Monie assembles tricolours

[ParraEelsNRL]

France’s quest to re-emerge as a Rugby League powerhouse is gaining momentum ahead of this year’s World Cup in Australia.The success of the Catalans Dragons in the English Super League has highlighted the resurgence of the game in France, but even more encouraging for national coach John Monie was the performance of French domestic league players in a trial against the Dragons.Played before 4500 spectators at Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan, the President's XIII side surprised the Dragons with their intensity and skill before succumbing 48-24. The result is a testament to the growing strength of the domestic league in France and highlights the depth Monie will have at his disposal in a squad that will be dominated by the Dragons’ Super League stars.France, who are drawn in Pool 2 with Scotland and Fiji, are among the favourites to qualify for the semi-finals and add to their proud record in the tournament.
In the 54-year history of the Rugby League World Cup, France is one of only four nations to reach the final, along with Australia, New Zealand and England (Great Britain).The Les Tricolores featured in the inaugural decider in 1954, losing 16-12 to Great Britain before a crowd of 30,368 at Parc de Princes ground in Paris.The French also reached the 1968 final where they were beaten 20-2 by Australia in front of 54,290 spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
France’s opening 2008 Rugby League World Cup match is against Scotland on October 26 at Canberra Stadium.They then tackle Fiji at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on November 1.

By Terry Liberopoulos

Rugby League Review

http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/02/21/monie-assembles-tricolours.aspx

 

[In-goal]

the depth in the local scene may be representing Tolouse Olympic next year in the Super League, god willing.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

I hope so, would be great for the French and International game, plus it adds a bit more flavor to the ESL.

 

[crimpo]

Unfortunately I suspect the likelihood of a French derby in the ESL next year is diminishing. It looks like Salford and the Crusaders - assuming that the current ESL sides all keep their licenses (and that after all is why they are bringing in franchises...)

 

[crimpo]

Unfortunately I suspect the likelihood of a French derby in the ESL next year is diminishing. It looks like Salford and the Crusaders - assuming that the current ESL sides all keep their licenses (and that after all is why they are bringing in franchises...)

 

[roughyedspud]

oldham player siad tamghart,who played a couple of tests against australia & NZ 3 or 4 years ago absolutely battered salford in our win over them on friday night..should defo be in the running for a world cup squad place...

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

oldham player siad tamghart,who played a couple of tests against australia & NZ 3 or 4 years ago absolutely battered salford in our win over them on friday night..should defo be in the running for a world cup squad place...

He played against Australia in 2004. Then he got the boot from UTC a few years ago, I think for a drug problem. But he is obviously clean now, and could be one of the French players to provide the core of the toulouse franchise.

 

[roughyedspud]

drug problem?? recreational or performance?

 

[deluded pom?]

I think I'd need to be on drugs to live in Oldham too ;-)

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

I live in Berkeley FFS, you need drugs, we got it, you need a hole with 40-50 year olds walking around naked with saggy things everywhere, we got it, you want 17 year old boy things wearing dresses, unfortunately, we got it, and guess what, all those things are my next door neighbours.

Not the mention the other neighbours who like to listen to anything you say and stalk your wife.

Welcome to Wollongong. :lol:

(Newcastle, I'll see you soon)

 

[Coastbloke]

I live in Berkeley FFS, you need drugs, we got it, you need a hole with 40-50 year olds walking around naked with saggy things everywhere, we got it, you want 17 year old boy things wearing dresses, unfortunately, we got it, and guess what, all those things are my next door neighbours.

Not the mention the other neighbours who like to listen to anything you say and stalk your wife.

Welcome to Wollongong. :lol:

(Newcastle, I'll see you soon)

So that's Berkeley Wollongong NOT Berkeley Vale Central Coast....whew.... :lol: :lol:

Back on topic, and I think Monie will have a decent looking team come the World Cup. The only thing hat concerns me is that the Elite 1 players won't have had any match practise for a while...

I think it'll be a fight between Samoa and France for 4th...

 

[yankeerugger]

This is indeed a good report. As above posters pointed out, if you take the President's XIII, and add in a few Ausies, Kiwis for veteran experience and team leadership, and you pretty much have a solid ESL club from the get go.

As Les Catalans found out in year 1 and 2 though, the biggest step to overcome is getting used to the grueling long season, and the inevetable injuries that come with it...

That said, the ESL would be MAD not to take this chance. They don't come along all that often.

Are there any ESL clubs, or National division 1 clubs that are recruiting out of this French domestic league? I would think that this would be a natural pool to draw from. If so, these players could easily return to french soil to man a Toulouse ESL franchise, and already have the necessary experience to be leaders in the team!!!

 

[roughyedspud]

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1184834029/bctid1435437009

heres a link to the recent oldham v salford match...said tamghart had a cracking game,ran like a mad man,he's the number 17 and has no socks on...lol

 

[roughyedspud]

oh i forgot to mention, watch out for said's 5 cracking upper cuts..ouch...

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Thanks for the link roughspud, just downloading it now.

Does this mob do highlights like this every week?

If so, put a link into the video thread here.

Thanks

 

[roughyedspud]

the highlights are part of a programme called code 13 on channel M...but word is sky tv are going to pull rank and stop them showing games......boo hiss...

 

[yankeerugger]

you'd think that they would be able to work out a way for highlights to be showed...

would probably end up costing a fortune.