Iconic French rugby star Chabal retires

Made one famous tackle and one hard run, had a beard and long hair, made some ads for tv and other stuff, started businesses and invested well. This is how you do a total optimization of your resources when you have no special talent or skills to become a great player and no diploma to have a good "normal" job. Decided to hang up boots just before making the year in top14 that could have killed the myth. The guy is a killer in anything he does and he is way more clever than what people think.

Made one famous tackle and one hard run, had a beard and long hair, made some ads for tv and other stuff, started businesses and invested well. This is how you do a total optimization of your resources when you have no special talent or skills to become a great player and no diploma to have a good "normal" job. Decided to hang up boots just before making the year in top14 that could have killed the myth. The guy is a killer in anything he does and he is way more clever than what people think.

France sending a understrength squad to us huh? Well well well doesnt this put the ARU in a bind -if the series bleeds money because people wont part with their hard- earned to watch a B-Grade show then the ARU are in even more trouble with paying their debts -the day of reckoning migyt be sooner than anyone thinks especially since the broadcasters are baulking at paying anything near what BP wants

"Phillippe Saint-André has admitted that his team will tour Australia in June without a number of star players" Interesting to note that this announcement came after last week's release of tickets for the tests...

Lopez confirmed by Clermont.

" France to rest stars for Aussie tour 06th May 2014 14:45 France coach Phillippe Saint-André has admitted that his team will tour Australia in June without a number of star players as les Les Bleus prepare for the 2015 World Cup. France could only finish fourth in this year's Six Nations, with three victories in their five matches, but Saint-André has rated his team as potential World Cup winners in Englandl next year. France will travel to Australia eyeing a successful three-Test tour but Saint-André acknowledged that, with the Top 14 Final played just seven days before the first fixture (June 7), some players would not make the trip Down Under. He will name a 31-man squad on Wednesday. "Some will be rested," he said. "I've had chats with some Top 14 coaches and some players really need a rest because they're a bit burnt out. "They need to recuperate and above all must be able to have a real off-season before the upcoming World Cup year. "But others have played 30-35 matches and have a massive desire to play for the France team." Saint-André said he had been buoyed by his team's performance in the Six Nations, which ended with a 22-20 defeat by eventual champions Ireland. "I was even more so happy given the huge numbers of 'leaders' who were missing or who we lost through injury in the tournament, such as Thierry Dusautoir, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Morgan Parra, Benjamin Kayser and Dimitri Szarzewski. "The tournament was better than last year even if it wasn't satisfying. There was a feeling of unfinished business, particularly with the last game." The series against Australia will be a test of France's credentials. "Put simply, we have to win the matches," Saint-André told AFP. "It's the last tour before the World Cup so it'll be important in that respect, for the team's spirit. "We're going there with a lot of positivity, desire and hope." Saint-André said no extra motivation was needed. "What better challenge exists? We're going to one of the most beautiful countries in the world to play three Test matches in a sport that is not only the profession of the the players but also their passion. It's nothing but good," said the former captain and winger of the French XV. "The Australians have made great progress," he conceded. "They've revamped their team since the 2011 World Cup. During the November internationals, they really showed off their capabilities. "They went and won easily in Wales, Italy and Ireland. It'll be a very high level but it's only by playing the best that you improve." Saint-André dismissed any thoughts that his fate might mirror that of his predecessor Marc Lièvremont, who knew he would not be continuing as coach after the World Cup in 2011 when his France team defied all odds to reach the final, where they lost 8-7 to hosts New Zealand. "No, I've put myself in World Cup mode," said Saint-André. "I've still got 17 or 18 months. I have the enormous privilege being able to experience a World Cup with the France team in England. "I have no idea what I'll be doing in November 2015 and that's not a problem for me - I can do half a million different jobs!" The three matches are scheduled for Brisbane on June 7, Melbourne on June 14 and Sydney a week later. "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro28FcNXbM0

He sure left he's mark especially on the ''big kiwi's" :-D,iconic player with the best hairstyle in rugby,agree 2007 was he's year. Who is the next Chabal in world rugby,he'd have to come from Samoa,they are not the smallest or softest you will find :-)

Here we go 15 photos of Chabal form his Bourgoin days till now including his match with Balmain http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Diaporama/Chabal-puissance-quinze/2097

The funny thing is that he is one of the players I know who have evolved/changed the most. When he started at Bourgoin he was a n7, rather lanky a bit like Cabannes before him. Short hair, no beard, he was very quick and mobile like a true openside flanker. I think he beefed up at Sale and become more of a 4-8 than a 7. That's the Chabal most people will remember.

He was a colourful figure and rugby was better for having had him play our great game. 65 Test matches for France is a testimony to this great man, he was a great servant of French rugby and I for one feel honoured to have witnessed the talents and gamesmanship Chabal brought to the game! You will be missed and thanks for the great memories mate!

I dunno, Reuben wasn't known for big hits or barnstorming runs. Chabal always reminded me of a tougher, but less skilled, Rocky Elsom.

I remember that incident with the reporter.Funny thing with the Continentals,they are very big on people respecting their language and trying to speak it when in said country.By all accounts,tourists are ignored by the locals if they are't seen trying to speak the native tongue.Don't know how true that is,though.

i think he became famos more for his hair than his flair :P he was more of a Reuben Thorne than a Brad Thorn :)

yes, ur namsake lined him up in one test nicely. took a while for Chabal to get to his feet. and that was the great thing about the hit man - he went after the big boys , not bully the little ones :)

Perhaps in France, and not by knowledgable fans in general but to the casual fans. He was a solid player as you say, but not outstanding. Great highlight reel though.

Well, it's preferable to the more typical English sporting nicknames, he did well to not get called Chabbers, or Chabs!

Sebastien Taofifenua (the prop) to Bordeaux, the other Taofifenua Romain the lock to Toulon. Maybe a SR side will approach Taumalolo for a come back in the SH?

Tbh Jerry I don't think Chabal was over-rated as a player, at least not in France. Most ppl, including himself, know that his notoriety and fame were superior to his actual talent. I read that out of his 60 odd caps he only started half games at most, not much in a 15 years international career. He was seen in France as a good 'utility forward' able to play anywhere from 4 to 8 but I have never heard anyone say he was a Dusautoir, McCaw, Read etc. I actually think he is a very humble character and decent man.

Yep we often call ppl named 'Sébastien' "sébas or sebast" the accent on the e making it sound very similar to sea bass. That's you fellow Englishmen who gave it to him, maybe thinking other players were saying 'seabass' when in fact they were saying "sebas".