June Internationals: New Zealand v France, First Test (08/06/13)

[j'nuh]

Yeah, "joking". I saw forward flat balls everywhere that weren't called. Don' act like the scrum calls saved anybody. But whatevs bro. Don't really feel like a back and forth. Good game apart from the middle bits.

RE: Scrums- refs shou;d be allowed to mandate a Rugby league style scrum if there is a number of scrum penalties reached (channelling my inner sige ).

Yep - number 14 and 15 (when he was fully conscious lol ) were dangerous. Fofana was a bit hyped and fortunate for that try - much like A Smith supporters (such as myself) were, in his try - despite an average game.

BEN SMIIIIIIITH, Ranger, Cruden (steering the ship), and Nonu were the heroes for me.

But... Fofana was one of the best players on the field...

I seriously can't think of a 12 I'd prefer to have over him.

 

[admartian]

Do not like back and forward either but am intrigued by what you mean by a "forward flat ball" as it is either forward = forward, or flat = level, to me?

Do not understand when you say "forward flat ball" so it obviously has a different meaning for you than it does to me?

Punctuation and a key word (just the one I used after 'punctuation') was left out - sorry grammar stickler - my mistake.
Forwards and flat balls (which are fine but arguable). Counted at least 5 for the French and 1 or 2 forn the ABs that he missed. Some were close, some were blatant, and some may just have been the angle. *shrug*

Nothing too much to get worked up - point is; it isn't one way, and Craig Joubert is still the best ref in the world.

*sniff* Sorry bros.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

God there's a lot of trash on these forums now...

 

[admartian]

But... Fofana was one of the best players on the field...

I seriously can't think of a 12 I'd prefer to have over him.

Eh. I think Frritz (no 13 - if I get the name right) played a WAY better game. I think it may have been Fritz that set up that try for Fofana. Either way, that try doesn't erase the overhypedness (for this game at least) and forgettable game that he had.

As bad as that 5-10 minute stretch that the French Fullback had; I think he had a better game than Fofana.

Just my opinion for this game, doesn't mean he isn't a good player normally.

 

[Tony Manx]

Punctuation and a key word (just the one I used after 'punctuation') was left out - sorry grammar stickler - my mistake.
Forwards and flat balls (which are fine but arguable). Counted at least 5 for the French and 1 or 2 forn the ABs that he missed. Some were close, some were blatant, and some may just have been the angle. *shrug*

Nothing too much to get worked up - point is; it isn't one way, and Craig Joubert is still the best ref in the world.

*sniff* Sorry bros.

Interesting......

 

[admartian]

Interesting......

"Agree to disagree" may have been just as polite.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I thought the whole French backline was very unimpressive - though they weren't given much opportunity at all! I hardly remember Fofana's name being mentioned after he scored the try. Fritz I think I heard once or twice more? In general it was just terrible tactics from the French...

 

[admartian]

I thought the whole French backline was very unimpressive - though they weren't given much opportunity at all! I hardly remember Fofana's name being mentioned after he scored the try. Fritz I think I heard once or twice more? In general it was just terrible tactics from the French...

I would agree apart from maybe the right wing (number 14) and Fritz was at least solid. But yeah, quiet and can thank their forwards' great work in the breakdowns. Picamoles was great in that regard.

 

[Big Ewis]

God there's a lot of trash on these forums now...

...tell me about it !!...
and yes, it seems from what I've seen France still need to build a real game plan......

 

[Tony Manx]

"Agree to disagree" may have been just as polite.

I would have if I knew what you were talking about and agreed or disagreed...consequently, it was interesting!

I put it down to the time of night there!!

 

[admartian]

...tell me about it !!...
and yes, it seems from what I've seen France still need to build a real game plan......

.......Or you could just as easily quote me and say it to my avatar (face)...........:lol:

(though don't really know what I said was terribly wrong? Missed calls? Defending Craig Joubert? Thinking the ABs were generally, apart from some great plays and individuals, were flat? Not thinking Fofan was superman in this game??? or am I the only one not allowed to use sarcasm and ball-busting around here?)

I would have if I knew what you were talking about and agreed or disagreed...consequently, it was interesting!

I put it down to the time of night there!!

Forward passes that were missed. Thought it was simple enough...

 

[dasNdanger]

...tell me about it !!...
and yes, it seems from what I've seen France still need to build a real game plan......

Here's what I saw - the French from the beginning seemed to have more possession of the ball overall (I really don't know possession stats for this game, it's just the way it seemed to me), but the few times they allowed the ABs to get their hands on the ball the ABs capitalized. But for the rest of the game the ABs seemed flat for the most part, and the French just unable to make the best of what they had (saw a bit of sloppy play on both sides, so I can't say that was solely a French problem).


das

 

[admartian]

Here's what I saw - the French from the beginning seemed to have more possession of the ball overall (I really don't know possession stats for this game, it's just the way it seemed to me), but the few times they allowed the ABs to get their hands on the ball the ABs capitalized. But for the rest of the game the ABs seemed flat for the most part, and the French just unable to make the best of what they had (saw a bit of sloppy play on both sides, so I can't say that was solely a French problem).


das

Pretty much.

