RWC: France - Tonga (01-10-2011, 18:00)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Westpac Stadium, Wellington (01-10-2011, 18:00)

​

Referee: Steve Walsh (AUS)
Touch Judge: Dave Pearson (ENG)
Touch Judge: Carlo Damasco (ITA)
TV match official: Matt Goddard (AUS)

[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] France [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Tonga [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Maxime Médard [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] Vungakoto Lilo [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Vincent Clerc [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] Viliame Iongi [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Aurélien Rougerie [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] Siale Piutau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Maxime Mermoz [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] Andrew Ma'ilei [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Alexis Palisson [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] Sukanaivalu Hufanga [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Morgan Parra [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] Kurt Morath [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Dimitri Yachvili [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] Taniela Moa [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Raphael Lakafia [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] Viliami Ma'afu [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Julien Bonnaire [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] Finau Maka [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Thierry Dusautoir [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] Sione Kalamafoni [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lionel Nallet [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] Paino Hehea [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Pascal Pape [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] Tukulua Lokotui [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Luc Ducalcon [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] Kisi Pulu [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] William Servat [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] Aleki Lutui [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Jean-Baptiste Poux [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] Soane Tonga'uiha [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Dimitri Szarzewski [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] Ephraim Taukafa [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Fabien Barcella [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] Alisona Taumalolo [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Julien Pierre [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] Halani Aulika [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Imanol Harinordoquy [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] Joseph Tuineau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Francois Trinh-Duc [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] Samiu Vahafolau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Fabrice Estebanez [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] Samisoni Fisilau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Cédric Heymans [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] Alipate Fatafehi [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Surefire]

Le XV de départ: Médard ; Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Palisson ; (o) Parra, (m) Yachvili ; Bonnaire, Lakafia, Dusautoir (cap) ; Nallet, Papé ; Poux, Servat, Ducalcon

Remplaçants : Szarzewski, Barcella, Pierre, Harinordoquy, Trinh-Duc, Estebanez, Heymans.

From rugbyrama site. So we continue with Parra at 10. Poor move IMO, especially because Lievremont said the Tonga match would show the probable 15 that would be in the QFs. Para is a great player so he will perform well anywhere in the backline, but we need excellent not good at every position.
Traille got sat down for speaking out, as did Picamoles. I am a fan of Lakafia, but surprised he starts.

 

[Darwin]

Surprised to see they are persisting with Parra at 10. He wasn't too bad against the AB's, but he didn't really look like a natural 10 to me. Not too many other surprises. Personally I'm still not convinced with Rougerie at centre - he does run straight and hard, but I can't help but think they could do with some more creativity in the midfield. Likewise I still think they should start Harinordoquay at 8, but to be fair my knowledge of French rugby is limited!

 

[JW.]

I agree on both subjects rougerie doesnt offer much in the centres, and im not impressed by picemole at all. while haronordique has impressed me in every game he has played.

 

[Dizzy]

Medard at Fullback??.. Man they should play Heymans there and put him back on the wing..

 

[Surefire]

I agree on both subjects rougerie doesnt offer much in the centres, and im not impressed by picemole at all. while haronordique has impressed me in every game he has played.

Dont worry about Picamoles, he was not in the match 22. Lakafia brings the same kind of running skill, I am happy with either. Rougerie is there to give some physical presence to the backline. I thought Marty would rate at least the bench but guess not.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Traille was having a surprisingly good world cup, IMO (except for the junior mistake against Canada). Lièvremont really has to improve his relationship with the players. He criticizes them in public and then when two of them say there were upset because they were subbed off at halftime without explanations, then he takes oth off the team.

Harinordoquy has not been in good form lately, and he lacks go forward from the back of the scrum, so he's been playing flanker this last season. On form, he's one of the best backrowers in world rugby, but I don't complain about having Bonnaire there.

I like the squad, except for the Parra issue. Also, Ducalcon has been a disappointment. He was brought exclusively because of his scrummaging, and he got owned by Woodcock and Mealamu. I said from the beginning that leaving Marconnet out was a big mistake, now I think more so.

