Dupont gone

[Torquemada 1420]

The more I think about it the more a tragedy I believe it is for him. This was supposed to be the year France won the RWC

And it might still happen but putting aside the "best player in the world" stuff, fact is he is so far ahead of anyone else in Fra plus so critical to the way they play, this is a massive blow and drops them from 2nd or 3rd favourites to outsiders.

[Guy Smiley]

The more I think about it the more a tragedy I believe it is for him. This was supposed to be the year France won the RWC

And it might still happen but putting aside the "best player in the world" stuff, fact is he is so far ahead of anyone else in Fra plus so critical to the way they play, this is a massive blow and drops them from 2nd or 3rd favourites to outsiders.

Our South African friends have themselves convinced they're going to win this comp. Any criticsm of that view or of their players sees an immediate laager form along with sugar fuelled chest puffery.

[Gumboot]

It's a shit situation, Torq. Was so looking forward to watching his ridiculous talent for the next few weeks.

Just curious, what's the French media reaction to Galthie's decision to keep him on after HT? Seemed braindead to me. Couldn't understand his post-match "justification" that he couldn't take all 15 starters off at HT either, but maybe he meant something else, and it was lost in translation.

[Guy Smiley]

It's a shit situation, Torq. Was so looking forward to watching his ridiculous talent for the next few weeks.

Just curious, what's the French media reaction to Galthie's decision to keep him on after HT? Seemed braindead to me. Couldn't understand his post-match "justification" that he couldn't take all 15 starters off at HT either, but maybe he meant something else, and it was lost in translation.

I'm sure Torq is seething but I don't see the issue myself, outside of bad luck. The way the second string team had played the week before demanded a cohesive, all in performance and the coach would be crucified if he'd ducked that. At some stage in the second half the bench would have been emptied... but this injury occurred at the 45 minute mark. It's no great sin that changes hadn't been made at that point.

I think there's an element of hysteria in the criticsm.

[Ymx]

He's only 26; this injury hardly destines him to the knackers yard. He has at least one more RWC in him, albeit not at home.

Players don’t tend to retain peak superpower form for that long.

Rubbish, he'll be fine. Aaron Smith is well into his 30s and has actually improved his form over the last few years after slumping for a while.

You are full of shite. Smith is not in good form. I’d rather have either Roigard or Fakatava over him.

Carter in 2015 nearly didn’t make it.

[Ymx]

The more I think about it the more a tragedy I believe it is for him. This was supposed to be the year France won the RWC

Exactly. Dreams of being the leading role to bring the World Cup for France. To get to the final, and help his team not choke a fourth final!

It’s Carter 2011. He was just crazy lucky he got another chance in 2015, he was barely selected in 2015, such was his fall in form, injury proneness, leading up to the RWC.

[Gumboot]

It's a shit situation, Torq. Was so looking forward to watching his ridiculous talent for the next few weeks.

Just curious, what's the French media reaction to Galthie's decision to keep him on after HT? Seemed braindead to me. Couldn't understand his post-match "justification" that he couldn't take all 15 starters off at HT either, but maybe he meant something else, and it was lost in translation.

I'm sure Torq is seething but I don't see the issue myself, outside of bad luck. The way the second string team had played the week before demanded a cohesive, all in performance and the coach would be crucified if he'd ducked that. At some stage in the second half the bench would have been emptied... but this injury occurred at the 45 minute mark. It's no great sin that changes hadn't been made at that point.

I think there's an element of hysteria in the criticsm.

Just seemed like the logical time to sub him, imo. They had the bonus point lead by HT, so I can't understand why they'd tempt fate.

[Guy Smiley]

Players don’t tend to retain peak superpower form for that long.

Rubbish, he'll be fine. Aaron Smith is well into his 30s and has actually improved his form over the last few years after slumping for a while.

You are full of shite. Smith is not in good form. I’d rather have either Roigard or Fakatava over him.

Carter in 2015 nearly didn’t make it.

Fakatava hasn't developed past the exciting potential stage he was at before his knee injury. Roigard is the real deal... but Smith is back in imperious form. =You're talking through a gaping hole in your butt cheeks, as usual.

[Torquemada 1420]

It's a shit situation, Torq. Was so looking forward to watching his ridiculous talent for the next few weeks.

Just curious, what's the French media reaction to Galthie's decision to keep him on after HT? Seemed braindead to me. Couldn't understand his post-match "justification" that he couldn't take all 15 starters off at HT either, but maybe he meant something else, and it was lost in translation.

