RWCR1 France vs All Blacks

[Grandpa]

France didn't look great against Australia. But can't take much notice of friendlies... even so...

France 17 - 25 NZ

In saying that, I think quietly, a close loss would serve NZ better in the grand scheme of things...

[Sandstorm]

France didn't look great against Australia.

Whoa there, Cowboy! The French scrum didn't look great against Australia - the rest of their play was nearly flawless.

[Torquemada 1420]

France didn't look great against Australia.

Whoa there, Cowboy! The French scrum didn't look great against Australia - the rest of their play was nearly flawless.

Other than
- Dupont charge down 1st min and offside pen shortly after.
- Ramos hitting posts in front
- Ramos missing high ball = Aus try
- Jaminet missing high ball = Aus try
- Ramos and Penaud blowing overlap for walk in try
- Marchand missing his 1st 2 lineout throws, 1 near Aus line

[laurent]

Danty is out for this game. Big loss.

[Simian]

Danty is out for this game. Big loss.

Ooft. That is a big loss. Who do you see starting in his place?

[dabooldawg]

Surprised by some of the predicted high scores here. I don't know if we're going to see scores into the 30s, world cup n all.

Le Cock 24
ABs 20

[Sandstorm]

France didn't look great against Australia.

Whoa there, Cowboy! The French scrum didn't look great against Australia - the rest of their play was nearly flawless.

Other than
- Dupont charge down 1st min and offside pen shortly after.
- Ramos hitting posts in front
- Ramos missing high ball = Aus try
- Jaminet missing high ball = Aus try
- Ramos and Penaud blowing overlap for walk in try
- Marchand missing his 1st 2 lineout throws, 1 near Aus line

It’s almost like things happen in a match that lead to other things.

[Torquemada 1420]

Whoa there, Cowboy! The French scrum didn't look great against Australia - the rest of their play was nearly flawless.

Other than
- Dupont charge down 1st min and offside pen shortly after.
- Ramos hitting posts in front
- Ramos missing high ball = Aus try
- Jaminet missing high ball = Aus try
- Ramos and Penaud blowing overlap for walk in try
- Marchand missing his 1st 2 lineout throws, 1 near Aus line

It’s almost like things happen in a match that lead to other things.

You used the word "flawless", not I.

[Sandstorm]

Plus the word “nearly”.

[Grandpa]

France didn't look great against Australia.

Whoa there, Cowboy! The French scrum didn't look great against Australia - the rest of their play was nearly flawless.

I just thought there was no intensity to the game... France never got out of second gear really... so really I should say.. France didn't look great.. because they didn't really need to...

[laurent]

Danty is out for this game. Big loss.

Ooft. That is a big loss. Who do you see starting in his place?

It's going to be either Vincent Or Moefana. Vincent should have the edge.

[Torquemada 1420]

Danty is out for this game. Big loss.

Ooft. That is a big loss. Who do you see starting in his place?

It's going to be either Vincent Or Moefana. Vincent should have the edge.

I didn't think it was certain he was out? Anyway, I'd rather Vincent than Moefana.

[Torquemada 1420]

Vincent i hope, as long he doesn’t put Penaud instead

[Torquemada 1420]

And here we go again, Chalureau replacing Willemse

https://www.laprovence.com/article/spor ... -chalureau

I don't rate the racist but Willemse was poor all last season and showed little in the warm ups. Need one lump though so Tao needs to stay fit.

[Torquemada 1420]

And here we go again, Chalureau replacing Willemse

https://www.laprovence.com/article/spor ... -chalureau

I don't rate the racist but Willemse was poor all last season and showed little in the warm ups. Need one lump though so Tao needs to stay fit.

Yep, but I hope that Wellemse will be back against SA or Irl.

He's out for the whole comp?

[Jethro]

Barrett gets no suspension

I’m livid if ER is too.

I am sickened to my stomach.
Sickened I tell you!
Sickened!

