place an attack...

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I though referee can ask TMO for foul play in international match. Wierd decision by Owens only to go with penalty.
Besides, France full-back - absolutely disastrous.

I don't think so that's only in the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 (?)

 

[Big Ewis]

uhm I know the ozzies weren't full strength and all (we weren't either to be fair) but uhm...like I'd just like to say that, in all my time of...



































FOKKK YEAAAHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Oh ! My ! Goodness me, I'm terribly sorry...I got carried away there.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wow, wasn't expecting that scoreline!

 

[KAPman]

Wasn't expecting France to win so convincinly. And great performance by Freddy Michalak, thought his days on the international scene were over before his recall in the summer. Whilst his controlling a game from 10 remains questionable at times, he shows he still has the goal kicking and a good creative touch, and if Picamoles stays consisant with form then Harinordiquy is going to find it hard to get back into the team.
Australia are never going to be the number one team in the world unless they sort their scrum out. It's been their problem for a while now. Whoever over there came up with the theory that scrummaging is just a way of restarting a game clearly shot their nation in the foot. Scrummaging is a very key part of the modern game, and bad scrummaging=penalty or on the backfoot from 1st phase ball. The aussies also clearly miss David Pocock and his awesome ball wrecking and winning at the breakdowns, and in the backs they miss the sharp mind and control that Will Genia brings. with England, Italy and Wales still to come for them, and without David Pocock, their pack are in for a tough tour.

 

[KAPman]

you never gain momentem without a scrum, and France destroyed them there, means with that and Aussie mistakes they were always on the backfoot, and against a French team in that form you obviously cant do that

 

[InsaneAsylum]

France = good
wallabies = crap

 

[Big Ewis]

Wasn't expecting France to win so convincinly. And great performance by Freddy Michalak, thought his days on the international scene were over before his recall in the summer. Whilst his controlling a game from 10 remains questionable at times, he shows he still has the goal kicking and a good creative touch, and if Picamoles stays consisant with form then Harinordiquy is going to find it hard to get back into the team.
Australia are never going to be the number one team in the world unless they sort their scrum out. It's been their problem for a while now. Whoever over there came up with the theory that scrummaging is just a way of restarting a game clearly shot their nation in the foot. Scrummaging is a very key part of the modern game, and bad scrummaging=penalty or on the backfoot from 1st phase ball. The aussies also clearly miss David Pocock and his awesome ball wrecking and winning at the breakdowns, and in the backs they miss the sharp mind and control that Will Genia brings. with England, Italy and Wales still to come for them, and without David Pocock, their pack are in for a tough tour.

Yup you're obviously right about the scrum...in fact, I think it's got too much power in the game...it's kind of unfair somehow that if you have a good scrum you've got such a HUGE advantage...
On one hand I'm happy we've got that heck of a set-piece, on the other we really played the English style for a majority of the match. Scrum gave us the first try, and then literally the third (the penalty try)...kicking penalties and even a drop. But I loved the flashes of French Flair too...that Michalak to Fofana try was fkn awesome, and we ran the ball creatively other times too but couldn't quite conclude (!!!).

 

[Amobokoboko]

Very attractive game of rugby. Happy with the result.

 

[Tony Manx]

First point I would make is the ESPN/French TV coverage which meant I could have been sitting on the Eiffel tower so little did you see of the action. The camera mostly used was the wide lense encompassing most of the ground and gave a view as if one was sitting back in row 250!

That said, chapeau to PSA on his selection of Michalak who did a lot that was good and nothing wrong against a very poor Australian team…..a poor performance from a team that lacked class in too many positions! Could be a long month for them in Europe and if Deans did, in fact, turn down Giteau's offer to play then he should be fired with immediate effect! France had Lievremont, England had Johnson, Ireland have Kidney and Aus have Deans……awful lot of crosses to bear.

Very, very encouraging performance, from a French perspective, and they could have done no more on the day but there are bigger tests of where they are to come than this one.

............... if Picamoles stays consisant with form then Harinordiquy is going to find it hard to get back into the team......

Imanol's international days are sadly over........

 

[racingmetrofan]

Great result for France. Excited at the prospect of a great French team, would make the 6n and Autumn internationals so much more interesting.