'Run-on debut like no other': Junior Wallabies flyer announces himself to the world after stunning hat-trick
In 15 minutes, Tim Ryan didn’t just put a smile on Joe Schmidt’s face, he announced himself to the Australian public by scoring a…
Rugby doesn’t often crowd out football news in France unless the national team wins the Grand Slam, but there were headlines all over the country on Sunday regarding les Bleus.
After they lost to wooden spooners Italy in Rome, L’Equipe and Le Journal du Dimanche called it a total failure and intolerable. Coach Marc Lievremont lost it himself.
In a furious rant at the top of his voice, he called his team a bunch of cowards and traitors and said that there would be wholesale sackings.
The outburst has destroyed whatever cachet Lievremont had with his men, and all of France is calling for him to be replaced, except French Rugby Federation chief Pierre Camou, who says he’s sticking with him through to the World Cup.
This has caused a further outcry from French fans who fear that not only is the season over for les tricolores, but the whole rest of the year, too.
Morale has never been worse. Winger Maxime Medard told journalists that if he had a rope he’d hang himself, and fly half Trinh-Duc baldly stated that France does not have a team capable of winning the World Cup.
Everybody knows that but their playmaker isn’t supposed to say it.
Now they have to somehow get up for an unfamiliar night game on Saturday against rampant Wales. And not in Cardiff where it would be easier for the French, but at the Stade de France, where angry fans will be waiting to crucify team and coach alike.
In an older time, when somebody was as insulting as Lievremont was to his men, his face would be slapped and a duel fought. These days we’re more civilized, but a lot of French would like to turn the clock back a couple of hundred years.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
In 15 minutes, Tim Ryan didn’t just put a smile on Joe Schmidt’s face, he announced himself to the Australian public by scoring a…
Queensland have pushed the Hurricanes and the Blues giving the Reds coach confidence they can match it with the top teams.
Queensland led by seven late in the game, but conceded two late tries to the Kiwi side who claimed a late victory.
The Queensland winger was making his starting debut and he made his tries look like he was a veteran in that position.
Queensland led by seven points with six minutes remaining but the Kiwi side scored two tries - one after the 80 minutes to snatch…
But the winger's three tries weren't enough as the Blues stole a late win 41-37.