France vs New Zealand

[Mr.cyclopede]

Well history has nothing to do with it, but also because during WRC game level is closer beetween NH and SH, and 2 factors allow nations as France to make its one lift off:
- Time for preparation, wich is not the case with the overloadel annual planning we have (England same case), with TOP14, European Challenge, Hcup
- Rest time before preparation for players called in the WRC team (France is I think the only nation to run a championship while in these autumn tests and in the off weekends in the 6N)
Another factor is the way refering is applied during championchip, wich is barely different from test matches

Don't know how much time had the NZs to prepare this tour, but I think it's a bit more than the week players were given here. This difference is lower before WRC, and that changes a lot.
We're certainly far away from beating you in a favourite position, but if you just hide before a "history won't repeat this time", you take the risk to have a disappointment.
Watching how Mr Henry prepared this latest test, I don't think he shares this way of thinking.

I've appreciated Mc Caw words receiving the cup, giving thanks to us for having respected the test spirit, and refused to close the game after we started to take water.

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr.cyclopede @ Nov 30 2009, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

We're certainly far away from beating you in a favourite position, but if you just hide before a "history won't repeat this time", you take the risk to have a disappointment.
Watching how Mr Henry prepared this latest test, I don't think he shares this way of thinking.[/b]

I never said history won't repeat itself. Not once. My whole point is that some French fans are behaving like it's assured that in a world cup we'll be taken apart by France". So it is some of your fans, not I who are assuming.

My very message is "assume nothing". Surely you are able to read that? I'm not twisting your words, but you have changed mine in your interpretation. :lol:

 

[Bernard]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Yes, all I was saying is that it's dangerous for some of you french fans to live in the past. That is the very thing which has cost the All Blacks in the '99 and '07 world cups. If the assumption is "if we meet the All Blacks in a world cup, we'll win", then thats just what we want you to think. New Zealanders have thought stupidly about playing France in those cups, "we'll beat them", "they did it to us in '99, it won't happen twice", were two of the arrogant things I heard before the quarter final.

I was working as a bouncer at a pub that night and the most common thing I heard from customers was "so, who do we play in the semi?". It was foolish.

Now everyone I speak to about a world cup says that they think the toughest team for us in a world cup is France. Everyone says they'll never make those assumptions again. I also ask, "If New Zealand had to lose the next world cup, but take down one side before they leave, who would it be"? France is the team they all say, out of world cup respect.

Some French fans have started to assume that it's a routine, that they'll beat us. Now the roles are reversed and the misplaced arrogance is going to make for an interesting situation if New Zealand pulls of a win.

A segment of French fans assume that if we meet again in a knock out phase, that the game is theirs. Isn't that what we used to think?

I want us to meet in the next one. Rather than avoid you guys. The All Blacks want the world cup desperately, but if they don't get it, France's scalp and tears will make for a great second prize if we can get it.


To jawmalawm24. I like how you well demonstrate how New Zealanders are no longer that arrogant. It shows how realistic we've all become when someone like yourself says "how do we know we'll even make it out of pool play". It's a good thing not to assume anything, we could end up in a pool of death with Argentina and South Africa or something, or maybe with Ireland and a resurgent England, so yeah you make a point there.

My whole point is not about All Blacks arrogance, it's just this whole blind "France are your nemesis" thing. The truth is "France was our nemesis at world cups and could be again", not this assumption that we will lose if we play them at the RWC.[/b]

Yeah i agree . and i said before the match that i did not like too much this french confidence, i know that it can give you hard morning , hammered morning (2004 , 2006...) . and it is exactly what happened . You are terrified , so we are... You are The example in France , we are "jealous" of your rugby , we think it is The rugby to play , the level to reach . It is what motivate us very simply . to meet AB and to beat them ..on their own game if it is possible...maybe only a dream but at least , as a dream , it makes you improve yourself to try to reach it , like the fact you are "terrified" makes you stronger...


Lievremont and several current players are good guys for the job , i'm confident about that (as in 2004 or 2006 after match against AB , we just wanted to change all players and the coach , nothing was positive , i do not believe we won against you in 2007 ... ) ...work to make about our backliners (you outplayed us on this level ) ...

