French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

Neil3030 · 25-06-2023 9:17pm

"One or two of my comments were small, were disappointing... I showed disrespect by saying that it was an average Toulouse team. This is a team that have won five European cups, and have twenty-two Boucliers. So for anyone that probably played for them, or an ex player, those comments are disappointing and small on my behalf and I accept that now and I think it's important I say that because, you know, if you're a Jauzion or a Dusautoir or a Yannick Nyanga or a Trevor Brennan or Fabien Pelouse, that's their club, you know? What I'm trying to do at La Rochelle is trying to enforce, I suppose, a kind of will-power that we can match these guys, but at the same time obviously you can't dis them and dis their history because it's so powerful."

On the topic thinking clearly in the aftermath of the game:

"I think you are thinking clearly... you have to be able to think clearly but you also have to maybe differentiate a little more accurately, because I thought the performance of Toulouse on the night was quiet average, that doesn't make them an average team, but if you mix your words you can sometimes not portray what your inner feelings are."

Takes a man to admit when his behaviour was small and disrespectful.

nc6000 · 25-06-2023 11:40pm

Maybe he should just stop with the stupid comments?

Neil3030 · 26-06-2023 12:28am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120761794#Comment_120761794

Finally got around to listening to the rest.

Class interview, thanks for sharing, phog.

phog · 26-06-2023 12:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120765784#Comment_120765784

Good interview, wasn't afraid to say he was wrong when he was wrong, the public flogging can be cancelled.

pickarooney · 26-06-2023 9:00am

Meafou ruled out of the World Cup (at least for France). World Rugby refuse to give him an exemption. It was a bit touch and go with his knee injury anyway.

sydthebeat · 26-06-2023 9:10am

He couldn't have profited from the same exemption that Fakatava got. I think the French were very much trying their luck with this one

26-06-2023 11:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120766286#Comment_120766286

It's 100% the right decision - they were trying to play games with this. He shouldn't have been eligible for this tournament.

Foxtrol · 26-06-2023 4:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120765824#Comment_120765824

Pity some of his staunch defenders here couldn't have the same type reflection rather than spending days circling the wagon around comments that everyone else could see were disrespectful and 'small', to put it mildly.

To this point he hasn't shown the maturity to learn from these types of mistakes but maybe this time will be different.

Neil3030 · 26-06-2023 4:48pm

His evolving leadership nous was clear in that interview. A loss like that (his first time losing a final as a coach?) is probably his biggest disappointment as a coach, and he seems to have a refreshing attitude on reflection, and genuine enthusiasm to get back next season and make it right.

It's getting increasingly irrefutable that he's the next Irish coach after Faz imo, whenever that may be. Unless, perhaps, France come calling first....

phog · 26-06-2023 5:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120768780#Comment_120768780

Yes, even in the interview when one of the lads wanted to talk about the H/C trophy ROG was saying no, no, the last match was a loss and then talked up how big the Top14 final is in France.

Buer · 26-06-2023 5:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120768780#Comment_120768780

It really isn't. And I think he'd be a good appointment.

A couple of points...

Ireland hasn't hired a head coach from outside Irish rugby in almost 30 years. Ashton was the last one. Every coach since was already in the Irish coaching set up or head coach of a province.

In terms of his record, Mark McCall had a significantly higher level of success and silverware and was never in the mix. Which I think reenforces my first point.

Neil3030 · 26-06-2023 5:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120768846#Comment_120768846

Did McCall ever want the Ireland job though? Or any gig at the International level? I always got the impression he was/is perfectly happy to see out his career at Sarries.

ROG on the other hand, has made clear noises about wanting to coach at international level, and is keeping his profile fresh in Ireland with his media work, etc.

You're right that it'd be a serious pivot from current IRFU policy, but one that they may feel compelled to make.

stephen_n · 26-06-2023 5:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120768780#Comment_120768780

He lost to Toulouse in the champions cup final 2 years ago.

Dubinusa · 26-06-2023 6:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120768984#Comment_120768984

Indeed! Don't post facts! It's annoying, lol.

aloooof · 26-06-2023 6:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769294#Comment_120769294

To be fair to Neil, he didn’t state it as fact, he put a question mark in there, like.

26-06-2023 6:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769359#Comment_120769359

There might be a thread over on the golf forum I think where someone argued with a Munster fan if you want to jump in there and tell everyone what they actually said. 🙃

phog · 26-06-2023 7:13pm

While I agree that the IRFU usually appoint from within there really hasn't been too many Irish head coaches outside of Ireland that might want to come home & take up the head coach spot. That could well be leading them in the direction since the appointed Ashton.

