France vs New Zealand

[nsn123]

thsi i think could be the most exciting game of the autumn. Two teams that have flair abudance (on good days) going head to head. I hope we witness the all blacks going at it from the whistle than their customary finding out phase int he first half. I also wonder how the two back 3s will get on as there is undoubted quality within those 6 players.

 

[Nickdnz]

I think everyone is underestimating the All Blacks to be honest. Everyone under rates their chances, and we consistantly win. France were very impressive against South Africa, who have been a very hot and cold side this year, and they have recorded losses against English Premier sides Saracens and Leister. South Africa did not play like South Africa did during the Tri Nations and Lions Series. They seemed to have underestimated France, New Zealand and the All Blacks will not make that mistake. Someone said France have faster backs...I'd rate Sivivatu the fastest player on the field over even Haymans (who I very highly rate).
When we lost we were without McCaw and Carter, out best two players.

The one thing that does scear me a little is that the match is being played in France, which will no doubt have a huge impact.

I believe the All Blacks will want/need this win more, as it will confirm their rating as the #1 team in the world, and would exact some revenge against France.

This will be a good match hopefully, and I believe both sides have a good chance for a win, though I'll rate the All Blacks as favourites.

 

[Aout]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

France were very impressive against South Africa, who have been a very hot and cold side this year, and they have recorded losses against English Premier sides Saracens and Leister[/b]

Come on, you can not compare the SA team that played against France and the one that played against Saracens and Leicester...

 

[Bernard]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

I think everyone is underestimating the All Blacks to be honest.[/b]

You never underestimate AB


But i would say facts show that it is not a very good year for NZ . i think it has to do with your actual generation which perform a little less compare to past few years (where AB used to put 50-60 points to France...) and France (and NH teams..) has leveled up . Though NZ stays NZ and i think , as you said , they need to "save" their year and a big Victory against France would be a good thing..at least , a motivating one !

To be honest , i'm not very confident for next saturday , because NZ will come highly motivated , they have something to proove after an "average year"..And because there is a bit of too much confidence from the french part and in general , France does not like confidence

In the meantime , it is good to make play some guys who did not play the SA-france Match like ouedrago or Bonnaire (Even Heymans ! Aout )...A bit of turn-over with some guys who will want to proove their ability and who will be motivated . From my side , i just want to see that France has changed and is able to keep the good job for once . And if it is possible to see a great match of rugby

 

[Juggernaut]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (darwin_23 @ Nov 24 2009, 12:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

My statements about reading too much into these games did not refer at all to your comments, but others in this thread (and much public opinion here in NZ).[/b]

All good then... B)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jawmalawm24 @ Nov 24 2009, 12:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I hope he does play was he the one that made that awesome try down our sideline and stepped pass Roks and Mils?[/b]

That was indeed an awesome try. Ran past Jane within inches of the sideline....

be good to see them mark each other again this week.

 

[shazbooger]

The thing about the AB's is the fact that they have lost four games this year, and have been dominated on a few occasion up front. These are both very un-all-black-like traits.

So far this tour north they havent looked impressive because they havent had to look impressive. They have still won all their games at a canter. So the only references we have are the AB games and the France game vs the Boks.

 

[Charles]

France stratimg line-up

1 Barcella, 2 Servat, 3 Marconnet, , 4 Chabal, 5 Millo-Chlusky, 6 Dusautoir (cap.), 7 Ouedraogo, 8 Bonnaire, 9 Dupuy, 10 Trinh Duc, 11 Clerc, 12 Jauzion, 13 Marty, 14 Médard, 15 Traille

Remplaçants : 16 Szarzewski, 17 Mas, 18 Nallet, 19 Puricelli, 20 Parra, 21 David, 22 Heymans. 23e : Domingo


I don't really like this centre pairing. Too bad Mermoz is injured. But then, Trinh-Duc seems to be ablr to get the best of Jauzion so maybe, maybe...Also we could have done with Hari and Picamoles, but the back row ia still very good, especially in defense and covering.

Close call.

 

[Aout]

LE XV FRANCAIS FACE A LA NOUVELLE-ZELANDE

15. Traille
14. Clerc,
13. Marty,
12. Jauzion,
11. Médard

10.Trinh-Duc
9. Dupuy

8. Bonnaire
7. Dusautoir (cap)
6. Ouedraogo
5. Millo-Chlusky
4. Chabal
3. Marconnet
2. Servat
1. Barcella

Remplaçants : Szarzewski, Mas, Nallet, Puricelli, Parra, David, Heymans

---

Weird list, some choices don't make sense to me.

- Why do we start with Medard on the wing and Heymans on the bench ? Once again, Medard is a FULL BACK, he has (almost) never played as a winger in Toulouse (he only came on the wing during games as a substitute).

- Marconnet instead of Mas ? Mas was awesome against SA, and Marconnet was just "ok" against Samoa. Doesn't make sense as well.

