Maxime Merdoz

[Big Ewis]

uhm sorry I mean *Mermoz.

You guys like him ??
As of the past 2 years, I haven't seen anything stand-out good from him. Nothing remarkable, at club level or even less int'l level...

You guys rate him ?! I think the likes of Fritz, Fickou, and others in the top 14 >>> Mermoz. And forget about Fofana or Bastareaud.

He does the bare minimum, and he just seems like he's from a lower class altogether. ANY TIME I've seen him play the past couple of years, I'm like, "ohhh boy...Mermoz again..." and then I wait to be proven wrong, there's always a hope I'll see smt that proves me wrong badly, but it never comes.

And it seems center is a perfect spot for him, because he would be utterly useless on the wing, that would completely hinder our attack miserably - and he doesn't have the skill for 15. At center, he can do the "bare minimum" and get away with it. He's not TERRIBLE, but tbf France has excellent/very capable/high potential players at every position now, and we're deep. He looks like he spoils the XV on paper...like he's wasting a spot on that pretty XV.

You guys with me ? He's just a lower class altogether...
He seems to be one of those stubborn coach's choices, like, he's got the spot for granted, as if we didn't have better...

 

[Amobokoboko]

He's nothing special, just lucky to play for a good team in the Top 14. There are indeed better centers in France.

 

[Taranus]

Out of interest apart from Fofana, Fritz, bastareaud, Fickou and Mermoz are there any french centres that could push for a place in the French squad?

 

[Amobokoboko]

Maybe Benjamin Fall, who did play pretty ok for Racing this season. The problem is that you named the better options and that the Top14 has embraced so many overseas players. I reckon there are some young talented centers out there but as I neglected the Top14 season this year a bit .

 

[-InvIctus-]

I personally don't rate Bastareaud as a center, he hasn't got the passing and sidestepping ability IMO (didn't he play in the pack before ? ) though Fofana is a quality player

 

[Tony Manx]

I personally don't rate Bastareaud as a center, he hasn't got the passing and sidestepping ability IMO (didn't he play in the pack before ? ) though Fofana is a quality player

That is one opinion....the Paymasters and Laporte have a different one at Toulon who are paying lots and consistently picking him...........................

 

[-InvIctus-]

That is one opinion....the Paymasters and Laporte have a different one at Toulon who are paying lots and consistently picking him...........................

The little bit I've seen of him playing for France wasn't great, knock-ons and just charging straight into the defense and failing to get over the game line (which is great if it works ) .... etc but it might also be that he is better at club level or he has a c*** day every time I watch him...

 

[Big Ewis]

The little bit I've seen of him playing for France wasn't great, knock-ons and just charging straight into the defense and failing to get over the game line (which is great if it works ) .... etc but it might also be that he is better at club level or he has a c*** day every time I watch him...

well man, you guys have Tuilagi. It's similar, not exactly the same, but similar. I particularly rate Bastareaud more on defense, compared to the Samoan boy; but the latter will make breaks EVERY - SINGLE - MATCH it seems.

We've had this conversation before. Finesse passing centers VS bulldozing, one-dimensional battering rams.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again (but with a different font this time):
this is rugby, and battering rams WILL get you some consistently relevant attacking from just one spot on the field. Puts so much pressure on defense, you can't go wrong with it.

 

[-InvIctus-]

well man, you guys have Tuilagi. It's similar, not exactly the same, but similar. I particularly rate Bastareaud more on defense, compared to the Samoan boy; but the latter will make breaks EVERY - SINGLE - MATCH it seems.

We've had this conversation before. Finesse passing centers VS bulldozing, one-dimensional battering rams.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again (but with a different font this time):
this is rugby, and battering rams WILL get you some consistently relevant attacking from just one spot on the field. Puts so much pressure on defense, you can't go wrong with it.

I will admit he is good in defense and tuilagi is on par with him IMO but if you have Tuilagi, who can skip around the defense or just run straight through then he can do both whereas Bastareaud will just always go straight and therefore not letting the defense wondering what he will be doing

By the way , if you don't mind me asking , are you French ?

 

[Big Ewis]

mmmyeah Tuilagi's probably the most punchy player out of the two...
Yes, but I've lived my whole life (but 2 years) in Qatar. Born here and everything, so I sound American when I speak and my English is almost as good as my French.

 

[Aristodemus]

I think Manu is more well rounded as a centre than most "battering rams", certainly more so than Basteraud.
I will add that you are less French than Tuilagi is English, yet still call him Samoan at every opportunity

 

[Big Ewis]

ah. I see I've hit a sensitive point with the "Samoan" tag !

And I'm happy with Bastareaud...it's Mermoz who's just too ordinary !!

 

[-InvIctus-]

Wait, is Mermoz the guy who has\had the sideburns ?

And yeah I was a bit curious about the French thing

 

[Big Ewis]

And yeah I was a bit curious about the French thing

no problemo.

 

[-InvIctus-]

no problemo.

I live in France so yeah ^^

 

[Big Ewis]

I live in France so yeah ^^

haha ! You're more French than me !...oh and uh, get out of there quick man, run for your liiiiiife !...go to Canada or something these days......

 

[-InvIctus-]

haha ! You're more French than me !...oh and uh, get out of there quick man, run for your liiiiiife !...go to Canada or something these days......

Mind me asking why ?

 

[racingmetro92]

Just one name : Henry Chavancy

 

[Big Ewis]

Mind me asking why ?

the old continent my friend........we're sinking. Yeh it's pretty and everything, and I love my country and Europe in general but...go to, like...Calgary ! Won't eat or drink as well, but you won't get all our old lingering problems there