France wary of breakdown change
9 Jun 2010
Vincent Clerc believes France will struggle under the new breakdown law interpretations against the Springboks this Saturday.
In the Boks’ 20-13 defeat in Toulouse last year, France dominated the breakdown with greater physicality. The home team set the tone after lock Bakkies Botha was forced off with a bloodied face in the opening stages of the match.
The Boks struggled to counter the breakdown onslaught and conceded several turnovers. They were also penalised regularly at the tackle point and that ill-discipline cost the visitors as Julien Dupuy and Morgan Parra’s penalty goals were significant in the French victory.
In this weekend’s clash, however, France wing Clerc believes it will be a different scenario under the current breakdown law interpretations.
‘It will be hard for us to adapt to the new law interpretations. There will be less turnovers and the attacking team will be able to hold on to the ball more,’ Clerc told keo.co.za.
‘It will benefit both sides on attack but I think we will struggle to adapt on defence. Last year we managed to get many turnovers against the Boks but it will be much harder now. They will be able to hold on to possession and drive the ball up. This makes the breakdown an important part of the game.’
After the disappointing end-of-year tour last year, many pundits used fatigue after a long season as an excuse for the Boks’ poor results. Clerc believes the situation will be reversed.
‘For France, the international season is coming to an end while for the Boks, it is only the beginning,’ he said.
‘The fitness levels of the players might be different now because of that, but I still think it will be a great match. The tackling intensity and physicality between the two teams should still be great.’
By Gareth Duncan, in Cape Town
20 Comments
9 Jun 2010, 07:46 am
Flo Dragon gaan hul vermorsel!
9 Jun 2010, 07:48 am
Bakkies Botha cried off
You sure Gareth?
9 Jun 2010, 07:57 am
@Staal(Staal)-2: I see it says forced off … did he change the wording?
9 Jun 2010, 08:01 am
@Shauny(Shauny)-3: Yip he changed it!
9 Jun 2010, 08:19 am
this keo team doesn’t seem to like Bulls players at all!
9 Jun 2010, 08:23 am
I cant believe PDV hasnt come out and accused the french scrum of cheating…. looks like hes slipping…
9 Jun 2010, 08:27 am
this French ploy of trying to lull the boks into a false sense of security is typical of the french. I have seen this movie before…..especially with the french. Be very wary Boks….the French want this one very badly. It really is a clash of the titans…..6 Nations,Grand Slam winners against the World Champs.
I see some French players and coaching staff already commenting on PDV s contention that France Super 14 not that good…..the French will be fired up. Boks cant start like they did against Wales…..it will be all over rover, goodnite nurse.
We must be switched on and prepare ourselves for a battle of attrition. This will be an old fashioned grinding test match, no place for the faint hearted.
9 Jun 2010, 08:28 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-6: where did he say that?
9 Jun 2010, 08:37 am
@grant10(grant10)-8: I have a long memory mate…
9 Jun 2010, 10:10 am
well that’s positive Vincent
@grant10(grant10)-7: kidology eh?
9 Jun 2010, 10:56 am
The breakdown will be a fascinating area this weekend. Francois Louw exploited the old rules exceptionally well against the Welsh last week, but will never ever get away with it this weekend. If it was a SH ref last week, he would have gotten a yellow within 20 minutes. Alan Lewis blew the game on 09 interpretations.
Bryce Lawrence is blowing this weekend, and he is a good SH ref.
I reckon Boks should play smart rugby, without overcomitting to the turn over ball. Leave that to the French and Lawrence and Morne Steyn will do the rest….
If tight 5 remains strong – Boks by 10
9 Jun 2010, 10:57 am
At least Brussow won’t be there
9 Jun 2010, 12:19 pm
Q: How does Wenceslas Lauret like his pizza?
A: Deep pan, crisp and even.
I’ll get my coat…
9 Jun 2010, 17:11 pm
I would go so far as to say that on current form and in flow France are the best in the world. However… they are missing literally half their first choice team, its the end of their long season and they’re playing away from home. Plus the Boks will be dying for revenge. On that basis South Africa to win by about 10 – 15 points.
9 Jun 2010, 22:02 pm
Cheetah Champs
What do u mean Flo wont fair well with new interpretations? Quite the contrary,in this yrs S14-the new interpretations adopted Flo was along with Daniel Braid had the most CLEAN turnovers in Competition- minimum penalties against them as well.
He should flourish
10 Jun 2010, 00:20 am
France have to contend with:-
1. massive injury toll to star players
2. end of season blues
3. playing away from home
4. fresh, confident, Boks.
la victorie de Les Tricolors par Onze pts.
Sacre bleu
10 Jun 2010, 01:38 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-16: same as last year then when they beat the ABs
10 Jun 2010, 06:55 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-15: I never said he wont fair well. I am a massive Francois Louw fan – but i do believe he got away with murder this weekend. He had hands in long after the ref called ruck. Lewis “warned” players – which is something SH refs dont do anymore. You dont hear them shouting “Seven, release” – all you hear is the whistle, and three points.
Flo is an awesome player, but people should not expect 10 turnovers from him this weekend. The new rules interpretation do not allow for it.
10 Jun 2010, 08:55 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-17:
‘last year’ ?
2009 ?!
France 1
NZ 2
doesnt that mean they LOST, Big Hit ?
10 Jun 2010, 09:01 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-16:
Listen boet.
Cape Town makes up for all those “problems”
Their soccer team is here, and wikll most likely beat Uruguary on Friday night, the weather is great, the country is pumped, there’s colour (not Tricolour) everywhere …
What they got to gripe about.
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