So Next Week France v New Zealand Final! ! !

First topic message reminder :

Based on the 2 games this week end, you would have to say that the Web Ellis Cup belongs to New Zealand.

But the French being French, well you never know.

Although i would love to think that France could win next week, i realy cannot see it my self.

Well lets hope that the game next week throws up a few surprises, and New Zealand do not have it all their own way.

Taylorman,I really hope so.I really do,but still nervous.

Yeah bit of a selfish approach but its an honest one. Thats the sort of discussions that will be going around in the camp nearer the day. Yes the French could win, but man I dont think the players in THIS French team really know what they're up against...

Here's what I hope.
I hope the French play hard fast brutal beautiful rugby. I hope the take it to the All Blacks big time.

I hope the AB's soak it up and get a lead and then in the second half RIP THEM AN F***'ng NEW ONE

Yay go the Blacks

nganboy wrote:Here's what I hope.
I hope the French play hard fast brutal beautiful rugby. I hope the take it to the All Blacks big time.

I hope the AB's soak it up and get a lead and then in the second half RIP THEM AN F***'ng NEW ONE

Yay go the Blacks

One day, an old french player will go to NZRU seat, he will go to the head coach and will ask protection against one of the main secret of Rugby game. Then he will explain to NZRU top guys that the reason why blacks who are truly the best rugby team on the world loses in RWC, is because they always forget that this sport is about humility.

Dunno about that mate. Sounds like a bit of a whinge about an excited Kiwi. I am too and I hope we annihilate France as well. The fact that most Kiwis have been on the edge of a nervous breakdown implies that we have enough humility drummed into us from past failures.

Hoping you annihilate them and expecting them to annihilate them (by use of the word annihilate, or tear them a new...) all sound like expectations...you clearly expect a win...(and who wouldnt)...

but.....

Having a nervous breakdown sounds like you also have the opposite expectation so I'm not sure that I come across as clearly expecting a win. I'm sure every French fan would like les Bleus to annihilate us as well. But did you think that every Kiwi knows the capacity for France to come back, and that we'd like the score to blow out so that France would have too much to do?

disneychilly wrote:Having a nervous breakdown sounds like you also have the opposite expectation so I'm not sure that I come across as clearly expecting a win. I'm sure every French fan would like les Bleus to annihilate us as well. But did you think that every Kiwi knows the capacity for France to come back, and that we'd like the score to blow out so that France would have too much to do?

to be honest I would be just as happy with a crushing 1 point margin victory after a last minute interception try from Clerc courtesy of a dodgy pass from donald

on a more serious and sad note, ML unveiled the french bench for sunday:
Szarzewski, Barcella, Pierre, Ouedraogo, Doussain, Trinh-Duc, Traille

only real change being Traille replacing heymans which is justified by the fact he can play centre as well.

No Heymans...given how bad Medard played in the SF I was hoping to see Heymans start he is still a class act. Traille was a class act but these days he blows hot and cold.

newbie wrote:No Heymans...given how bad Medard played in the SF I was hoping to see Heymans start he is still a class act. Traille was a class act but these days he blows hot and cold.

well medart was instructed to kick the ball which is not exactly is strengh...traille is a liability in defense and doesnt offer much in attack, specially as full back, cant remember last time he had a good game for france but that's the problem with utility backs I guess. he has a strong boot though so you can see where Lievremont is coming from... also this is probably the first team with 2 9s on the pitch and 2 10's on the bench!

whocares wrote:

newbie wrote:No Heymans...given how bad Medard played in the SF I was hoping to see Heymans start he is still a class act. Traille was a class act but these days he blows hot and cold.

well medart was instructed to kick the ball which is not exactly is strengh...traille is a liability in defense and doesnt offer much in attack, specially as full back, cant remember last time he had a good game for france but that's the problem with utility backs I guess. he has a strong boot though so you can see where Lievremont is coming from... also this is probably the first team with 2 9s on the pitch and 2 10's on the bench!

The last time Traille did have a good game in blue, they crucified the blacks in Cardiff.