 

[Surefire]

Also, Ducalcon has been a disappointment. He was brought exclusively because of his scrummaging, and he got owned by Woodcock and Mealamu. I said from the beginning that leaving Marconnet out was a big mistake, now I think more so.

I am starting to think you are right on this,

 

[IKALETAHI]

'Iongi back in the team. Isitolo has stuck with Hufanga and dropped Vainikolo out of the 22. Hufanga is a better Defender , I just think Vainikolo goes looking for the ball and along with 'Iongi is Tonga's most dangerous attacker.

I think if Tonga can finally put together a complete performance they will give France a good go. From the nervous start against NZ to the silly handling mistakes against Canada and Japan Tonga have yet to play to their potential.

 

[monkeypigeon]

I hope this sin't a stupid question, but why hasn't Malzieu been considered for a French squad in the last couple of years?

 

[brynylon]

The worst selection is Finau Maka.Too old,too slow!Even the players believe he shouldnt be starting!

 

[brynylon]

Vainikolo is injured-otherwise he would be in!

 

[brynylon]

Im surprised that Fatefehi is not at 12.Parra is vulnerable to a big man coming hard at him.Mailei is not the same threat.

 

[Darwin]

The worst selection is Finau Maka.Too old,too slow!Even the players believe he shouldnt be starting!

I agree that Finau Maka has been disappointing this tournament. The problem is that their isn't really anyone else in the squad to start at 7: there only 'specialist' openside in the squad (Vaiomounga) is under-sized, decidedly average, and a hooker! They could always start Vahafalou at 7, but in my opinion he hasn't been any more impressive than Maka. What Tonga would give for Nili Latu (or even Koloamatangi)!

 

[IKALETAHI]

I thought Fatafehi would start as well. Probably gets wrong footed on Defence a couple times, so Maka may be looking for a big defensive effort from Mailei in the first 40. Fatafehi to come on in the 2nd half along with a new front row. Im also expecting to see Moa move out to 5 8th if the game is theres to win with about 15 to go.

Nili Latu is in NZ I dont see why they didnt do what everyone was expecting and fake Vaiomoungas Injury =]

 

[brynylon]

Koloamatangi?Its a mystery to me why he is not there.Maybe injured?I note he was NOT in the Counties-Manakau squad this year either.Maybe that was because he told them he was with Tonga.My first choice for sure!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] France [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Tonga [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Maxime Médard [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] Vungakoto Lilo [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Vincent Clerc [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] Viliame Iongi [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Aurélien Rougerie [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] Siale Piutau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Maxime Mermoz [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] Andrew Ma'ilei [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Alexis Palisson [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] Sukanaivalu Hufanga [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Morgan Parra [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] Kurt Morath [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Dimitri Yachvili [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] Taniela Moa [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Raphael Lakafia [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] Viliami Ma'afu [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Julien Bonnaire [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] Finau Maka [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Thierry Dusautoir [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] Sione Kalamafoni [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lionel Nallet [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] Paino Hehea [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Pascal Pape [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] Tukulua Lokotui [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Luc Ducalcon [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] Kisi Pulu [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] William Servat [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] Aleki Lutui [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Jean-Baptiste Poux [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] Soane Tonga'uiha [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Dimitri Szarzewski [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] Ephraim Taukafa [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Fabien Barcella [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] Alisona Taumalolo [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Julien Pierre [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] Halani Aulika [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Imanol Harinordoquy [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] Joseph Tuineau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Francois Trinh-Duc [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] Samiu Vahafolau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Fabrice Estebanez [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] Samisoni Fisilau [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Cédric Heymans [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] Alipate Fatafehi [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Toko_11]

I don't like french kits -_- you would expect better from them.

You would also expect a better game..

I like how Tongans are playing

 

[Seaton]

Mon the Tongans.

Just win it, with either a BP or by more than 7, then let Canada beat the All Blacks, setting up a quaterfinal of Scotland vs. Tonga/ Canada. B)

Not only containing the French, but making decent headway, French scrum not doing the best.


So close, if the chaser was just a metre back, he was in...

 

[Jman227]

Tonga will Qualify second in Pool A by destroying France. I guarantee it. I am so confident of this I will walk through a Ghetto at night if they don't.