France almost chickened out; sending D-grade squad instead

caffiend · 18th May 2007, 15:42

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,...127952,00.html

From what I've heard/read France is sending very much a second-string side for the June internationals. And from what this article says, even tried to get out of it altogether (which would've seriously pissed me off since we've got tickets for the 9 June game at the CakeTin).

So are they scared of the kick to moral if their A-side got beaten in a world cup year; or are they simply making a good tactical decision to rest key players and keep us guessing as to their comparative strength?

I reckon they'd have gained more from sending the A-side; especially if they were really competitive or even won a game or two. The psychological edge would've been massive had that happened. And with several new players in the named ABs squad it was an opportunity wasted IMO.

As it stands they now have a great excuse for the thumping this D-grade side will get.

Koldzy · 18th May 2007, 15:45

It's because the top14 semis/finals is on at the same time so their best players are all playing in that.

farns · 20th May 2007, 16:39

Meh the NH teams do that all the time, they sent a team down here in '99 that got pwned by 40 points, just so they could ream us properly a few months later in the RWC haha

They still have some big names in the pack, and I cant wait to see Sebastien Chabal play who apparently is the Lauaki of the English comp, he has been known to go missing at test level though.

slippers · 22nd May 2007, 16:41

NZ is the king of fielding second string teams....we cant complain.

I think we will put our near best team on during this series but lets not forget what happened the last time France sent out a B grade side just prior to a RWC.......

We got pwnd thats what.

mr selfdestruct · 30th May 2007, 09:23

We can complain if the second string teams that play us get completely bludgeoned. Henry may have been guilty at times of fielding understrengthed teams with the excuse of 'rotation' but those teams won that's the difference. If France had enough depth to BEAT us or at least get close with their 2nd......... 4th string side then we can all shut the fuck up can't we?

JP · 30th May 2007, 12:07

When that happens I think we'll all be mute with distress.

Not that it's going to happen. We're gonna destroy the fucks.

caffiend · 31st May 2007, 15:58

Score predictions then?

I'm going to go with ABs by 42 - 17.

[BT]Monza · 31st May 2007, 21:56

Simon · 31st May 2007, 22:03

caffiend · 31st May 2007, 22:06

^^^ Now that would be opening up a can...

Phrack · 31st May 2007, 23:23

28-26 to the frogs

slippers · 1st June 2007, 13:15

35-17

vorlon · 1st June 2007, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

57-3

ZoSo · 2nd June 2007, 21:00

ZzZzzzzzzzzzzzzZzz

nostrom0 · 2nd June 2007, 21:23

The NRL live scoreboard is more exciting.

chiQ · 2nd June 2007, 22:35

That Chabal dude has got the whole Rasputin look down...

Not the most compelling rugby I've ever watched.

Puchu · 3rd June 2007, 00:34

Only thing possibly duller than that game is a Don Brash meet and greet

Simon · 3rd June 2007, 00:36

By the sounds of posts on rsru, the Aussie officials lived down to their reputations. Waiting for the torrent...

surreal · 3rd June 2007, 00:39

Australia-Wales game was(is?) exceedingly worse!

_Incubus_ · 3rd June 2007, 12:06

A good start to a RWC year, a bit rusty..I dont agree with Chris Masoe playing at 8 and I dont think the combination worked at all. There was just not the same ball control at the back that Rodney So'oialo provides. Having Ruben Thorne at 6 is a nothing really, he's just some bloke thats weaering Jerry Collins jersery..

[BT]Monza · 3rd June 2007, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by caffiend

Score predictions then?

I'm going to go with ABs by 42 - 17.

very close, picked the ABs score too.

Painty · 3rd June 2007, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiQ

That Chabal dude has got the whole Rasputin look down...

Not the most compelling rugby I've ever watched.

actually I was thinking Charles Manson :

Painty · 3rd June 2007, 13:11

Sebastien Chabal

Not as good as what he looked like last night

-Dr.J- · 3rd June 2007, 14:54

I thought he looked frickin mean, and he was easily their best player

Pwned Masoe in that tackle

Prolly their best cos he was one of the few capped players

caffiend · 3rd June 2007, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by [BT]Monza

very close, picked the ABs score too.