( in case any of my Kiwi brethren are taking this seriously, I am displaying the world renowned South African humor. )

Suzie prepare your mushrooms and eggs this morning?

[Grandpa]

Jordie Barrett looking unlikely to be fit. Knee injury...

[Ymx]

Jordie Barrett looking unlikely to be fit. Knee injury...

Who’s expecting to take 12, do you think?

[laurent]

Jordie Barrett looking unlikely to be fit. Knee injury...

Who’s expecting to take 12, do you think?

Danty's Back (wanted to Share the good news )

[Ymx]

I dared watch the press conference with Foster. He’s become such an expert at giving losing messages, he’s not even phased now.

Do you remember the days after a rare loss that you knew the following week there would be revenge served up, whoever the opponent.

Since Foster, that’s gone. Perhaps that was Te Aura.

I digress ….

He mentioned about Lomax sustaining a really deep cut from a stud. And that another AB was also injured. Something a bit amiss with some new boots being worn. Hope they manage to sort that out. Sounds bloody dangerous if a stud can cut deep flesh on a leg. Make a mess of someone’s face or neck.

I’m old enough to remember the days when studs got checked. Had to lift them up behind you so the ref could check them.

Christ …. I’m going on like an old man …

[Ymx]

[Gumboot]

Jordie Barrett looking unlikely to be fit. Knee injury...

Bugger.

I hope he's replaced by ALB, as I have no confidence in Havili against top tier teams.

[Grandpa]

Jordie Barrett looking unlikely to be fit. Knee injury...

Bugger.

I hope he's replaced by ALB, as I have no confidence in Havili against top tier teams.

Yeah I hope it's ALB... especially as Havili has played what.. half a game since injury?

A pity Leicester hasn't played more in the centres as he's one player that consistently gets through heavy traffic...

[Grandpa]

I dared watch the press conference with Foster. He’s become such an expert at giving losing messages, he’s not even phased now.

Do you remember the days after a rare loss that you knew the following week there would be revenge served up, whoever the opponent.

Since Foster, that’s gone. Perhaps that was Te Aura.

I digress ….

He mentioned about Lomax sustaining a really deep cut from a stud. And that another AB was also injured. Something a bit amiss with some new boots being worn. Hope they manage to sort that out. Sounds bloody dangerous if a stud can cut deep flesh on a leg. Make a mess of someone’s face or neck.

I’m old enough to remember the days when studs got checked. Had to lift them up behind you so the ref could check them.

Christ …. I’m going on like an old man …

Beaudan was cut too I think? Surely studs were checked?

[Guy Smiley]

Jordie Barrett looking unlikely to be fit. Knee injury...

Bugger.

I hope he's replaced by ALB, as I have no confidence in Havili against top tier teams.

Yes. The devastating loss of the confidence inspiring Jordie Barrett will be hard to cover.

Just imagine for a second that Fozzie had included Jack Goodhue in the squad. You know, a real midfield player.

Just imagine that.

[Gumboot]

You'd have 2023 Goodhue ahead of Jordie? Maate, you're having a Turkish.

And Jordie grew up playing in the midfield. Really.

[Guy Smiley]

Yeah, I know. Growing up playing there doesn't automatically make him good at it.

And yes, I'd have Goodhue over Jordie any day of the week. Just a better player... he has that intelligence we so lack in there. Similar player to Conrad Smith in his ability to organise... we don't see that from Jordie or Rieko.

[Gumboot]

Anyway, it'll probably be Havili now, and if there's one thing he and Jordie have in common it's a propensity for throwing stupid intercept passes.

[Guy Smiley]

Havili has a tendency to try too hard sometimes. He pushes it when he could hold on. He does offer the perfect foil to Mo'unga though, as a second distributor. If BB stays back out of the way that attacking combo can work in our favour.

[Gumboot]

Yeah, I know. Growing up playing there doesn't automatically make him good at it.