God what a disaster he was.

Neil3030 · 26-06-2023 7:29pm

Still his first big loss as the sole numero uno. Gibbes was DOR when they lost in 2020.

aloooof · 26-06-2023 7:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769419#Comment_120769419

Mod: Attack the post, not the poster.

Podge_irl · 26-06-2023 7:37pm

I'd say the IRFU will have limited interest in him both due to his being out of the system and due to his disciplinary record and conduct which they would want to see an improvement on. I don't think we ever would have countenanced an Eddie Jones-esque character no matter their record.

26-06-2023 7:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769623#Comment_120769623

Nah, I disagree. If there’s a vacancy in the next couple of years and he states a public interest in the role then I can’t see how he isn’t a very serious candidate for the role.

For all the things I think about how he conducts himself in the press, there is no denying that he is an excellent tactical coach and that his players love playing for him.

Ironically, his biggest competitor for the role though could well be Paul O’Connell.

accensi0n · 26-06-2023 7:47pm

ROG, Sexton and Humphreys as next coaching group.

Podge_irl · 26-06-2023 7:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769662#Comment_120769662

The Mark McCall thing is an interesting comparator, but indeed I don't know whether he was ever actively interested in the role. Also he's from Ulster so inevitably overlooked slightly...

He will obviously be treated as a serious contender by the media, I'm just far from convinced the IRFU will actually view him that way. But we're all playing guessing games really. I get the impression POC would not enjoy a head coach role I have to say.

Dubinusa · 26-06-2023 8:19pm

I reckon it could be Easterby. He's been in the systems for years.

Neil3030 · 26-06-2023 8:36pm

Mike Prendergast will some day rise to the national setup imo. Much as that will be bittersweet for Munster fans. Not a head coach, but he has every other box ticked for me. A talented, intelligent and innovative coach. Stands out for me by a mile on the Access Munster content.

Foxtrol · 26-06-2023 8:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769662#Comment_120769662

Ignoring his media immaturity, he is a great club coach and the Irish media will be drooling about getting him into the seat but I'm currently very skeptical about how his skillset transfers to international level.

He benefits from being able to go out each year and sign players who fit the tactics he wants to play. His team is filled with massive men and the Irish side cant go out and pick them up (anymore). An Irish side simply wouldn't get away with playing the same way LAR do. Does he have flexibility in his tactics to play a game plan that would fit Irish players?

His club squad love him but in that scenario his detail focus is building on little things week over week with the same group of players, especially as he loses a relatively small proportion of players to international rugby. Does that work at international level, where he'd see far players less of players and guys are dropping in and out of his team and wider squad?

phog · 26-06-2023 8:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769679#Comment_120769679

ROG maybe

Sexton has he expressed an interest in coaching

Humphreys not really sure he has set the world alight.

Also I don't see 3 outhalfs being on the same coaching ticket ever.

pickarooney · 27-06-2023 9:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769942#Comment_120769942

I think he listed 14 LAR players called up to various international squads this summer.

Inevitably with the club's success the French players are getting more notice and they have a number of T2 internationals in their ranks.

Foxtrol · 30-06-2023 2:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120775178#Comment_120775178

None of at that impacts the point I was making.

Summer call ups in a WC year dont impact the time ROG has been able to spend with his team during the year since he took over a LAR. He has had the vast majority of his team all season and gets to even do mini-camps with them during international breaks. They haven't lost near as many plaers during the AIs as most other big club sides and an even smaller number during 6 nations. French players are getting more notice but that hasn't been the case since ROG took over.

I'm not saying ROG can't pivot his approach and be successful but doesn't have it on his CV yet so it would be a risk factor in an Irish appointment.

ersatz · 04-07-2023 10:56am

The integrated coaching system that Ireland have developed has worked remarkably well (excluding wc) and I’d be surprised if they abandoned it to bring rog straight in as head coach. I wonder if the plan involves poc or one of the others stepping up if Farrell moved on and rog coming in as assistant initially.

phog · 02-09-2023 9:52pm

LAR got a penalty, player got away without a card. Lucky

https://twitter.com/brettruganalyst/status/1698073671816908990?t=6ZGAB8Ro19be8_0n7SnSdA&s=19

Buer · 02-09-2023 10:39pm

It was an absurd moment and may have cost his team the game. Ridiculous behaviour.

