RWC: All Blacks - France (24-09-2011, 15:30)

[thomasfaller]

I'd agree to that

 

[thomasfaller]

27 - 15 To the All Blacks.

I'd agree to that

(better with the quote, sorry)

 

[lance2010]

France are capable of pulling a performance out of the hat, but it would be an exception rather then the rule. Given the current string of performances, the grumblings from within the camp, and the open criticism from the coach, things dont seem to be too rosy.

I can see the French pack causing the ABs all sorts of problems to be honest, so it should be close, but I think the ABs will still be a score or two to the good.

If France put out a reserve team, i'll be pretty disgusted with them to be honest.

Yes you are right about France but i don't think it will happen in NZ,had this game been in Europe somewhere sure France would be up for it.AB's will be very hard to beat in this Cup.

 

[ckell]

Think I'll reserve judgement till I see the French XV...

 

[smartcooky]

no team who ever won the world cup lost a game during that tournament... and histroy has a way to repeat itself...

True, but in 2007 England did make the final after being smashed by South Africa in their Pool game

 

[cardassian]

NZ will win, then lose to Aus in semi final, then Aus vs England final with Aus kicking ass like they did in the tri-nations. scrum all fixed and beat england 50-0.... then I wake up, with my hand on my pants remembering HOW CRAP AUSSIES ARE NOW AT RUGBY, fuking lost to IRELAND!!! ****!!!!

Good luck to AB vs France!!!

Don't take it so hard, Ireland are a good team.

 

[Larksea]

no sane NZ supporter can say this without getting the gitters but I believe the AB's will give france a spanking. Though I wish I had stayed off betting all my vcash till after the team was named...

I expect Mills to be named at 15, I don't buy into all this talk about Mills being over the hill. People have said it for a few years now and each time Mills has come out and been one of the AB's best.

It's been interesting with this whole Zac Guildford thing... Makes me wonder if maybe he will be given a shot this week... You never know but Jane has hardly been impressive and Zac is the only Spec winger in the squad and he is better than that game against Aussie and normally safe as houses. Chances are slim but you never know.

Should be a massive game, though it has been dampened somewhat by the fact the loser could have an easier run to the final. Still really looking forward to it.

 

[Shaggy]

France are capable of pulling a performance out of the hat, but it would be an exception rather then the rule. Given the current string of performances, the grumblings from within the camp, and the open criticism from the coach, things dont seem to be too rosy.

I can see the French pack causing the ABs all sorts of problems to be honest, so it should be close, but I think the ABs will still be a score or two to the good.

If France put out a reserve team, i'll be pretty disgusted with them to be honest.

I agree, I think France will cause problems in the forwards as well, and this is the area of concern for me rather than what combination of backs are assembled.

... I don't think France will fielded their second stringers/reserve team, so don't worry

Marc Lièvremont is starting to get bored of journalists asking him whether his team is gonna play the ABs seriously or not given the "Ireland situation"
I don't know if France is going to win that one or even if they'll be somehow competitive but I'm sure that the journalists' stupid question about France playing "or not" will motivate the players and France is never better than when they're the "totally underestimated underdog sparing-team"
The last I heard kiwi fans saying that France did not stand a chance of winning, it was in Twickenham in 1999...

Yes, I saw that (about the journalists), and commented on it in my soon to be published blog on here (nothing wrong with a bit more promoting is there?)

... I here what you are saying regarding the New Zealand supporters confidence of an All Black win ... France have a very good rugby world cup record against the All Blacks, and also one of the best against New Zealand, in New Zealand.

... However I will back the All Blacks, given the home ground advantage etc - i'm not saying it will be a thrashing ... any kind of win will do

... at least if the unthinkable happens, and France win, it will only be a grievous wound, and not a terminal one this time

 

[Surefire]

Latest news,

Yach. 9 w/Parra 10

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Starting XV: Traille - Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Médard - (o) Parra, (m) Yachvili - Harinordoquy, Picamoles, Dusautoir - Papé, Nallet - Ducalcon, Szarzewski, Poux
Bench: Servat, Barcella, Pierre, Harinordoquy, Trinh-Duc, Estabanez, Heymans

 

[Surefire]

I cant load the news conference video on my computer, so can only read the headline.

I thought highly of Trihn Duc, but he has not been so impressive this world cup. However what bothers me is the lack of size from Yachvili & Parra. They are creative however. Parra really wants to be only a 9 based on a recent interview but oh well!

 

[Surefire]

Nice job senor cyclopede!

 

[Surefire]

Again no Lakafia, I thought he would be great impact coming off the bench.

 

[Shaggy]

Starting XV: Traille - Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Médard - (o) Parra, (m) Yachvili - Harinordoquy, Picamoles, Dusautoir - Papé, Nallet - Ducalcon, Szarzewski, Poux
Bench: Servat, Barcella, Pierre, Harinordoquy, Trinh-Duc, Estabanez, Heymans

Link please ... you have Harinordoquy in the starting XV and on the bench ... he's good, but can't be in two places at once, like say ... Chabal!

 

[Larksea]

the important thing for the AB's is not the result but to continue to improve and settle on the top 15-22 players and to achieve that would mean they have to win. AB's have been good so far but they have more in them as a team but mostly as individuals as well. We have Kahui, Nonu and Kaino in great form but we need more players to step upto the mark and dominate. Vito has been ok at best, same with thompson, Williams, Thorn, Whitelock, Mealamu, Jane, Toeava, Woodcock, Franks, Cowan, Weepu... These guys have had a fair bit of gametime and only really get a pass mark. Need more of these guys to step up and have big games.

9 in particular is a bit of a worry, if Andy Elis is threatening to be the first choice 9 Cowan and Weepu need to lift their game. Weepu in particular is the best 9 is the world when he's in form - Elis has got nothing on him, same with Cowan - he can won matches for the AB's. I've only see Elis lose matches for the AB's or play ok, he's never been a standout at test level.

If these guys have been holding out for the bigger games then now is the time.

 

[Surefire]

Here you go Shaggy!

La composition du XV de France :
Traille - Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Médard - (o) Parra, (m) Yachvili - Picamoles, Dusautoir - Papé, Nallet - Ducalcon, Szarzewski, Poux
Remplaçants : Servat, Barcella, Pierre, Harinordoquy, Trinh-Duc, Estabanez, Heymans

http://www.lefigaro.fr/rugby/2011/09/19/02002-20110919ARTSPO00482-qui-pour-affronter-les-blacks.php

 

[thomasfaller]

Parra gets a start at FH... a good move from Lievremont I think. If France wants to beat the ABs, they will need to change and altern games pattern, running back lines, kicking in empty spaces and some good up and under to put pressure on the old Mils...
I'd say a good starting XV although I don't like to see Traille playing FB :-(

 

[Surefire]

It looks like France will start with only 14

 

[thomasfaller]

Here you go Shaggy!

La composition du XV de France :
Traille - Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Médard - (o) Parra, (m) Yachvili - Picamoles, Dusautoir - Papé, Nallet - Ducalcon, Szarzewski, Poux
Remplaçants : Servat, Barcella, Pierre, Harinordoquy, Trinh-Duc, Estabanez, Heymans

Il manque Julien Bonnaire tant pis on joue à 14...

 

[Surefire]

Bonnaire is the missing player!