For heymans , yeah it was a mistake to not make him play as winger ..or at least to not make him come early in the match as substitute...Even David would have been great on this match ...Mermoz too ...that was exactly a match where some young guys could have gained a lot of experience and they would have done as good as Jauzion traille or marty would have done ...I won't talk too much about Bastareaud as it is a hot subject between our 2 countries but even him will come back quickly and these guys have great potential and are more "fresh" psychologically and more prepared athletically to fight against blacks ..IMHO...


Anyway i took even pleasure to watch again the first half of the game , i think it was a really nice game and as i like good rugby whatever happens , i can only pray AB for their almost perfect performance :bravo:

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bernard @ Nov 30 2009, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Yes, all I was saying is that it's dangerous for some of you french fans to live in the past. That is the very thing which has cost the All Blacks in the '99 and '07 world cups. If the assumption is "if we meet the All Blacks in a world cup, we'll win", then thats just what we want you to think. New Zealanders have thought stupidly about playing France in those cups, "we'll beat them", "they did it to us in '99, it won't happen twice", were two of the arrogant things I heard before the quarter final.

I was working as a bouncer at a pub that night and the most common thing I heard from customers was "so, who do we play in the semi?". It was foolish.

Now everyone I speak to about a world cup says that they think the toughest team for us in a world cup is France. Everyone says they'll never make those assumptions again. I also ask, "If New Zealand had to lose the next world cup, but take down one side before they leave, who would it be"? France is the team they all say, out of world cup respect.

Some French fans have started to assume that it's a routine, that they'll beat us. Now the roles are reversed and the misplaced arrogance is going to make for an interesting situation if New Zealand pulls of a win.

A segment of French fans assume that if we meet again in a knock out phase, that the game is theirs. Isn't that what we used to think?

I want us to meet in the next one. Rather than avoid you guys. The All Blacks want the world cup desperately, but if they don't get it, France's scalp and tears will make for a great second prize if we can get it.


To jawmalawm24. I like how you well demonstrate how New Zealanders are no longer that arrogant. It shows how realistic we've all become when someone like yourself says "how do we know we'll even make it out of pool play". It's a good thing not to assume anything, we could end up in a pool of death with Argentina and South Africa or something, or maybe with Ireland and a resurgent England, so yeah you make a point there.

My whole point is not about All Blacks arrogance, it's just this whole blind "France are your nemesis" thing. The truth is "France was our nemesis at world cups and could be again", not this assumption that we will lose if we play them at the RWC.[/b]

Yeah i agree . and i said before the match that i did not like too much this french confidence, i know that it can give you hard morning , hammered morning (2004 , 2006...) . and it is exactly what happened . You are terrified , so we are... You are The example in France , we are "jealous" of your rugby , we think it is The rugby to play , the level to reach . It is what motivate us very simply . to meet AB and to beat them ..on their own game if it is possible...maybe only a dream but at least , as a dream , it makes you improve yourself to try to reach it , like the fact you are "terrified" makes you stronger...


Lievremont and several current players are good guys for the job , i'm confident about that (as in 2004 or 2006 after match against AB , we just wanted to change all players and the coach , nothing was positive , i do not believe we won against you in 2007 ... ) ...work to make about our backliners (you outplayed us on this level ) ...

For heymans , yeah it was a mistake to not make him play as winger ..or at least to not make him come early in the match as substitute...Even David would have been great on this match ...Mermoz too ...that was exactly a match where some young guys could have gained a lot of experience and they would have done as good as Jauzion traille or marty would have done ...I won't talk too much about Bastareaud as it is a hot subject between our 2 countries but even him will come back quickly and these guys have great potential and are more "fresh" psychologically and more prepared athletically to fight against blacks ..IMHO...


