‘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 8:04 am
O Bloed… hope for the best cause i don’t rate this Dragon!
November 12th, 2009 at 8:10 am
What a waste,Brent is probably the most creative back we have produced since re admission. But Jake was more obsessed with size than skills and speed unfortunately as much as I liked Jake.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:10 am
‘Traille was a surprise for me but he’s a big fullback 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.
Well Russell rates him but surpised he’s in the team!
says a lot of midgets opinion…. 
don’t wanna diss the guy – just didn’t understand his way of thinking….
November 12th, 2009 at 8:13 am
well it is expected for that to happen and i believe that they will penetrate that area often unless the loosies patrol as cover but you cant expect that too happen the whole game
November 12th, 2009 at 8:16 am
#3 Staal: It’s a surprise because they’ve selected him out of his favoured position
November 12th, 2009 at 8:19 am
#5 Grant: yip understood that- just thought he rates him as a “big fullback who can counter well.”
my bad then.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:20 am
#5 Grant: dammit…that nick is gonna get us all confused!
November 12th, 2009 at 8:22 am
The 10/12 combination is a worry. Steyn and Jacobs aren’t the best in defence. With Brussouw on the openside and Kanko at 8 it just compounds this. Who is going to cover the arses of the inside backs from 1st phase? Schalk is on the wrong side, unless he packs down at openside on defence. Many things to think about there.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:23 am
#7 grant10:
and here it starts again… 
November 12th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Tired Boks + Turnstile Jacobs = Trouble.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:31 am
#10 Katsesnor:
Turnstile……..
November 12th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Ah whatever, all this “targeting jacobs” nonsense makes me laugh. Adi has more caps than this so called giant centre and he’s stood up to real quality centres from NZ and Aus over the last 2 years. He was virtually the backlines engine in 2008 and admittedly had a dip in form earlier this year like many other seasoned Boks have in the past (habana, burger, pietersen to name a few). The french aren’t showing him any respect and we all know that Adi performs best when he’s under scrutiny in the media so all this rubbish about targeting him goes down fine with me. Size ain’t everything, just look at that joke of a 2m tall wing that was made to look like a baffoon by pint sized will genia last weekend
November 12th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Kanko and Jacobs. Must man the ***K up in this game!!! We will need to be at our physical best.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Adi’s defence always reminds me of Bulls centre Pretorius…..
Eish … and he cant catch a dog inna phonebooth!
November 12th, 2009 at 8:33 am
well… let’s give russell his due… he knows what he’s talking about… if anyone, he really knows all about being targetted defensively…
what’s with these saffa players in France being so windgat??
November 12th, 2009 at 8:41 am
#15 ufo: The media ask them questions because they are Saffas and the Boks are playing France this week. What are they supposed to do? Ignore them?
November 12th, 2009 at 8:45 am
#16 jonnymain:
of course not Jonny… but a bit of promoting their national side would be nice…
Don’t you think?
Seems they’re all keen to put the boot into the Bok… You may find that acceptable… I don’t…
November 12th, 2009 at 8:49 am
#16 jonnymain:
you won’t see NZ or Aussie players in France slagging off their own national sides…
November 12th, 2009 at 8:55 am
#18 ufo: I don’t see where Russell is slagging off the Boks at all. Am I missing something?
