Questionable refereeing and underhand All Blacks tactics in the first Test have left France motivated to win round two of their scrummaging duel this weekend.
French assistant coach Yannick Bru added spice to the three-Test series on Friday by accusing New Zealand prop Wyatt Crockett of illegal play during the opener at Eden Park last week.
Former French hooker Bru also says English referee Wayne Barnes made mistakes with his scrum rulings, which played a big part in losing a tight clash 23-13.
Barnes ruled France infringed eight times in a collapse-riddled scrum battle while New Zealand were penalised just twice.
The referee in Christchurch is Ireland’s Alain Rolland.
“I would prefer Wayne Barnes again. I think he would be a bit disappointed with some of the scrums last week,” Bru said.
“Referees are human beings. I think after what he (Barnes) saw in the first scrum, it had an influence on his judgement for the rest of the game.”
Among the four French changes for the Test in Christchurch on Saturday is the recall of tough 33-year-old tighthead prop Nicolas Mas, who will mark Crockett.
Bru hopes Mas can counter Crockett, whose methods have been regularly questioned at Super Rugby and Test level by opposition coaches.
“He’s tall. Sometimes, he puts his hand on the ground and sometimes the referee doesn’t see that,” Bru said.
“(Mas) has a lot of experience and will give guys around him a lot of confidence.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says 61-Test veteran Mas could make a difference to the French pack, before passing on some impromptu advice to Rolland.
“As long as Mas stays nice and square, we’ll be OK, I’d say.”
Jerry
Guest
What was great was that, if anything, France got the rub of the green from Rolland and still got the down trou.
Tui
Guest
Hope you loved tonight's game as much as I did Carl... 30 - 0 and all down to the refs again lets hear it
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Sheridan actually played some professional games as an 8, and he toured SA with England as a lock/back rower.
Old Alo
Guest
With you Jeznez. Love your stuff. The more you write about scrums the more I like it.
Riccardo
Guest
Here's coping Carl has been watching tonight although I fear his psychosis is so deeply embedded he won't be able to see past his hate. Take a zanex to complement your medication regime Carl; this is only rugby and it's not worth adding ulcers to your ailments.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
jeal·ous [jel-uhs] adjective 1. feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages (often followed by of ): He was jealous of his rich brother. 2. feeling resentment because of another's success, advantage, etc. (often followed by of ): He was jealous of his brother's wealth.
Jerry
Guest
"AB won 2011 WC final…..deal with it" Fixed.
Ohtanis Jackets
Roar Rookie
Jealous means "apprehensive or vengeful out of fear of being replaced by someone else." It can also mean "watchful, " "anxiously suspicious, " "zealous, " or "expecting complete devotion." The last is normally applied to God. So which one are you referring to?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
That wasn't the type of jealousy I was referring to.
WoobliesFan
Guest
AB won 2011 WC final because of favourable refs......now this.....deal with it
Ohtanis Jackets
Roar Rookie
Why, whose love or attention does he fear losing?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
No, I mean jealousy.
Ohtanis Jackets
Roar Rookie
I think we mean envy, not jealousy.
WRM
Guest
Yeah crickets another one and along with MMA is one of my 3 fav sports. I bet Tameifuna could hit a six or 2. Quick singles might be a problem ;-) How tall is that Pakistan quick whos name escapes me. Hes like 7 ft tall. He would be a good lock. Looks like hes got a the right attitute too.
atlas
Guest
well, I agree having scoured the news sites I can find plenty of mentions of Mr Bru discussing the match, the forward play and the scrums, need for improvement, and Nowhere does he mention "Questionable refereeing and underhand All Blacks tactics" or "accusing New Zealand prop Wyatt Crockett of illegal play" Creative writing from Daniel Gilhooly, putting his words/opinions and attributing them to another. Show your source Daniel, I do not believe you have one. This appears to be the source interview: (incl): Scrum Worries for French AHead of Test Two French skipper Thierry Dusautoir and forwards' coach Yannick Bru both spoke of the need to make drastic improvements with their set-piece. Bru, an 18-time French international hooker, felt more embarrassment about his pack's scrum than pride for their breakdown effort. He said his team weren't clever enough adapting to Wayne Barnes' interpretations and felt the French's poor start at scrum time affected "the psychology of the referee for the rest of the game". "The first free kick we gave away was quite stupid and silly and I shout at the guys because we have to keep in mind, the referee is a human being, he never did any scrummaging in his life. "We will try and be much more disciplined on the scrum." http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/8797846/Scrum-worries-for-French-ahead-of-test-two
Michelle Pfeiffer. :)
Jerry
Guest
What about cricket? Less muscle perhaps, but more body types.
Yeah, I hated those nippy little so and so's as well. No guts, wouldn't run straight at me, always with the run around. :(
DR
Guest
You should read all the posts Carl as you are wrong .
ohtani's jacket
Guest
My wife could be a blow up doll for all that has to do with your jealousy.