- Chabal is not a 2nd row, he is used to play as a flanker in his club, Racing Metro 92, and this guy is definitly an impact player. His best place would be at the 3rd row.

- David on the bench. He was amazing against SA, and as our 3rd row is quite "lightweight", he would help us to bring more impact.

 

[Charles]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Aout @ Nov 24 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

- Why do we start with Medard on the wing and Heymans on the bench ? Once again, Medard is a FULL BACK, he has (almost) never played as a winger in Toulouse (he only came on the wing during games as a substitute).[/b]

Because Traille has got a huge boot and Medard is not too bad on the wing.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

- Marconnet instead of Mas ? Mas was awesome against SA, and Marconnet was just "ok" against Samoa. Doesn't make sense as well.[/b]

Marconnet is a bit more active around the park and way more cunning and irritating for the opposition. Bring on Mas around the 50' to smash the scrums.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

- Chabal is not a 2nd row, he is used to play as a flanker in his club, Racing Metro 92, and this guy is definitly an impact player. His best place would be at the 3rd row.[/b]

Chabal has been playing very well as a lock in the french team, is a good scrummaging/rucking lock and puts some good hits. Besides, he's not quick enough to play #8 anyway.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

- David on the bench. He was amazing against SA, and as our 3rd row is quite "lightweight", he would help us to bring more impact.[/b]

David is good but Marty was also very good when he got on, and he is maybe a bit more solid defensively. Our 3rd row is light but that's the whole point against NZ who will play a more expansive game than NZ.

 

[Prestwick]

As Brian Moore would say to Medard:

<div><object width="420" height="339"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x4ip7y" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x4ip7y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="339" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object>
Regan elbows
by dumpextra</div>

 

[shtove]

Disappointed with the ABs last week, but England did have the grunt to find field position and put some fear in to them. France have the same plus finishing power.

I read about France-SA that they gang tackled the main Saffer ball carriers, but those guys are mostly in tight, whereas the ABs can spread it. But then the ABs only scored their England try by pick-and-go.

Basically, I don't really know where I'm going with this. But at least the ABs should put up a decent fight! B) ALB!

p.s. Traille at 15 means too much respect to the SH teams. I guess France know what they're doing.

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bernard @ Nov 24 2009, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

And if it is possible to see a great match of rugby [/b]

Two great matches of rugby - Ireland too. Please please please.

 

[darwin_23]

According to reports from AB's training there will be three changes from the team that played England: Tialata for Franks, Kaino for Thomson, and Jane for Guildford. Apparently Nonu did not train, but this was only precautionary and he is expected to be fit on Saturday. The team will officially be named today sometime.

 

[Bernard]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Nov 24 2009, 10:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bernard @ Nov 24 2009, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And if it is possible to see a great match of rugby [/b]

Two great matches of rugby - Ireland too. Please please please.
[/b][/quote]


And Wales-Australia of course


Great weekend of rugby to come , whatever results are . Currently , these teams are the 6 first nations in IRB ranking

 

[feicarsinn]

Hmmm, a thought just occured to me. Which one of these two has the TRF Shield. I'd presume New Zealand seeing as Oz beat SA then NZ beat Oz, but I'm not 100%

 

[darwin_23]

AB's officially named:

Team: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Jimmy Cowan, Dan Carter; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Anthony Boric, Tanerau Latimer, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Luke McAlister.

So the three changes in the starting team as predicted. The bench is interesting, with a specialist openside (Latimer) ahead of So'ioalo/Thomson. Ellis appears to have overtaken Leonard in the pecking order. I'm surprised to see both Donald and MacAlister (both who cover first-five/second-five) with no outside back cover named - if an outside back gets injured we will see Nonu on the wing. I would have been much more comfortable with Guilford (or even Ellison) on the bench.

 

[Jethro]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (darwin_23 @ Nov 26 2009, 06:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

AB's officially named:

Team: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Jimmy Cowan, Dan Carter; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Anthony Boric, Tanerau Latimer, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Luke McAlister.

So the three changes in the starting team as predicted. The bench is interesting, with a specialist openside (Latimer) ahead of So'ioalo/Thomson. Ellis appears to have overtaken Leonard in the pecking order. I'm surprised to see both Donald and MacAlister (both who cover first-five/second-five) with no outside back cover named - if an outside back gets injured we will see Nonu on the wing. I would have been much more comfortable with Guilford (or even Ellison) on the bench.[/b]

Not confident on this one. How the hell does Donald keep getting picked?

 

[Juggernaut]

This is going to be a cracker of a game.

Good to see Kaino back in the lineup. ABs will definitely need his physicality in I what I predict to be forward-oriented game.

 

[candybum]

9-22 To the All Blacks.

A great game! running rugby from both teams, beautiful.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

these are N1 All Blacks...

France playing well but incredible NZ tonight