France vs Japan Match thread

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:22 am

You got to feel for the Japanese, in the first 10 minuyes they showed enterprise, willing to run, and the French from one intercept and a very wierd counter rucked breakdown where their tackled player waseffectively offside, stood up because he was not held and started running, the french scored a try from that.

Japan came back with a penalty so current score

FRA 14 Japan 3

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:24 am

17 - 3 now after a french penalty.

Pleased to see both sides are looking to run this, some great moves by both and been pleasently pleased by Japan so far. France have squandered a fair few other try scoring opportunities mind!

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:25 am

If Redstag is around maybe he can explain this, brcause I am nor too sure about the law here.

The french wing is tackled, then the whole Japanese forward pack rucks over him, the french wing is lying on the ground but is not held, he gets up with the ball with a huge gap in front of him as the whole Japanese pack is on the other side, but, he didn't release the ball, then get up and then pick up the ball again.

In my opinion it should have been a penalty to Japan?

France got another penalty

FRA 17 Japan 3

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:28 am

I thought that should have been a penalty to Japan as well biltong, was a bit baffled that it was missed.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:29 am

The Japanese had some great runs, but every time they get close they make mistakes

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:30 am

that's just what I was saying in the pub thread, anywhere near the French 22 and all of a sudden the knock ons etc start appearing, rather frustrating.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:33 am

Yeah, I like their enthusiasm with which they play, they just need a little finesse and perhaps some patience, and as I say that they score from a lineout, great stuff Japan, well deserved.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:33 am

Try for Japan!!!

Grubber kick through bounces back into his hands from a rebound and Arlidge is over, lucky but well taken, and well deserved.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:36 am

superb try by the French finished of by Clerc, this is just lovely to watch.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:37 am

That was great hands by the French.

by whocares Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:38 am

25th try from Clerc in the corner - good work from heymans.

by Standulstermen Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:39 am

Biltong

Surely Medard was brought to ground though so the tackler must release then (which he did). Now i know they rucked over Medard but surely he must regain his feet before picking up the ball. Definite penalty to Japan for me.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:40 am

he's be offside, wouldn't he Stand??

EDIT: argh just inore this Stand, I read definite as define, I haven't had much sleep....

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:41 am

Great phase play by Japan, France are really contesting the breakdowns, fortunately Japan gets a penalty.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:42 am

Standulstermen wrote:Biltong

Surely Medard was brought to ground though so the tackler must release then (which he did). Now i know they rucked over Medard but surely he must regain his feet before picking up the ball. Definite penalty to Japan for me.

That is exactly what I am thinking, I know the teckler has to release, but from what I understand the tackled player has to release the ball, get up and then play the ball again.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:43 am

oo almost intercept by Japan, France playing silly rugby near their own 22.

cant believe it's HT already.

by Standulstermen Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:44 am

dreamer

Im not sure but to me he never released. He would have needed to release the ball, get up on his feet and then pick up the ball for it to be legal. Obviously there wouldnt have been time for this. To be honest im not sure but to me it looked like he was tackled, brought to ground and released by the tackler which was exactly right from the Japan perspective. He clearly retained the ball without releasing imo.

Even if he released it, and then pulled it back to him, surely that is playing the ball on the ground.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:44 am

Well half time

France 25, Japan 11.

France sored two of their tries because of opportunities and created one beautifully worked try, the Japanese could count themselves slightly unlucky because of that, but should feel happy with the way they are playing.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:45 am

I agree with you Stand, edited my last post too late, talk about not being able to read properly this morning!

by Standulstermen Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:45 am

biltongbek wrote:
Standulstermen wrote:Biltong

Surely Medard was brought to ground though so the tackler must release then (which he did). Now i know they rucked over Medard but surely he must regain his feet before picking up the ball. Definite penalty to Japan for me.

That is exactly what I am thinking, I know the teckler has to release, but from what I understand the tackled player has to release the ball, get up and then play the ball again.

Yep poor officiating for me. Walsh hasnt been great. When france were pummeling the Japan scrum and still moving forward he called the penalty. Maybe its me, but other refs would have allowed France to continue with the scrum moving.

