‘Tricolores will target Adi’s channel’
Brent Russell believes Marc Lievremont has a ‘plan up his sleeve’ to dominate the Springbok backs, but is unsure whether this will reap rewards.
Lievremont has opted for a sizable backline for Friday’s Test, with players such as flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc, centre Yann David, wing Cedric Heymans and No 15 Damien Traille all abrasive individuals.
Russell, who plays for Clermont in the Top 14, says all of these are form selections, and where in doubt, Lievremont has opted for eight Toulouse players to play in front of their home crowd. The one surprise may be No 13 David, who was selected ahead of David Marty, who was expected to start alongside Perpignan team-mate Maxime Mermoz.
Lievremont and backs coach Emile N’Tamack made no secret of their plan to attack the Bok ‘weakness’ and to try dominate the gain-line in the mid-field, and Russell agreed.
‘Mermoz and Marty would’ve been my choice of centres as they are a combination, but Lievremont must have some sort of plan up his sleeve,’ Russell told keo.co.za. ‘Many of the French backs are getting bigger, but these guys are also on-form.
‘They know the game will be won up-front, and then they’ll try to use their forward and back runners to get over the advantage line – they’ll definietly look to attack Adi’s channel.
‘They know our pack is our strength and they’ll target the backline as a possible weaklink. I don’t know if it will pay dividends though.’
The selection of Biarritz No 12 Traille at fullback ahead of Maxime Medard points to France trying to nullify Morne Steyn and Fourie du Preez’s kicking games.
‘Traille was a surprise for me but he’s a big guy who can counter well. He’s got the height so he’s solid, his hands are good and he has a big kicking game,’ said Russell.
The former Bok back was not surprised Frederic Michalak has been left out of their 22, while he’s expecting his Clermont team-mates Julien Bonnaire and scrumhalf Morgan Parra to make an impact off the bench late in the game.
‘Parra does the basics well, but for me Bonnaire is one of the best loosies in the game. He’s mobile and very quick, while he has over 40 caps. They’ll definitely bring him on, he’s very good,’ said Russell.
The French players, management and now media have all labelled the Boks brutish, but having been in France for a year, Russell says this is the French way to get themselves motivated for matches that matter.
‘I’ve noticed the French like to work themselves into a craze, a frenzy almost for big games. They’re using this as their way to psyche themselves up, by making it a massive build-up. They’re passionate people and they’ll be telling themselves the only way to win this is to match the Boks physically.
‘It’s a very strong side they’ve picked, and it will be tough in Toulouse, where these Boks haven’t played before.
‘That French changing room before kick-off will also be something else.’
By Grant Ball
November 12th, 2009 at 11:59 am
#100 grant10: Cheers Grant. I am going to a meeting in about a hour so will blog until then.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
The most physical French Centre is Juajion (spell) from Toulouse, age must count against him but if physicallity is the criterion,,,
I doubt you need him against Adi Jacobs though, David Fritz, or any rejected centre will do as well
I wrote before that with FdP, Styen, Jacobs and Kirshner the Boks midfield defence became SOFT!
November 12th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Ruan could be an excellent flyhalf . He played superbly in autumn test last year and in Lions tests.,You should listen to British commentators ( likes of Stuart Barnes, Euan Evans, Wil Greenwood ) after the first Lions test – they were just delighted with Ruan. And this is not that he doesn’t want to play there but he obviously doesn’t trust Helium anymore and doesn’t care to play well there.He just gave up .
This is all coaches fault. You can’t say a player that he is the number 1 in a position nad then drop him after a short term injury inspite of doing nothing wrong and let him know that he has no chance to regain the shirt ( if kicking at poles is the only measure of your ability as a flyhaf and it has been recently told by PDV!)In addition they threw him to Tigers to be eaten alive as it was obvious that the game would be a disaster for everybody involved.
I suspect that poor Ruan just hates Helium now, especially after all these comments of Tiger Woods in one line with Earl Rose. I am sure he would like not to be on the tour at all . especially when there is no Fransie Steyn. With whom does Ruan share a room now?
In this way the most talented player in SA ( according to Jake White!) is being waisted.
I am sure that if Jake selected Ruan as his man he would stick to him and keep faith in him. But you must set the rules to do that
November 12th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
#102
Jauzion I think.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
#104 WP_:
Yes, go figure French
A great centre: strong, fast, great hands, impressed with is partnership with Traille for years
November 12th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
This is a significant concern, I think: two smaller players in the 10-12 channels. Brings into question again PDV’s coaching and selection skills.
The French have two inexperienced centers, so I hope we target them. I expect we will.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
#34 Puma:
“…even JdV that was superb all year.”
Come on. JdV was only superb in the last test vs the AB’s. In all of the others he was just average to good.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Gee fellows i think jaque fourie should be a worried man saw some clips of this yan david earlier he predominantly likes takin his opposite number on on the outside or just runs straight through them he is seriously quick and super strong. i doubt he will cut in much with burger lurking on the inside channel.Adi has to just watch out for their eight and fifteen on the second phase.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
The way to counter a big backline is top make them wary of rushing up on defence. A chip kick or a grubber through to make them turn (slowly) right at the beginnning of teh game will destroy their confidence on defence and make them hesitate.
Keep varying the option taking, so that they never know what to expect. But whatever you do, do it properly and risk free.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Ya, but lets see these big lumbering fools keep up with Adi’s footwork.
If this is the game they want to play, we might need to use Adi’s skills.
Will be lots of work for everyone concerned, but we need to make use of the ball we have.