2017 RLWC - A - W1 - FRA 18-29 LBN @ Canberra

[Pedge1971]

Was at the game.

Good contest, but France just lacked class players. Fittler did well with the Lebanon team, based the game plan on their 4 NRL players. Lichaa, Moses, Mannah and Farah just a class above and they won them the game.

Bad luck for the French, but this should be a wake up call they need as this game just shows how far behind they are from other emerging nations.

The problem is France is not an emerging nation, they are in decline.

Je suis the frogs...

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Pretty good game. Can't help feeling that France were just a Remi Casty away from victory.

 

[DIOGENES]

don't know if they are in decline. Compared to the 80s for example they have significant presence in SL and championship. The problem in his tournament is that they have few heritage players they can use.

 

[parrawentyfan]

Pretty good game. Can't help feeling that France were just a Remi Casty away from victory.

Or an Escare...

 

[Evil Homer]

Or an Escare...

Or a Gigot, Duport, Springer, Simon, Miloudi etc.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Regardless of the result, and it is a shit one for France, it was far from the weak capitulation we've seen from them plenty of times before. They played a decent brand of football and some players were quite good. Fages is better than plenty of other halves in the comp and the closest thing they've got to a class player. But a few others were good too, including some of the elite 1 guys.

 

[giboz71]

Regardless of the result, and it is a shit one for France, it was far from the weak capitulation we've seen from them plenty of times before. They played a decent brand of football and some players were quite good. Fages is better than plenty of other halves in the comp and the closest thing they've got to a class player. But a few others were good too, including some of the elite 1 guys.

Added to that, Lebanon played out of their skins. Well coached by Fittler and the NRL players stamped their authority all over the game. Moses just took the game over in the last 5 mins won them the game which is what you would expect from an 800k NRL player.

France were far from disgraced. As I said, just lack 2-3 class players to make a mark in this tournament.

 

[SBD82]

I can't stand farah and Moses, but they were great last night. Showed real class and took the game when it mattered. Lichaa was huge too. Congrats to Lebanon. First ever World Cup match win. Huge.

 

[adamkungl]

Great game of football but sad to see the French all but bomb out of the tournament in round 1.
Moses stood up when it counted while Barthau and Fages couldn't deliver the necessary precision.
France missing some quality, especially in the forward pack but a big improvement in game since their last couple of outings on the big stage.

 

[Coastbloke]

France were obviously foxing in readiness to ambush the Kangaroos on Friday night..

I see a clear 24-16 win to France after a stunned Australia capitulates..

 

[roughyedspud]

Told ya Lebanon would do France...

Hopefully all the media coverage will bring the Lebanese out in force in Sydney

 

[adamkungl]

France were obviously foxing in readiness to ambush the Kangaroos on Friday night..

I see a clear 24-16 win to France after a stunned Australia capitulates..

I'll sacrifice anything to any god to see the Aussies put in a performance like USA 2004

 

[This Year?]

This was a great contest. France lacked the halves to close it out but they did themselves proud. Their defence didn't deserve the scoreline. Congrats to Lebanon for their 1st ever WC win!