November 12th, 2009 at 8:59 am
On defense, play Burger at Openside, with Brussow at 8, or vice versa, but do agree that Kanko needs to make something happen, but this isn’t my biggest concern. 3 is. I hope that John can hold his own come scrumtime. If not, we have lost the game, unless they give away a ton of penalties.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:02 am
#19 jonnymain:
er ja..! It’s the whole slant of the thing…
What I’m saying is it would be great if Brent Russell said… he believes the Boks have a plan up their sleeves… and even if France pick Superman and Batman as their centres.. the Boks will have a way of dealing with them…
I know it’s fashionable and many fans like to knock the Boks and expect the worst… but supporters – of who I would think Russell is as an ex-Bok – would be, and would be seen to be… 100 percent behind the Boks…
November 12th, 2009 at 9:08 am
#20 WP-Stormers-SA: I’ve had a thought about that and I would keep Brussouw on the openside otherwise you lose that ball-stealing ability that he has even from first phase. If he’s caught on the blind he won’t be first to the breakdown. He needs to tackle like a man possessed though!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Even if they do target the jacobs , steyn chanel and get past they will get clobbered by schalk running the defence line – they may do it once but after Schalk has had his way they will think again.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:10 am
#21 – ufo, everyone knows to target Adi in the centres. His defense is suspect.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:10 am
#21 ufo: OK I agree, but please bear in mind that this isn’t the full transcript of his conversation. For all we know he may have gone on to say he thinks the Boks will klap the Frenchies by 50 points!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:10 am
#18 ufo:
That’s probably because they’re hoping to back and play for their national side. Most of our guys are there because they weren’t selected.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Completely off topic but i wish sebastien chabal was in the french 22 seeing as it’s gonna be a physical battle. What a sight it would be to behold the battle played out between him and Bakkies
November 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
After much thought and deliberation ….i think the french may take this Test.
Main reasone….
The absence of both Spies and Juan Smith has weakened the Boks tail lineout considerably. Schalk and Kankowski are not as proficient at the tail ….Juan Smith excels there and Spies has come on in leaps and bounds…..Harinodiquy may cause problems there.
Front row will come under intense scrutiny….will be viewed as achilles heel of boks….hopefully parity will be achieved. If not….a long night!
Adi and Jacobs are a new combo….again the French have signalled there intentions of busting it up through the channel….with that quick tail line out ball not easy to get the loosies across …so Adi a…MS and JF are going to need to ensure there communication and 1 st time tackling is 100% on song.
Kirchner will need to be rock solid….i have faith in him….
F Steyn and JDV absence will be felt….
On the positive side Smit reckons fatigue not an issue….i agree to an extent….but the Bulls players may be the most tired….and they take up 5 of the 15 spots….
Also J Fourie has hardly played….and didnt train with the Lions…hope he is not rusty.
Kanko , Adi Schalk need big games….
France by 12….
November 12th, 2009 at 9:25 am
#24 fish out of water:
the point is… as an ex-Bok Russell should be talking the Boks… and Adi up…
FFS…. Russell’s defence still is suspect… but when he played for the Boks everyone glossed over his defensive frailties and waxed lyrical about his attacking qualities… well Adi’s defense is better than Russell’s ever was… Just think it’s a bit rich coming from Russell…
#25 jonnymain:
fair point…
#26 David:
Yeah David… but you’ll never hear an ex-AB saying anything other than the ABs are the best and are gonna win… and the ex-Aussies too…
whether they’ve retired, been dropped or still want to play again…
November 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am
#28 grant10: You are always pessimistic about the Boks chances, but I agree 100% with everything you say except the result and the bit about Kirchner (not sure he is up to test standard)
Wouldn’t like to call the game myself, if pushed I’d say Boks by 3. Too much BMT for the French.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:32 am
No matter what I THINK will happen… I’ll always go with what I WANT to happen…
Boks to win… don’t care by how much… one point will do me just fine…!
Cheers guys gotta work…
November 12th, 2009 at 9:39 am
#30 jonnymain: Not pessimist or optimist….just trying to be objective
November 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
#29 ufo: Have you ever heard of Warren Gatland?
Stop talking kak and crying like a little girl.
Russell faced IMMENSE criticism of his defence when he was picked for the Boks, which wasn’t very often because of his small size and concerns OVER HIS DEFENCE.
Russell is not criticising the Boks, merely stating what he understands the strategy of the French is:
‘They know our pack is our strength and they’ll target the backline as a possible weak link. I don’t know if it will pay dividends though.’