Anyway i took even pleasure to watch again the first half of the game , i think it was a really nice game and as i like good rugby whatever happens , i can only pray AB for their almost perfect performance :bravo:
[/b][/quote]

I think we are seeing each others point fairly clearly now. Make no mistake, us kiwis are very aware how embarrassing it'd be if we talked up beating the french in a world cup and didn't do it. We now know we cannot take our eyes off your players for a second, or trust any form book with you guys. Maybe you could lose to Australia by 26 points one week, Ireland by 18 the next and then beat us. We are aware of your tricks now, lol. :lol:

 

[Bernard]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Nov 30 2009, 12:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I think we are seeing each others point fairly clearly now. Make no mistake, us kiwis are very aware how embarrassing it'd be if we talked up beating the french in a world cup and didn't do it. We now know we cannot take our eyes off your players for a second, or trust any form book with you guys. Maybe you could lose to Australia by 26 points one week, Ireland by 18 the next and then beat us. We are aware of your tricks now, lol. :lol:[/b]

Like you sent Carter as a spy to Perpignan , to learn these tricks ?? it was an efficient strategy

We are aware of all your attempts to know the secret of our magic potion

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bernard @ Nov 30 2009, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Nov 30 2009, 12:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think we are seeing each others point fairly clearly now. Make no mistake, us kiwis are very aware how embarrassing it'd be if we talked up beating the french in a world cup and didn't do it. We now know we cannot take our eyes off your players for a second, or trust any form book with you guys. Maybe you could lose to Australia by 26 points one week, Ireland by 18 the next and then beat us. We are aware of your tricks now, lol. :lol:[/b]

Like you sent Carter as a spy to Perpignan , to learn these tricks ?? it was an efficient strategy

We are aware of all your attempts to know the secret of our magic potion

[/b][/quote]

Did Chabal fall into the cauldron as a baby?

 

[Bernard]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Nov 30 2009, 12:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bernard @ Nov 30 2009, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Nov 30 2009, 12:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think we are seeing each others point fairly clearly now. Make no mistake, us kiwis are very aware how embarrassing it'd be if we talked up beating the french in a world cup and didn't do it. We now know we cannot take our eyes off your players for a second, or trust any form book with you guys. Maybe you could lose to Australia by 26 points one week, Ireland by 18 the next and then beat us. We are aware of your tricks now, lol. :lol:[/b]

Like you sent Carter as a spy to Perpignan , to learn these tricks ?? it was an efficient strategy

We are aware of all your attempts to know the secret of our magic potion

[/b][/quote]

Did Chabal fall into the cauldron as a baby?
[/b][/quote]


It was not a cauldron but a lake of magic potion !

 

[Candyman]

Besides all this who thought it was a great game!!

 

[Bernard]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr.cyclopede @ Nov 29 2009, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well history has nothing to do with it, but also because during WRC game level is closer beetween NH and SH, and 2 factors allow nations as France to make its one lift off:
- Time for preparation, wich is not the case with the overloadel annual planning we have (England same case), with TOP14, European Challenge, Hcup
- Rest time before preparation for players called in the WRC team (France is I think the only nation to run a championship while in these autumn tests and in the off weekends in the 6N)
Another factor is the way refering is applied during championchip, wich is barely different from test matches

Don't know how much time had the NZs to prepare this tour, but I think it's a bit more than the week players were given here. This difference is lower before WRC, and that changes a lot.[/b]

Just to up this point .

It is a fact that we do not fight with same weapons , that is the eternal problem . We miss time for specific individaul preparation (musculation , tonicity , speed ) and team preparation (automatism ...) and i feel that it is what we missed on saturday . Federation has a big power in NZ as in France , Clubs are more important than Federation and it does not help to find some agreement to decrease numbers of TOP14 match and give more time for players with National team . that is the same problem for other european team . In france , it is a real problem , some clubs are not happy at all because they had to play 2 championship days without their international during this autumn tour (when you count the toulouse number of players in the french team , you understand the problem ..result : toulouse have lost his 2 last matches ) . But there is no choice , you can't stop the championship because of the autumn tour , too much matches to play for the season...that will be the same for the 6N ..and it means a fake championship for some teams that can't compete on 5 or 6 days of championship because of the national team . and it means players having their ass between 2 chairs , not the ideal preparation . I do not see any solutions soon ...a TOP 12 and maybe the Federation taking responsibility for a part of the player salary would be a better way to work out this problem ?? Club in France considered , and it is fair enough , that they are teaching and paying players and so they should not be bothered too much with french team . Lievremont seems smarter than its predecessors and maintain good relationship with clubs , that is a good thing . to be continued...