Its a really enjoyable game though

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:48 am

This is where the tier 2 nations need to learn from the top teams, the top teams can use the smallest opportunity to counter attack.

The first 14 points of the French was from Japanese mistakes.

by westisbest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:48 am

Good first half, shame Alridge didnt kick those 5 points, decent try rom him though.

Some great hands from Japan, hope they have a couple more trys in them in the second half.

by whocares Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:48 am

some nice combinations from the japanese at the end of the 1H - not a try but at least they get an extra 3 points....
far from perfect from a french pov (handling errors, too many offsides,lack of support in attack) but the basics (defense, scrum, lineouts) were handled allright. no standout players so far except maybe Lakafia who has been solid as a rock.

by Standulstermen Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:50 am

If France actually can maintain their focus they will trouble anybody. They have so much talent.

by **rodders** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:50 am

Japan are playing some lovely stuff and look really exciting with the ball in hand. However they are struggling in the contact area and France are able to really slow a lot of their ball down and turn them over.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:51 am

It seems to me that the "minnow" teams are more competitive this year?

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:52 am

roddersm wrote:Japan are playing some lovely stuff and look really exciting with the ball in hand. However they are struggling in the contact area and France are able to really slow a lot of their ball down and turn them over.

Yeah, it seems the problem for the Japanese is they struggle with the physicality of the French, and the french are contesting every ruck.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:52 am

Biltong - that certainly seems to be the case so far, I'm really glad to see it (well until Wales has to play any of them anyway Wink

)

by **rodders** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:54 am

They were last time too biltong. I'm not surprised at all and I think Ireland will get it tough against the USA tomorrow too.

I don't think we'll see many cricket scores in this WC.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:56 am

I also hope there aren't many cricket scores, it is good to see the smaller teams playing good rugby, they still struggle defensively but are scoring points themselves, which didn't happen in the past.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 7:57 am

Hell, the French pulverised that Japanese scrum

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:00 am

brilliant defence by Japan there to hold up that try.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:00 am

Well held up by Japan, but the French are now looking far to physical.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:02 am

2nd chance for France, that looks like a try to me, Nallet certainly looks confident of it anyway.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:03 am

held up again!

although that did look like a try to me.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:04 am

not sure I agree with that decision.

Oh and Yachvilli completely messes up when France were certain to score.

Japan on the attack now. Am really enjoying this match!

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:05 am

Man the Japanese are fighting their hearts out here.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:05 am

rugbydreamer wrote:not sure I agree with that decision.

Oh and Yachvilli completely messes up when France were certain to score.

Japan on the attack now. Am really enjoying this match!

Yeah I agree that should have been awarded

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:06 am

Maybe the japanese luck is turning, that decision made up for the first try awarded.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:06 am

they always do biltong, tis one of the things I love about them

I remember the U20's rwc a few years ago when it was played in Wales and I saw wierdly Japan v France and the amount of heart and endeavour they put into their performance was incredible. They play with pride as well, I just love it.

by **rodders** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:06 am

Awesome defence from Japan to hold france up twice over the line.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:09 am

What a great furious

try.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:09 am

TRY Japan!!!

Brilliant, just brilliant rugby by them, always tryign to keep the ball alive, never giving up and just incredibly deserved.

Arlidge having a great game for them.

by **rodders** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:09 am

Great try from Japan! Yahoo

by PJHolybloke Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:09 am

What a try! Breathless period of play - lost count of the phases.

by whocares Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:10 am

yachivili has messed up big time so far...
7 penalties conceded against japan is really poor. bet the possession must be 50/50 but credit to the japanese.

and now...oh dear - good work try though

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:10 am

My goodness, how many phases was that, these guys have a hell of a lot of guts.

by Guest Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:12 am

France won't be happy with their defence over that try though, loads of missed tackles, their concentration is slipping.

by **Biltong** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:12 am

These guys are pumped, noone told them the French are supposed to canter this one.

by **rodders** Sat 10 Sep 2011, 8:13 am

That Japan Scrum half looks a brilliant player. Japan really look inspired right now and if they can get another score the France could be in big trouble.

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