Shaggy
First XV
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At the start of the rugby world cup, when I decided to write about the games in pool A, and then follow the qualifying teams through the knockout stages, I really didn't think that at the semifinal stage i'd still be writing about two teams. I must admit that after France's loss to Tonga at the end of pool play, I thought they would probably lose the quarter final game against England, but the French team seem to have hit form at the right time of the competition. In a way, both France and Wales are probably unexpected qualifiers â€" France because of their loss to Tonga, and because England have won most of the recent matches, and Wales, because many pundits pre-tournament were predicting that they would struggle against Fiji and Samoa, and maybe not progress past pool play.
Both teams now find themselves just one game away from the World cup final, Wales have been the most consistent and have been in very good form for most of the tournament. They have played a very physical style, been very aggressive in defense, and the forwards and backs have combine well in attack to score some great tries. I would expect that Wales will stick to this style as it has worked so well for them to date.
The French have been frustratingly French â€" they have been quite poor in some of their pool games, and hadn't really lived up to their potential, but, like French sides of the past, just as you write them off, they suddenly find form. I'm not totally convinced that they can string two good games together consequetitively, and they may have played their final against England, but, having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if i'm writing about their prospects in the final next week either. At the time of writing, the squads hadn't been named, and there didnt seem to be any significant injuries, so I expect that the playing personnel for both teams, will pretty much remain the same as in the previous matches.
If so, one of the key match ups could be the battle of the captains. Both french captain Thierry Dusautoir, and Welsh captain Sam Warburton play on the openside flank, with Dusautoir probably having the greater international reputation, but has yet to hit his best form, and Warburton being the up and coming player in this position, and having been in phenomenal form. Which ever one achieves dominance will go a long way to determining how much possession their team gets. The battle of the front rows could also be a great contest, France, when their best front row are available, are high quality, but Welsh props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones are in great form, and are a force to be reckoned with. France's Imanol Harinordiquy and young Welsh number 8, Toby Faletau should also great contest.
In the backs, France must contain the Welsh centre pairing, and in particular, Jamie Roberts. The Welsh have used him very effectively to break the advantage line, and provide front foot ball. In the game against Ireland in particular, he was able to provide many opportunities for his fellow backs, allowing the outside backs in particular to profit. The French also possess a large centre in Aurelien Rougerie, plus fast and exciting outside backs in Clerc, Medard, and Palisson.
As you'd expect as the competition progresses, predicting a winners is getting harder. I will go for Wales, as i've been really impresed with their play, but the result could easily go the other way. The French play the Welsh on a regular basis, and do know how to counter their play and win against them.
At the start of the rugby world cup, when I decided to write about the games in pool A, and then follow the qualifying teams through the knockout stages, I really didn't think that at the semifinal stage i'd still be writing about two teams. I must admit that after France's loss to Tonga at the end of pool play, I thought they would probably lose the quarter final game against England, but the French team seem to have hit form at the right time of the competition. In a way, both France and Wales are probably unexpected qualifiers â€" France because of their loss to Tonga, and because England have won most of the recent matches, and Wales, because many pundits pre-tournament were predicting that they would struggle against Fiji and Samoa, and maybe not progress past pool play.
Both teams now find themselves just one game away from the World cup final, Wales have been the most consistent and have been in very good form for most of the tournament. They have played a very physical style, been very aggressive in defense, and the forwards and backs have combine well in attack to score some great tries. I would expect that Wales will stick to this style as it has worked so well for them to date.
The French have been frustratingly French â€" they have been quite poor in some of their pool games, and hadn't really lived up to their potential, but, like French sides of the past, just as you write them off, they suddenly find form. I'm not totally convinced that they can string two good games together consequetitively, and they may have played their final against England, but, having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if i'm writing about their prospects in the final next week either. At the time of writing, the squads hadn't been named, and there didnt seem to be any significant injuries, so I expect that the playing personnel for both teams, will pretty much remain the same as in the previous matches.
If so, one of the key match ups could be the battle of the captains. Both french captain Thierry Dusautoir, and Welsh captain Sam Warburton play on the openside flank, with Dusautoir probably having the greater international reputation, but has yet to hit his best form, and Warburton being the up and coming player in this position, and having been in phenomenal form. Which ever one achieves dominance will go a long way to determining how much possession their team gets. The battle of the front rows could also be a great contest, France, when their best front row are available, are high quality, but Welsh props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones are in great form, and are a force to be reckoned with. France's Imanol Harinordiquy and young Welsh number 8, Toby Faletau should also great contest.
In the backs, France must contain the Welsh centre pairing, and in particular, Jamie Roberts. The Welsh have used him very effectively to break the advantage line, and provide front foot ball. In the game against Ireland in particular, he was able to provide many opportunities for his fellow backs, allowing the outside backs in particular to profit. The French also possess a large centre in Aurelien Rougerie, plus fast and exciting outside backs in Clerc, Medard, and Palisson.
As you'd expect as the competition progresses, predicting a winners is getting harder. I will go for Wales, as i've been really impresed with their play, but the result could easily go the other way. The French play the Welsh on a regular basis, and do know how to counter their play and win against them.