French may wilt in the wet
10 Jun 2010
Flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc admits that rain will not suit the mobility of the French forwards.
While it looks as if it will be partly cloudy with no rain on Saturday, if the weather does worsen, the visitors could struggle against the big Bok pack.
‘Rain will favor the Springboks, but we will adapt to conditions,’ said Trinh-Duc. ‘If our plans are ill suited to the conditions we will have to find solutions on the field. But this is similar to adjusting to a defensive pattern – it is part of the game.’
The forwards’ discrepancy is most evident in the back row, where Pierre Spies, Francois Louw and Schalk Burger outweigh their counterparts (Julien Bonnaire, Wenceslas Lauret and Thierry Dusautoir) by an average of just over 16kg.
Given their forward ascendancy and Morne Steyn’s boot, it is hard not to favor the Boks in such conditions. Trinh-Duc, though, is paying little attention to these ominous rumblings.
‘I can only concentrate on my tactical kicking,’ he told keo.co.za. ‘Morne Steyn’s will be countered through collective organisation, particularly in the back three – their concern will be to cover the deep ground and limit his impact.’
With scrumhalf Morgan Parra handling the goal-kicking duties, Trinh-Duc won’t have to compete with Steyn in that area of the game.
‘The flyhalf is more than just a boot in the modern game,’ he said. ‘My role is as an organiser – we must be efficient on defence and ensure the Springboks do not cross the advantage line, and our attack needs to be fluent.’
There has been talk about the French backline’s capacity to penetrate the Boks after centres Mathieu Bastareaud and Yannick Jauzion were ruled out, but Trinh-Duc insists their replacements are more than capable.
‘[Maxime Mermoz and David Marty] are good centres – we will keep the same objective and play good front-foot ball.’
By Rory Keohane
47 Comments
10 Jun 2010, 14:54 pm
Dragon Joke:
Q: How does Wenceslas Laurent enjoy his pizza?
A: Deep pan, crisp and even…
10 Jun 2010, 14:59 pm
Very good player Trinh-Duc.
10 Jun 2010, 15:33 pm
The boks always come unstuck agaist the French for one reason. Their back three normally field the hight balls very well and counter attack with pace. That’s what happened last year and thet’s what happened in 2006 when JS was cited and banned for 2 weeks.
The less Gary Owens we put up on Saturday, the better.
10 Jun 2010, 16:53 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck)-3:
That might be true in past but might work out differently this weekend.
-Habana: solid under high ball
-Aplon: excellent jumping ability,good under high ball,better 15
-Kirchner: barring Welsh ONE MISTAKE,he is solid as they come under high ball in last 2 yrs,physical defender as well
France have Rougerie/Clerq who are good under high ball but Potrenau is not the best under highball.great con counter though
10 Jun 2010, 17:04 pm
Pretty clear that France’s gameplan is to run everything.
10 Jun 2010, 17:09 pm
@Prop Idol(Prop Idol)-1:
LOL
I can’t understand how rain will favour teh Boks, surely the Frogs are more used to it than we are? More gamesmanship from them, can’t wait to hear tomorrow how the wind suits the Boks, never mind the type of grass etc etc…..
Hope the Boks are staying focused, we need to win this one well
10 Jun 2010, 17:23 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-4: What S14 matches have you been watching? Kirchner has a major problem with high balls and until he decides that the only way to collect them is face forward and not arse forward he will continue to spill them. It is called fear factor. Ths S14 year has been a very poor one for him contrary to last year which was very good.
10 Jun 2010, 17:25 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-4: Aplon weighs 73 kgs which in modern rugby terms is less than feather light. He has vry good skills and good guts but zero stopping power. Like Joe Pietersen great skills but way too small for modern rugby.
All they need is one hard contact and they are off the park.
10 Jun 2010, 17:42 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-8:
Yeah Just like De Jongh who weighs 86/7 kg and everyone thought the 108kg Roberts was going to cut him in half last week.Instead he outplayed the poor one dimensional Roberts.
Vincert Clerq who is Aplon’s direct competition on Sat is no bruiser.Aplon hits way above his weight.Chased up well week and handles the bigger Halfpenny just fine.
James o’Connor made his Wallaby debut at 77kg.A star in the making.
So relax.
