Lievremont: 'Variety the spice of life'
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:54
The three contrasting styles of rugby offered by France's year-end opponents - Argentina, the Pacific Islanders and Australia - will enrich French players and backroom staff, according to coach Marc Lievremont.
The French came out 12-6 victors over Argentina last weekend in a dour, forward-dominated match in which no tries were scored.
The Pacific Islanders, whom France play on Saturday, were 13-39 losers to England but always hold the promise of some flair-based explosive attacking rugby, while Australia offer a more pragmatic approach to the game.
"As soon as we knew the line-up for this autumn series, we were delighted to have three completely different styles of rugby," said Lievremont.
"It's enriching for the coaches and the players. It allows us to carry on working on our style of play and trying to impose our gameplan while all the time adapting to the opponents.
"It's the characteristic of an intelligent team. It's a difficult thing we're trying to achieve."
Lievremont said the Pacific Islanders, grouping players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, were an increased danger given that they had had the benefit of an extra week training after their loss to England.
"They bring their individual explosive qualities," he said. "They've had one extra week to work together, on their organisation and game up front, even though I found them quite tough and experienced in that phase of the game."
Lievremont added that he thought they would have worked on their kicking game, variable at best against England, and their defensive lines.
As for France, Lievremont dismissed talk that his team would be under pressure after their tryless showing against the Pumas.
"We continued to work on our rugby identity. Up against the incredibly physical Argentinian defence, intentions on the pitch
remained only at the first stage but the players knew how to adapt
intelligently.
"It's true that there is a sort of frustration even if we were hugely satisfied with the win.
"But we won't fall into playing an excessive type of rugby even if we expect the Pacific Islanders to take the game to us and put us in some danger.
"Above all, we can expect an expansive match in which we will be able to counter-attack."
While France have made minimal changes to the team that beat Argentina, the Pacific Islands have rung the changes to the one that lost to England with no less than 10 personnel changes.
The Pacific Islanders team, which boasts seven Fijians, five Tongans and three Samoans, has lost all seven Tests it has played since its creation in 2004 and has never played France.
It will round off its European tour with a game against Italy on November 22, with France playing Australia on the same day.
AFP
