Brock James, the legend

[Gagger]

Aussie James lifts Clermont into Top 14 final
Article from: The Daily Telegraph

May 30, 2009 12:00am

AUSTRALIAN Brock James has guided his French Top 14 rugby side Clermont to victory over titleholders Toulouse in a semi-final.

The 19-9 win could be seen as revenge for Clermont, who lost last year's final to Toulouse 26-20.

It means James' team, which has never won the French title despite nine final appearances, will face the winner of Saturday's semi-final between Perpignan and Ewen McKenzie's Stade Francais in Lyon.

James, the Top 14's leading scorer, opened the scoring with a penalty in the second minute before crossing the line for the only try of the game in the 11th minute, which he successfully converted.

Clermont went into the break 13-9 up after Benoit Baby had added a further penalty, with Toulouse's points all coming from the boot of James' opposite number, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.

In the second half both James and Baby added two further penalties to seal a great night and put them one game away from ending a century of heartache in the French first division.

Considering all and sundry have been thrash-wanking over the Top 14 this year, and that Toulouse are the kings, not a bad effort that.

Someone the Force or the Melbourne Rabble should be looking at?

 

[farva]

The Force had him and let him go. And I doubt he would come back to Australia. He wont make the Wallabies and if he doesnt get the ARU top up, the Australian franchises wont be able to match what he gets in France. Plus, he must be close to getting French residency and hence making the French ntional squad surely. Is he eligable?

Best Adelaide rugby export incidentaly!

 

[Biffo]

I doubt he would come back to Australia. He wont make the Wallabies and if he doesnt even if he gets the biggest-ever ARU top up, the Australian franchises wont be able to match what he gets in France.

fixed

 

[Biffo]

He played pretty well, as he has done all season. Tactically good. Boot OK. Hasn't got much else.

After watching an Australian get MOTM in an EnZedder coached team last night and Rocky's heroics in an Australian coached team winning the European Cup last week, I am looking forward to Mark Gasnier getting the MOTM for Link's team in the second T14 semi tonight.

 

[Lee Grant]

Wow, that is a huge win for CA. People who haven't seen Brock James play for them won't recognise the same player who was a fringe player for the Reds and Force, often injured, and a pretty good player in the NPC when they showed the Taranaki games on TV here.

I think you're being a bit harsh Biff. Just ask Ronan O'Gara if he can't run and step folks. I've been raving about him a bit in the last two years as people would know, but saying he's a legend is a bit rich - unless you're from Clermont; there he is a legend and they love him.

But as farva indicated: James won't be coming back to to Oz. In his current form he would be an asset to any team who wants a Berrick Barnes type and an ace goal kicker, especially the Force; but with no salary cap in France, Michelin would throw a rugby fortune at James to keep him.

 

[RugbyReg]

He's playes 7s for Oz so can't play for France.

 

[Biffo]

I think you're being a bit harsh Biff. Just ask Ronan O'Gara if he can't run and step folks.

Yes, I am a little harsh. I tend to question the form of players from the context of those around them.

Are you sure you meant to use O'Gara's opinion of a player's attacking prowess based on how many times a player runs past him?

 

[Lee Grant]

Well, James certainly embarrassed him when CA played Munster.


Nod - yeah he was never going to be available for France, else he woud have been in the France squad in the autumn tests last year and played against Oz provided he had been in France long enough.

Trinh-Duc was injured at the time and so was Beauxis. Traille was on the bench and had played abominably at flyhalf a few times for Biarritz; so I don't think they would have ever let him play 10 in the game. Michalak was not available yet. Skrela was in no form in general play nor kicking at goal, as his performance against Oz attested.

Yep, James would have walked into the team.

 

[cyclopath]

I think you're being a bit harsh Biff. Just ask Ronan O'Gara if he can't run and step folks.

Yes, I am a little harsh. I tend to question the form of players from the context of those around them.

Are you sure you meant to use O'Gara's opinion of a player's attacking prowess based on how many times a player runs past him?

Yeah it must be hard for a turnstile to keep track of all the ticket numbers... ;D

 

[Biffo]

Imagine the scene. Brock James, ball in hand, is running at some pact towards the Munster line. Ronan O'Gara stands between James and the goal line. There is a step and James is in the clear!! Question: did James step O'Gara or did O'Gara step James?

 

[Lee Grant]

He stepped O'Gara off his right foot in the Heineken Cup to score a try. I remember it well because I cursed him, being a Munster fan. James scored 20 odd points that day - all of CA's points - and Clermont won. It was the only pool game that Munster lost.

 

[Biffo]

Perpignan was not terribly impressive last night. Clermont has a very real chance of ending its finals hoodoo.

Those who criticize referees and their assistants in the S14 should be forced to sit and watch 20 T14 games. That would bring an attitudinal change.