I didn't say that, but it does make him a real midfielder. And imho he's been a massive improvement over his recent predecessors at 12, like Havili. Prime Goodhue was great, but let's remember that even in 2019, when he was arguably at his best, he was preferred at 13 with ALB at 12 when it mattered. And having lost a yard of pace, he's still a very good player but nowhere near his best. Next year may be a different story. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

[Guy Smiley]

Yeah, I know. Growing up playing there doesn't automatically make him good at it.

I didn't say that, but it does make him a real midfielder. And imho he's been a massive improvement over his recent predecessors at 12, like Havili. Prime Goodhue was great, but let's remember that even in 2019, when he was arguably at his best, he was preferred at 13 with ALB at 12 when it mattered. And having lost a yard of pace, he's still a very good player but nowhere near his best. Next year may be a different story. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

ummm.. BB was preferred over Mo'unga for ages too. What does that tell you about the players?

Goodhue was played at 12 by Razor to cover the loss of Crotty. Fozzie just followed suit. He's a natural 13 who can play 12. I'll put it under the long list of players mishandled by Foster mayself.

[Gumboot]

OK, well apart from you conveniently overlooking Beauden's consecutive World Player of the Year gongs while he was at tearing it up at 10, can we at least agree that Jordie will probably start every backline position at least once during his test career? He might not get a chance at 9, but no doubt he'd make a good fist of it. He's that good.

[Guy Smiley]

I don't really rate those World Player of the Year awards. BB supporters trot it out to justify his shortcomings. Too many players have been overlooked for those awards at the expense of some other choice for my money, sorry.

Tear it up at 10? BB shovel ball, crowd your outside players for space, off load the thing into contact then step back and take the easy line break. Best 22/23 we've produced though. Perfect bench option.

Jordie at halfback, you say? That might just work...

[Gumboot]

I don't really rate those World Player of the Year awards. BB supporters trot it out to justify his shortcomings. Too many players have been overlooked for those awards at the expense of some other choice for my money, sorry.

Tear it up at 10? BB shovel ball, crowd your outside players for space, off load the thing into contact then step back and take the easy line break. Best 22/23 we've produced though. Perfect bench option.

Jordie at halfback, you say? That might just work...

Nah, you're being disingenuous now. Maybe his 2017 award was a stretch as by then he'd been well and truly found out by Gatland's rush defence, but he was sensational in 2016.

You just can't seem to help yourself from slagging off the Barrett bros at every opportunity, and suggesting they're undeserving of selection. Apart from Scooter, of course. Strange.

Oh wait, that must be more evidence of me slagging off the Saders! The horror!

[Guy Smiley]

I've never been a BB fan. I always felt there was a sort of unexpressed need to have another DC superstar in NZ rugby and accolades were showered excessively. Yes, he was electrifying but his play as a distributor leaves me unmoved. Scott was always the 'best Barrett' to me as he is good in his position but his history with cards was always a shadow hanging over him. My issue with Jordie is that he was rushed into the test team prematurely and has been a feature ever since in some sort of effort to created a 3 brothers fairy tale... I mean, selecting him on a wing? FFS.

Collectively, they shit me. I find it testing to credit good play from the two backline brothers while Scooter's brainfart moments just clarify the gene pool for me. Can't wait to see them all retired from the test scene... we have other exciting talent banging on the doors.

Mainly though, it's the fucking hair.

[Ymx]

I dared watch the press conference with Foster. He’s become such an expert at giving losing messages, he’s not even phased now.

Do you remember the days after a rare loss that you knew the following week there would be revenge served up, whoever the opponent.

Since Foster, that’s gone. Perhaps that was Te Aura.

I digress ….

He mentioned about Lomax sustaining a really deep cut from a stud. And that another AB was also injured. Something a bit amiss with some new boots being worn. Hope they manage to sort that out. Sounds bloody dangerous if a stud can cut deep flesh on a leg. Make a mess of someone’s face or neck.

I’m old enough to remember the days when studs got checked. Had to lift them up behind you so the ref could check them.

