France vs Japan Match thread

[Biltong]

First topic message reminder :

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

[Guest]

Japan are used to winning as well aren't they? THey are Asian champions right? Can't see them ever sitting down and not fighting for this one till the end.

[rodders]

Steve Walsh must be on the French payroll! Where's GG when you need him?!

[Guest]

This match is amazing! The Japanese knnow they have a chance here, I love it!!

[Biltong]

pressure pressure pressure

[GavinDragon]

this is why i ove the wc

[Biltong]

The Japanese definitely did not read the script for this game, if this is what we are going to see in thsi tournament we are in for a great time.

Penalty converted.

FRA 25, Japan 21

[Cari]

I'm loving this! I've only just got up, and wasn't expecting that score, and they're still on the attack. I'd love it if they won. What an upset that would be! Looks like they've got a good team!

[Biltong]

The french are rattled, they are making many unforced errors.

[rodders]

France are crumbling!

[Guest]

France are having a 'mare this 2nd half! Mistakes all over the pitch.

Can Japan keep this up till the end of the match though playing at this intensity? I'm loving it.

[robbo277]

Oh em gee. France were 1/500 yesterday. Long way to go in this one.

[Cari]

Well Japan don't look like they're flagging anytime soon....

[Cari]

OK, who put Japan to win on their prediction picks? I bet no one did!

[Guest]

Parra at 10?? I know the halfbacks in France can interchange, but don't think I've ever seen France play with Yachvilli 9 and Parra 10 before.....

[Guest]

I think the commentators just said Japan have only ever won 1 match in a rwc! This would be huge for them!

[Davie]

I had France by 28. 14 up at half time was looking good

All credit to Japan at the moment but I've never seen France crumble like this so early in a tournament. They usually save that for the quarters or semis

[Cari]

Awh maaan, Japan've got to get a try....GWAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!

[Guest]

sooooo close to an intercept there for Japan!

France seem to be slowly re-grouping.

Heymand and Medard the only oens giving them any sort of go forward.

[robbo277]

I had France by 36. Stupid France.

[Cari]

Davie - it's odd isn't it? It sounds like France have put out a very good side as well.

I wish I'd got my backside out of bed earlier now....must watch the highlights later.

[Biltong]

The thing about the "minnows" they have nothing to lose, so they can play with gay abandonement, they don't mind playing risky rugby and it is good to see them do this.

[Cari]

The thing about the "minnows" they have nothing to lose, so they can play with gay abandonement, they don't mind playing risky rugby and it is good to see them do this.

That's how we like it!

[Davie]

Just checked on sportsguru - no one has a Japan win. Most "pro-Japan" prediction is France by 10

[Guest]

I had them by 16 but this still isn't looking good. No one on SG has picked Japan, and the closest someone has picked is France by 9 in the 606v2 group.....

[Cari]

Ha Davie - so they've upset our own little tournament too, bar the person who had France by 10!

[whocares]

Parra at 10?? I know the halfbacks in France can interchange, but don't think I've ever seen France play with Yachvilli 9 and Parra 10 before.....

I can safely say that you are right

Japanese tiring a bit now...

[Standulstermen]

If this game ends within 7 (which it probably wont) then that first try of Frances will be even more significant.

Edit; should say though in fairness that i thought Nallet got over at the start of the 2nd half.

France cruising now

[Biltong]

The french have gained their composure, it is inevitable that the top teams would be able to do that.

But I doubt Japan is going to give up.

[PJHolybloke]

Did not see that penalty - anyone else or was it just Walshy?

[Cari]

Balls. France in with a try.

[Guest]

Yachvilli is having a really poor game.

And France finally get over for their TBP score, and it's Nallet! I do like him, makes up for his disallowed try from earlier which I honestly think he scored.

Am still fully expecting Japan to keep coming at them though.

[Notch]

What does it say about David Skrela that Morgan Parra had to slot in at 10?

[Cari]

21 - 35.

Come on Japan!

[Guest]

Skrela went off injured didn't he? He'd only been on the pitch for like 5 mins.

[robbo277]

If he keeps kicking like he is though he'll keep getting me points for my fantasy team!

[Notch]

Doh! Didn't see him come off. Japan have given this everything- fair play to them.

[Guest]

I still think Parra is doing a better job then he would ahve done though Notch!

Japanese scrum half is an absolute gem of a player, always giving them go forward. Brilliant.

[Davie]

They reported that Skrella went off with a shoulder injury

[Cari]

Notch - I'm glad they have. They must have some belief in their team. I was really expecting to switch on and see a one-sided heavy score against them, so fair play to them. Such a shame they won't win it.

[Guest]

Japan aren't used to losing outside of the world cup, so tis not surprising they have big self belief!


Ooooh another try by France, not sure that one is going to reflect how the match has gone though. Poor Japan

[Cari]

Well, fair play. That was a good try for France. I thought Japan knocked on earlier though and walsh missed it?

[Notch]

I still think Parra is doing a better job then he would ahve done though Notch!

Yeah! Skrela is a bit of a burden for this side right now. Greta try from France to finish this off. They'll know they've been in a game. Japan have given them hell, but made errors in the wrong parts of the field. That try came from a knock-on they made.

Still, they should be really proud of their second half and take that into the games against Tonga and Canada- this will give them confidence.

[Notch]

Well, fair play. That was a good try for France. I thought Japan knocked on earlier though and walsh missed it?

No, he was playing advantage. Obviously France took full advantage!

[Guest]

oh definitely Notch and if they play like this I think they can beat Canada, not sure about Tonga, they are even more physical then France and I think will be too much for them.

[Cari]

Ah Jayz....try no.6 from Parra.

[Guest]

ooooooooo booo France, did you have to do that? This scoreline really isn't going to reflect the match now!

Another try for them, at least people SG picks will be looking better now!

[Cari]

FT 21 - 47

[Biltong]

I think we must all tip our hats to Japan for this performance.

Man for man they weren't in the contest, but as a collective they played exciting rugby, their offloading and enthusiasm is an example of what these "minnows" can do.

Final score flatters the French, they were under immense pressure for much of this game.

France 47 Japan 21


France by 26

My prediction France by 25

[Thomond]

Not a fair reflection on what was a close game. The difference was how clinical France were. Japan spent large parts of the 2nd half in French territory but didn't put a huge amount of scores on the board.

[westisbest]

Well done Japan, did yourself proud

Scoreline flatterd France.

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