By Alan Nicolea
October 13th 2008 @ 7:31am
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‘Les Tricolors’ looking for history of their own
France and history go together well. They seem made for each other and this is why the French are one of the most culturally significant nations in the world - even in Rugby League.
Whether it be luring former NRL superstars Sonny Bill Williams, Mark Gasnier and Jason Ryles for big cash, the French always seem involved in everything.
NRL foundation club the Sydney Roosters come to mind when talking about the influence French League has had over this part of the world.
The Roosters changed their playing strip during the mid nineties to a V style, modelled on the popular and entertaining French teams (who also wore red, white and blue) that visited Australia in the ’50s and ’60s.
Indeed Easts became officially known as ‘The Roosters’ once the new jerseys took the field. According to the players it was because of the ‘Le coq’ badge on the French jersey.
While their influence over one famous NRL club in Australia has been paramount to say the least, the French will visit Australian shores to perhaps create some history of their own in this years League World Cup.
Although not as powerful as the likes of Australia, New Zealand and England, the French should not be discounted. They have played in every League World Cup since its induction in 1954 and were runners up in the same year. Their last final though was way back in 1968.
Despite never winning a World Cup, France have shown enough in the past to suggest they will be no pushovers come late October.
During the early ’50s and ’70s, the French more than held their own against the likes of Australia, more often than not registering wins over their heavyweight counterpart.
Recently however, French Rugby League has not faired so well.
1995 was the low point for France, losing every game in the League World Cup and casting its national team into oblivion.
Just when the life of French League was dying away, the Engage Super League threw in a lifeline in the form of Perpignan based club, the “Catalans Dragons”.
Since their inception back to mainstream competition, French League has enjoyed a massive revival and the national team now sits at no.5 in the world rankings, behind Tonga and the big three that are favoured to dominate the 2008 league World Cup.
France are now even in the World Four Nations Rugby league Tournament, which will see them compete against England, New Zealand and Australia on a consistent basis starting in 2009.
Their current squad for the 2008 world cup is not bad, but is nothing that could potentially set their League campaign alight.
One player on their roster that could cause damage is Catalans Dragons winger Justin Murphy.
When he moved from the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the 2004 NRL season, Murphy would find himself in France, via English club Widnes, playing League in a nation that really just wasn’t interested.
But in his first season with the Dragons, Murphy finished as Top try-scorer in Super League XI with 26 tries and also made the Super League “Dream Team” despite his side finishing at the bottom of the table.
Murphy’s performances for the French outfit at least generated some interest in League, mainly in the south of France.
Indeed the French will need more than Murphy’s try scoring ability if they are to progress far against their more fancied opponents.
But compared to twenty or so years ago, France will fancy their chances in this years world cup.
Head coach of the ‘Les Tricolores’ Australian John Monie, has a team capable of casting French League back to the superpower it once was.
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Millster said | October 13th 2008 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Now Alan, being half-French I am glad to see attention being paid to any exploit of my great country on the world stage.
However I do not understand the expenditure of so many words on the French League team. If, like me, you read the two major French papers on a daily basis (Le Monde and Le Figaro), you will soon understand that the majority of France’s 60 million people would be unaware that the game of Rugby League even exists, would confuse it with the (far more popular) Rugby Union, and would just give an ‘oh thats nice’ response to the thought that they had a rep team in the so-called World Cup of that sport.
What France is worried about currently is the fate of Domenech’s men. After a loss to Austria and a draw to Romania, to be 4th in qualification for the PROPER World Cup is preoccupying for a football superpower, especially one in a renewal phase.
So don’t get me wrong. If France do well in the League World Cup it will make me smile. But you’re not focusing on an issue of any importance whatsoever to the average French person. And even those who notice will surely ask themselves with a typically French sneer… “bof… since when were Murphy and Monie French names in the first place…”
True Tah said | October 13th 2008 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Millster,
I think what Alan was focusing on was the impact of French rugby league here in Australia.
Believe it or not, in 1951, the French were perhaps the best rugby league team in the world, and in fact it was the French who were responsible for the rugby league world cup in the first place. Im not sure if you have ever heard of him, but there was a guy by the name of Puig Aubert who played for les Chaunticleers on that tour. Here was a bloke who used to smoke whilst he was playing, and would refuse point blank to tackle breakaway runners, in the belief it would cover up the defensive frailties of his team mates.
Despite that, he was regarded a genius, he could actually kick a goal from the corner of the tryline and the side line, and he was the first footballer of any code to receive the “Champion of Champions” medal from L’Equippe.
Is the French futbol team in any trouble of not making it to South Africa?
The Link said | October 13th 2008 @ 11:26am | Report comment
Nice one Alan, wasn’t aware of the link to Easts and the emblem.
Millster - got some sneering going on there yourself, should’ve just stuck to the first line. There’s nothing in the article saying League is pre occupying the minds of the French at the moment, or that it is a bigger game, so best not to charge Alan for something he hasn’t claimed. Also I was of the understanding that the Roar is primarily pitched at an Australian audience, so if this isn’t of interest to the French people then so what?
I havent looked but if you are that passionate about the French Football team at the moment then by all means post an article, but don’t get stuck into someone for doing so on a different topic.
Millster said | October 13th 2008 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
True Tah - yes the French are in real trouble of not making it to South Africa. They have a team in transition with some youngsters with amazing promise but needing guidance, but they have an absolute muppet of a coach. Then again last time they didn’t qualify for a world cup (94) they went on to win the next one (98)…
To others, re-read my post before and I will do something rare for me and apologise. It was harsher that it should have been and I agree that the linkage between French League history and the Roosters is an interesting one. I allowed my general mixed feelings about the League World Cup to spill over into this specific bit of writing. Anyway please take this as a contrite olive branch…
Alan Nicolea said | October 13th 2008 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
Millister
All i am writing about is regarding to France’s opportunities in this year’s world cup and the nice future they have in League. I know League coverage In france is, at best, generated in the south but all i am trying to do is give an indepth preview to all the teams chances in this years league world cup. I have done so for Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and France.
For a man of our football passions, i am surprised you even read this article. That shows among the French people that adore the round ball, there are a small group of others that like League aswell. Lets face it, the more sport your nation is good at, the better.
If you need anymore proof of this, just look at what happened to Argentina last year in the Rugby. No one cared before in Argentina, then the nation followed their journey to no end.
Millster said | October 13th 2008 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
Alan - that is why I said sorry. I also remember being in England for the Union WC (I go there regularly for work) and recall that a game that is 99% of the time confined to a small grouping of British society and not really followed in a meaningful way by the masses did bring a lot of joy to the country during the tournament.
Millster said | October 13th 2008 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
Alan - I should also have added that I quite like League as a game, in fact more so on an intrinsic gameplay level than AFL. I guess my retisence is about the validity of the international competition, the way players are assigned to different teams, etc.
I’d be interested in a piece from you on the overall strengths and weaknesses of the RL World Cup and how it could develop into the future as I have these fears/misgivings about the tournament but with limited knowledge.
oikee said | October 13th 2008 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
Millster i was going to give it to you, but i allowed for my general new found look at not worrying to much about what people say to not let me post, look, we all know its a small version of union and futbol but nobody really cares, we just love to see any league played, i am having withdrawels already because there is not a game to be seen on tele.
I can tell you that this will be the closest and most exciting games yet, only because league has made the pool grouping to reflect this, yes its a bit lop sided for teams but we have to be fair if we want to progress, i know nobody wants to watch blow-outs so there should be 18 games that are a real contest, and i for one will be watching every game to see how all teams look. Some teams are growing in strength thanks to our 2 local games , one here and the other england. League has no or little money, so a threat to any ones game is not likely. So why worry. And the french will get alot out of this comp, hopefully they can win their pool. Cheers.
Alan Nicolea said | October 13th 2008 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
Oikee
It seems League is going to go well with people like you always having hope. I too hope we see a great competition. I would love to see League grow in less fortunate nations. They will have to build some muscle first. It is a game only for the faint of heart. But i am sure most nations can play it if they were given time.
Millster said | October 13th 2008 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Alan - HAHA “it is a game only for the faint of heart”…. surely you mean “not for the faint of heart” unless you are implying that Leaguie’s are wusses. Best Freudian slip of the day.
