RWC QF 2 NZ v FRA (Millenium Stadium) 18th Oct 0600 AEDT

[Braveheart81]

But they won't be playing each other til next June

Looks like another shipment of Optimism Gnomes has just arrived!

 

[Kevin77]

Just read Georgina Robinson's rankings of final 8 teams. She has France at fourth.

What in God's green earth does she base that on? They have been horrific for nigh on 2+ years and were comprehensively outplayed against Ireland.

 

[aeneas]

Looks like another shipment of Optimism Gnomes has just arrived!

How do I get one of these!

 

[qwerty51]

Just read Georgina Robinson's rankings of final 8 teams. She has France at fourth.

What in God's green earth does she base that on? They have been horrific for nigh on 2+ years and were comprehensively outplayed against Ireland.

Probably because you guys just lost SOB, POM and POC.

 

[Antony]

Just read Georgina Robinson's rankings of final 8 teams. She has France at fourth.

What in God's green earth does she base that on? They have been horrific for nigh on 2+ years and were comprehensively outplayed against Ireland.

My read was that it was because they're coming up against NZ, so they're probably going to play a blinder this weekend.

 

[Braveheart81]

How do I get one of these!

I only found that on google images. Not sure if you can still buy it.

You might have to settle for a Scorch Activity Set.

It's guaranteed to provide hours of fun.

 

[Kevin77]

Probably because you guys just lost SOB, POM and POC.

Fourth out of the eight teams left. Really?

 

[Kevin77]

My read was that it was because they're coming up against NZ, so they're probably going to play a blinder this weekend.

France in their current state would be playing a blinder if they get within 20 points of the All Blacks

 

[Antony]

France in their current state would be playing a blinder if they get within 20 points of the All Blacks

You haven't lived my pain.

 

[Kevin77]

You haven't lived my pain.

Ha ha, i understand the fear. It's probably similar to Ireland leading The All Blacks with 80 minutes just ticked on the clock and The All Blacks have the ball. No amount of rational thought will convince me The All Blacks aren't about to score

 

[Quick Hands]

France in their current state would be playing a blinder if they get within 20 points of the All Blacks

You could have recycled this comment from 1999. And look what happened.

 

[Quick Hands]

Ha ha, your enthusiasm is infectious Quick Hands !
I don't think they have it in them though. Lack of leaders, lack of great players, absolutely no depth in certain positions, nonexistent game plan.

I'd love to see a couple of diplomatic injuries, Machenaud, Trinh Duc, Mermoz & Médard being called up, but can't see that happening unfortunately. The XV I would start:

Ben Arous - Guirado - Slimani
Maestri - Le Roux
Dusautoir - Picamoles - Nyanga
Kockott - Michalak
Dulin - Dumoulin - Fickou - Fofana
Spedding

I agree with that.

My lasting memories of that 1999 semi involve being told by AB supporters for an hour before the game and up to and including half time how they were going to easily defeat the Wallabies in the final the following week. (We beat SAF on the Saturday and the AB v FRA game was on the Sunday). Sitting with a small group of Wallaby fans in a mass of black and white - it was remarkable how quiet things became in our area as the 2nd half wore on.

 

[Cardiffblue]

How do I get one of these!

Well you can buy them from wru. Or you can start supporting Wales and the little buggers just keep turning up uninvited

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Replacements:

16. Dimitri Szarzewski
17. Vincent Debaty
18. Nicolas Mas
19. Damien Chouly
20. Yannick Nyanga
21. Rory Kockott
22. Remi Tales
23. Mathieu Bastareaud

 

[the plastic paddy]

At least he is starting Parra and has dropped fatty to the bench, not surprised after the Irish centres made him look like the prop he is in the mid field defensive line. Wasn't exactly impressed by the French scrum last weekend but the Irish scrum is incredibly solid, even when Mikey Ross goes off. Anyway, Allez les Bleus!!!!

 

[Quick Hands]

View attachment 7059

Replacements:

16. Dimitri Szarzewski
17. Vincent Debaty
18. Nicolas Mas
19. Damien Chouly
20. Yannick Nyanga
21. Rory Kockott
22. Remi Tales
23. Mathieu Bastareaud

Almost the team that Relance was asking for.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Well you can buy them from wru. Or you can start supporting Wales and the little buggers just keep turning up uninvited

I think there's been a bit of a migration of the little sods to North of Hadrian's Wall where they have been doing their usual stuff with the Scots hopes and aspirations.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Replacements:

16. Keven Mealamu
17. Joe Moody
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Victor Vito
20. Sam Cane
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Sonny Bill Williams

 

[Dewald Nel]

View attachment 7061



Replacements:

16. Keven Mealamu
17. Joe Moody
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Victor Vito
20. Sam Cane
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Sonny Bill Williams

Carter ahead of Barrett... Interesting time to play your B team.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

That's a much better looking French team than the one I saw against Ireland last weekend.