For refeeing , I do not know ..i heard some usual critics about saturday match against the referee but i did not feel that at all . He refered quite fairly overall . but effectivly there is some frustration on both NH and SH about that . That would be good to unify the way to refer matches all over the planet ...

 

[admartian]

Running rugby lives! ^_^

 

[candybum]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jawmalawm24 @ Nov 29 2009, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

My man of the match goes to Conrad Smith he was a beast on the defensive end like he usually is but also on the offensive end he stepped up and made huge contributions towards all the tries except maybe Kainos try that was from the scrum.[/b]

Mines as well. He's getting better each year, defensively one of the best, and he runs perfect lines. Its easy to under estimate him, not the fastest or biggest but he'll still school yah! His best game for the All Blacks imo. Mind you Kieren Read had one of his best matches too. Think So'oialo's time is up sadly. Carter played a near perfect game from a stand off point of view.

France hardly had the possession and territory in the second half, though if Dupuy landed those penalties it could've been tighter, i think as game went away from them, the less they were in it mentally.

I don't understand why Heymans was on the bench, he should've been starting, Medard didn't look comfortable on the wing at all and why on earth did they sub off Chabal!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Nov 29 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I must say I loved McCaws slow jog back to the line, which may have saved NZ a try.[/b]

It certainly did! i was sure it should've been a penalty? lol aw well good stuff.

 

[Nickdnz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (candybum @ Nov 30 2009, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jawmalawm24 @ Nov 29 2009, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My man of the match goes to Conrad Smith he was a beast on the defensive end like he usually is but also on the offensive end he stepped up and made huge contributions towards all the tries except maybe Kainos try that was from the scrum.[/b]

Mines as well. He's getting better each year, defensively one of the best, and he runs perfect lines. Its easy to under estimate him, not the fastest or biggest but he'll still school yah! His best game for the All Blacks imo. Mind you Kieren Read had one of his best matches too. Think So'oialo's time is up sadly. Carter played a near perfect game from a stand off point of view.

France hardly had the possession and territory in the second half, though if Dupuy landed those penalties it could've been tighter, i think as game went away from them, the less they were in it mentally.

I don't understand why Heymans was on the bench, he should've been starting, Medard didn't look comfortable on the wing at all and why on earth did they sub off Chabal!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Nov 29 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I must say I loved McCaws slow jog back to the line, which may have saved NZ a try.[/b]

It certainly did! i was sure it should've been a penalty? lol aw well good stuff.
[/b][/quote]
I can see why you think that, however there was no way of proving it was intentional off side, and he had his hands ontop of his head with no obvious intention to play the ball. Like McCaw does so well, he played on a very grey area of the rules.

 

[Candyman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (candybum @ Nov 30 2009, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jawmalawm24 @ Nov 29 2009, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My man of the match goes to Conrad Smith he was a beast on the defensive end like he usually is but also on the offensive end he stepped up and made huge contributions towards all the tries except maybe Kainos try that was from the scrum.[/b]

Mines as well. He's getting better each year, defensively one of the best, and he runs perfect lines. Its easy to under estimate him, not the fastest or biggest but he'll still school yah! His best game for the All Blacks imo. Mind you Kieren Read had one of his best matches too. Think So'oialo's time is up sadly. Carter played a near perfect game from a stand off point of view.

France hardly had the possession and territory in the second half, though if Dupuy landed those penalties it could've been tighter, i think as game went away from them, the less they were in it mentally.

I don't understand why Heymans was on the bench, he should've been starting, Medard didn't look comfortable on the wing at all and why on earth did they sub off Chabal!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Nov 29 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I must say I loved McCaws slow jog back to the line, which may have saved NZ a try.[/b]

It certainly did! i was sure it should've been a penalty? lol aw well good stuff.
[/b][/quote]


I really don't know why they subbed Chabal either and so early in the second half!! He wasn't playing badly if anything he kinda kept the French forward pack together they turned to custard when he went off!! The Face of Rebel sport in New Zealand!

