World Cup chaos: Mutiny call follows axing of French captain ahead of final pool match
France’s Rugby World Cup campaign is threatening to descend into a farce after players were told to overthrow the coaching staff by controversial Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal, while skipper Guilhem Guirado has reportedly been relieved of his captaincy duties by management.
Although they have already qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals prior to this weekend’s top-of-the-pool clash with England, France have been underwhelming thus far in the tournament, notching scrappy wins over minnows Tonga and the USA after edging out Argentina in their opening match last month.
According to The Telegraph, the three-time runners-up’s patchy form has led to suggestions of unrest within the national set-up, with Guirado reported to have lost confidence in head coach Jacques Brunel and assistant Fabien Galthie.
Midi Olympique has claimed that the 33-year-old will not start in Saturday’s match in Yokohama as a result of falling out with Brunel and Galthie.
Instead, it is believed that Racing 92 hooker Camille Chat – who has started the last two tests against Tonga and the United States – will don the No. 2 jersey.
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Midi Olympique is also reporting that the playing group is fully in support of Guirado, although it is understood that prop Jefferson Poirot will be asked to lead the side against England.
The news comes after a training session scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled at short notice.
Adding to the fallout within the national side is the involvement of Boudjellal, who has called for the players to “take control” against the coaching staff, who he believes are preparing Les Bleus for failure.
The turbulence within the French squad echoes the troubles that France dealt with during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, where then-head coach Marc Lievremont lost his power over his team following their shock 19-14 defeat at the hands of Tonga in their final pool match.
The player-led side went on to reach the final of that tournament, going down 8-7 to the hosts in what remains their last appearance in a World Cup final.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the French national football side had a civil war within their own ranks, with Patrice Evra leading a player-led revolt against star striker Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home for abusing head coach Raymond Domenech.
Boudjellal wants the country’s rugby side to follow suit to help prevent what he believes to be an inevitable early exit from Japan.
“Take control guys, take the power, because there are coaches all over the place. Our team spirit is almost non-existent,” Boudjellal said in a video blog.
The Wallabies have named a new captain in what is a close to full-strength side for their final pool clash against Georgia on Friday. #RWC2019 #AUSvGEOhttps://t.co/n7FTjXx4lJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 8, 2019
“Individually, we have players who are world class. Collectively, for several years, that hasn’t been the case.
“Since when have we been frightened against these teams [such as Tonga], who we respect, of course, but who aren’t on our level? Take control guys, because it is your history, your World Cup.
“You are there for your career and for your country. You are there for French rugby and to try to go as far as possible, to see if you can win this World Cup – but we will only get there if you take control.
“Our coaches who are there, I invite you to visit Japan, go and look around, treat yourself and leave the players to tell their own stories because for years I have not understood the game plan of this France team.
“Something is going wrong, so it’s over to you guys [the players]. Tell the coaches to go on holiday. Write your story yourself.
“There is a lot of experience, there are guys in this group who will certainly be major coaches in the future, so start to be a big coach today. Kick the coaches out, take control, tell your own story, because we are ready to follow you.”
After a brilliant few weeks of rugby @rhigarthjones picks the five most magical moments of the World Cup so far.https://t.co/nsHhUUKK2n
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 7, 2019
The French coaching set-up is already under scrutiny, with Galthie set to overtake Brunel as head coach following on from this World Cup.
The 2002 World Player of the Year joined the French coaching ranks as Brunel’s assistant in April following a subpar Six Nations campaign, which included three losses and a record 44-8 thrahsing at the hands of this weekend’s opponents at Twickenham.
France’s pre-World Cup results improved since Galthie’s arrival, but morale within the squad has plummeted since a near-second half capitulation against Argentina, which almost led to a repeat of the 2011 loss to Tonga on Sunday.
A defeat to Eddie Jones’ side in four days’ time would pit France up against the winners of Pool D, which is shaping to be Wales, who defeated France 24-19 in their Six Nations opener in Paris earlier this year.
Conversely, victory would see them face the runners-up of that group, which looks set to be Australia, who prevailed 25-23 in their last encounter three years ago at the Stade de France.
With the fate of their playoffs to be decided come Saturday, all eyes will be on Brunel and his side as they face the media on Wednesday.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments