Quarter final - France v South Africa

[francoisfou]

This is the Springboks side:

15. Willemse ; 14. Arendse, 13. Kriel, 12. de Allende, 11. Kolbe ; 10. Libbok, 9. Reinach ; 7. du Toit, 8. Vermeulen, 6. Kolisi (cap.) ; 5. Mostert, 4. Etzebeth ; 3. Malherbe, 2. Mbonambi, 1. Kitshoff.


16. Fourie, 17. Nché, 18. Koch, 19. Snyman, 20. Smith, 21. de Klerk, 22. Pollard, 23. Le Roux.

Vermeulen preferred to Wiese, who isn't even in the matchday squad, and Libbok starting instead of Pollard, I hadn't been expecting.

Libbok's goal kicking isn't consistent and de Klerk and Pollard are only on the bench. A stand-in replacement hooker could also cost them dear.

The French side should be announced at about lunchtime. I think and dearly hope that France will win, but this'll be an intensely physical game in which the HIA team will be stretched to the limits.

[Which Tyler]

A proper bench?

[francoisfou]

And here’s the French team, which is as expected, with the inclusion of Captain Dupont. It’s a shame that Julien Marchand isn’t fit, as he’d have relished confronting the Boks forwards, but Mauvaka is an excellent player, as is replacement hooker Bougarit(what a great name!)

15. Ramos ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Bielle-Biarrey; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Ollivon, 8. Alldritt, 6. Jelonch ; 5. Flament, 4. Woki ; 3. Atonio, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Baille.

16. Bourgarit, 17. Wardi, 18. Aldegheri, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Cros, 21. Macalou, 22. Lucu, 23. Moefana. France by 15!

[Banquo]

And here’s the French team, which is as expected, with the inclusion of Captain Dupont. It’s a shame that Julien Marchand isn’t fit, as he’d have relished confronting the Boks forwards, but Mauvaka is an excellent player, as is replacement hooker Bougarit(what a great name!)

15. Ramos ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Bielle-Biarrey; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Ollivon, 8. Alldritt, 6. Jelonch ; 5. Flament, 4. Woki ; 3. Atonio, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Baille.

16. Bourgarit, 17. Wardi, 18. Aldegheri, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Cros, 21. Macalou, 22. Lucu, 23. Moefana. France by 15!

Ballsy facing SA with a semi broken cheek bone—- can expect that to be tested early doors.

[Which Tyler]

Ballsy facing SA with a semi broken cheek bone—- can expect that to be tested early doors.

I guess the answer to that is "we welcome the opportunity to play against 14 men"

And Antoine - remember, leave the rucking to your forwards - even if it means risking a turn-over.

Quite honestly though - this was always the match he was expected to be back for, just so long as the fracture was simple. 3 weeks for his injury is bang-on the recommended recovery.

[Banquo]

Ballsy facing SA with a semi broken cheek bone—- can expect that to be tested early doors.

I guess the answer to that is "we welcome the opportunity to play against 14 men"

And Antoine - remember, leave the rucking to your forwards - even if it means risking a turn-over.

Quite honestly though - this was always the match he was expected to be back for, just so long as the fracture was simple. 3 weeks for his injury is bang-on the recommended recovery.

Well I’m better informed- 4-6 weeks is what I thought I heard.

Also can test the recovery without getting carded- just run at him.

[Spiffy]

Looking forward to the confrontation between two top back rows here, and the midfield clash of Danty v deAllende. For me, Esterhuizen has looked the better SA 12 so far. He's just as powerful as deA (or moreso) but a better ball user.

[Banquo]

Looking forward to the confrontation between two top back rows here, and the midfield clash of Danty v deAllende. For me, Esterhuizen has looked the better SA 12 so far. He's just as powerful as deA (or moreso) but a better ball user.

DeAllende pretty underrated outside the people that matter (selectors) imo. Does all the centre jobs to a high standard.

[Spiffy]

Looking forward to the confrontation between two top back rows here, and the midfield clash of Danty v deAllende. For me, Esterhuizen has looked the better SA 12 so far. He's just as powerful as deA (or moreso) but a better ball user.

DeAllende pretty underrated outside the people that matter (selectors) imo. Does all the centre jobs to a high standard.

Just to be clear - I do rate DeAllende as a top centre who has proved his credentials time and again. My point was, at the moment, I'd rate Esterhuizen ahead. DeA good, Esterhuizen better. Some (many?) may disagree. Obviously including the SA coaches.

[Banquo]

Looking forward to the confrontation between two top back rows here, and the midfield clash of Danty v deAllende. For me, Esterhuizen has looked the better SA 12 so far. He's just as powerful as deA (or moreso) but a better ball user.

DeAllende pretty underrated outside the people that matter (selectors) imo. Does all the centre jobs to a high standard.

Just to be clear - I do rate DeAllende as a top centre who has proved his credentials time and again. My point was, at the moment, I'd rate Esterhuizen ahead. DeA good, Esterhuizen better. Some (many?) may disagree. Obviously including the SA coaches.

yus, 70 caps v 14. De Allende's deaffence is absolutely top of the range. I'd have both in my team a heartbeat (despite both being out and out 12's )

[Lizard]

This should be a humdinger.

I’m not even sure who I want to win. As a Kiwi, you never want to see the Boks win. But the brain says if we beat Argentina, South Africa will be less daunting than France at home in a RWC final.

Can’t wait.

[Insouciant]

Not sure who I want to win, I just hope it gets somewhere near the intensity and skill level of last night's game. If that happens, we're in for a cracking match.

[Puja]

I want France to win, 100%.

Ignoring the facts that Erasmus et al annoy the piss out of me, and that there will be an awful lot of smugness south of the equator if the "NH dominant RWC" turns into three RC sides in the semi-finals and a maximum of one 6N side (and the second weakest one at that), France play the game the right way and I would like to see a new champion.

Puja

[francoisfou]

I want France to win, 100%.

Ignoring the facts that Erasmus et al annoy the piss out of me, and that there will be an awful lot of smugness south of the equator if the "NH dominant RWC" turns into three RC sides in the semi-finals and a maximum of one 6N side (and the second weakest one at that), France play the game the right way and I would like to see a new champion.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Allez Les Bleus

[paddy no 11]

Hon France

[Son of Mathonwy]

I really have no idea who'll win and feel neutral about it. I think the winner will go on to win the whole thing though*.


* but I can't predict for shit, so it'll probably be England.

[Which Tyler]

Dupont wearing a scrum cap, not a face shield- really not sure what that's supposed to achieve for him, beyond a false sense of security

[Which Tyler]

Fantastic start!

[pompey-zebra]

Try France! 30 yard run-in from.the prop!

[Galfon]

could be a basketball score at this rate..

[Sandydragon]

What a start. A try a pice and not even ten mins on the clock. France look ominous with ball in hand mind.

[Sandydragon]

I really have no idea who'll win and feel neutral about it. I think the winner will go on to win the whole thing though*.


* but I can't predict for shit, so it'll probably be England.

I was leaning slightly towards France before the game started. Still slightly my favourites

[pompey-zebra]

The expression on Dupont's face when looking at O'keefe showed what he thought of his decisions!

[bruce]

Getting fecked off with crowd already