Fairly muted. More a mixture of shock, resignation and some straw clutching (masks etc). Your translation bit is correct: a journo asked him the question post match and that's how he answered it.

The relationship with Galthie has been much more supportive than previous coaches: where, rightly, some were savaged. Even Noves finally took some flack when people woke up to his record being the worst ntl coach since professionalism.

I guess the general feeling amongst the media is the same an mine and everyone I know: massively deflated.

[Guy Smiley]

Just seemed like the logical time to sub him, imo. They had the bonus point lead by HT, so I can't understand why they'd tempt fate.

Wholesale changing of the bench at HT is a bit of an outdated move these days... most teams seem to favour a measured changing out of players. I just don't think it's a condemning move.

[Torquemada 1420]

You are full of shite. Smith is not in good form. I’d rather have either Roigard or Fakatava over him.

Carter in 2015 nearly didn’t make it.

Do you actually watch any rugby?

Fakatava has gone nowhere since 2 seasons ago when I would have fully supported your view. Hence why Weber has been starting ahead of him for Magpies.

Roigard looks massively promising but has a long way to go to prove himself at intl level and totally understandable why he would not get the starting slot as an unproven rookie this close/into a RWC.

[Gumboot]

It's a shit situation, Torq. Was so looking forward to watching his ridiculous talent for the next few weeks.

Just curious, what's the French media reaction to Galthie's decision to keep him on after HT? Seemed braindead to me. Couldn't understand his post-match "justification" that he couldn't take all 15 starters off at HT either, but maybe he meant something else, and it was lost in translation.

Fairly muted. More a mixture of shock, resignation and some straw clutching (masks etc). Your translation bit is correct: a journo asked him the question post match and that's how he answered it.

The relationship with Galthie has been much more supportive than previous coaches: where, rightly, some were savaged. Even Noves finally took some flack when people woke up to his record being the worst ntl coach since professionalism.

I guess the general feeling amongst the media is the same an mine and everyone I know: massively deflated.

Cheers. And commiserations.

France is still a fine side near its peak, though, and this may well galvanise them, especially playing at home. I hope so, anyway.

[Kiwias]

You are full of shite. Smith is not in good form. I’d rather have either Roigard or Fakatava over him.

Carter in 2015 nearly didn’t make it.

Do you actually watch any rugby?

Fakatava has gone nowhere since 2 seasons ago when I would have fully supported your view. Hence why Weber has been starting ahead of him for Magpies.

Roigard looks massively promising but has a long way to go to prove himself at intl level and totally understandable why he would not get the starting slot as an unproven rookie this close/into a RWC.

I agree on Fakatava -- he has lost the edge he had a couple of years ago -- while Weber is looking really sharp.

[Ymx]

You are full of shite. Smith is not in good form. I’d rather have either Roigard or Fakatava over him.

Carter in 2015 nearly didn’t make it.

Do you actually watch any rugby?

Fakatava has gone nowhere since 2 seasons ago when I would have fully supported your view. Hence why Weber has been starting ahead of him for Magpies.

Roigard looks massively promising but has a long way to go to prove himself at intl level and totally understandable why he would not get the starting slot as an unproven rookie this close/into a RWC.

I was giving Fakatava some leeway because of his horrendous injury. But maybe that’s the point, he might not ever be the same player again to hit a RWC, through that disruptive injury.

[Ymx]

Not sure where you got that from. Before I left work this evening, the update I had was no decision had been taken.

As Yr Alban posted earlier, surely they'll have to wait for the swelling to go down?

It seems it was misreported on Bernol:
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/09/22/cou ... 472111.php

[ScarfaceClaw]

France were my big hope at stopping Sefrica winning the World Cup through their dynamic brand of up and unders and changing the entire team at half time rugby.

[Guy Smiley]

You are full of shite. Smith is not in good form. I’d rather have either Roigard or Fakatava over him.

Carter in 2015 nearly didn’t make it.

Do you actually watch any rugby?

Fakatava has gone nowhere since 2 seasons ago when I would have fully supported your view. Hence why Weber has been starting ahead of him for Magpies.

Roigard looks massively promising but has a long way to go to prove himself at intl level and totally understandable why he would not get the starting slot as an unproven rookie this close/into a RWC.

I was giving Fakatava some leeway because of his horrendous injury. But maybe that’s the point, he might not ever be the same player again to hit a RWC, through that disruptive injury.

You prefer Fakatava over Smith, you said.