 

[bates]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jawmalawm24 @ Nov 29 2009, 12:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I thought the scuffle put a damper on Conrads try he looked rapt as but only got congratulated by 1 of his team mates because the rest were in that sideline mess. Other than that and a few other little ****ly moments it was awesome to see some running Rugby. Even when the French were on the charge it was good I think I was just so happy to see someone running with the ball instead of kicking it.

Yes amobokobokoboko it's a awesome game it's the type of Rugby I think fans have been missing out on for some time now.[/b]

And I missed it, hmmm. Well if they can keep up this level off preformance I'm already looking forward to their game against the Barbarians.

 

[wertas]

Great match and a good running rugby. Result doesn't show reality because New Zealand scored three tries in three atacks that they had in the first half. Everything was almost perfect and France made too many silly mistakes in defence and offence. Medard should have started at 15. Traille - 12, because Jauzion was absolutely crap. Having Traille at fullback means kicking game and he doesn't play at that positinion in his club. Also Heymans should have started. Back-row was too light. France missed their two Number 8. Trinc-Duc and centre pair was weakest link in the game. Missed tackles and France went backwards and couldn't catch fast All Blacks backs. It is pity that Mermoz injured but even David could have started instead of Jauzion. Zero in defence.

 

[TheBokke]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Nov 29 2009, 05:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Nov 29 2009, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TRUE LEGND @ Nov 29 2009, 05:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/arti...ed-blacks-claim

Dirty pricks[/b]

At the point where incidents are still alleged offences, this kind of comment is inflammatory. At the point when an offence has been proven, it is still poor terminology, ill defined and able to be interpreted as a broader swipe at a nation.

The attached article is not proof of anything, nor is it vindication of this kind of commentary. Please cease this kind of language.
[/b][/quote]
Hey, all comments welcome. But I was hoping for a SA/Burger style video instead of some boring news report. Don't think anyone is making a fuss of this anyway.
[/b][/quote]

Ok there you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg28666NFGc...player_embedded

 

[RC]

I just watched some 10 minutes highlights of the game on youtube and i can honestly say that this was the first time in a fair few games that ive seen new zealand play beautiful rugby that you know they can play.
Stunning tries, great pieces of skill and as aggressive as france were in the breakdown you could just see New Zealand took them to the cleaners!
Fantastic game.
However there wasn't just one incident of possible dirty play.
I know there was a possible eye gouging (not sure what's come of that yet) during Smith's try, but also for the second try. Sivivatu created the space, 2 on 1, offloaded the ball to muliaina and after he does so France's full back drops a shoulder and floors Sivivatu. I'm surprised nothing was made of that on the highlights, but that was really filthy play. You lose respect for players when they resort to that.
But New Zealand should be so proud - they delivered a hammering!

 

[thomas]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bernard @ Nov 30 2009, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr.cyclopede @ Nov 29 2009, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well history has nothing to do with it, but also because during WRC game level is closer beetween NH and SH, and 2 factors allow nations as France to make its one lift off:
- Time for preparation, wich is not the case with the overloadel annual planning we have (England same case), with TOP14, European Challenge, Hcup
- Rest time before preparation for players called in the WRC team (France is I think the only nation to run a championship while in these autumn tests and in the off weekends in the 6N)
Another factor is the way refering is applied during championchip, wich is barely different from test matches

Don't know how much time had the NZs to prepare this tour, but I think it's a bit more than the week players were given here. This difference is lower before WRC, and that changes a lot.[/b]

Just to up this point .

It is a fact that we do not fight with same weapons , that is the eternal problem . We miss time for specific individaul preparation (musculation , tonicity , speed ) and team preparation (automatism ...) and i feel that it is what we missed on saturday . Federation has a big power in NZ as in France , Clubs are more important than Federation and it does not help to find some agreement to decrease numbers of TOP14 match and give more time for players with National team . that is the same problem for other european team . In france , it is a real problem , some clubs are not happy at all because they had to play 2 championship days without their international during this autumn tour (when you count the toulouse number of players in the french team , you understand the problem ..result : toulouse have lost his 2 last matches ) . But there is no choice , you can't stop the championship because of the autumn tour , too much matches to play for the season...that will be the same for the 6N ..and it means a fake championship for some teams that can't compete on 5 or 6 days of championship because of the national team . and it means players having their ass between 2 chairs , not the ideal preparation . I do not see any solutions soon ...a TOP 12 and maybe the Federation taking responsibility for a part of the player salary would be a better way to work out this problem ?? Club in France considered , and it is fair enough , that they are teaching and paying players and so they should not be bothered too much with french team . Lievremont seems smarter than its predecessors and maintain good relationship with clubs , that is a good thing . to be continued...