Kirchner is a solid 15.Nothing spectacular but solid.Had a great game vs Saders in round robin games and outjumped Slade/Maitland/Guilford in Gary Owen game.Also did well in Tahs where Barnes was peltering Bulls with up & unders.
Watched the S14.Didnt have his best S14 but still solid
10 Jun 2010, 18:07 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-9: I beg to differ 86 kg is 13 kgs heaveir than 73 kg whch is like a schoolboy playing rugby against a CC player. I agree that Aplon punches above his weight but one hard contact and he is off the field and we have no wings on the bench.
Robests is tall so he is easier to tackle, that aside De Jong did batttle to bring hing him down, it was our flanks who finished off the job.
As for Kichner I most definetly disagree he had a very mediocre S14, (unlike last year when he should have been the no15 of choice ahaed of plasto man Earl Rose) and as for outjumping the Saders it was the Saders that knocked on not Kichner out jumping them, that is a huge difference. He needs to face the ball nto turn his back on it. That is all about guts and nothing else.
10 Jun 2010, 18:18 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-4:
In Aplon’s case, he may have jumping hability, but with a “up and under” kick, when 2 or 3 100+kg players run at you it is very different. France has the same kind of player in Andreu, but when it comes to high ball, weighing 73kgs is not good…
And Poitrenaud is very good under high balls, he did few to no mistake during the last 6N.
Clerc and Rougerie are not as good IMO.
10 Jun 2010, 18:21 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-10: ” I agree that Aplon punches above his weight but one hard contact and he is off the field and we have no wings on the bench.”
Bakkies must be getting soft… if his hard contact in S14 couldn’t get Aplon off the field then there is no longer use for him in the Bok side
10 Jun 2010, 18:24 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-12: Bakkies was suspended because he shoulder cleaned and hit Aplon, another player would have brushed it off. I do not believe he should have been suspended but anyway bygones are bygones.
10 Jun 2010, 18:26 pm
@Grroo(Grroo)-11:
Poitrenaud is more erratic than Frans Steyn.A gifted footballer,esp going fwd and on the counter he is probably at present the best in the world. A Gaffie du Toit clone.Even their body structure,running style are similiar.plus their brain explosions.But saying that 2010 has been Poitrenaud best ever season with added consistency.it coincided with the fall of Medard,who had a similiar type of season last yr as potrenaud 2010.
But until he faces the best in SH consistently.Not convinced.Plus level of quality in 2010 6N was questionable to say the least.
10 Jun 2010, 18:30 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-14: If Frans Styen was played always in the same position he would be outstanding. He is a natural no 15 yet he gets stuffed around by coaches and agents alike so he is just looking after himself as no else seems to be interested in his unique talents. We are lucky he has no NZ lineage otherwise we would end up playing against him, and that is not a prospect that too many players look forward to.
10 Jun 2010, 18:34 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-13:
The same entry/clean that was reminiscent of Adam Jones clean except with Aplon it was with his head in a awkward position.little man got up,Jones didnt…Same suspension result for Botha
10 Jun 2010, 18:35 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-15:
Funny how its everyone other than Frans
Whilst in Aus quality players are moved as the team requires
And remain committed and professional
Burke, Mortlock, O’Conner, Giteu, Larkham
10 Jun 2010, 18:37 pm
And thats just a few
Sure, Mish can mention several others
Closser to home Danie Russouw
A hard working much respected servant of the game
10 Jun 2010, 18:39 pm
@heita(heita)-17: Say what you like but wehn Steyn went to Mexted’s accademy he did a double flip hoping he would be able draft him. We are the only nation who do not see his unique talent, booting the ball 100 metres back and going from your own 22 to the oppostion’s 22 or kicking penalties from yoru own 10 metre line. Overseas coaches woudl give their tsticle to have a player in their side like that yet we say he out of sorts and mediocre. Go figure.
10 Jun 2010, 18:42 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-15:
He was a natural 15 even though he never played the position with any consistency at ANY part of his career barring 2007 season.
In high school is was a 10/12
Age group level at 10/12
Bok level played more games at 10/12/14 than at 15
He stated himself in 2006-he wanted to play 10
in 2007-wanted to play 10/12
in 2008 wanted to play 10
in 2009 wanted to play 10/12
Hardly ever has he said he wants to play 15
JW stated he is a natural 10 or 12
Was forced by PdV to play 15 and give him stability
Has been playing in france,didnt want to play 15 rather 12 for Boks
Now you state he has been fcked around by coaches.