Oikee - because you are a more reasonable discussor, would be interested to hear your views on how to make the League WC credible. How to not have teams filled with people that you question whether they really represent those nations, etc. Or is it really just a League festival where we shouldn’t take it too seriously and shouldn’t worry about the result too much?
oikee said | October 13th 2008 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
The simple fact is this Millster, league is very slow growing because of all the mistakes made over the years, even 2000 world cup was not planned well, the olimpics were on at the same time, but having had no money and 8 years to gain strength from the island nations by playing in other comps (nrl,super league) will see amerging nations who have risen the bar , so to speak, this is one area that has improved over all these years, yes the rules are still a little bit shadowy but at least there is rules and they are sticking to them, come next world cup then these little nations will be in a better position than they are now, the numbers are growing substancially over the next few years so the aussie dominance will be coming to a end, sooner than people might think. This is the good thing about the game, once you can break that then its like breaking the camels back, i will be sad, only because we lose that dominance which will be hard to recover. but the europe teams will be the ones who will benifit. Good for them i say, but i wont be cheering for them.
So going back and what the game has done for the islanders, lots of them have made a good living from the game, and the island people are all well deserving of this support for there islands. They are big lads that fit well with this game (also union), why would anyone want to jepadise this, some of my best friends are islanders, they are very nice people.
The Link said | October 13th 2008 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
Millster - thought it was a fraction out of character
Rugby à Treize has a nice nieche future in France, with Les Catalans in Super League and Toulouse Olympique knocking on the door.
I’d say the overwhelming majority of the squad are genuine local players, most of which are with Les Catalans.
Its out of them and the Kumuls for the people’s team of RLWC08
Alan Nicolea said | October 13th 2008 @ 5:25pm | Report comment
Millister
Yes, i mean’t NOT for the faint of art. Typo. But you can keep rubbing it in if you want.
sledgeross said | October 14th 2008 @ 7:55am | Report comment
Nice work again Alan. The “thirteen aside game” is even more provincial in France than what it is in Oz and the UK. There have been some decent players over the years, and who can forget the French refs who used to officiate the Kangaroo tours 9Mr Alain Sablaroille???). The only French player I can recall playing In Oz and Superleague is former Canberra lower grader Jerome Guissett. STill, they are slowly working back to where they once were, and it would be good to see teh French have a credible team again (Who can forget Brandy Alexanders tries against the French while playing at fullback in the early 90s).
Alan Nicolea said | October 14th 2008 @ 8:02am | Report comment
Sledgeross
Thanks for your support and i too believe the French have what it takes to perhaps cause a small stir in this world cup. The only way is north for French rugby league since they were inducted in the new four nations tournament with the big guns.
Millster said | October 14th 2008 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Oikee - 100% agree with islanders having big hearts and being osme of the nicest blokes around all other things being equal.
Loo, I will wave the flag of goodwill and say that at least this article has given me a team to follow in the RLWC, whatever I think of the tournament. ALLEZ LES BLEUS!! (I presume they are called ‘Les Bleus’ in League like they are in football and Union…)
CumberlandsAshes said | October 14th 2008 @ 11:33am | Report comment
When discussing the French Rugby league side we really should be emphasising how many high-quality French born and bred players there are in the squad. Aside from Murphy (who, incidentally, is a French Citizen, married to a Frenchwoman), James Wynne, Jared Taylor and John Wilson (who all live and play in France), the squad are high-quality products of French Rugby League. This is a minor miracle and something to be celebrated considering the hurdles and isolation experienced by the game over the last few decades. With the success of Les Catalans and Toulouse Olympique entering the full-time professional world next year, it seems that there are bright days ahead for the game in France.
sledgeross said | October 14th 2008 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
And dont forget the Pia Donkeys!
alan nicolea said | October 15th 2008 @ 7:11am | Report comment
So maybe the French are now second favourites to win the Cup now. Judging by their great future in the code.
oikee said | October 15th 2008 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
Dont get 2 carried away alan,
remember the Nucleur bombing in our backyard, 
Alan Nicolea said | October 15th 2008 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
Oikee
Where do you get those smiley figures in your comments?
I don’t remember the nucleur bombing. I’m only 19 mate. I wasn’t around. I know the French aren’t second favourites but its good to see the positives in rugby league coming now for the french with their induction in the four nations and all.
oikee said | October 17th 2008 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
Yes and theres also a good post about the russians alan, you just leave a gap so a space then hit the double collon this one : and the bar above the 9 or 0 , “shift i mean to get to the right bar, thats all i do.” so shift hit the double collon and shift for the bracket also above the nine, like you are doing a side on smiley face, just dont forget to leave a gap after you have finished your sentence or it will just come up as what you have typed. no worries:) see i did not leave a gap
now i did.