Australia v. France 10 Nov 2012 Stade de France, Paris

[Braveheart81]

I will be pretty surprised if there are any unusual selections.

I doubt we'll beef up the backrow against France by playing a lock (Timani) or another number 8 (Palu or Samo) at 6. If it was later in the tour then I'd have thought that Pocock and Hooper in the starting XV was an option but I think Pocock will come back for the first test from the bench (if he plays at all).

 

[USARugger]

I will be pretty surprised if there are any unusual selections.

I doubt we'll beef up the backrow against France by playing a lock (Timani) or another number 8 (Palu or Samo) at 6. If it was later in the tour then I'd have thought that Pocock and Hooper in the starting XV was an option but I think Pocock will come back for the first test from the bench (if he plays at all).

France's back row will most likely by 6. Ouedraogo 7. Nyanga and 8. Picamoles. Nyanga and Ouedraogo are both lighter (about 100kgs each) and very, very fast. So yeah playing a less mobile#6 would be an enormous mistake.

 

[Penguin]

not sure if it has been mentioned in here, but what's the broadcast details for this weekend?

6am Sunday morning for us Queensland folk.

 

[Lindommer]

It's reported Timani, Moore, Pocock and Ioane aren't completely over their injuries, be silly to risk them this weekend. Sorta makes me wonder why they were selected to tour.

 

[qwerty51]

Because they will play the next 3 games?

 

[ChargerWA]

I want AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) into 13. The way he tore them to pieces in 2010 should have them fairly jumpy, he will draw two defenders all night hopefully creating some space.

 

[RugbyReg]

Because they will play the next 3 games?

will they? You'd like the think they would. If they miss just one more game, then they fall into the Higginbotham category and should've stayed home.

 

[Manuel]

France named the following 23 players for Saturday:
Domingo, Forestier, Szarzewski, Kayser, Mas, Debaty, Maestri, Papé, Suta, Ouedraogo, Nyanga, Picamoles, Chouly, Parra, Machenaud, Michalak, Trinh-Duc, Mermoz, Fofana, Fritz, Clerc, Huget and Dulin.
The backrow, hich had been the main talking point last week, is likely to be Ouedraogo, Nyanga and Picamoles, as USARugger said. Quite light.
The main discussion right now is over the backline. Some fans are asking for Machenaud to play 9 instead of Parra, and the odds are even between Michalak and Trinh-Duc at 10. Also, three in-form centres for two spots (Fofana, Mermoz and Fritz), with the additional option to start Fofana at wing to fit him into the team. This would move either Huget or Dulin to the bench.

 

[USARugger]

France named the following 23 players for Saturday:
Domingo, Forestier, Szarzewski, Kayser, Mas, Debaty, Maestri, Papé, Suta, Ouedraogo, Nyanga, Picamoles, Chouly, Parra, Machenaud, Michalak, Trinh-Duc, Mermoz, Fofana, Fritz, Clerc, Huget and Dulin.
The backrow, hich had been the main talking point last week, is likely to be Ouedraogo, Nyanga and Picamoles, as USARugger said. Quite light.
The main discussion right now is over the backline. Some fans are asking for Machenaud to play 9 instead of Parra, and the odds are even between Michalak and Trinh-Duc at 10. Also, three in-form centres for two spots (Fofana, Mermoz and Fritz), with the additional option to start Fofana at wing to fit him into the team. This would move either Huget or Dulin to the bench.

The #9 jersey will come down to how Parra is recovering from his thigh injury. Word from PSA is that he's running at 100% but who knows what that actually means. If healthy, Parra will get the jumper simply through experience *he can also kick for goal which Trinh-Duc is pretty notorious for struggling with*. The centers will most likely come down to Mermoz vs. Fritz for the #13 jumper, I think Fofana is a shoe-in at #12. Clerc is going to be a little long in the tooth for the next RWC so I would not expect to see Fofana bumped to the wing but rather younger wingers like Huget getting more game time. As far as trying to figure out what the French are going to do with their halfback pairing...good luck.

 

[Jethro Tah]

I'm going to the game and meeting up with a bunch of Aussies beforehand. If any other G&GRs are going, send me a PM if you want to join us.

 

[Swat]

I'm going to the game and meeting up with a bunch of Aussies beforehand. If any other G&GRs are going, send me a PM if you want to join us.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/threads/ticket-to-france-test.11816/

exmatelote has a spare ticket and is still looking for someone to take it off his hands.

 

[topo]

Got the weekend off, so thought I might head over myself.

 

[Gagger]

Interesting - talking to Cam Treloar (Tahs, Reds and now Bordeaux in the Top 14), he reckons the Frogs are the game we won't get

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/podslam-83-french-niggle-with-cameron-treloar/

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

Likely run-on team from the Oz:

15: Mike Harris 14: Nick Cummins 13: Ben Tapuai 12: Pat McCabe 11: Adam Ashley-Cooper 10: Kurtley Beale 9: Nick Phipps 8: Wycliff Palu 7: Michael Hooper 6: Dave Dennis 5: Nathan Sharpe 4: Kane Douglas 3: Sekope Kepu 2: Tatafu Polota-Nau 1: Benn Robinson​

​

 

[Braveheart81]

So Ioane and Timani still crocked.

Good to see Cummins and Douglas get another shot as a result.

 

[exmatelote]

yep ticket still available. Good seat, will consider an offer...

 

[Brumby Jack]

Team:

15. Harris, 14. Badger, 13. Tapuai, 12. McCabe, 11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), 10. Beale, 9. Phipps, 8. Palu, 7. Hooper, 6. Dennis, 5. Sharpe, 4. Douglas, 3. Kepu, 2. Polota-Nau, 1. Robinson.

Res: 16. Moore, 17. Slipper, 18. Ryan, 19. Simmons, 20. Samo, 21. Gill, 22. Sheehan, 23. Barnes.

 

[Gagger]

The stats say we need to play different against the frogs - question is can we?

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/infographic-wallabies-must-change-against-the-french-or-lose/

 

[qwerty51]

France couldn't beat England and Ireland at home with a better side. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Braveheart81]

Is Ben Alexander injured or dropped?

Definitely a surprise if he's been dropped but it will be great to see Paddy Ryan make his test debut.