[Sards]

The more I think about it the more a tragedy I believe it is for him. This was supposed to be the year France won the RWC

And it might still happen but putting aside the "best player in the world" stuff, fact is he is so far ahead of anyone else in Fra plus so critical to the way they play, this is a massive blow and drops them from 2nd or 3rd favourites to outsiders.

Our South African friends have themselves convinced they're going to win this comp. Any criticsm of that view or of their players sees an immediate laager form along with sugar fuelled chest puffery.

I am very pleased to see you on the match thread. Going to be a thrilling game. I can imagine your excitement to enjoy this spectacle.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Do you actually watch any rugby?

Fakatava has gone nowhere since 2 seasons ago when I would have fully supported your view. Hence why Weber has been starting ahead of him for Magpies.

Roigard looks massively promising but has a long way to go to prove himself at intl level and totally understandable why he would not get the starting slot as an unproven rookie this close/into a RWC.

I was giving Fakatava some leeway because of his horrendous injury. But maybe that’s the point, he might not ever be the same player again to hit a RWC, through that disruptive injury.

You prefer Fakatava over Smith, you said.

But we all agree, no room for gingers. Right..?

[Guy Smiley]

Ginger free zone, SFC

[Simian]

Not sure where you got that from. Before I left work this evening, the update I had was no decision had been taken.

As Yr Alban posted earlier, surely they'll have to wait for the swelling to go down?

It seems it was misreported on Bernol:
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/09/22/cou ... 472111.php

BBC reporting an announcement from FFR that he had surgery last night (which seems weird)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66900315

[Gumboot]

Just a black eye, then?

[Sandstorm]

French thread Kiwi’ed

[Gumboot]

French thread Kiwi’ed

That would make sense if France hadn't already torn us a new one.

[Guy Smiley]

French thread Kiwi’ed

Just trying to balance out the heavyweight Saffa presence.

[Simian]

Just a black eye, then?

[Gumboot]

A poor attempt at humour. Sue me.

[Yr Alban]

Waiting until the end of the game would have made no difference at all. Also, they probably won’t operate for a week or so, because there will be a load of swelling and they need that to settle to avoid wound breakdown. Zero chance of him taking any further part in the tournament, I’d say. Unfortunately.

I see he has had his op already, which shows you how much I know. It’s possible they act faster if there’s a depressed fracture needing elevated.

[Simian]

A poor attempt at humour. Sue me.

oh, my post was accidental!

[laurent]

Well they went very fast.

Not thrilled with that. Obviously having him for the semi or final is a plus however the quarter final will be a very hard game whoever gets through.

[Ymx]

He’ll be back.




Come on …. Anyone ???

[Torquemada 1420]

Dupont has his surgery today .

Not sure where you got that from. Before I left work this evening, the update I had was no decision had been taken.

Don’t forget when it’s the evening for you it’s the afternoon for me

No. Not your fault. Bernol f**ked up and apologised.

[Torquemada 1420]

It's a shit situation, Torq. Was so looking forward to watching his ridiculous talent for the next few weeks.

Just curious, what's the French media reaction to Galthie's decision to keep him on after HT? Seemed braindead to me. Couldn't understand his post-match "justification" that he couldn't take all 15 starters off at HT either, but maybe he meant something else, and it was lost in translation.

Fairly muted. More a mixture of shock, resignation and some straw clutching (masks etc). Your translation bit is correct: a journo asked him the question post match and that's how he answered it.

The relationship with Galthie has been much more supportive than previous coaches: where, rightly, some were savaged. Even Noves finally took some flack when people woke up to his record being the worst ntl coach since professionalism.

I guess the general feeling amongst the media is the same an mine and everyone I know: massively deflated.

Cheers. And commiserations.

France is still a fine side near its peak, though, and this may well galvanise them, especially playing at home. I hope so, anyway.

Richard Dourthe has had a real go at the management in L'Equipe today. The first full on criticism of Galthie.

[Gumboot]

Richard Dourthe has had a real go at the management in L'Equipe today. The first full on criticism of Galthie.

Richly deserved too, imo.

I was surprised that Dupont's already been operated on, and will soon rejoin the squad as he recovers. Encouraging news.

[BnM]

This.

Like losing Carter in 2011 and we all know what that resulted in.

Craig Joubert?

[Torquemada 1420]

Richard Dourthe has had a real go at the management in L'Equipe today. The first full on criticism of Galthie.

Richly deserved too, imo.

I was surprised that Dupont's already been operated on, and will soon rejoin the squad as he recovers. Encouraging news.

Sadly, I think the rejoining the squad is all hope rather than reality stuff.