Pool A latest – Parra to pivot for France
20 Sep 2011
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from Pool A.
Parra to pivot for France – France coach Marc Lievremont surprised by naming Morgan Parra at flyhalf for their key World Cup clash against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.
Parra, a specialist scrumhalf, takes over from Francois Trinh-Duc. Captain Thierry Dusautoir is reinstated to the side after missing the win over Canada. Aurelien Rougerie switches to centre with Maxime Medard taking over on the wing.
In the forwards Dimitri Szarzewski starts ahead of William Servat at hooker, while lock Lionel Nallet returns in place of Romain Millo-Chluski.
France - 15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Aurelien Rougerie, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Maxime Medard, 10 Morgan Parra, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Subs: 16 William Servat, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Imanol Harinordoquy, 20 Francois Trinh-Duc, 21 Fabrice Estebanez, 22 Cedric Heymans.
20 Comments
20 Sep 2011, 00:39 am
No Parradise (and Barnes, LOL) for you this time, Frogs.
20 Sep 2011, 01:03 am
So much for les Tricolors fielding a team “to lose” (in SA-parlance) this match.
Parra has been playing v.well, the star so far for France – presumably a confidence pick and an indication that Skrela (home, injured) was instrumental to the way Lievremont wanted to play. Parra certainly looks a more classic-France player, Trinh-Duc is more physical but seems to lack that wonderful heads-up style that so epitomizes their real strengths.
GAME ON !
20 Sep 2011, 01:08 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-2: If Irish could surprise, why French couldn’t?
They ain’t Scots after all, too proud of being ABs bogeys come WC time.
20 Sep 2011, 05:06 am
@Nils(Nils)-3:
it would hardly be a ‘surprise’ for the French to beat the ABs at a RWC again !
in fact, at this rate, more a ‘surprise’ if NZ win….
Cant wait. Will have to go a LONNNNNNNNNNG way to beat the atmosphere at Irel vs Aus tho. That was something special.
20 Sep 2011, 06:20 am
parra is not a 10
lievremont is also tinkering now
20 Sep 2011, 06:26 am
will be interesting to see how carter handles the terrier that is parra who i bet will be in his face from the get.
20 Sep 2011, 06:37 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-5: Its the French style. They have had a lot of “Little Generals” over the years who are equally happy playing both scrum or fly. Trin Duc had all the form coming into the world cup, but now appears to have lost it all? How very…….. French!
20 Sep 2011, 06:42 am
wow! look at the frogs throw the game for sure….
save the fh’s from injury for the knockouts cos you’re gonna be on easy street as it is tsk tsk…
20 Sep 2011, 07:01 am
The whole New Zealand island is holding its breath for this game. It’s essentially their final.
20 Sep 2011, 08:03 am
Hopefully this game lives up to the expectation. Here’s to a brilliant game, and may the best team win.
20 Sep 2011, 10:15 am
Two scrum halves next to each other in the mid. Mmmmh. Ok. Let’s see what GH does with his sellections. This is game of the weekend for sure.
20 Sep 2011, 10:21 am
That Picamoles is a damn good player. And I think that bench is second to South Africa in terms of quality and variety.
Hey Kiwis, here is some breakfast news, don’t swallow too quickly:
www dot bbc.co.uk/blogs/bendirs/2011/09/all_blacks_glitter_but_doubts.html
20 Sep 2011, 11:32 am
Is Carter playing in this game?
20 Sep 2011, 11:33 am
No9 playing at no10 is not that unusual for France. Michalak (although he’s now pretty much a no10) and Elissalde did that too.
Club games in France rely upon no9 to make all the decisions, whether the ball is passed or kicked etc. Most of their scrumhalves are also the place kickers. It’s a little surprising, and experimental, but there’s a method there. Also keeps the ABs guessing as to what France might field if they meet again.
Anyone who sees this as a sign that France have definitely thrown the game just knows very little about french rugby.
20 Sep 2011, 11:34 am
The more I look at this french team the more I feel they are playing their B-Team. Their first choice props are not even on the bench?
20 Sep 2011, 11:39 am
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-15:
Injuries, Servat and Barcella are not at full fitness and are carrying niggling injures, and Mas is out until the quarter finals with a hamstring injury.
The one position in the forwards where a decision definitely isn’t based on fitness is at no8.
20 Sep 2011, 11:41 am
@Tartan(Tartan)-16: Shame, was looking forward to Servat, Barcella and Mas destroying Pinecock and co.
20 Sep 2011, 18:03 pm
Still can’t believe Jauzion wasnt picked! all black destroyer
20 Sep 2011, 21:26 pm
The funniest thing about this French side is that they have a frog called parra.
20 Sep 2011, 21:28 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-19:
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