French ’10′ poser

French ’10′ poser

18 Jun 2006

French coach Bernard Laporte may not play Thomas Castaignede at flyhalf against the Springboks on Saturday.

Then again he may.

The French coach was on Sunday unclear about who would play No 10 in the absence of the injured Frederic Michalak. Castaignede was the favourite to play against the Boks at flyhalf after starting there against Romania. However, he was not as good as he could have been and the whispers are that Damian Traille could be handed the 10 jersey against the Boks.

Then again it may be a curve ball to create some sort of confusion among the Bok coaches because they certainly would have to prepare differently for the more physical Traille, usually a centre, than Castaignede. If the latter does not start at flyhalf then he will play fullback at Newlands.

Laporte will pick a team showing several changes to the one that beat the Boks in Paris. Injury has forced out Michalak, but Laporte has opted to rest the starting winger, scrumhalf and loose-trio from the Paris win.

Fatigue is something the French media are talking about and the word from within the French camp is that the players’ mental attitude will determine Saturday’s result. The French know that they are good enough to beat anyone, but in the wrong state of mind they’re also capable of losing to anyone.


7 Comments

  • 1.KingPaul: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2006, 21:59 pm

    You are quite busy this late hey Keo??

  • 2.oxfordshark: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2006, 23:47 pm

    The Frogs played their “currie cup” last week,surley not all their players were involved in this exhausting game.

  • 3.ChiefsFan...sadly: Reply to this comment
    19 Jun 2006, 00:39 am

    A fair number of the French players weren’t in the “Top14″ final, especially in the forwards.

    Even then, those who didn’t won’t have much rest from a very long season, and it is quite a trip from Bucharest to SA.

  • 4.pompies: Reply to this comment
    19 Jun 2006, 05:58 am

    It don’t matter da Frog’s to get beat.

  • 5.Steel Shark: Reply to this comment
    19 Jun 2006, 06:21 am

    Traille is more of a natural no.10 anyway it makes sense to play him there he has a huge boot too. Laporte probably just trying to play mind games.

  • 6.cab: Reply to this comment
    19 Jun 2006, 10:26 am

    the boks at home are an entirely different prospect.

  • 7.twojays: Reply to this comment
    20 Jun 2006, 01:56 am

    The present absolutely awful Springbok back line certainly isn’t going to make the French loose any sleep irrespective of who they eventually select.Hamba Kahle

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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