WE LOSE TO FRANCE? WHAT KIDN OF WORLD IS THIS?

[Dog]

A Union loss and they call it spirited...

<table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td>

</td> <td background=../_Section_interfaces/Global_interface/Title_M.gif>Rugby.com.au - News Article</td> <td>

</td></tr></tbody></table>


<table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=476 align=center bgcolor=#ffffff border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td valign=top>FRANCE DEFEAT WALLABIES
Story By: ARU
Date: 11/18/01 8:10:06 AM
The Vodafone Wallabies have lost their second international in a week after being downed by a passionate and dominant French side 14-13 at Stade Velodrome, Marseilles. The scoreline was close, but this match wasn’t. The Wallabies faltered in the face of France’s tight and managed defence that shut Australia down, particularly at the ruck and the lineout, ensuring Australia never built momentum. And when they did build semblances of positive go-forward play, poor execution and discipline saw the Wallabies stumble. This was France’s first win over Australia since 1993 and their second win in a week over a southern-hemisphere nation after downing France last weekend. It was built on the power and passion of their driving, attacking play and superb defence. Australia looked toward this Test as redemption for their poor showing against England last weekend when they lost 21-15. As they were in this Test, last week Australia was blasted away at the breakdown and spluttered along on the back foot for most of this match. And, like last week, the signs looked ominous from kick-off. Fly half Frederic Michalak opened the scoring for France in the fourth minute before Matthew Burke levelled scores in the 3-3 in the sixth. In the 13th France used their momentum to ignore a shot at goal and instead opted for a lineout close to the Australian tryline. But despite harassing and menacing the desperate Wallaby defence, France was unable to post points. However, their passion and poise resulted in a magnificent try in the 26th. After France cleared a long kick to touch deep in the Australian half, they stole the ball from an Australian lineout on the Australian 10m line. Quick hands and weight of numbers in the backline finally cracked the Wallaby defence with French wing Tony Marsh crossing in the corner. Leading 8-3, inside centre Damien Traille slotted another penalty and France led 11-3 at halftime. They were unlucky not to have led by a greater margin with Traille and Michalak missing three penalties between them and France missing two drop goals. Traille slotted another penalty immediately after half time resumed and France extended their lead to 14-3 before Matthew Burke narrowed the gap 14-6 with a successful penalty kick in the 53rd. From there it was more of the same. Australia scrambled, France harassed and stamped their superiority over their match. Not even a superb late try to replacement Ben Tune, that narrowed the gap to 14-13 in the last minute, dented France’s superiority over the Wallabies. This is Australia’s first consecutive Test defeat in Europe since 1981. The Wallabies meet Wales in Cardiff next weeked. FRANCE 14
TRY: T Marsh.
PENS: F Michalak, D Traille. AUSTRALIA 13
TRY: B Tune
GOAL: E Flatley.
PENS: M Burke (2) Article supplied by StraightTalk Solutions Pty Ltd. www.straighttalk.com.au </td></tr></tbody></table>
We lose. It's a shame really, considering we're apparently the best Union team on this planet. Cheers

 

[imported_bronco]

Nothing shameful losing to the French. They knocked over the All Blacks in the world cup and again when the All Blacks toured there last year. They've also knocked over South Africa the last couple of times the teams have faced each other.

England is where the real shame should be coming from for the Wallabies. They've let the English beat them 2 years in a row when we all know the English can't play rugby and bar jason robinson wouldn't know flare if it hit them in the face.

Cheers
bronco

 

[Dog]

You seem to be forgetting that after they knocked over the All Blacks in the WC we smashed them 35-12 in the final. Thta surely counts for more.

 

[imported_bronco]

Not really because everyone knows in world rugby that the French are the most unpredictable team out there. One day their hot the other their not. They were hot against the All Blacks and went back into their shells against the Australians.
Last year first test against the All Blacks they were slack and lost, next match they came back in a big way and won to tie the series.
Same again this year, they were dreadful in Wellington against the All Blacks and went to SA and knocked over the spring boks.
Went to the 6 nations and were dreadful, and it goes on and on.....

Cheers
bronco

 

[imported_bronco]

Also just remember, world cup was in 99, its 2001 now and the Wallabies aren't anywhere near the power they were in 2001. They just about lost to the lions and the All Blacks when they should've rolled both comfortably.

Cheers
bronco

 

[imported_footy2k]

talking about the wallabies...

I can only see them going down from here. They have got to be one of the most overated teams ever. They have one exciting player = chris larkham, and one great player - dan herbert. The team on a whole are boring to watch, and strangely, have been refereed by Andre more times than Bill Harrigan grows his hair. But I'm not concerned, keep up the losing Wallabies, and start from scratch again.