Top 14 2014/15 Season

[gaston le gaff]

have to agree great hooker but as a coach not sure that he is the man for the job at Toulouse and also difficult to pass from player to coach to player then back to coach which has happened several times in the last couple of seasons, difficult to find the the respect when the guy is a team player then the following day different kettle of fish.!!!!!!!! but he cant take all the blame for Toulouse's mediocre last season!!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

I didn't say it was new, there's more of them around. We also have a new fitness coach here who is involved with the existing staff. Do you have a jeu au pied specialist? they talked about Christophe Deylaud coming back here for a while as a kicking consultant but I haven't heard anymore about him joining the ranks. I would like to see a forwards consultant to work on the breakdown area to help Servat.

did i say, "you said it was new" No of course i did not, then why the aggressive tone bad day at the office, ?????????????

 

[FrenchFan]

did i say, "you said it was new" No of course i did not, then why the aggressive tone bad day at the office, ?????????????

not at all. Having an excellent day Just saying it's not new. In fact it seems like a trend picking up with more and more specialist coaches getting involved on top of the existing coaching teams. This is why Im asking around the clubs to get a better idea.
Quesada is a great kicking coach and he did some great work when he was with the national side.

If Noves is serious about shaping up for the new season (he said there would be changes in the staff but was very vague) I'm still waiting on to see more specialist coaches getting involved this season. I haven't heard anything definite and physical training has started again already here. Maybe the new heads will arrive later.

I think defense was an area that got exposed last season. There is 2 video analysts here but I don't know how the analysis filters back to the players. The other thing about defense is that it's as much a state of mind as a skill and tactics. Can't get that with video analysis, you need a coach that's going to get into the player's face and head to get his message across.
I am waiting on to see who joins the new staff but I have a sneaking suspicion that this was just a verbal salvo from Noves and no new head will join the staff. Wait and see on this one. They need an injection of new blood. Defense and breakdown being top priorities.
I agree about the comments on Servat I think he was thrown in at the deep end. There's also a generation gap with Noves and Servat as well as Ellisalde and the transition has been steeped for these 2 ex-players. If I hear anything new, I will post.

 

[FrenchFan]

firstly new signings for Montypellier; David Attoub Fr. Prop 1.83, 113kgs, 07 / 06 / 81
Tom Donnelly NZ.2ND row 2m 118kg 01/10/81
Antoine Battut Fr Back row,1.92 104kg 01/01/84
Ben Mowen Aus No.8 1.95 110kg 01/12/84
Akapusi Qera Fj Back row 1.94 113kg 24/04/84
Teddy Iribaren Fr scrum half 1.70 70kg 25/09/90
Benjy Fall Fr Fullback 1.86 98kg 03/03/89
Samisoni Viriviri Fj Fullback/winger 1.82 80kg25/04/88
after that we have 2 props SA Pat Cilliers and NZ Chris King but have not got thier details yet.
When i said breaking then (PSA) i meant confidence and not physical, maybe i did not explain myself and i meant Pellissier the 10 from Stade Framboise,(who was definetly affected) not our beloved and loved by all the girls Pelissie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the look of your recruitment. Donnelly is ex AB isn't he? Mowen is a big signing. Iribaren? ah ah I know him he is a Toulouse product. Good player didn't get the break he was looking for as so often happens with young players. I think this is a better recruitment than ours. Montpellier are going to be a force this season. I've been saying for a while. They've showed some inexperience in Europe but they will use that to get better. Semi finalist contenders if not finalist !

 

[gaston le gaff]

Going back to the recruitment Teddy Iribaren is a good signing but he is 3rd choice behind Paillaugue and Pelissie, replaceing Eric Escande who went to Toulon, but they all have to click, i think this is one of Galthie's forces of getting a squad together to play as a team. The specialists coaching subject i think comes down once again to money, and the research into constant winning. With the new EEC deal there is more money than last season than for the H Cup, the teams with the bigger bugets are going to invest into specialists coaches etc to try and find ways of progressing, (Brive opening an Academy in Fidji) also the very fact coaches from outside often pick out problems that are under the noses of the home coaches but can't see them. I think you saw this with the last footie WC, countries that were once also rans and only just qualifers are making their mark as quality teams and as progression continues in the TOP 14 this is going to happen. I do not want to sound bolshy but i dont think any one in Erope at this pesent time can come anywhere near the standards of the TOP 14, but once this is realised by the clubs outside of France they will change, as winning silverware often becomes an adictive virus, but obviously in the good sense. Points this season will be gold dust but the clubs that man manage their players will become the ones that are sitting on top of the pile, evrything looks set for another incredible 10mths.

