RWC: FRA v ROM (Olympic Stadium) - Pool D

[Dewald Nel]

They were inelegant In their analysis but right in their conclusion.
He is entitled to
Play the ball once in any direction: he played it twice.

I only saw one. Maybe my stream missed a frame or 2.

 

[Pfitzy]

That and the fact he wasn't released by the tacklers in any case.

Romanian forwards good. But that 9 killed any chance they had. Hopeless.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

I only saw one. Maybe my stream missed a frame or 2.

that's just what I saw - Ive been wrong before

 

[Cardiffblue]

Its so furstrating to watch the Romanian 9 take 2-3 steps before EVERY pass, he gives so much time for the defence to shoot out to the line.

Romania switch fly half, lets hope their back play will improve from 'disastrous' to anything else

You're right. And their backs play too deep.

 

[Cardiffblue]

In last RWC France were rubbish. Only played one decent game (the final) and came second. Looks like more of the same.

 

[aeneas]

In last RWC France were rubbish. Only played one decent game (the final) and came second. Looks like more of the same.

France are the absolute masters of only doing as much is as required to move onto the next match. It's probably genius in all honesty but is incredibly frustrating to watch.

 

[Omar Comin']

Yep, exactly right. France just play as well as they need to. Romania with the 44.5 start was the biggest certainty of the world cup.

Romania's forwards are pretty good. I was thinking while watching the replay that a combined tier 2 rep team would be competitive with any side.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Yes usual Eastern Europe strong forwards but ordinary backs...

 

[Inside Shoulder]

France will be there or thereabouts when the whips are cracking and they are always a chance to beat the ABs.

 

[Cardiffblue]

France will be there or thereabouts when the whips are cracking and they are always a chance to beat the ABs.

Hope you're wrong

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Hope you're wrong

I usually am

 

[Relance]

Hope you're wrong

Hope not

You sound a bit bitter Cardiffblue, does that have anything to do with the memory of the last RWC semi-final ? Mind you, we played a cracking game against England in the quarters, and surely your assessment of a decent game in the final is a bit underwhelming.

But I agree, France has a frustrating habit of not being bothered to show up against the minnows. I can only dream of a game where we would put 60+ past the opposition, no matter how weak it would be.

Last night was tough to watch. Shown up in the rucks and in the LO, while I felt our scrum was hard done by Jaco on several occasions. Le Roux, Dulin and to a lesser extent Nyanga were the only standouts. Still worried about our wings: OK Guitoune scored a couple, but he also made a couple of really bad defensive reads, rushing out alone when there was absolutely no overlap; and Nakaitaci couldn't be bothered to tackle, missed 2 again. I believe that's where Ireland will be targeting us heavily.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Hope not

You sound a bit bitter Cardiffblue, does that have anything to do with the memory of the last RWC semi-final ?

But I agree, France has a frustrating habit of not being bothered to show up against the minnows.

Thanks. It's 4 taken years of therapy to get over that travesty in last World Cup. Fortunately the last four years have exposed the lie that France, despite the strength of its clubs have any idea at international level. I'm sorry but It's not just minnows that cause France to underperform. France has the worst coach and no clue.

Picamoles is one of the worlds best and apparently back to full form. He would walk into most sides. He has been consistently rubbish under psa. I'm not even sure when he went off last night. Can't remember when France had a decent outside half capable of releasing the backs. And in any case psa obsession with mindless hit ups has had them play fat bastard at centre.

They are in the easiest group and will no doubt qualify. I hope they improve. But their tack record indicates they won't.