The frustrating scrum penalties didn't help the flow either.

**** you Cuthbert, Tommy Bowe you sexy sexy man!

Wrong thread perhaps? lol

(That was a fairly close no-try though).

 

[big ginger 8]

**** you Cuthbert, Tommy Bowe you sexy sexy man!

You lost?

 

[dasNdanger]

Pretty much.

The frustrating scrum penalties didn't help the flow either.

The scrums were an abomination.


das

 

[admartian]

The scrums were an abomination.


das

There has to be a way, if both teams are getting it wrong enough times, for the ref to just call off scrums. I know it's slightly ridiculous, but if it comes at the cost of the flow of the game then it has to go.

It's not like lineouts where if the throw is not straight or any other infringement, it's just a straight penalty (generally).

 

[dasNdanger]

There has to be a way, if both teams are getting it wrong enough times, for the ref to just call off scrums. I know it's slightly ridiculous, but if it comes at the cost of the flow of the game then it has to go.

sige, is that you?


I don't think calling off the scrum is the best idea. It's like taking the bike away from a kid who can't keep it balanced long enough to learn to ride. Likewise, you can't take the scrum away or they'll never learn to do it right.

I don't know whose fault it is. The players, or the ref. I have seen times when scrums are just terrible and the ref strongly points out where the flaw is, and the teams manage to tighten up their scrum and all goes well. So, should Barnes have been more 'instructive'? Dunno. But for the most part these are two top teams who should have had their scrums figured out long before this game.

A question: I believe there were a couple new (or relatively new) caps in this game - were they forwards? (Sorry, I really didn't keep track of most of the players prior to the game so not sure about this - but wondering if it could have had a bearing if it was a case of newbieitis.)

das

 

[Big Ewis]

Here's what I saw - the French from the beginning seemed to have more possession of the ball overall (I really don't know possession stats for this game, it's just the way it seemed to me), but the few times they allowed the ABs to get their hands on the ball the ABs capitalized. But for the rest of the game the ABs seemed flat for the most part, and the French just unable to make the best of what they had (saw a bit of sloppy play on both sides, so I can't say that was solely a French problem).


das

yeh, seemed like that...will have to watch it whole anyways. But whatever the level on both sides, France has the potential to win, and this is a very encouraging score for France and a bit alarming for NZ, which is why some fans here are very touchy/agitated today, they're totally disappointed and a little nervous about the possibility of losing it seems. With kiwi fans from my experience, if they talk a lot, smt's not right

I think what awaits is a large NZ victory, and possibly a narrow French win, in no particular order.

 

[Tony Manx]

sige, is that you?


I don't think calling off the scrum is the best idea. It's like taking the bike away from a kid who can't keep it balanced long enough to learn to ride. Likewise, you can't take the scrum away or they'll never learn to do it right.

I don't know whose fault it is. The players, or the ref. I have seen times when scrums are just terrible and the ref strongly points out where the flaw is, and the teams manage to tighten up their scrum and all goes well. So, should Barnes have been more 'instructive'? Dunno. But for the most part these are two top teams who should have had their scrums figured out long before this game.

A question: I believe there were a couple new (or relatively new) caps in this game - were they forwards? (Sorry, I really didn't keep track of most of the players prior to the game so not sure about this - but wondering if it could have had a bearing if it was a case of newbieitis.)

das

It is down to the players and coaches who have decided that the scrum is a good way to get a penalty so everything is geared to that end.....there is no reason why, if they wanted, the players could not rectify the situation themselves by binding properly, not trying to go too early to "get the hit", staying on their feet instead of diving and it almost impossible for a ref to monitor. Consequently, like today, they go with the side appearing to have the "momentum" as a guess!

 

[admartian]

sige, is that you?


I don't think calling off the scrum is the best idea. It's like taking the bike away from a kid who can't keep it balanced long enough to learn to ride. Likewise, you can't take the scrum away or they'll never learn to do it right.

I don't know whose fault it is. The players, or the ref. I have seen times when scrums are just terrible and the ref strongly points out where the flaw is, and the teams manage to tighten up their scrum and all goes well. So, should Barnes have been more 'instructive'? Dunno. But for the most part these are two top teams who should have had their scrums figured out long before this game.

A question: I believe there were a couple new (or relatively new) caps in this game - were they forwards? (Sorry, I really didn't keep track of most of the players prior to the game so not sure about this - but wondering if it could have had a bearing if it was a case of newbieitis.)

das

I wasn't being serious. Nor did I mean to get rid of scrums completely, for all games, forever - just when they're getting ridiculous in a given match. I'm not sold on any idea - jut the one that gets it right most of the time.

It is down to the players and coaches who have decided that the scrum is a good way to get a penalty so everything is geared to that end.....there is no reason why, if they wanted, the players could not rectify the situation themselves by binding properly, not trying to go too early to "get the hit", staying on their feet instead of diving and it almost impossible for a ref to monitor. Consequently, like today, they go with the side appearing to have the "momentum" as a guess!

Probably this. But in the event this happens; surely there's a way to avoid or work around it?