Yeah, for some reason I just had '5 tries' in my head for the ABs. Bit short on the French score though (not that I'm complaining

)

And you're right -Dr.J-, that Chabal vs. Masoe tackle was awesome. When Masoe tried to get up and then stumbled I thought "no way is he playing on; he's fucked". But he's obviously a tough bastard.

Overall, not a bad effort by the ABs, but as others have said - nothing flash either.

BoyWonder · 3rd June 2007, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painty

actually I was thinking Charles Manson : [IMG]http://www.danielnester.com/teaching/eng251spring2006/manson-37.jpg[IMG]

Thats exactly what I thought when I first saw him. His face in response to the haka was very lol.

Chrono · 3rd June 2007, 23:15

Ahaha yeah mum and I thought it looked like he was roaring, like a lion.

Game was very average, but as Richie McCaw said post-match, rather have their best game later on in the year.

caffiend · 4th June 2007, 00:05

For those who missed it, Chabal vs. Masoe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrbp1ASVhCg

-Dr.J- · 4th June 2007, 03:04

Definitely rate that guy. He played consistently well over the full 80. I'd swap him for Thorne in a heartbeat. A real competitor.

Jenza · 4th June 2007, 03:21

Apart from the three times he dropped the ball...

-Dr.J- · 4th June 2007, 03:43

Yeah I was thinking that in retrospect. But if you think his game was crap then say so.

JERI · 4th June 2007, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by caffiend

For those who missed it, Chabal vs. Masoe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrbp1ASVhCg

Holy shit, I'm impressed that Masoe could still stand after that.

farns · 5th June 2007, 18:26

I thought Chabal was about the worst forward on the pitch actually lol, first time he touched the ball Thorne hit him hard and he coughed it up, he coughed it up a few other times and didnt really have a high work rate at all.
Its like he was standing off all 1st half waiting for the big hit which he eventually timed nicely, but in no way did it make up for the other times he lost possession and generally didnt stuck into the trenches
Low work rate and gave turnovers...meh, I guess thats why Laporte doesnt pick him very much
He had a great Six Nations by all accounts but thats not like playing NZ

caffiend · 10th June 2007, 12:30

Well last night was a lot better from the ABs. 9 tries is a good haul. Even though France were worse, we were definitely more cohesive and held on to the ball. Still some rough parts to work on (as Stuff said, we were guilty of 'overly-elaborate play at times' - too true).

Best bit was when Jerry munted Chabal. The crowd loved it, and every time they replayed it on the big-screen there was a collective, gleeful 'Oooooooooh!'. But then of course he fucked over Ali, who sounds like he may not take any further part in this year's play if he has indeed got a broken jaw.

That is the suck - another lock down

Overall - 7/10 for the ABs.

caffiend · 10th June 2007, 12:43

YouTube delivers the goods again. Collins vs. Chabal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jELL8ArviIU

Note as bone-crunching as Chabal's tackle on Masoe, but was still good value to watch. Seemed to be the moment that France wavered and the tries began to flow as well.

vorlon · 10th June 2007, 13:30

I thought the match last night was a vast improvement from both teams.

I mean, I didn't see that many french players go down with "injury's" this time around.

As for our lock situation, Ali could be back for the World Cup & the same with Robinson. I believe with the interview with Mr Henry after the match, I believe he said their injurys were between 6 - 8 weeks recovery time.

So no Tri-Nations for them, but I hope like fuck they can be there for the world cup

caffiend · 10th June 2007, 14:04

Would be great if Ali can be back, but Robinson would be a risk for the RWC I reckon. He might get cleared as 'fit', but he's just really injury prone at the moment. I mean, damaging a calf muscle in the pre-game warm-up? WTF?

blynk · 10th June 2007, 15:46

They will both be fit from there injuries by the time the RWC comes. But even in Robinson is fit, Flavell may have got his chance to really cement his place.

