Opportunity Thread to respect the French effort

Delighted we won, but sad to see France leave the stage. They played fabulous rugby…shame on the IRB to have these two teams play each other in the Quarters

Agree.

France played a great game.

Bokke!!!

I grew less impressed as the game wore on. They dominated possession and territory, but couldn't show anything for it. Frantic, inaccurate, individual. No semblance of a plan or structure, just keep passing it to whoever. It didn't work, as exciting as it looked.

Another very tense game but one which was very different from the ABs vs Ireland game. I feel for the French but I think they had the wrong tactics. Once they were ahead they needed to stabilize the game and not be so frantic. My total admiration for the courage of Dupont, what a personal risk he took!

France undoubtedly the dominant team and they seemed to punch holes in our defence at will, but they couldn't get points. As I said at some point during the game on the live thread, you win a game with points, not style. You can be as good as you want in the middle of the field hitting gaps and running over defenders, but if you keep losing possession because of frantic passing and runners isolating themselves before you get anywhere near the tryline it's all for nothing. 

For me they lost it in the third quarter when they were all over us with nothing to show for it. They just started unraveling more and more from there as we hit the lead. I guess all that passing and running is exciting to watch, but both Ireland and NZ were far more accomplished, effective and organized than any of these two sides while still playing exciting rugby . France has amazing strike power but they couldn't harnass it last night.

Plum must agree with you - Our center pairing  was poor as you said they would be.   I forwards did not dominate the game - they weere weakened by the absence of Etzebeth in particular.  Those 10 minutes they were all over he Spring bok fwards.   Could easily have been a red card offence though - Lucky iot was not.    .   .   .   . 

Hahahahahaha. Our center pair was poor. They kept punching holes in our defence but couldn't score. 

Man what a load of baloney.  Take a look at the Planet Rugby ratings. Allende and Kriel were superb. The reason France didn't win was because of magnificent defence. Further for the last 20 minutes we were on top. We could well have scored the another try had the ref given us a penalty when Fafs pass hit a Frenchie lying on our side of the ruck.

Ox did a great job in the scrum. France infringed a number of times and were in danger of a yellow etc as we camped in their 22.

This game did show however that we missed that man mountain Marx. Bongi was good but he can't bring the physicality Marx does and we needed that extra power Marx has against an exceptionally strong French pack. 

The French tried every trick they knew but the Bok defence was up to the task. 

Now please oaks get out of your little echo chambers regarding Allende and Kriel. Note the Planet Ruby ratings and admit you have been schooled yet again. 

France went down with honor S o did Ireland. I said from the beginning the way the Pools were selected was a disgrace. It could even be rigging. However it  backfired on the NH. 

I am happy all 4 teams I supported made the semis. Hope Becs is happy. 

It's now looking like a Bok/ NZ Final but we shall have to see what fate holds for the 4 semi finalists.

So I hope to see the oaks and in particular poor dooosie displaying a much need contriteness admitting Rassie is way ahead of them. 

If Am is fit he may get a place on the bench. I can't see Rassie dropping Kriel. However Rassie likes to keep his players fresh so who knows. We also don't know how Am is doing.

I just wish Marx was with the team. 

Lol Mike

For once, literally once in my life, I can't complain about Jessie and De Allende...and now you are saying that I am.

If Kriel played like that more often I'd be a much bigger fan. He showed some quality yesterday and actually impressed me.

DDA scored a nice try but didn't set the world on fire.

Also, can I just say...KWAGGA is the man!

We forget that he's not a big player...not in body.

But in heart and smarts...the man is a giant among men.

There was that one moment where refused to go down and just kept fighting a moving forward with the entire fRench side hanging off of him.

Such a beast!!!

You simply can't teach what Kwagga has. 

Long live Kwagga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

France severely exposed our defence and lack of physicality on the line. There were far, far too many missed tackles. It was far closer than it needed to be. We couldn't create anything. All Blacks won't be as sloppy with those chips. More running than passing, few offloads. The kick was the main weapon. We need to evolve, and we have the players to do it. That's the frustrating part. Kwagga needs to start, Wiese, Esterhuizen, Pollard. Libbok was a doormat... again. Where was Steph? Chasing shadows. 

I'm surprised Doos can still see through all that egg to be able to type.

"RIP Rugby Union"

LMAO!

I have said repeatedly on here that Kwagga does not get the respect or the praise that he should ...

The guy is an absolute beast .....

He does make such an impact coming off the bench later in the game..... but one has to wonder what overall contribution he could make if given more game time ..... tough call either way... but man, what a beast

Also, crazy to think that the charge down of that conversion from Cheslin ....which you hardly ever see happen ..... could have effectively won us the game.

Malherbe .... the only Frans left in this world cup...

Give Doos more time he will eventually learn the game. 

Hopefully having has tbe error of his ways pointed out to him he will being to realize he is way out.

Anyhow he provides huge entertainment. 

Brilliant on politics so there has to be hope he can get his rugby right over time. Just get rid of the heavy bias Doos. 

Hahaha….DA….this is a respect Frans thread

Mostert and Smith are two of the hardest working and committed Springbok players in the squad.

Sure according to "one" Mostert is not heavy enough and Smith is not in Kapteins league.

I wonder if the "one" took note of the weight of the French locks and how Mostert outjumped them at lineouts.

Ok I know I am asking to much but give credit when hard work and effort are more important than being FAT.

Marks is a majot loss to the Boks, as Bongi and Fourie are out of their league.

That charged down kich made by Kolbe was great and that effort was an amazing performance.

Lucky win is all I can say, but it counts.