Referee dominated the game but it was absorbing. La Rochelle continue their approach. They've promoted their young Georgian tighthead who is a featherweight at 135kg and have brought in a tighthead from the Waratahs as 4th choice tipping in at 128kg to allow the 140kg Colombe cover loosehead.

Any of these lads would be the heaviest prop in Irish pro rugby.

Good win for Clermont. Got a little lucky as Leyds (West appears to have been stripped of kicking duties entirely) missed two handy kicks. Clermont missed a couple themselves though.

Clermont handled a big yellow card very well with just the three points conceded after Picquette threw himself to ground after a blow to the face which looked poor but card was the right call.

SF come through the opening three rounds as the form team in France and only side to be be 3/3.

Dave_The_Sheep · 03-09-2023 1:01am

It's two pushes. Let's not lose the run of ourseelves.

03-09-2023 7:33am

Can't be doing that tbf. Even if it is ROG.

stephen_n · 03-09-2023 11:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121062082#Comment_121062082

What do you mean by lose the run of ourselves? You don’t think a player shoving a coach, for doing nothing but standing on the sideline is an issue? ROG is a bit of a dick at times but in that case he did nothing. If you walk up to someone in the street and do that, it’s assault. Whatever about players shoving each other on the pitch, there was no need for that. He was very lucky not to get a yellow at least. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it cited.

phog · 03-09-2023 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121062082#Comment_121062082

ROG is in the area assigned for the coaches, he sees the flight of the ball and moves away from it.

No player should get away with shoving someone like off the field of play.

Dave_The_Sheep · 03-09-2023 12:42pm

No, they shouldn't - and I agree it's at least a penalty and I'd have no problem with a yellow.

Podge_irl · 03-09-2023 1:05pm

Don't even think the player could have argued with a red to be honest. You absolutely can not be doing that.

clsmooth · 03-09-2023 1:50pm

Is there any history between them? I know of opposing team’s fans not being huge admirers of how ROG goes about his business. Probably a mixture of his past behaviour which he served bans for and his success with LAR. His comments about Toulouse after the Top 14 final didn’t go down well either.

Zero reason to be doing that to a coach who is standing within their assigned area without any apparent provocation. He should be cited for that.

pickarooney · 03-09-2023 1:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121062993#Comment_121062993

ROG reckoned a yellow would have been too much but he was a bit annoyed Urdillapeta didn't apologise afterwards instead of doubling down

Ben Bailey · 03-09-2023 2:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121063209#Comment_121063209

More a side effect of the history between ROG v Urios

phog · 03-09-2023 3:18pm

ROG's history should have fcuk all to do with what the player did. Mentioning ROG's history while discussing the actions of the player is a bit like talking about what clothes a rape victim was wearing when raped.

stephen_n · 03-09-2023 4:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121063613#Comment_121063613

and there we lose the run of ourselves.

phog · 03-09-2023 5:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121064077#Comment_121064077

What did I say that is incorrect?

stephen_n · 03-09-2023 5:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121064165#Comment_121064165

Comparing this to rape defenses? Seriously?

If you think it’s ok to compare sports rivalries with one of the worst crimes possible. Then fair play to you. Particularly when you would defend your own clubs players for acting on a rivalry.

phog · 03-09-2023 5:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121064187#Comment_121064187

What did ROG do that was wrong?

Why discuss his past in this incident?

Does every thread have to turn into provincial mudslinging

Can a Leinster fan talk about a Leinster player

Can a Connacht fan talk about Connacht players

Can an Ulster fan talk about an Ulster

player

stephen_n · 03-09-2023 5:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121064243#Comment_121064243

How is this provincial? You again are the one trying to make it provincial when you get called out. Trying to drag the level of discourse down.

What has what ROG done wrong got to do with what I posted?

Why don’t you actually take responsibility for what you posted for once? I asked did you think it was ok to compare the defense of one of the worst crimes imaginable. To a heat of the moment response to a rugby rivalry. Rather than that, you throw up a strawman argument of provincialism, to deflect away from that.

I prefer the honesty of posters who are straight forward in their biased views. To those who are insidious and constantly try drag this place down and stir things up.

pickarooney · 03-09-2023 5:52pm

Any chance of just keeping this one thread about French rugby?

phog · 03-09-2023 5:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121064408#Comment_121064408

I was trying to but unfortunately once again who a poster supports seems to dictate the discussion as far as a few posters on here are concerned.

phog · 03-09-2023 5:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121064298#Comment_121064298

Two posts from you one after the other

Particularly when you would defend your own clubs players for acting on a rivalry

You again are the one trying to make it provincial when you get called out. Trying to drag the level of discourse down.

French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

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