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

[elgringoborracho]

Trinh-Duc has been a part of all the (few) important victories in the Lievremont era. I really hope this is just a little kick in the butt for him and he comes on at half time to have a cracker. He is a great player, but has the very french tendency to play averagely against average teams, and it cost him this time. It could work or it could be a disaster. And this is putting a lot of pressure on Parra as well so this choice might destroy the confidence of two of our most promising players.

Apart from that, it's a quite balanced team, and the bench is very interesting too in terms of making an impact (as ewanseb said).

I'm would not be so hard on Traille as you, frenchy, I think he is a quite reliable player. Won't bring any flair, won't make too many mistakes either. I also thought his attacking display was interesting versus Canada. He seems to have worked on his defensive placement as well.

Meh if we lose it won't be a tragedy, not getting smashed would be nice though. Whatever the result, the ABs would be foolish to think this game will give any information to prepare the NZ-France final (that will happen).

 

[Surefire]

I am pretty happy with Lievremont's choices, Trinh Duc has not performed during the first two games, he might come in at half time and have a hell of a game.

Skrela being injured and Trinh Duc needing a "rest", what else can he do ?? For sure the ABs will target the 10's channel, Nonu at full speed against our 76 kg Parra might cause some damages.

I am hundred per cent sure Trinh Duc is our best fly-half and will come stronger, but that's good management from Lievremont as this is not a play off game.

For the rest of the team, provided that Picamoles does not forget his brain in the dressing room, the back row is potentially our best with Harinordorquy coming later.
Mas being injured , the front row makes sense. Against the ABs, Swarzeski might be a better choice than Servat as he is more mobile.

If France can keep in touch with the ABs on the scoreboard for 50 minutes, with Barcella, Trinh Duc, Harinordoquy, Heymans coming in at the hour mark, our bench may proved to be the difference.

I do actually think the ABs are better all over the park (with some exceptions, our best back three Clerc/Heymans/Medard might get the edge there) but France probably have a better bench, which is somehow logical as we are yet to find our starting XV.

Your Post gives me hope!

 

[FlukeArtist]

Here is an indication about what the NZ Rugby public think about the French team selected for this saturday's game

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10753239

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That article is a load of poo.
While it's not really Frances strongest XV, it's hardly like they've put out a 'B' side
The big names are all there, there's just a couple on the bench instead of starting
You've still got Clerc, Medard, Rougerie, Dusautoir, Servat, Hairydonkey, Heymans, Trinh-Duc, Yachvili and Parra - who exactly is missing?

 

[SelimNiai]

That article is a load of poo.
While it's not really Frances strongest XV, it's hardly like they've put out a 'B' side
The big names are all there, there's just a couple on the bench instead of starting
You've still got Clerc, Medard, Rougerie, Dusautoir, Servat, Hairydonkey, Heymans, Trinh-Duc, Yachvili and Parra - who exactly is missing?

And can the insinuation that they're throwing the game be considered a smidge libelous?

For all we know Parra at 10 could be the best thing since sliced..er..baguette.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Complaining on the team composition relatively to a kind of "misrecpect" could be understandable, even if expect Parra as 10, there's none in this team to be considered as a provocation.
Even though, Trinh-Duc should quickly enter the game, as I don't see Parra playing the role for 60 min.

But this is not what this article is talking about, no sport spirit but money. On this point only the organization is responsible for the tickets prices they decide.
Moaners should create a refund "insurance" to be used when one or both teams composition is not the one they expected to be (injuries or any other reason), estimating right before the match that it doesn't worth the price anymore...

I don't know the ticket price policy for this match, but something I found deceiving is the high number of unfilled stadiums I see for the pool stage. I'm aware I speak about small rendez-vous (i.e. Italy Russia today), but even tough, this cup is taking place in the rugby cultural country, doesn't it ?

 

[FlukeArtist]

@ Mr Cyclopede: "I don't know the ticket price policy for this match, but something I found deceiving is the high number of unfilled stadiums I see for the pool stage. I'm aware I speak about small rendez-vous (i.e. Italy Russia today), but even tough, this cup is taking place in the rugby cultural country, doesn't it ?"

I'm not sure what you are talking about here... I heard this morning that all the games are at least 80% full.
Thats pretty good going considering some of the games, and the cost of tickets.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Trinh-Duc has been a part of all the (few) important victories in the Lievremont era. I really hope this is just a little kick in the butt for him and he comes on at half time to have a cracker. He is a great player, but has the very french tendency to play averagely against average teams, and it cost him this time. It could work or it could be a disaster. And this is putting a lot of pressure on Parra as well so this choice might destroy the confidence of two of our most promising players.

Apart from that, it's a quite balanced team, and the bench is very interesting too in terms of making an impact (as ewanseb said).

I'm would not be so hard on Traille as you, frenchy, I think he is a quite reliable player. Won't bring any flair, won't make too many mistakes either. I also thought his attacking display was interesting versus Canada. He seems to have worked on his defensive placement as well.

