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Rugby Union
Top 14 & Rugby Pro D2
[Top 14] 2015/2016 Season: Day 4
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<blockquote data-quote="JJFlash" data-source="post: 744878" data-attributes="member: 72729"><p>A myth? No. Go back to, I think 1999, when France beat NZ in the semi at Twickenham. They conjured up some wonderful rugby from nowhere to get to the final.</p><p>Where has it been since then?It's gone. It's high risk rugby, which few coaches would dare to play, unless there's nothing to lose.</p><p>The principle negative of France's game today is selection with the omission from the squad of key players. For example, many rugby fans in France believe that the best half backs, Machenaud and Trinh-Duc, should be in the squad, but no, they've been ditched. OK, one can say that the inclusion of Michalak, who some may describe as a "maverick", is more likely to have a shocker than a good game. Another negative is their unpredictability. They could lose to a lesser team one week and beat NZ the following week, so all teams will think they're in with a shout of winning if they can gain the upper hand and then, sometimes, the French heads will drop.</p><p>The positives? Their pack is coming into form at the right time. The competition to be in the first team will be intense and St André will have headaches with who to pick and who to leave out. They have got talented backs, Huget for example is lightning quick, Fofana too. </p><p>They should progress to the Q finals. Their most difficult opposition in the pool will be Ireland and I'm sure they will beat Italy next Saturday, who will sadly be without Sergio Parisse.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JJFlash, post: 744878, member: 72729"] A myth? No. Go back to, I think 1999, when France beat NZ in the semi at Twickenham. They conjured up some wonderful rugby from nowhere to get to the final. Where has it been since then?It's gone. It's high risk rugby, which few coaches would dare to play, unless there's nothing to lose. The principle negative of France's game today is selection with the omission from the squad of key players. For example, many rugby fans in France believe that the best half backs, Machenaud and Trinh-Duc, should be in the squad, but no, they've been ditched. OK, one can say that the inclusion of Michalak, who some may describe as a "maverick", is more likely to have a shocker than a good game. Another negative is their unpredictability. They could lose to a lesser team one week and beat NZ the following week, so all teams will think they're in with a shout of winning if they can gain the upper hand and then, sometimes, the French heads will drop. The positives? Their pack is coming into form at the right time. The competition to be in the first team will be intense and St André will have headaches with who to pick and who to leave out. They have got talented backs, Huget for example is lightning quick, Fofana too. They should progress to the Q finals. Their most difficult opposition in the pool will be Ireland and I'm sure they will beat Italy next Saturday, who will sadly be without Sergio Parisse. [/QUOTE]
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Top 14 & Rugby Pro D2
[Top 14] 2015/2016 Season: Day 4
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