I imagine that Jack, Flavell will be the the #1 combination at lock for the Tri Nations. They may give someone from the Jnr ABs like Filipo (or whoever they replace Williams/Robsinson) a run next week to get him settled into the squad

JERI · 10th June 2007, 17:35

I fuckin' love that third try by Rokocoko

(yoink)

Ard Righ · 10th June 2007, 19:24

Ross Filipo I thought was great in the S14, I recon he deserves a shot at the All Blacks spot.

And that would add another Wellingtonian to the All Blacks roster

30th May 2007, 09:23	#5
mr selfdestruct The Deliverator	We can complain if the second string teams that play us get completely bludgeoned. Henry may have been guilty at times of fielding understrengthed teams with the excuse of 'rotation' but those teams won that's the difference. If France had enough depth to BEAT us or at least get close with their 2nd......... 4th string side then we can all shut the fuck up can't we? __________________ My real signature is not nearly as legible as this one.

2nd June 2007, 22:35	#16
chiQ Frag-muff	That Chabal dude has got the whole Rasputin look down... Not the most compelling rugby I've ever watched. __________________ Gaming/phone/computing platforms are not indicative of groinal/physical/cognitive impressiveness.

3rd June 2007, 23:15	#27
Chrono User Awaiting Email Confirmation	Ahaha yeah mum and I thought it looked like he was roaring, like a lion. Game was very average, but as Richie McCaw said post-match, rather have their best game later on in the year. Last edited by Chrono : 3rd June 2007 at 23:16.

18th May 2007, 15:42	#1
caffiend	France almost chickened out; sending D-grade squad instead http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,...127952,00.html From what I've heard/read France is sending very much a second-string side for the June internationals. And from what this article says, even tried to get out of it altogether (which would've seriously pissed me off since we've got tickets for the 9 June game at the CakeTin). So are they scared of the kick to moral if their A-side got beaten in a world cup year; or are they simply making a good tactical decision to rest key players and keep us guessing as to their comparative strength? I reckon they'd have gained more from sending the A-side; especially if they were really competitive or even won a game or two. The psychological edge would've been massive had that happened. And with several new players in the named ABs squad it was an opportunity wasted IMO. As it stands they now have a great excuse for the thumping this D-grade side will get. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days?

18th May 2007, 15:45	#2
Koldzy	It's because the top14 semis/finals is on at the same time so their best players are all playing in that.

20th May 2007, 16:39	#3
farns	Meh the NH teams do that all the time, they sent a team down here in '99 that got pwned by 40 points, just so they could ream us properly a few months later in the RWC haha They still have some big names in the pack, and I cant wait to see Sebastien Chabal play who apparently is the Lauaki of the English comp, he has been known to go missing at test level though.

22nd May 2007, 16:41	#4
slippers	NZ is the king of fielding second string teams....we cant complain. I think we will put our near best team on during this series but lets not forget what happened the last time France sent out a B grade side just prior to a RWC....... We got pwnd thats what.

30th May 2007, 12:07	#6
JP	When that happens I think we'll all be mute with distress. Not that it's going to happen. We're gonna destroy the fucks.

31st May 2007, 15:58	#7
caffiend	Score predictions then? I'm going to go with ABs by 42 - 17. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days?

31st May 2007, 22:06	#10
caffiend	^^^ Now that would be opening up a can... __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days?

31st May 2007, 23:23	#11
Phrack	28-26 to the frogs __________________ .......

2nd June 2007, 21:23	#15
nostrom0	The NRL live scoreboard is more exciting.

3rd June 2007, 00:34	#17
Puchu	Only thing possibly duller than that game is a Don Brash meet and greet

31st May 2007, 21:56	#8
[BT]Monza	46-9

3rd June 2007, 00:36	#18
Simon SHG	By the sounds of posts on rsru, the Aussie officials lived down to their reputations. Waiting for the torrent...

3rd June 2007, 00:39	#19
surreal	Australia-Wales game was(is?) exceedingly worse!