Meh if we lose it won't be a tragedy, not getting smashed would be nice though. Whatever the result, the ABs would be foolish to think this game will give any information to prepare the NZ-France final (that will happen).

I agree that he attacked very well against Canada (in fact, scored a try and was very important in two others), but he is most deffinitely not a sure player. Every time there is a high ball it sends chills down my spine.

 

[UilamOsa]

I agree that he attacked very well against Canada (in fact, scored a try and was very important in two others), but he is most deffinitely not a sure player. Every time there is a high ball it sends chills down my spine.

It could be the decision of the tournament. It's forecasted for Rain this Friday, so conditions maybe a factor something France took into account? I know it's on Friday but Eden Park isn't covered...so the grounds will be damp...

I'm still picking a beating by the AB's - but i truly hope i'm wrong.

 

[UilamOsa]

Saturday.

 

[jawmalawm24]

That article is a load of poo.
While it's not really Frances strongest XV, it's hardly like they've put out a 'B' side
The big names are all there, there's just a couple on the bench instead of starting
You've still got Clerc, Medard, Rougerie, Dusautoir, Servat, Hairydonkey, Heymans, Trinh-Duc, Yachvili and Parra - who exactly is missing?

I have to agree that article is a load of poos. I'd be happy just going to any RWC game I wouldn't care who's in the team as longs as the games fair and both sides put on a memorable performance. Personally I think France could hand us a good whooping because this is a revenge game and alot of our players could fall into the mode of overplaying and start doing having brain explosions. No matter what side the French put out it'll possibly be a All Black beating side, I hope not but we've learnt our lesson from 99 and 2007 so we should be prepared.

 

[jaunard06]

Ok, so if I summarize correctly a second-string french side according to NZ medias is when France drops their only remaining #10 "specialist" (remember Skrela is injured or...?) to put a FH instead...

I would have put Traille, he already played as a 10 for France and even if he has as many flair as my grandmother on the field, at least he's defensively better than Parra, and it's still less dangerous to have him here than at the back (up-and-enders...argh )

For the rest where's the second string ? That paper has been written by someone who obviously was frozen just after 2007...Harinordoquy was at its peak in 2007, now other players are challenging him seriously. William is an awesome number 2 but Dimitri is also really good and faster than William, we are lucky to have two world-class hookers and the AB's scrum is going to discover it on saturday I'm afraid, as this is maybe the only situation where we can cause them some trouble.

I still see AB's by more than 20, as France needs to have something at stake to really produce their better rugby. We regularly drop 3rd place matches by lack of motivation and I believe this is also what will happen here as we would not suffer from a pure accounting point of view of losing to the ABs...

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

I'm not sure what you are talking about here... I heard this morning that all the games are at least 80% full.
Thats pretty good going considering some of the games, and the cost of tickets.

It's just a impression for sure, but watching the games on TV, there are plenty of empty seats, and not only in the traditional VIP section.

 

[Icemn]

any news yet on the AB side that might be playing???

 

[Darwin]

any news yet on the AB side that might be playing???

It will be named early tomorrow morning New Zealand time (in about 10 hours from now). I don't expect there will be many surprise selections - assuming everyone is fit (barring Read who is still out) I'd predict a lineup of:
Woodcock, Mealamu, O Franks, Thorn, Whitelock, Kaino, McCaw, Thomson, Cowan, Carter, Kahui, Nonu, Smith, Jane, Dagg.

The main areas of contention will be number 8 (I suspect they will pick Thomson over Vito), halfback (it wouldn't surprise me if either Weepu, Ellis or Cowan start), and the outside backs (all media reports suggest Dagg may get he nod over Muliaina, while there is the possibility Toeava will get the nod over Jane on the right wing).

 

[ACT1NUP]

I hope media reports are wrong and Muliaina gets the start with Kahui and Dagg on the wings. I'd be happy with Dagg, Jane and Kahui though, they would be pretty potent. As long Toeava and Guilford aren't in the top team, I'm happy.

 

[elgringoborracho]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10753348

Truth restored by the same newspaper. Something you wouldn't see much in France.

Also, I would like to point out that the poo article was written by "British rugby writer Peter Bills"
1. Who the f*** is he
2. He's british

 

[monkeypigeon]

Yeah, it's 'dross' alright.

Clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. The selection makes a good degree of sense (compared to what ML usually picks).

And even if ti made no sense, I wouldn't put it down to trying to lose but rather MarkLievremont doing his usual shite.

Clearly the man doesn't have a clue.


Edit: Quite enjoyed the article by this guy though/

 

[SelimNiai]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10753348

Truth restored by the same newspaper. Something you wouldn't see much in France.

Also, I would like to point out that the poo article was written by "British rugby writer Peter Bills"
1. Who the f*** is he
2. He's british

He can get away with saying ******** in a newspaper?

Cool, should have taken my studies there rather than Southampton :lol:

 

[Aout]

If France win that game, will it be the end of the NZ world ?