France vs Australia, Stade DeFrance, Saturday November 15th 8pm, SS4

Pudsy33

France and Austria renew hostilities on Saturday, having met on quite a number of occasions in recent years. This years 3 test summer tour down under led to a series white wash for Australia, with the French not winning against the Aussies since 2012.

France

Phillip Saint-Andre has stuck to his guns in this game, naming an unchanged side from the one which beat Fiji a week ago. His young team impressed, with Teddy Tomas being the star of the day. The Racing Metro flier had a dream debut, scoring a hat trick. New full back Spedding also had a strong game, and as such has held onto his place in the fifteen.

Although a convincing win on the scoreboard, there were elements of the French game that will have the coaches worried. The French coughed up the ball 17 times to the Fijians. If the number is similar against Australia, they could be on the end of a heavy scoreline. The French must hold onto the ball against a lighting quick Australian team.




Australia

Michael Cheika couldn't have asked for a better start to his reign as Australia coach last weekend. His team came out on top in a thrilling contest versus the Welsh, a game notable for it's frantic 7s like pace and optional defense. That said, Australia showed admirable discipline and control to see out the game, two virtues Cheika will try instill in his squad. The Australian teams show just one change, with the experienced James Horwill coming into the team.

The Australians have shipped massive scores in their last two games, and although Cheika has said this isn't a cause for concern, you can be sure he will be looking for a big improvement from his players. This Australian team has no shortage or attacking power and flair, and if they can couple that with a solid defence and set piece, they will be a tough tram to beat.

Head to head.

Teddy Thomas vs Adam Ashely-Cooper

The back three could be a key battle ground, and this particular head to head could be very tasty indeed. One one side we have the hugely experienced Ashley-Cooper, earning his 101st cap. We all know what AAC brings to the party, he's a strong defender, he has an eye for the line, and a decent kicking game too. He'll be lined up opposite Thomas, whose three try haul on his debut will have raised some eyebrows. He is a great finisher, but he is green at this level and Australia may try and get at him. In any case, this battle between experience and youthful flair should be exciting.


Thierry Dusautoir vs Michael Hooper

Michael Hooper had a strong game against Wales, with himself and Warburton fighting a fantastic running battle. He notched a huge 17 tackles and was hugely important to his side at the breakdown. Dusautoir had a quieter game in the tackling stakes against Fiji, but he contributed to the victory with two turnovers. He isn't in the best form of late, but his class is unquestionable. Keep an eye out for these two.



The Bench

This game should be quiet close, meaning the two benches will be hugely influential. Australia have a serious amount of flair on the bench, with both Quade Cooper and Will Genia waiting in the wings. The past few years have been difficult for the pair, with injuries and inconsistency leaving them out of favour with the coaching staff. The new regime have brought them back, and there is no doubt that when these two player click they are capable of the spectacular. France aren't without firepower themselves, with Tales, Mermoz and the South African born scrum half Kockott all being quality players.


Verdict.

The bookie have France as the 1 point favorites, but I think Australia will sneak it. Australia will win this thriller by 3 points.


Teams

France

15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Alexandre Dumoulin, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Teddy Thomas, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Sébastien Tillous-Borde, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Papé, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Alexandre Menini

Australia

15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kickoff: 21:00 local (20:00 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

ionadnapokot

Thierry Dusautoir vs Michael Hooper
Worth the admission money alone!

Pudsy33

Sorry about the image size and annoying formatting, not used to big posts like this!

Edit: it looks great on the touch site if I may say so myself

ionadnapokot

Some depth the French have in the backs. They could field different half-backs and midfield from the team that played Ireland in the 6N and be an actually far stronger team.
Please God PSA is still in charge come the WC!

Swiwi.

Scott Spedding and Teddy Thomas. Straight out of preppy Ivy League colleges at first view...

.ak

Needs bigger logos.

Pudsy33

.ak wrote: »

Needs bigger logos.

Aye I know they're huge but I haven't the foggiest idea how to resize.

Swiwi.

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Aye I know they're huge but I haven't the foggiest idea how to resize.

If you searched via google images, you can usually right-click from memory and select a smaller size.

Pudsy33

Swiwi. wrote: »

If you searched via google images, you can usually right-click from memory and select a smaller size.

Ah good thinking. I'll do some resizing later

Swiwi.

And bump. Can't have 2 threads...

Kiwi_knock

Unlucky knock-on

Swan Curry

Well I think Lopez can be certain who his 10 should be now.

vienne86

Lovely try from France.....France really out of the blocks. But now Australia have a penalty.....France will have to mind discipline.

Hagz

Clever obstruction for the try.

Bridge93

Swan Curry wrote: »

Well I think Lopez can be certain who his 10 should be now.

Himself?

Kiwi_knock

Australia all at sea in defence, France could run riot here

vienne86

Lovely running by France......playing like France used to play.

Swan Curry

Bridge93 wrote: »

Himself?

Ha,meant to say Saint-André

I also said that before he made a balls of the restart.

Spudmonkey

France are great to watch in full flow...

efb

France

vienne86

Another penalty for France. They well deserved to score......all over the Australians. 10-3. High tempo match - great to watch.

Kiwi_knock

No need to give away a penalty there, Australia were barely threatening. France keeping Australia in this

vienne86

A lot of silly errors on both sides. Getting a bit messy now.

efb

I don't like this French revival before RWC 15

vienne86

efb wrote: »

I don't like this French revival before RWC 15

Moi non plus.

Though Australia managing to contain them better now. But when France get a break they are away.....typical of the French teams we used to see.

Kiwi_knock

Great try, woeful defence.

Langdon Alger

What a try

vienne86

Ah Thomas.....what a wonderful try.....out of nowhere. Fabulous....and even runs around to make the conversion easier.

matthew8

Australia looking worse than ever.

efb

Wow, great try

titan18

Poor defence but that was excellent by Thomas

vienne86

That was apalling defence by Australia.

Lots of footage for Joe to analyse already.

Neil3030

OK Joe, gameplan for playing France in the WC - give Teddy Thomas directions to the wrong stadium.

vienne86

AAC gets the try.....all coming from great work from the forwards....driving maul just trundled nearly all the way to the line.

Kiwi_knock

First real sniff Australia get and they score

Neil3030

OK we get it, he rode the pass!

efb

V casual conversion

vienne86

Australia growing in to this match. French indiscipline going to cost them.

vienne86

Foley very cool with the kicking.....no bother.

Neil3030

Another fantastic game with Nidge officiating. Can we just clone him?

thomond2006

Just turned this on, what are the headlines?

Kiwi_knock

Australia really capitalising on poor French discipline, France deserve to be further ahead

Swan Curry

thomond2006 wrote: »

Just turned this on, what are the headlines?

Aussies fell asleep and let an early try in,Teddy Thomas scored a seriously good solo try,now French lack of discipline has allowed Aus back into the game.

thomond2006

France 2 have their own Isabelle....

Swiwi.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Just turned this on, what are the headlines?

Watching fr2 so Clémentine Sarlat. Otherwise Tedddddddyyyyyy Thommmmmmas.

.ak

Cracking game so far. Lopez looks dangerous at this level too.

matthew8

Clear your lines Australia. It's one thing trying to play the ball out of your 22, but crashing it up is asking to be sucked into a maul.

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Cracking game so far. Lopez looks dangerous at this level too.

I hope he plays so well that Clermont feel he deserves December off.

corny

Jesus, i thought Debaty was huge. Atonio is 24 stone.:eek:

Kiwi_knock

No surprise to see Lealiifano come off, been very poor.

Kiwi_knock

Stupid by McMahon