Did you get that last bit?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:41 am
As if we never knew that here. Been saying all week it wont be our scrums to worry about but the centre channel especially where Adi will be playing.
Now only if we had a big oke like Fransie there. NO problems even JdV that was superb all year. Going to be tough.
Think we are smart though and will work out a plan for that. Hoping as their center is a monster. Adi’s defence is not that great.
Burger you will have to cover 7 and 12…hehehe.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
#30 jonnymain: Adi channel is the biggest worry. Saying it all week and YES Zane too. Never impressed when he played with the E. Boks or that last test against the Lions.
Going to miss Fransie huge I think.
Then Zane has plenty Bulls in that side that he has played with all season, so who knows he may have a far better game than he done in the E. Boks and Lions. HOPING.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
#31 ufo:
Good atitude..hehehe. Think if we all went with what we want then Boks would never lose..haha. Like it though.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
#33 kaksioek:
don’t be dof kaksi…
heard of Wales…?
Gatland is coaching Wales so of course he’s gonna shout for Wales over NZ now…
November 12th, 2009 at 9:49 am
#29 ufo:
“and the ex-Aussies too…”
Doesn’t Campese count?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:50 am
#36 Puma:
yeah Puma…
Of course I know it’s gonna be a tough game and we’ve got our problems… but I’m a SUPPORTER through thick and thin… good and bad…
anyway really gotta go now…
Everyone enjoy the game tomorrow…
Go Bokke!!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:50 am
we need more anti-Adi article, i can’t get enough of them, more more!!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:51 am
#28 grant10:
Don’t aree on all aspects, we have a superior lineout, Schalk and Kanko certainly no mugs in the lineouts, actually the Boks throw to Schalk quite a lot.
Our locks should get the upperhand and if parity obtained in the scrums should allow Popeye to dominate the loose ball situation.
FDUP and Steyn far better halfback combo than the French and between the 2 of them will control the tactic and pace of the game.
French centres a bit inexoperienced, they will be all fire and brimstone but hardly anything that should unduly worry us.
Defensively if it is a problem in Adi’s channel we can bring WO on which could stop the bleeding, I think Adi will step up in this game !!
The French centres will also have their hand s full with Adi and Jaque should we get front foot ball, how good are they defensively ??
We have in Habs and JP two of the best defensive wingers in world rugby, and are just as lethal attacking.
Think Boks experience and winning culture will see the Boks home and break the French drought, Boks by 6 !!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:52 am
#29 ufo: sorry but i differ from you…..
Russell’s defence is not suspect….
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It’s non existent!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:52 am
‘Russel, he came out of the ground’ – Gordon Bray . Had a soft-spot for shorter players, called Robinson the Zip-Zip man.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Watch ESPN classias now if you can. It’ll remind you how good Brent was.
They’re showing his last test for the Boks v France in 06. Russell was superb, so creative, quick and clever in his play.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:57 am
#44 WP_: Agreed. There was no one to match Russell on attack.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:58 am
#35 Puma: I really think people are putting too much emphasis on the Jacobs /Steyn channel – Schalk will be running cover defence so if they do get through i expect a big hit from Schalk with HB cleaning for the turnover.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:59 am
#45 kaksioek: The game he played against Aus was his best game – i think he came on as a sub , and set up Matfields try.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:02 am
#41 justrugby: From your lips to the rugby gods ears!!
November 12th, 2009 at 10:10 am
The French were always giant killers, be it the AB’s or the Boks and they mostly did it with courage, passion and flair. In the David vs Goliath story they were David, but lately they’ve been trying to reverse the roles. They want to be Goliath as their selections of bigger players shows, culminating with the new 105kg centre David (ironic), and they see little Adi as their target. Do they not know the outcome of that story?
November 12th, 2009 at 10:12 am
#47 stew: at newlands… i was there …he came on in 2 nd minute for Jaco vd westhuisen…