 

[FrenchFan]

yes he is. There is incredible strength in depth in the SH position if you look around. There's 6 or 7 French SH of international calibre and you can add Escande to that list. He has impressed me every time he's come on last season for Montpellier. He's barely got any game time I think, but when he did he made it count ! It will be interesting to see how he gets on in Toulon.
I saw the news about Brive opening their own Academy in Fiji. They're following in Clermont's footsteps and I think more clubs are going to open their own Academy over there as well. They've seen the light. Which proves the point I've made before about Top 14 clubs being LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Federation in many areas incl. in terms of understanding rugby development. Some of the Fijians like Talebula really set the place on fire. He doesn't qualify for France but Nakataci of Clermont does and he is electric. He is the type of player that should have been taken to OZ in June along the likes of Galan.

I agree about specialist coaches bringing added value. This is what Toulouse need in terms of coaching. Will they see the light? I hope they do. But I have my doubts.

You are going to ruffle many feathers here with statements like this about the Top14. I said it 6 months ago, storm in a tea cup, and I was only quoting OGara !!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Maybe so but the truth hurts and well Toulon 2 European ***les on the trot, with other French clubs prominent right up to the final stages, Sarries were taken apart in the final, its nothing that everybody has not seen, the only trouble is they will not like it. Fact is fact and the players are coming to play TOP 14 not Premiership or Rabo, whether the National team suffers or not the Top 14 will only get better, and if my feathers do get ruffled i got plenty broad shoulders for them to fall onto, and as you say quoting O'Gara and i do believe he is still at Racing would be foolish to leave.

 

[FrenchFan]

ah ah broad shouldered Gaston. You need them here mind you ;-))

I agree and I can't see the H Cup leaving these shores either. I think Castres will do their usual make-up the numbers in H Cup and focus on another semi or final here again. You're right it's an addiction. I think Montpellier will focus on getting le Brennus. Can't see them chasing both cups, am I right?

did you see what Grenoble are doing as part of the pre-season, they're going to Argentina to play 2 games agst no less the Pumas. Don't remember clubs playing national teams of Argentina's calibre as part of their pre-season training. They're really crancking it up aren't they.
This is going to be some season!!

 

[Big Ewis]

you're right about France's depth at the 9 position FrenchFan, that's the comment I've been making all year long. We've got tons of guys there seriously test-Rugby ready. And yet the funny thing is in this day and age, there might be one more we'll add to the list despite all that depth to pick from, as if he could change anything to France's woes...
Anyways you inspired me to think up a XV that should've gone to Aus last summer with your comments on Nakaitaci and Galan:

1 Chiocci
2 Guirrado
3 Slimani
4 Maestri
5 Taofifenua
6 Burban
7 Lauret
8 Chouly
9 Parra
10 Talès
11 Nakaitaci
12 Fofana
13 Lamerat
14 Fall
15 Bonneval

16. Tolofua
17. Ben Arous
18. Ducalcon
19. Flanquart
20. Le Roux
21. Machenaud
22. Pierre Bernard
23. Fickou

It's not like we needed to keep familiar faces that guaranteed us consistency in play, our guys are playing more and more chaotically and less as a team regardless. Might as well rest the Picamoles, Dusau, Nyanga, Ouedra, Mas, Domingo, MICHALAK, Papé, Basta.......play guys in position with specialists at each post (hein PSA ?), not embarrass guys, and most of all try out our possibly unparalleled depth throughout the XV and put new fresh blood to contribution and see what they can do.

 

[FrenchFan]

i was talking about the Top 14 strength in depth in that position......didn't say anything about les Schtroumpfs chasing the cockerel...

you're beating a deadhorse BE. Top 14 is a much better bet.

