France vs Fiji

[nickdnz]

French Squad -

PARIS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - France coach Marc Lievremont on Tuesday named two newcomers, prop Jerome Schuster and centre Fabrice Estebanez, in his starting line-up to face Fiji on Saturday in Nantes (1700 GMT).
Three other players, prop Luc Ducalcon, winger Julien Arias et fullback Jerome Porical only have one cap to their name in a new-look side.
Captain Thierry Dusautoir will not play, leaving the armband to number eight Imanol Harinordoquy.
Scrumhalf Morgan Parra, who started all France's games in the last Six Nations grand slam winning campaign, and lock Sebastien Chabal will be on the bench.
Team:
France: 15-Jerome Porical, 14-Julien Arias, 13-David Marty, 12-Fabrice Estebanez, 11-Maxime Medard, 10-Damien Traille, 9-Dimitri Yachvili, 8-Imanol Harinordoquy (captain), 7-Alexandre Lapandry, 6-Fulgence Ouedraogo, 5-Jerome Thion, 4-Romain Millo-Chluski, 3-Luc Ducalcon, 2-Guilhem Guirado, 1-Jerome Schuster.
Replacements: 16-Benjamin Noirot, 17-Thomas Domingo, 18-Julien Pierre, 19-Sebastien Chabal, 20-Morgan Parra, 21-David Skrela, 22-Alexis Palisson, 23-Nicolas Mas. (Reporting by Jean-Paul Couret, editing by Alastair Himmer

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/8289838/france-experimental-face-fiji

Not exactly a full strength squad, love to see Fiji get the upset, but I'm doubtful.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just quick question how come French game has squad of 23.

 

[lynam1104]

it might be injury cover so hes not in the match day 22, not sure?

 

[munstermuffin]

Although I think every swiad should be 23 now as it just makes things more simple

 

[Charles]

France to walk over the Fiji pack, and scrap by. Don't expect a pretty game...

 

[DonBilly]

Just quick question how come French game has squad of 23.

Isn't the norm nowadays? There's an additional front row guy who's authorised to join in case of injury.

 

[Charles]

Isn't the norm nowadays? There's an additional front row guy who's authorised to join in case of injury.

I believe it's just in the T14...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's in the Aviva and Magners as of this season as well,
However I think he asked because none of the other AI games so far have had the extra man

 

[Muzzy]

Fijian Team named to play France:

1. Graham Dewes, 2. Talemaitoga Tuapati, 3. Deacon Manu (capt), 4. Wame Lewaravu, 5. Jone Qovu, 6. Semisi Naevo, 7. Akapusi Qera, 8. Sisa Koyamaibole, 9. Nemia Kenatale, 10. Seremaia Bai, 11. Napolioni Nalaga, 12. Seru Rabeni (v-c), 13. Albert Vulivuli, 14.Sireli Naqelevuki, 15. Norman Ligairi

Reserves
16. Setefano Somoca, 17. Viliame Veikoso. 18. Sekonaia Qaraniqio Kalou, 19. Malakai Ravulo, 20. Seveci Taka, 21. Josh Matavesi, 22. Gabiriele Lovobalavu

a pretty good team from the players that were selected, fiji don't have their two best halfbacks for the tour and i don't think Naqelevuki has the speed to be a winger, but they probably did'nt have that many choices with the wingers they've picked. but its a pretty huge backline.

i'd love to see a Fijian upset, but i think France should win by at least 20 points. if Fiji lose by less than 20 points and their players perform well then i'll be happy

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wame and Sisa in from Sale,
Both solid if unspectacular players (Sisa is lethal off the back of a scrum, and if you've got a scrum 5, he'll get a try more if he gets a head of steam up, more often than not - however the rest of is play can be considered a little...lazy - he certainly seems like he likes a pie or two )

 

[Sam Owen]

"NAPOLIONI NALAGA"- cant wait to see this guy. Actually I hope I see this game lol (no Rugby channel).

 

[munstermuffin]

Why has Isa Nacewa only got 1 cap for Fiji. Like surely he'd walk on to that team???
What is story behind him

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He wants/wanted to play for the All Blacks.
He got his one cap coming off the bench seven years ago, and tried to get it negated by the IRB so he could play for the All Blacks.
Having said that, no idea why he doesn't just play for Fiji now that he knows he won't play for New Zealand in the future

 

[Charles]

They don't want him, he's a traitor.

I can't understand why they haven't picked Sireli Bobo, Nagusa, Dels and Matadigo. They are on fire in the T14...

 

[nickdnz]

They don't want him, he's a traitor.

I can't understand why they haven't picked Sireli Bobo, Nagusa, Dels and Matadigo. They are on fire in the T14...

I'd certainly have Bobo in the 22.

 

[munstermuffin]

Why not want them like Nacewa probably in his prime now and well all the players mentioned would be massive additions and improvements to Fiji. Nacewa I know has 1 cap off the bench and I understand his reasons in trying to delete that and play for All Blacks but that is in past now and he should just want to really play at highest level.

