RugbyRebels

francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 10:24 am Antoine Dupont's surgeon has given him the all-clear to resume full training in preparation for the quarter final against South Africa at the Stade de France on Sunday evening, but there's been no mention of wearing a protective mask.
What is the element of risk in selecting Dupont in the starting XV, as the Springboks will undoubtedly target him and make life as uncomfortable as possible? There'll be an inherent weakness in his cheekbone that could become a serious longer term injury.
A fit Antoine Dupont would be a real bonus for France, but I can't help thinking his return to the match day squad may be a tad too soon.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 10:24 am Antoine Dupont's surgeon has given him the all-clear to resume full training in preparation for the quarter final against South Africa at the Stade de France on Sunday evening, but there's been no mention of wearing a protective mask.
What is the element of risk in selecting Dupont in the starting XV, as the Springboks will undoubtedly target him and make life as uncomfortable as possible? There'll be an inherent weakness in his cheekbone that could become a serious longer term injury.
A fit Antoine Dupont would be a real bonus for France, but I can't help thinking his return to the match day squad may be a tad too soon.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 3:50 pm I've just read in Midi Olympique (see below for those who understand French) that "Dupont could wear a mask, if he retains his place in the squad.
He's tested it and must now see if his vision or hearing is affected. The question has been asked if he'll be in the starting XV. Will Galthié take the risk with a player who'll feel some apprehension at the moment of contact? Impossible to say for the time being."

"Par ailleurs, et comme nous l’indiquions dans le Midi Olympique de ce jour, Antoine Dupont pourrait porter un casque dimanche soir, face aux Springboks, s’il était retenu par Fabien Galthié. "Le port du casque a effectivement été évoqué, poursuivait Boussagol(responsible for the health of the French squad). Antoine a testé ce genre de protection. Il faut voir maintenant s’il le supporte et s’il n’est pas gêné sur les plans auditif et visuel". Dupont sera-t-il néanmoins titulaire ? Fabien Galthié prendra-t-il le risque de faire débuter un joueur qui ressentira nécessairement de l’appréhension, au moment des premiers vrais contacts ? Impossible à dire, à l’heure actuelle..."

It's a big decision for Galthié. Yes or no? I'd be inclined to say no and give him one more week of recuperation.

morepork wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 10:37 pm Ireland are going to be tough x 10. They have our number (as do SA and France), but we can conceivably pull it off. This is a big test for the ABs which is an acknowledgement of Ireland being the best side on the planet currently. I just hope we fire a few shots off no matter the result. It's better to burn out than fade away. We need a nuanced bench, meaning we need people on the bench that can fire shots. I'm all out of metaphor.

Spiffy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:06 am

morepork wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 10:37 pm Ireland are going to be tough x 10. They have our number (as do SA and France), but we can conceivably pull it off. This is a big test for the ABs which is an acknowledgement of Ireland being the best side on the planet currently. I just hope we fire a few shots off no matter the result. It's better to burn out than fade away. We need a nuanced bench, meaning we need people on the bench that can fire shots. I'm all out of metaphor.

This could be a very tight game and go either way. Ireland are probably the better organized team of the two,but if NZ click they can beat any team on the day. They are particularly dangerous on the counter attack and have a back three that can shred opponents (with McKenzie to be sprung off the bench.) Ireland would be smart to hang on to possession, keep the ball in hand and avoid loose box kicking that simply gives it away and lets the ABs run at them.
I'd say that the four best teams - NZ/SA/France/Ireland are all around the same high standard at the moment, there is not much in it, they are way ahead of the others and any could win the tournament. A shame that two of them will exit in the quarters because of the stupid seeding/pool make up in this RWC.

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 9:54 am as ITV keeps explaining to us, they're everyone's second favourite team.

paddy no 11 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:34 pm Barnes gets the NZ QF, has that happened before

Ross. S wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:54 pm

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 9:54 am as ITV keeps explaining to us, they're everyone's second favourite team.

See, I don't get this. Am I the only one that couldn't give a toss about Fiji? Sure I don't wish them any ill will but I certainly don't soil myself at the mere thought of seeing Fiji play like the coms and pundits sometimes imply

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 9:54 am

Spiffy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:06 am

morepork wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 10:37 pm Ireland are going to be tough x 10. They have our number (as do SA and France), but we can conceivably pull it off. This is a big test for the ABs which is an acknowledgement of Ireland being the best side on the planet currently. I just hope we fire a few shots off no matter the result. It's better to burn out than fade away. We need a nuanced bench, meaning we need people on the bench that can fire shots. I'm all out of metaphor.

This could be a very tight game and go either way. Ireland are probably the better organized team of the two,but if NZ click they can beat any team on the day. They are particularly dangerous on the counter attack and have a back three that can shred opponents (with McKenzie to be sprung off the bench.) Ireland would be smart to hang on to possession, keep the ball in hand and avoid loose box kicking that simply gives it away and lets the ABs run at them.
I'd say that the four best teams - NZ/SA/France/Ireland are all around the same high standard at the moment, there is not much in it, they are way ahead of the others and any could win the tournament. A shame that two of them will exit in the quarters because of the stupid seeding/pool make up in this RWC.

One positive about the ridiculous draw is that the top 4 ranked teams will play each other more during the course of the competition, making for a much better opening match than we would have seen otherwise and a fair chance of the winner having to have played the other 3 top teams to do it, rather than just 2 of them. It gives us more big clashes and spreads them through the tournament but makes the semis poor and is totally unfair on some unlucky teams. It does give us Fiji in the last 8 though, which should be a great thing because, as ITV keeps explaining to us, they're everyone's second favourite team.

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 3:57 pm

Ross. S wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:54 pm

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 9:54 am as ITV keeps explaining to us, they're everyone's second favourite team.

See, I don't get this. Am I the only one that couldn't give a toss about Fiji? Sure I don't wish them any ill will but I certainly don't soil myself at the mere thought of seeing Fiji play like the coms and pundits sometimes imply

They shouldn't tell us who or what to like. Show us, explain things, we'll like what we like.

morepork wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 4:15 pm

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 3:57 pm

Ross. S wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:54 pm

See, I don't get this. Am I the only one that couldn't give a toss about Fiji? Sure I don't wish them any ill will but I certainly don't soil myself at the mere thought of seeing Fiji play like the coms and pundits sometimes imply

They shouldn't tell us who or what to like. Show us, explain things, we'll like what we like.

It's patronising. At least there is less of the "South Sea Islander" tag line in the commentary.

Numbers wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 4:33 pm

morepork wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 4:15 pm

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 3:57 pm
They shouldn't tell us who or what to like. Show us, explain things, we'll like what we like.

It's patronising. At least there is less of the "South Sea Islander" tag line in the commentary.

I'm not sure about this, they say that due to Fiji's style of throwing the ball about (not so much now they have become more structured), there's nothing patronising about it if anything it's a compliment to their talents, it's like Brazil being touted as everyone's second favourite football team..

However I would contend that Portugal have played the most entertaining rugby we've seen in this comp.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:22 pm But the odds kind of are against Fiji. It is quite amazing they they’re competing at the level they are, isn’t it?

Don’t England have like 600 times as many players?

francoisfou wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:48 pm The refs for the QFs have been announced:

England v Fiji - Mathieu Raynal
Ireland v NZ - Wayne Barnes
Wales v Argentina - Jaco Peyper
France v South Africa - Ben O'Keefe

Can we presume that one of these will be in charge of the final?

I'm surprised that Jaco Peyper is even at the World Cup, and he's been chosen for a QF!