We'll have you converted soon and you'll be able to park Les Bleus for good. They'll just become a background distraction to you. Because let's face it when you look at the domestic season that's cooking now, tes p'***s bleus et leur 5 matches des 6N sont bien pales en comparaison.

don't listen to the propanda about the WC preparation. It's rugby marketing orchestrated by FFR. That's all it is.

You're a work in progress ;-))

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

my predictions on next year.
Winning Team: Toulon
Runners up: Montpellier
Top Try Scorer: Bryan Habana
Top Point Scorer: Rory Kockott
Best Player: Richie Gray

anything else i should say ?

 

[Tony Manx]

i was talking about the Top 14 strength in depth in that position......

Watch Lesgourges come on this season at Bordeaux..............my tip for the top!!

 

[Big Ewis]

i was talking about the Top 14 strength in depth in that position......didn't say anything about les Schtroumpfs chasing the cockerel...

you're beating a deadhorse BE. Top 14 is a much better bet.

We'll have you converted soon and you'll be able to park Les Bleus for good. They'll just become a background distraction to you. Because let's face it when you look at the domestic season that's cooking now, tes p'***s bleus et leur 5 matches des 6N sont bien pales en comparaison.

don't listen to the propanda about the WC preparation. It's rugby marketing orchestrated by FFR. That's all it is.

You're a work in progress ;-))

I am indeed a work in progress, but I'm not sure I'll end up thinking like you necessarily when I'm all ripe. It was just interesting to try the exercise of coming up with an alternate yet realistic 23 that should have gone to Aus. Like I said, as long as PSA is there, I'm out. And they already are a background distraction for me. I just hope they limit the damage. About the RWC, I'll reiterate that I do believe they'll shock the world, at least a little. I bet they'll win a game everybody thought they'd lose, off pure pressure and individual quality.
And "park les bleus for good", I hope you mean park them for good - until they get back to a good level again, mmm ? mmmouais...and btw, they're not "my little bleus", they're as much mine as they are yours.

Scotty: Gray is probably more likely to finish the season with most tries scored in the league than he is winning best player, but I'll let you dream, it's fine !

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I am indeed a work in progress, but I'm not sure I'll end up thinking like you necessarily when I'm all ripe. It was just interesting to try the exercise of coming up with an alternate yet realistic 23 that should have gone to Aus. Like I said, as long as PSA is there, I'm out. And they already are a background distraction for me. I just hope they limit the damage. About the RWC, I'll reiterate that I do believe they'll shock the world, at least a little. I bet they'll win a game everybody thought they'd lose, off pure pressure and individual quality.
And "park les bleus for good", I hope you mean park them for good - until they get back to a good level again, mmm ? mmmouais...and btw, they're not "my little bleus", they're as much mine as they are yours.

Scotty: Gray is probably more likely to finish the season with most tries scored in the league than he is winning best player, but I'll let you dream, it's fine !

make sense

 

[Big Ewis]

but I'll tell you what, that Max Evans bloke there playing for Castres too, that guy seriously knows how to play the winger position though. Castres is very Scottophile, they like their Scotts over there. That fella can score tries.

 

[Big Ewis]

[video=dailymotion;x17ns4y]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17ns4y_les-joueurs-francais-ne-sont-pas-au-niveau-selon-bernard-laporte_sport[/video]

Very short. Some interesting things said in there, although not all of what we want.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Scotty you forgot Jonnie Beattie, he will do well at Castres, they reckon soon the players lunches will Haggis and chips or Tatties and Neaps!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Stade Frantic has apparently approached Kurtley Beale to compensate for Hugo Bonneval's current absence (for those who don't know, he'll be out a long time...). That's one heck of a medical joker !
There was a tangible chance he'd leave the Wallabies anyways before the World Cup, and money and Paris, France might be attractive for him at this point in his career, he's 25yo and has already accomplished loads with Aus. Played a RWC, played a Lions series, 42 caps for this nation, has been part of a side that's beaten NZ.
And he can always return to Aus later anyways.

 

[squirrel]

Aboriginal players do tend to struggle away from their family or community so that might be something kurtley would have to weigh up over money and something stade francis might have unexpected problems with

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Scotty you forgot Jonnie Beattie, he will do well at Castres, they reckon soon the players lunches will Haggis and chips or Tatties and Neaps!!!!

sure he will, btw your making me hungry