 

[nickdnz]

Why not want them like Nacewa probably in his prime now and well all the players mentioned would be massive additions and improvements to Fiji. Nacewa I know has 1 cap off the bench and I understand his reasons in trying to delete that and play for All Blacks but that is in past now and he should just want to really play at highest level.

It really wouldn't be a good look for Fiji or Nacewa is he was included. He's a very talented player, but the fact he tried to remove his one cap for Fiji, because his loyalties is with New Zealand, is a bit of a slap in the face to Fiji, and it would damage the reputation of both parties, should he play for Fiji. If he doesn't consider Fiji his home, then he shouldn't be playing for them.

 

[Melhor Time]

No to Nacewa

It really wouldn't be a good look for Fiji or Nacewa is he was included. He's a very talented player, but the fact he tried to remove his one cap for Fiji, because his loyalties is with New Zealand, is a bit of a slap in the face to Fiji, and it would damage the reputation of both parties, should he play for Fiji. If he doesn't consider Fiji his home, then he shouldn't be playing for them.

I agree 100% with you, Nacewa is not a popular man with Fijians and with good reason. There is, however, another reason why he is not in the Fijian side - other players.

Nacewa can play flyhalf, wing and fullback. So, who would be sacrificed?

15 Ligairi (La Rochelle, France)
14 Nakelevuqi (Exeter, England)
13 Vulivuli (Racing Metro, France),
12 Rabeni (La Rochelle, France)
11 Nalaga (Clermont, France)
10 Baï (Castres, France)

Not exactly poor teams.... nor players.

Which player? This is the answer - they are all not only loyal and proud Fijians who are established in the test team but they are all playing good rugby. Bai has been in good form for Castres and getting loads of game time meaning Nacewa at flyhalf is not needed. Rabeni has been the best player for La Rochelle with his team mate Norman Ligairi also impressive. Vulivuli has been good for Racing while there are other players doing well at wing not even picked.

As Charles has pointed out, there are a number of other Fijians not in the team who are doing well in France. Its the familiar Fijian problem of having great backs, too many great backs. Gabirieli Lovobalavu is only on the bench for this match but has been a great player for Toulon.

So no place for Nacewa is hardly a surprize to me.





[video]http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Seremaia+Bai&aq=f[/video]

 

[gingergenius]

is bai a natural 10? Always seen him as a quality 12. And who's kicking goals?

I could say the same about Fiji as I said about Samoa... just that Fiji have a weak tight 5 and are playing much stronger opposition. France should take this easily, but I hope the Fijians can come up with some good plays.

Is Delasau injured?

also, not relevant but does anyone have any news on how rupeni is shaping up at toulouse?

 

[Muzzy]

I agree 100% with you, Nacewa is not a popular man with Fijians and with good reason. There is, however, another reason why he is not in the Fijian side - other players.

Nacewa can play flyhalf, wing and fullback. So, who would be sacrificed?

15 Ligairi (La Rochelle, France)
14 Nakelevuqi (Exeter, England)
13 Vulivuli (Racing Metro, France),
12 Rabeni (La Rochelle, France)
11 Nalaga (Clermont, France)
10 Baï (Castres, France)

Not exactly poor teams.... nor players.

Which player? This is the answer - they are all not only loyal and proud Fijians who are established in the test team but they are all playing good rugby. Bai has been in good form for Castres and getting loads of game time meaning Nacewa at flyhalf is not needed. Rabeni has been the best player for La Rochelle with his team mate Norman Ligairi also impressive. Vulivuli has been good for Racing while there are other players doing well at wing not even picked.

As Charles has pointed out, there are a number of other Fijians not in the team who are doing well in France. Its the familiar Fijian problem of having great backs, too many great backs. Gabirieli Lovobalavu is only on the bench for this match but has been a great player for Toulon.

So no place for Nacewa is hardly a surprize to me.

i believe nacewa should play for Fiji, who can blame Nacewa for wanting to play for the worlds best team nz, in 2007 Nacewa should have been a shoe-in for the all blacks, he might even be Carters backup right now. but i think he should play for Fiji, i think Ligairi would be sacrificed, i haven't seen Ligairi play in a couple years but unless i'm wrong Ligairi has been playing as a winger for Racing Metro not fullback right?, in the past ligairi hasn't had a good kicking game, all he used to do was just boot the ball as high as he could with no direction so it might be a total different story for ligairi playing as a fullback, ligairi's return kicks will be crucial to the game

is bai a natural 10? Always seen him as a quality 12. And who's kicking goals?

I could say the same about Fiji as I said about Samoa... just that Fiji have a weak tight 5 and are playing much stronger opposition. France should take this easily, but I hope the Fijians can come up with some good plays.

Is Delasau injured?

also, not relevant but does anyone have any news on how rupeni is shaping up at toulouse?

Delasau was only a late addition to Tolouse because Tolouse were so short on wingers, so theres no way Tolouse would let him go, they're so short on wingers they brought Rupeni Caucau in lol. but Delasau is Fiji's best winger imo

and Bai has played 10 for Fiji many times, he's also a good goal kicker, he played 10 against south africa in the world cup when nicky little was injured and he played 10 in all the Pacific Islanders games on their last tour and was the kicker