Wallabies vs France Preview
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Tonight Australia will take on France in Brisbane in what is shaping as a much better clash than last week. The Wallabies conquered the French 34-13 last week and won on the back of an impressive 20 minute burst after half time. The performance from the Wallabies for the majority of the game was uninspiring and lacked the flair and composure in attack that was hoped by Robbie Deans. The defensive effort however was sensational. Deans will look for more of the same tonight in what shapes as an impressive match up with a French side who are playing their last game for the season. This will inspire the French to put in a last gasp effort to try and spring an upset on the Wallabies.
The Wallabies have their most inexperienced pack of forwards in 20 years and the late injury to Sharpe has Dean Mumm starting in his first run on side and with the responsibility of calling the lineout a great deal of pressure rests on his shoulders. Mumm will have to be on his game as he takes on French Rugby’s most popular player in Sebastien Chabal.
The French side who made seven changes from last week will be keen to spring a surprise on the Wallabies. They were beaten badly at the breakdown last weekend in Sydney and lacked the composure and patience to hold the ball for long periods. When they finally started to do this in the last 20 minutes they put real pressure on an outstanding defence from the Wallabies. France have unveiled a new wing sensation in Alexis Palisson and he will be keen to further impress to cement a place in next years Six Nations.
The Ruck and Maul expect the Wallabies to have too much firepower and should win by 14 in what Robbie Deans will be hoping will be a tough final match before the Tri-Nations involvement in the coming weeks.
The teams for tonights clash are;
Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lachlan Turner, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Stephen Hoiles, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Dean Mumm, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Adam Freier, Ben Alexander, Hugh McMenimen, George Smith, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Cameron Shepherd
France: Benjamin Thiacry, Alexis Palisson, Maxim Mermoz, Thibault Lacroix, David Janin, Francois Trinh-Duc, Sebastian Tillous-Borde, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy, Matthieu Lievremont, Lionel Nallet, Sebastien Chabal, Renaud Boyoud, Sebastien Bruno, Pierre Correia.
Reserves: Benjamin Kayser, Benoit Lecouls, David Couzinet, Louis Picamoles, Yannick Caballero, Dimitri Yachvili, Jean-Baptiste Peyras.
Sebastien Chabal playing out of position
RugbyHeaven have a good article on Sebastien Chabal and Wallabies Assistand Coach Jim Williams believes Chabal is playing out of position. You can read the article by following the link below.
Chabal regularly plays at No 8. for the Sale Sharks but Marc Lievremont is playing in at lock. Chabal commented last week that he prefers the No 8. position as the scrum takes alot out of him and the position reduces the impact he can have with the ball in hand. I agree with this as he had little chance to run with the ball against the Wallabies in Sydney instead being heavily involved at the breakdown and being heavily involved in defence.
Chabal out of position say Wallabies
France unveil new look for Wallabies
In a major reaction to the disappointing performance by the French side against the Wallabies last weekend coach Marc Lievremont had made seven changes to the starting side for this weekend’s clash in Brisbane.
Lievremont has unveiled a host of new players including moving five players that commenced the match on the bench last week to his starting lineup and providing two players Yannick Caballero and wing Jean-Baptiste Peyras a starting berth after not being named in the previous 22 man squad. This will be one of the most inexperienced sides France have ever had in a test match and Lievremont will be hoping the side will make up for that with enthusiam.
The French side is;
Benjamin Thiacry, Alexis Palisson, Maxim Mermoz, Thibault Lacroix, David Janin, Francois Trinh-Duc, Sebastian Tillous-Borde, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy, Matthieu Lievremont, Lionel Nallet, Sebastien Chabal, Renaud Boyoud, Sebastien Bruno, Pierre Correia.
Reserves: Benjamin Kayser, Benoit Lecouls, David Couzinet, Louis Picamoles, Yannick Caballero, Dimitri Yachvili, Jean-Baptiste Peyras.
Wallabies make changes for France
The Australian Wallabies have made four changes for the test against France to be played in Brisbane on Saturday. Two changes were forced through injury to Wycliff Palu and Lote Tuqiri. Palu who suffered a shoulder injury is replaced by Brumbies player Stephen Hoiles who will be keen to show what he offers to the side with his ball playing skills. Tuqiri who suffered an injured knee against France is replaced by debutant Lachlan Turner, 21, who had an excellent second season with the NSW Waratahs.
In other unforced changes to the team Adam Ashley-Cooper replaces Cameron Shephard at fullback and Phil Waugh replaces George Smith at openside flanker after a strong second half against France. Both changes Deans advises are more about maintaining match fitness than changes due to poor performances.
The full Wallabies side is;
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lachlan Turner, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Stephen Hoiles, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Adam Freier, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Cameron Shepherd
Wallabies vs France Preview
The Australian Wallabies will be keen to improve on their recent performance against Ireland with a dominant performance in the first of two international matches against France.
