Traille may trip up Boks
23 Jun 2006
De Wet Barry admits new French No 10 Damien Traille is an unknown factor to the Springboks.
Traille, an established international centre, was the surprise selection in the French starting XV, after coach Bernard Laporte dropped Thomas Castaignede to the bench for Saturday’s Test. Castaignede, who is usually a fullback, wore the No 10 jersey against Romania last weekend.
Because Traille has never played Test rugby at 10, the Boks aren’t quite sure what to expect at Newlands.
“I’ve never seen Traille at flyhalf, I don’t think anybody has,” Barry told the Cape Times.
“He’s a big physical guy and he’ll probably attack the line a lot more. He’s a ball player … a centre … he has good boot, so I assume they will use him. But the guy is playing out of position so maybe it’s an advantage to us.
“I think any back can play flyhalf. It’s just about whether you can handle the pressure. He’s a good player and won’t become poor in one match. He may just play very well.”
French manager Jo Maso said Traille could become a similar player to former Bok flyhalf Henry Honiball.
“We need to find a back-up to [Ferederic] Michalak,” he told the media. “We looked at Castaignede, and now we are looking at different options.
“Traille is a strong runner, a kicker, a passer, he has everything. He is a lot like Honiball. If he turns out to be as good, we will be very happy.”
15 Comments
23 Jun 2006, 09:04 am
Seriaaaaaaas?
23 Jun 2006, 09:06 am
For someone who “needs to work on his conditioning”, The Law is talking to much. Just tackle the living daylights out of them please, en o-ja pass asb die bol.
23 Jun 2006, 09:17 am
traille has complete skill set. its going to be interesting how the french attack our first channel, since they already know we are weaker without burger there.
jaco, fdp and joe are really going to need to up their defensive games.
23 Jun 2006, 09:25 am
tomsta,
with you on 8,9 and 10. They are the playmakers in the modern era of the game.
Don’t think P3 is good 8, Joe better on 8 than 6.
23 Jun 2006, 09:36 am
He can go sleep.
Feel the wrath of the Law. Death by punjabs.
23 Jun 2006, 10:36 am
That is where we’re going to kak…in the backs. If they decide to play an expansive game we’re in for a loooong afternoon.
23 Jun 2006, 10:40 am
Traille has always been our nemisis; but like Nathan Grey for Oz against the poms he will find it a totally diff role; to boks benefit – feeling good about the game already
23 Jun 2006, 10:59 am
lol staal, the Law will weave his magic…
23 Jun 2006, 11:33 am
maybe our wings will get the ball more than once this week,
with brent there maybe he will run at 10 sometimes to add some spark and get the ball moving
23 Jun 2006, 11:47 am
I’m actually looking forward to see how Traille gets on at flyhalf, i’m also looking forward to seeing how Russel gets on too. I love French v Bok, France is and has always have been my second team. I remember watching Galleon in the 70s, the 5 nations was always between Wales and France then. The Boks will have to rely on the rush defense again. But that rush defense is bcoming costly, how many players have we lost to that syle of rugby. This weekend should have been Wynand 12/Marius Joubert 13, but poor old Joubert has had the **** played out of him or into him. Irrelevant of his form for WP, Joubert is a world class centre.
23 Jun 2006, 14:53 pm
If the French have the instinct that Traille can play fly-half, he can. Jaco – bring a big notepad.
John Cowper – Detroit
23 Jun 2006, 15:50 pm
Who is Barry’s sub?
23 Jun 2006, 23:08 pm
Traille has already played some matchs with the Biarritz Olympique, his club, and he was quite ok but I don’t think that at international level he will be really good. He will be rightly tested a lot by SA.
24 Jun 2006, 09:02 am
Bring back Honeyballs!
24 Jun 2006, 17:36 pm
Barry got part of it right. The part where Traille ends his career.
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