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'The World Cup... I'm not sure it's going to happen for them'
By Josh Raisey
Despite going unbeaten in the Autumn Nations Series, which included a victory over the All Blacks, former South Africa prop Hanyani Shimange believes France's travelling policy will prohibit them from winning a World Cup.
Fabien Galthie travelled with a weakened squad to Argentina in July, where they drew 1-1 with the Pumas, and will do so again next year against the All Blacks in a three-Test series.
Given the length and intensity of the Top 14, France are effectively forced into holding their best players back for these summer tours. But this prevents France from ever being "uncomfortable away from home," according to Shimange, which will affect their hopes of winning a World Cup.
That was of course not a problem for them last year with a home World Cup, but they will now have to try and lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time on Australian soil in 2027.
Speaking on RugbyPass TV's Boks Office podcast, the nine-cap Bok questioned whether this current policy is the best thing for France.
"France is a weird one for me," he said. "It's the touring thing I don't enjoy. They're sending a B team to New Zealand. I think that affects them come World Cup time. As good as they are at home, they beat New Zealand, they beat Argentina, if these guys don't get uncomfortable away from home, the World Cup I'm not sure it's going to happen for them."
Joining Shimange on the podcast, Schalk Burger said that there was a lot to like about French rugby currently, but pointed out that they play in "pockets", which may not always be enough to get the team over the line.
"They're a quality side," Burger said. "Like this weekend against Argentina, Argentina bossed the stats with ball carries, they had most of the possession, territory is normally quite even against them. But then they've got some firepower when they get into your 22. That first try is the blueprint for them- back ball, Dupont round the corner, forwards stay on top of the ball and they score within two or three phases.
"They produce a lot of players. They're similar to South Africa where new players step up and they just look like world-class players.
"They play in these pockets. They can't keep that tempo there for 80 minutes. For this weekend, they played 20 minutes of rugby and that was good enough to put them away."
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Latest Comments
Not so many when you compare it to the squad of 50 plus players used by SA. Four main problems with the team and Schmidt shows he is a good technician but poor international coach by not selecting the best players and rotating and developing key positions.
First, the scrum is woeful if Bell and Thor don’t play. AAA and Nongoor in particular are poor. Talea may be good but is not good enough. Schmidt should select Sio, Ainsley and Latu as the bench front row. All playing well in Europe. He should also be doing better with Pone and perhaps getting him over to France to work on his scrummaging. Pone is our best running prop but poor coaching has killed him. Needs better coaching OS provided eg Skelton and Meafou. Secondly, 9 and 10 combo. McDermott is a confidence player and is terrible on a bad day. He takes several steps before passing which kills the speed of ball and results in turnovers. Better off with Kerr Barlow who is playing well with La Rochelle and making McDermott work on his skills. Edmed probably does need a run too. Thirdly, centre and fullback. Perese is our best defender at centre and should be in the squad. The outside back defence is poor without Joe and needs to be shored up. Wright is also a confidence player and has poor defence. When he is off like he was last week better to replace him with someone like Reece Hodge who has a great boot and good D. Fourthly, lack of ball runners who break tackles outside of Bobby V and Skelton. Wilson is not up to international standard and dosent break tackles nor does McReight. Replace him with Gleeson and Leota on the bench if fit. Would also be better playing Pone than Nongoor as Pone at least has a good running game. Latu also makes ground. Amatesero is also a better player than Williams. Frost has been the standout fine. Finally, player rotation. Schmidt is grinding key players like Bell and Bobby V into dust. He needs to give them breaks by utilising OS players more and developing youngsters. The loss of Meafou to France and the guy who captained Scotland exemplifies the poor coaching and development in Aus.
Go to commentsIt doesn't baffle me. We have seen this before from kiwi coaches in Australia. Exactly as I predicted Schmidt is chopping and changing the team every week and playing players out of position and there doesn't appear to be any discernable game plan
It appears the Wallaby players have lost faith in Schmidt already. Again, exactly as I predicted.
Once Aussies can see a kiwi is a fraud, all faith just goes out the door. It happened with Deans, it happened with Rennie and it's now happened with Schmidt. Players don't like being screwed around and they know when the selections and tactics suck.
We are going to get done like a dinner during the Lions tour, just like it was when Deans was coach and Schmidt will get sacked with his forty pieces of silver. He's a mercenary.
And congratulations on an honest assessment. Some in the Australian media have become sickeningly obsequious.
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