3rd June 2007, 12:06	#20
_Incubus_	A good start to a RWC year, a bit rusty..I dont agree with Chris Masoe playing at 8 and I dont think the combination worked at all. There was just not the same ball control at the back that Rodney So'oialo provides. Having Ruben Thorne at 6 is a nothing really, he's just some bloke thats weaering Jerry Collins jersery..

3rd June 2007, 13:11	#23
Painty	Sebastien Chabal Not as good as what he looked like last night __________________ Don't mind me, I'm sleep deprived

3rd June 2007, 14:54	#24
-Dr.J-	I thought he looked frickin mean, and he was easily their best player Pwned Masoe in that tackle Prolly their best cos he was one of the few capped players __________________ J

4th June 2007, 00:05	#28
caffiend	For those who missed it, Chabal vs. Masoe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrbp1ASVhCg __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days?

4th June 2007, 03:04	#29
-Dr.J-	Definitely rate that guy. He played consistently well over the full 80. I'd swap him for Thorne in a heartbeat. A real competitor. __________________ J

4th June 2007, 03:21	#30
Jenza	Apart from the three times he dropped the ball...

4th June 2007, 03:43	#31
-Dr.J-	Yeah I was thinking that in retrospect. But if you think his game was crap then say so. __________________ J

5th June 2007, 18:26	#33
farns	I thought Chabal was about the worst forward on the pitch actually lol, first time he touched the ball Thorne hit him hard and he coughed it up, he coughed it up a few other times and didnt really have a high work rate at all. Its like he was standing off all 1st half waiting for the big hit which he eventually timed nicely, but in no way did it make up for the other times he lost possession and generally didnt stuck into the trenches Low work rate and gave turnovers...meh, I guess thats why Laporte doesnt pick him very much He had a great Six Nations by all accounts but thats not like playing NZ

10th June 2007, 12:30	#34
caffiend	Well last night was a lot better from the ABs. 9 tries is a good haul. Even though France were worse, we were definitely more cohesive and held on to the ball. Still some rough parts to work on (as Stuff said, we were guilty of 'overly-elaborate play at times' - too true). Best bit was when Jerry munted Chabal. The crowd loved it, and every time they replayed it on the big-screen there was a collective, gleeful 'Oooooooooh!'. But then of course he fucked over Ali, who sounds like he may not take any further part in this year's play if he has indeed got a broken jaw. That is the suck - another lock down Overall - 7/10 for the ABs. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days?

10th June 2007, 12:43	#35
caffiend	YouTube delivers the goods again. Collins vs. Chabal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jELL8ArviIU Note as bone-crunching as Chabal's tackle on Masoe, but was still good value to watch. Seemed to be the moment that France wavered and the tries began to flow as well. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days?

10th June 2007, 13:30	#36
vorlon	I thought the match last night was a vast improvement from both teams. I mean, I didn't see that many french players go down with "injury's" this time around. As for our lock situation, Ali could be back for the World Cup & the same with Robinson. I believe with the interview with Mr Henry after the match, I believe he said their injurys were between 6 - 8 weeks recovery time. So no Tri-Nations for them, but I hope like fuck they can be there for the world cup __________________ I've always been here

10th June 2007, 14:04	#37
caffiend	Would be great if Ali can be back, but Robinson would be a risk for the RWC I reckon. He might get cleared as 'fit', but he's just really injury prone at the moment. I mean, damaging a calf muscle in the pre-game warm-up? WTF? __________________ If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days?

10th June 2007, 15:46	#38
blynk	They will both be fit from there injuries by the time the RWC comes. But even in Robinson is fit, Flavell may have got his chance to really cement his place. I imagine that Jack, Flavell will be the the #1 combination at lock for the Tri Nations. They may give someone from the Jnr ABs like Filipo (or whoever they replace Williams/Robsinson) a run next week to get him settled into the squad

10th June 2007, 17:35	#39
JERI	I fuckin' love that third try by Rokocoko (yoink) __________________ your intelligence has been insulted.

10th June 2007, 19:24	#40
Ard Righ	Ross Filipo I thought was great in the S14, I recon he deserves a shot at the All Blacks spot. And that would add another Wellingtonian to the All Blacks roster