Preview: France v Pacific Islanders
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:06
France are determined not to become the first team to fall victim to the Pacific Islanders, whom they host in a historic Test at Stade Auguste Bonal, in Sochaux, on Saturday.
Now in their third 'season - they play only every two years as a combination - the amalgamation of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are desperate for their first win.
A 12-point (22-34) loss to Scotland two years ago was the closest they have come to a win.
France showed how they could win ugly in beating bogey team Argentina last weekend, but if French fans are looking for a more expansive game against the Pacific Islanders then they may be sorely disappointed.
While French head coach Marc Lievremont assured them that France could play prettier rugby - something that nobody needed really reassuring about - and score tries against a more attacking minded side like the Pacific Islands, their backs coach Emile Ntamack struck a note of caution as they approach their first ever meeting with their opponents.
"This team's players are is known for taking plenty of risks without thinking about the consequences," said the former Toulouse and France star.
"That leads to some quite extraordinary things - counter-attacks that can be suicidal but at times can also be very efficient.
"Their players have tremendous individual abilities, and are capable of beating any opponent one on one.
"We will have to be very watchful on defence and play very collectively."
Certainly the French will be no strangers to the Pacific Islanders star Fijian wing duo of Vilimoni Delasau and Napoleoni Nalaga, who have terrorised French championship defences in the past, both when they were together at Clermont, and principally Delasau this season at Montauban where he has already touched down nine times.
However, it is asking a lot of a team that has failed to win in its seven tests since it was formed in 2004 to beat the French, even though the latter are still reforming after last year's World Cup and Lievremont is still in the process of defining his best 22.
Certainly France scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is under no illusions that the French will have an easier task on their hands than against the Argentinians.
"One mustn't fall into the trap of saying this is a different type of team to Argentina, that they are just going to pass the ball, that we are going to play more open rugby," said Elissalde.
"I believe that they are going to pose a lot of problems for us in our desire to win this match.
"That is what we have said this week. Unfortunately for those who will be watching us, if it is tactically wiser to kick the ball the first 10 times we have it because we can't play the ball, then we will do it."
While France have made minimal changes to the team that beat Argentina, the Pacific Islands have rung the changes to the one that lost 39-13 to England last Saturday with no less than 10 personnel changes.
"It is important to rest the players from week to week," explained their Tongan coach Quddus Fielea.
He will be hoping that his starting XV give the French no rest whatsoever on Saturday and record an historic victory.
Players to watch:
For France: Last week fullback Maxime Medard showed glimpses of what people had come to expect of him, maybe there will be more in display this week. The French halfback combination of flyhalf David Skrela and scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde will play crucial roles, as hey will direct the flow of the French game. And you will also look to battle-hardened players like No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy and hooker Dimitri Szarzewski to dictate terms up front, while newcomer Fulgence Ouedraogo, at flank, will also have his share of the spotlight.
For the Pacific Islanders: By the nature of their association with French club rugby many will be watching Fijian wings Napoleoni Nalaga and Vilimoni Delasau and expecting special things from them. However, it is what happens up front - where the likes of Tongan loose forwards Nili Latu and Hale T-Pole will perform crucial roles at the breakdown - that will determine what quality of ball the dangerous backs get with which they can launch those blistering counter attacks.
Head to head: There is likely to be a few huge collisions in midfield, where the French duo of Yannick Jauzion and Benoit Baby will come face-to-face with the brutal nature of the Pacific Island approach of Seru Rabeni (Fiji) and Epeli Taione (Tonga) - the latter more of a loose forward than an out-and-out backline player. The French will also look to dominate the set pieces - especially the line-outs, where veteran Lionel Nallet (France) will look to overpower unheralded Kele Leawere (Fiji).
Previous results:
These two teams have never met before
Prediction: You will always get passion from the Pacific Islanders and the French are often prone to complacency - it is said they are their own worst enemies. That alone, will ensure that victory for France is not a given. But somehow you can't see the French imploding that badly against a team that gets cobbled together only every two years and have virtually no time to gel as a unit. Passion and big hits aside, we expect France to overcome some early resistance and win comfortably - by 20 points or more.
Teams:
France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Julien Malzieu, 13 Yannick Jauzion, 12 Benoit Baby, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10
David Skrela, 9 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Romain Millo-Chluski, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Benoit Lecouls, 18 Sebastien Chabal, 19 Louis Picamoles, 20 Sebastien Tillous-Bordes, 21 Damien Traille, 22 Alexis Palisson.
Pacific Islanders: 15 Gavin Williams (Samoa), 14 Napoleoni Nalaga (Fiji), 13 Seru Rabeni (Fiji), 12 Epeli Taione (Tonga), 11 Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji), 10 Seremaia Bai (Fiji), 9 Mosese Rauluni (Fiji, captain), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Fiji), 7 Nili Latu (Tonga), 6 Hale T-Pole (Tonga), 5 Kele Leawere (Fiji), 4 Paino Hehea (Tonga), 3 Kisi Pulu (Tonga), 2 Tani Fuga (Samoa), 1 Kas Lealamanua (Samoa).
Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto (Fiji), 17 Census Johnston (Samoa), 18 Filipo Levi (Samoa), 19 Viliami Vaki (Tonga), 20 Sililo Martens (Tonga), 21 Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji), 22
Seilala Mapusua (Samoa).
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Stade Auguste Bonal, Montbéliard
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Weather: Overcast. High of 10°C and a low of 4°C
Referee: Nigel Owens (Ireland)
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Additional reporting by AFP