The man didnt even know where he wanted to play,and th eposition he consistently wanted to play 10/12-there were incumbent that were better/in form/experienced etc
The kid is talented but is a BLOODY CIRCUS-HIMSELF MENTALLY
10 Jun 2010, 18:45 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-19:
Do not change the objective of your post at 15
We were not comparing relative levels of talent
We discussing players committment to the teams whilst having to move between several positions
Those players appreciated the greater needs of the team and the national jersey
Frans does not
10 Jun 2010, 18:48 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-19:
Wandile Mjekevu
Raubenheimer
Hercules Venter
Also went to IRANZ/Mexted camp.Raubenheimer was also highly praised by Mexted as one for future
About Steyn Mexted also stated he should have played more junior/provincial rugby before big stage to round off his game otherwise he would have extremely valuable facets of his play(size,boot) but will forever/take him a while to not be be erratic as rest of his game would suffer especially maturity wise.would be difficult to categorise him position wise.Similiar to Toeava.He warned them
Situation we have at presently is what he warned about.Spoke on Reunion a few yrs bk
10 Jun 2010, 18:49 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-19:
?
2008, Frans claims he wants to play 10 – PdV agrees – ph*ck up
Early 2009, PdV settles Frans at 15 for BIL and 3N
Mid 2009, Frans signs contract to leave
2010, Frans does not want to play for Boks anymore
What are you talking bout?
10 Jun 2010, 18:50 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-20: Did you follow him when he played at school and U18? He played only no 15 and no 10 but mainly no 15. He was drafted into the U18 side at no 12 because of his size. He has played for SA at no 11, 12,13,14, and 15. He has been told by Plumtree that he would not play at no 10 and would play maybe at 12 or 14 but not 15. JW played him at 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 but mainly at 12 because he was a brickhouse at no 12. He played at no 15 for the barbarians who were amazed at the length of his kicks. At the end of his local stay he played at no 15 and think he is a natural in that position. But he had a mediocre game while the fit, in form and capable Kirchner fumbled the first ball he touched and gifted Wales with a try and almost the match.
And by the way it was his agent who stated he wanted ot play at no 10.
10 Jun 2010, 18:51 pm
And now, Frans plays for Metro who are using him at 10, 12 and 15
Did he leave for consistency – NO
Did he leave for a moerse lot of money – YES
10 Jun 2010, 18:55 pm
@heita(heita)-25: Steyn plays mostly at 12 for Racing
10 Jun 2010, 18:56 pm
@heita(heita)-23: I am not sure where you get that from. The papers probably.
Steyn wants to be in a psotion where he can run with the ball and kick it. No 12 suts him because he is buig and little goes past him but no 15 is his ideal postion with space to run into. He is by far not the finished article but he has the highest potential of being the best fullback rugby has seen in modern times (even according to Murray Mexted whoobviosuly knows little about rugby). PdV played him at 10 because he did not want to play him at 15 because of Janties who has lesspostional sense at no 15 than the line judges.
In Styen’s shoes given the local support I would have also pulled finger and looked after my back pocket. In rugby, one injry adn you are out. The next one to go will be Van den Heever if the keep on omitting him to select mediocre players like Ndungane simply to appease a couple of seat warmers..
10 Jun 2010, 18:59 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-27:
Save the white oppression sh*t
You on here regularly
Will pull up the 2008 article which clearly states Frans wanting to play 10
Was on Keo and in SA rugby magazine
2009 is fact
2010 is fact
10 Jun 2010, 19:06 pm
@heita(heita)-28: No oppression sh..t and so long as people like you continue to say better without than with SA rugby will miss on an incredible talent. Play Kirchner and se how well he plays Saturday, he was average this year at best so if having a side with average players makes you confortable and happy be my guest.
10 Jun 2010, 19:14 pm
Here the 2008 article
Frans wanted to play 10
PdV granted his wishes
http :// www .keo . co. za /2008 /06 /13 /steyn-picks-his-position /#more-9391
10 Jun 2010, 19:15 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-27:
Dude
He was on SA RUGBY publications,numerous interviews etc STATING HE WANTED TO PLAY 10.Throughout 2006-2008
That wasnt his agent speaking.It was from the horses mouth.
