NPR

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Enzedder wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 6:20 am

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Oh shit. This will not end well. At least we know what he calls so should be able to plan for it.

Sards wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 9:12 am And then there is the best player in the world to contend with..................Du Pont

Grandpa wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 10:02 am

Sards wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 9:12 am And then there is the best player in the world to contend with..................Du Pont

Very true. If he plays well, France play well.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:31 am All Blacks to win this. France still have WC blues.

ASMO wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 9:17 am

Enzedder wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 6:20 am

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Oh shit. This will not end well. At least we know what he calls so should be able to plan for it.

Don't know what you are moaning about, he is a brilliant referee.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 12:47 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:31 am All Blacks to win this. France still have WC blues.

I think they will edge it too. Partly because the ABs are battle hardened now whereas a training game against a poor Japan side is inadequate preparation. Also,
- Ramos is not a FH but Jalibert was horrible when he came on.
- Alldritt is having a penalty give away fest which is in keeping with the drop in form of everyone associated with LaR
2 critical positions.

Beyond that, Moefana remains a waste of space. Penaud is injured, yet again although I really rate Attisogbe. So much so, that I'd be tempted to play the Pau man on the wing and move Penaud into centre if both fit,

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 12:48 pm

ASMO wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 9:17 am

Enzedder wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 6:20 am

Oh shit. This will not end well. At least we know what he calls so should be able to plan for it.

Don't know what you are moaning about, he is a brilliant referee.

This. I think he is one of the best 2 in the game.

Former captain Sam Cane's All Blacks career could be over after he and winger Mark Tele'a were ruled out of this weekend's test against France in Paris.

Flanker Cane suffered a deep cut to his head which required multiple stitches in last Saturday's win over Ireland, while Tele'a picked up a hand injury.

Hurricanes loose forward and All Blacks XV captain Du'Plessis Kirifi and Crusaders back Chay Fihaki have been called into the squad as has lock Fabian Holland with the latter replacing Sam Darry who suffered a season-ending knee injury in training.

AJ Lam replaced Harry Plummer (minor leg injury) last week, as cover for Billy Proctor.

There is some good news though with Codie Taylor and first-five Beauden Barrett, who missed the Ireland game due to concussion, both tracking well to be available.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/533525 ... ith-france

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 12:56 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 12:47 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:31 am All Blacks to win this. France still have WC blues.

I think they will edge it too. Partly because the ABs are battle hardened now whereas a training game against a poor Japan side is inadequate preparation. Also,
- Ramos is not a FH but Jalibert was horrible when he came on.
- Alldritt is having a penalty give away fest which is in keeping with the drop in form of everyone associated with LaR
2 critical positions.

Beyond that, Moefana remains a waste of space. Penaud is injured, yet again although I really rate Attisogbe. So much so, that I'd be tempted to play the Pau man on the wing and move Penaud into centre if both fit,

French scrum and depth?

laurent wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2024 7:01 am Likely French team
La composition probable des Bleus : 15. Buros ; 14. Villière, 13. Fickou, 12. Moefana, 11. Bielle-Biarrey ; 10. Ramos, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Roumat, 8. Alldritt, 6. Boudehent ; 5. Meafou, 4. Flament ou Ollivon ; 3. Tatafu, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Gros

Remplaçants : 16. Marchand, 17. Wardi, 18. Colombe, 19. R. Taofifenua, 20. Guillard, 21. Ollivon ou Woki, 22. Le Garrec, 23. Barré ou Jalibert ou Gailleton.

Slick wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:52 am I think this is my favourite fixture in rugby

laurent wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:27 pmNZ by a 100

Kiwias wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:32 am Sititi at 8 and Ardie at 7 is the big one, and BB over DMac.

Sards wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 7:01 pmAlways nice to have a brother to help us fight our fights.

Gumboot wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 6:59 pm Ethan "Food Bill" de Groot's indiscretion has proved to be very costly indeed.

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 7:19 pm

Gumboot wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 6:59 pm Ethan "Food Bill" de Groot's indiscretion has proved to be very costly indeed.

Ok... I don't know the story, what's all this?

Gumboot wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 7:26 pm

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 7:19 pm

Gumboot wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 6:59 pm Ethan "Food Bill" de Groot's indiscretion has proved to be very costly indeed.

Ok... I don't know the story, what's all this?

It's a secret, covered by the generic "didn't meet team standards" offence. He's apparently been available for selection since last week, but now can't get a look-in, so he's effectively been a passenger for the whole tour so far.

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 9:27 pm We've seen in the game the disappearance of the 6 in lieu of an extra lock, or arguably the vanishing of a centre in lieu of something that sort of passes for a flanker, but how many top games don't feature a 10 over the years?

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 6:27 pm

Kiwias wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:32 am Sititi at 8 and Ardie at 7 is the big one, and BB over DMac.

Plus Roigard starting...

a little unfair on DMac and Ratima, I reckon. DMac is being hailed as having his best game in black last week with an assured and measured performance. For my money, that improvement and discipline should be rewarded. Ratima was caught out with the Irish tactics and took too long to adapt... but the ref started penalising them and Roigard had time to look and learn before coming on. A minor quibble as I think we've all been waiting for Roigard to take the mantle.

I don't see the value of BB over DMac and it bothers me to think they are still trying to work out a pecking order here with one candidate a known pecker.

Edit... also, Finau starting at 6. You get a shot, you better make it pay.

Kiwias wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:06 pm Apparently Jalibert told the coach not to pick him in the match-day squad if he is not the starting 10.

https://apnews.com/article/france-all-b ... 703541a65a

laurent wrote: Fri Nov 15, 2024 7:48 am

Kiwias wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:06 pm Apparently Jalibert told the coach not to pick him in the match-day squad if he is not the starting 10.

https://apnews.com/article/france-all-b ... 703541a65a

He was not even on the bench (retained as 23rd)

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 10:27 pm

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Thu Nov 14, 2024 9:27 pm We've seen in the game the disappearance of the 6 in lieu of an extra lock, or arguably the vanishing of a centre in lieu of something that sort of passes for a flanker, but how many top games don't feature a 10 over the years?

I'm not sure where you're coming from with this. No-one is proposing doing away with the 10, my comment was related to my personal view on who's worthy of it.