For refeeing , I do not know ..i heard some usual critics about saturday match against the referee but i did not feel that at all . He refered quite fairly overall . but effectivly there is some frustration on both NH and SH about that . That would be good to unify the way to refer matches all over the planet ...
[/b][/quote]


right...

too many games played for international....

Lionel Nallet during the 2007/2008 season (RWC year).... played...

.... out of 52 weeks....

.... 52 games ... yes 52 games... so call that fair? not really

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (thomas @ Dec 1 2009, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bernard @ Nov 30 2009, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr.cyclopede @ Nov 29 2009, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well history has nothing to do with it, but also because during WRC game level is closer beetween NH and SH, and 2 factors allow nations as France to make its one lift off:
- Time for preparation, wich is not the case with the overloadel annual planning we have (England same case), with TOP14, European Challenge, Hcup
- Rest time before preparation for players called in the WRC team (France is I think the only nation to run a championship while in these autumn tests and in the off weekends in the 6N)
Another factor is the way refering is applied during championchip, wich is barely different from test matches

Don't know how much time had the NZs to prepare this tour, but I think it's a bit more than the week players were given here. This difference is lower before WRC, and that changes a lot.[/b]

Just to up this point .

It is a fact that we do not fight with same weapons , that is the eternal problem . We miss time for specific individaul preparation (musculation , tonicity , speed ) and team preparation (automatism ...) and i feel that it is what we missed on saturday . Federation has a big power in NZ as in France , Clubs are more important than Federation and it does not help to find some agreement to decrease numbers of TOP14 match and give more time for players with National team . that is the same problem for other european team . In france , it is a real problem , some clubs are not happy at all because they had to play 2 championship days without their international during this autumn tour (when you count the toulouse number of players in the french team , you understand the problem ..result : toulouse have lost his 2 last matches ) . But there is no choice , you can't stop the championship because of the autumn tour , too much matches to play for the season...that will be the same for the 6N ..and it means a fake championship for some teams that can't compete on 5 or 6 days of championship because of the national team . and it means players having their ass between 2 chairs , not the ideal preparation . I do not see any solutions soon ...a TOP 12 and maybe the Federation taking responsibility for a part of the player salary would be a better way to work out this problem ?? Club in France considered , and it is fair enough , that they are teaching and paying players and so they should not be bothered too much with french team . Lievremont seems smarter than its predecessors and maintain good relationship with clubs , that is a good thing . to be continued...

For refeeing , I do not know ..i heard some usual critics about saturday match against the referee but i did not feel that at all . He refered quite fairly overall . but effectivly there is some frustration on both NH and SH about that . That would be good to unify the way to refer matches all over the planet ...
[/b][/quote]


right...

too many games played for international....

Lionel Nallet during the 2007/2008 season (RWC year).... played...

.... out of 52 weeks....

.... 52 games ... yes 52 games... so call that fair? not really
[/b][/quote]

Whats your point?

 

[candybum]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wertas @ Nov 30 2009, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Great match and a good running rugby. Result doesn't show reality because New Zealand scored three tries in three atacks that they had in the first half. Everything was almost perfect and France made too many silly mistakes in defence and offence. Medard should have started at 15. Traille - 12, because Jauzion was absolutely crap. Having Traille at fullback means kicking game and he doesn't play at that positinion in his club. Also Heymans should have started. Back-row was too light. France missed their two Number 8. Trinc-Duc and centre pair was weakest link in the game. Missed tackles and France went backwards and couldn't catch fast All Blacks backs. It is pity that Mermoz injured but even David could have started instead of Jauzion. Zero in defence.[/b]

I actually thought Jauzion was one of their best attacking players. He was one of their players who initiated some breaks for the frenchies, perhaps center combo wasn't the right combo. But i agree with your other comments.