Steyn played 10 only once under Div in 2008-vs Italy
In 2008 Jantjes played 15,was the form 15 in Super 14,was rated by numerous publications and experts best SA 15(incl Eddie Jones) in competition.Steyn was playing 12 under MUIR at the time.
We have established what Mexted said,but you fail to realise he warned against shortcomings and rushing Steyn into big time.Result-WHAT WE HAVE NOW,made even worse by move to France as well as not playing 15 there.He is playing 12 there.Played 2 games at 15 only.His wishes.Even had article in early 2010 stating he feels ost comfortable at 12 and stated playing his best rugby there.IT WAS ON SA RUGBY.Came from his mouth.Not agent.We can villify Gerrie Swart all we want but he doesnt dictate what position Frans plays.The kid does.Stop shifting responsibility.
Steyn played 10/12 at the Sharks in 2009,not once at 15.He played off the bench for Boks then PdV played him at 15 and he looked most natural there even though he doesnt see the position as his best.EVEN TILL PRESENT.
Never heard publicly state he wants to specialise at 15.Never
10 Jun 2010, 19:16 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-29:
Where did i say better without him?
Please do show
For the 2nd time
PdV has been granting Steyns wishes
Steyn still chose to leave
Stop trying to apportion blame elsewhere
10 Jun 2010, 19:19 pm
@heita(heita)-28: Be gentle with him Heita. Don’t expose the poor guy! We need his input…
10 Jun 2010, 19:19 pm
In 2008 Super 14
Brad Barrit was forced to play second fiddle (at 12) to Steyn
Waylon Murray was forced to play second fiddle (at 13) to Steyn
Barrit has since left
Murray has since gone off the boil
Frans was deemed to good to leave out
Others players suffered in the pursuit of accommodating Steyn
10 Jun 2010, 19:21 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-29:
Your statement bely your nic,because facts have been provided to when frans said such inferences.Everyone has heard Steyn say he wants to play 10/12.not his agent.
Steyn played 10 for Free State in Craven Week,also played a bit of 12 not 15.In std 9 and 10 he was predominantly known as a 10.
So I dont know where u get he was a 15
10 Jun 2010, 19:21 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-27: Be careful there mate…Ndungane = WC medal winner!
10 Jun 2010, 19:26 pm
Assuming you can speak Afrikaans
Die Burger article Italy Vs Boks 2008:
Op die vraag waarom Francois Steyn, eerder as Peter Grant, die nommer tien-trui sal aantrek, het De Villiers geantwoord:
“As jy ’n ou het wat met ’n wêreldbekermedalje rondloop, en wie die hele wêreld gesê het, is die mees talentvolle speler in die land, moet jy somtyds ’n besluit maak wat nie almal sal pas nie.
http:// jv.dieburger.com //Stories /News /18.0.576364415.aspx
And, Peter Grant also had to step down to accommodate Frans
10 Jun 2010, 19:31 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-36:
Thats Akona.Not Odwa.Akona is currently injured(broken leg).Odwa played last week vs Wales
-G.vd Heever is injured.Got injured in S14 final
-Same with Frans Hougaard
The above would not have made it anyway had Mapoe,Nokwe,JPP been fit.
10 Jun 2010, 19:33 pm
Im done.Useless.No factual basis for any off Obj 101 claims.
Useless debate
10 Jun 2010, 19:35 pm
@Objective 101(Objective 101)-27:
“The next one to go will be Van den Heever if the keep on omitting him to select mediocre players like Ndungane simply to appease a couple of seat warmers..”
Van Den Heever was injured ……..
Need we explain further
14 Jun 2010, 16:24 pm
-HELLO-
_HELLO_
*HELLO*
14 Jun 2010, 16:25 pm
hello
14 Jun 2010, 16:26 pm
/bold
14 Jun 2010, 16:29 pm
BOLD
14 Jun 2010, 16:30 pm
ITALICS BOLD **I>BOLD ITALICS**B>
14 Jun 2010, 16:31 pm
WELL TRY THIS THEN… BOLD NO MORE, ITALICS NO MORE?
14 Jun 2010, 16:33 pm
I’M GETTING A HANG OF THIS **** AREN’T I?
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