Christ …. I’m going on like an old man …

Beaudan was cut too I think? Surely studs were checked?

It doesn’t happen. They are straight from the changing room to the field >> anthems >> game on.

[Gumboot]

It's always the hair. From 1950s Brylcreem to 1970s long locks and handlebar moustaches to 1990s nude nuts and shaved eyebrows to 2000s Marshall tints and Carter quasi-mohawks...

Oh wait, scratch that, those last two were Saders.

[Ymx]

I don't really rate those World Player of the Year awards. BB supporters trot it out to justify his shortcomings. Too many players have been overlooked for those awards at the expense of some other choice for my money, sorry.

Tear it up at 10? BB shovel ball, crowd your outside players for space, off load the thing into contact then step back and take the easy line break. Best 22/23 we've produced though. Perfect bench option.

Jordie at halfback, you say? That might just work...

Nah, you're being disingenuous now. Maybe his 2017 award was a stretch as by then he'd been well and truly found out by Gatland's rush defence, but he was sensational in 2016.

You just can't seem to help yourself from slagging off the Barrett bros at every opportunity, and suggesting they're undeserving of selection. Apart from Scooter, of course. Strange.

Oh wait, that must be more evidence of me slagging off the Saders! The horror!

BB was sensational in 2016. I had been calling for him at this time, and well before. Carter looked like a busted flush until that sensational 2015 RWC final.

BB went downhill when his kicking became an issue. Think it really affected him. He started focussing on his weaknesses rather than his magic - which was his ability to make a line break from nowhere, and his ball on a string chip and chase. He also could hunt down wingers with his pace too.

[Gumboot]

BB went downhill when his kicking became an issue. Think it really affected him. He started focussing on his weaknesses rather than his magic - which was his ability to make a line break from nowhere, and his ball on a string chip and chase. He also could hunt down wingers with his pace too.

Yep, he was never the best goalkicker, but his attacking form fell away at the same time, and as Guy said he started shovelling on his passes without the same willingness to test the line. And begrudging kudos to the Lions for that.

And yeah, his pace... I remember him chasing down a Bok (Willie le Roux?) and ankle tapping him into touch inches from the try-line to save us a test.

[Ymx]

He’s not wrong. I’m not even fired up by it.

’Weakest’ All Blacks dismissed as Rugby World Cup contenders after ‘sham’ results

Dylan Coetzee 1 hour ago
All Blacks captain Sam Cane looking on.


Former France international Oliver Magne has picked his Rugby World Cup contenders which included some bold words about New Zealand.

Magne does not believe the All Blacks are good enough to win the World Cup this time around and even went as far as to suggest it is the weakest team in history.

Three big teams

The ex-flanker only sees three teams pushing for glory in the World Cup which is set to be one of the most tightly contested editions since the tournament began in 1987.

“To me, the Big Three of this World Cup is France, SA [South Africa] and Ireland,” said Magne in a column for Midi Olympique.

The Frenchman underlined his concern for the All Blacks side after they were dismantled 35-7 by the Springboks at Twickenham last time out.

“I am especially worried about this New Zealand team.

“South Africa’s display against New Zealand is significant for the world of rugby,” he wrote.

“Now, isn’t this All Black team the weakest in history? I’m wondering. Really. I feel like New Zealand’s Rugby Championship wins were a bit of a sham.”

Massive opener

Magne previewed the opening clash of the tournament that will see France face the All Blacks in a blockbuster Test. The 50-year-old only sees one winner.

“When I see the level that the XV of France is able to display over 80 minutes today against Australia, with ‘finishers’ who have maintained the same level of performance, and the determination of these players, this opening game could be tough for the All Blacks”.

Meanwhile, All Blacks defence Scott McLeod insists the team has been meticulously reviewing their defeat to the Springboks in an effort to be ready for the opener.

“We spent a fair bit of time in Germany going through that and looking at the footage and what we could have done better. Responding to the ref was one takeaway that will be consistent through this World Cup,” he said.