The French have sent out what has been called a second string side but those that know French Rugby their is no such thing as a second string side from France. Sebastien Chabal will line up for France in what is a mostly unknown team that has come to Australia. Marc Lievermont has been unable to select a number of major stars who have been playing for the top four teams in the French rugby championship. Regardless of not having the major stars France have some dynamic players who possess genuine skill and speed but have not had the chance to make their presence felt on a regular basis at international level.
The Wallabies have been deep in training for the last two weeks working on some combinations and improving of core skills. Luke Burgess will be better for the run against Ireland and with some additional tuition from Robbie Deans in the kick department he will further stake his claims for a long term position at No. 9. The forward will need to stay on their game this week against France, late in the game fatigue was evident as Burgess was exposed at the breakdown with half the forward pack going missing. The Australian backline will be eager for a run and can be expected to deliver more on the promise shown against Ireland. The direct running was a marked improvement on the direction of attack under Connelly.
The ruck and maul will be at the game in Sydney and will provide an update on the match on Sunday. We tip the Wallabies to come out on top by 9 in what should be an open and entertaining game.
Australian Wallabies
Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Adam Freier, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper.
France
Pepito Elhorga, Alexis Palissson, Francois Trinh-Duc, Damien Traille, Benjamin Thiery, Benjamin Boyet, Dimitri Yachvili, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy, Lionel Nallet, Sebastien Chabal, Benoit Lecouls, Sebastien Bruno, Lionel Faure.
Reserves: Benjamin Kayser, Renaud Boyoud, David Couzinet, Matthieu Lievremont, Sebastien Tillous-Bordes, Thubault Lacroix, David Janin.
Wallabies squad unchanged for France
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has stuck by his team for the first test against the French on Saturday. Robbie Deans has named an unchanged team in what is a change of practice over recent years. Not once in the reign of John Connelly as coach were the Wallabies team unchanged from one international to another. Coach Deans did impress upon his players the importance of taking your place for granted and that each player should play each international like it was their last. This attitude would generate greater competition for spots and keep everyone on guard that any drop in form will see them dumped for another player who is performing.
The Wallabies will play a French side that is dramatically different to the team they fielded in the World Cup final but while it is a youthful squad it is arguably just as good and in some opinions the youthfulness of the side and enthusiam matched with the speed and ability of the team could be arguably better than the top rated French side they could field if they had the players from the top four teams.
The Wallabies team is;
Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper.
French announce team for Wallabies
The French team coach Marc Lievremont has named his team to take on the Wallabies in Sydney this Saturday with only Damien Traille surviving from the starting team in the World Cup semi-final defeat to England.
France will line up an in-experienced team by international standards but a team full of flair and promise and will be by no means easy beats for the Wallabies. The French rugby team is passionate and will play with the usual flair and look to impress upon their new coach, Marc Lievremont, their credentials for a place when the main stars return after the end of the French rugby championship. With no players available from the top four teams due to the final stages of the rugby season in France it has given France a big task ahead to achieve victory. This is one challenge all the players and coach will be keen to take and will not die trying to beat the Wallabies at running rugby.
In what is an excellent addition to the team for bring the fans in the gates is Sebastien Chabal, also known as the Caveman or Seabass. Chabal developed a cult following during the Rugby World Cup and was the face of the French rugby campaign that took them to the semi-finals. Chabal will be keen to impress after being left out of the Six Nations team under Lievremont and will receive huge crowd support. Despite the relative inexperience of Les Bleus they only have two international debutants Alexis Palissson and Benoit Lecouls on Saturday. The French are not to be underestimated and I am sure Robbie Deans will ensure the Wallabies prepare as best as possible.
The French side to take on the Wallabies in Sydney is;
Pepito Elhorga, Alexis Palissson, Francois Trinh-Duc, Damien Traille, Benjamin Thiery, Benjamin Boyet, Dimitri Yachvili, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy, Lionel Nallet, Sebastien Chabal, Benoit Lecouls, Sebastien Bruno, Lionel Faure.
Reserves: Benjamin Kayser, Renaud Boyoud, David Couzinet, Matthieu Lievremont, Sebastien Tillous-Bordes, Thubault Lacroix, David Janin.
Stade Francais sign McKenzie
Ewen McKenzie has signed to coach Stade Francais on a 3 year contract. McKenzie, who was dumped by the NSW Waratahs after a poor start to the season will be keen to advance his chances with the French side in a hope of being a future Wallabies coach.
McKenzie who was a member of the 1991 World Cup winning Wallabies side was told his contract would not be extended at after the 2008 Super 14 after the NSW Waratahs started poorly. The Waratahs went on to make the final of the Super 14 only to lose to the Canterbury Crusaders 20-12.