| Welcome Guest You must log in to post in this forum. | Search Forum | Recent Topics | Members |
|
|
Rank: Vodafone Junior Warriors bench player
Groups: Member
Joined: 10/29/2008
Posts: 208
Points: 124
|
TOULOUSE, France – The French rugby league team have been hit by swine flu - and knee injuries - ahead of Sunday morning's (NZ time) Four Nations rugby league match against the Kiwis.
The French have been so heavily hit by misfortune since their effort against England last Friday that they have been granted an extension by tournament organisers on naming their team after having just 18 fit players at training.
"They've all got swine flu," coach Bobbie Goulding told NZPA.
"Clint Greenshields and Dimitri Pelo are getting around the team hotel in face masks.
"(Strength and conditioning coach) Rodney Howe looks like he's breaking out in the sweats too and now I've started to get the sniffles and feel the same.
"There's no face masks for me yet - I'm a rough and tumble Widnes lad."
Goulding said centre Jean-Philippe Baile, second rower Cyril Gossard, centre Sebastian Raguin (all knee) had been ruled out.
Forwards Remi Casty (hand) and David Ferriol (suspension) were already unavailable.
"We had only 18 fit players at training - but I'm not one to moan," he said.
"We have to deal with what has happened and we are still determined to give a good account of ourselves."
The French have even had to call on two of their opponents' countrymen to bolster playing numbers.
New Zealand-born pair Arty Shead and Andrew Bentley - both of whom play for French rugby league clubs - had joined Les Chanticleers squad, Goulding revealed.
Bentley is the brother of France hooker Kane and also plays for Catalans while 31-year-old Shead plays for Limoux.
They both qualify to play for France thanks to residency criteria.
- NZPA
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10606332
|
|
Rank: Vodafone Warriors legend
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/20/2008
Posts: 2,684
Points: 5,264
|
Oh dear how sad they looked ok in the changing room at 1/2 time on saturday befor they went down to the poms. 
|
|
Rank: Vodafone Warriors captain
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/16/2008
Posts: 1,567
Points: 4,540
|
Would be good if they could field their top team then it would give them no excuses when the Kiwi's rip them a new one
|
|
Rank: Vodafone Warriors bench player
Groups: Member
Joined: 8/20/2009
Posts: 565
Points: 1,695
|
It might make the game interesting if Bobbie Goulding comes out of retirement, he's still only 35 years old
|
|
Rank: Vodafone Warriors regular starter
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/21/2009
Posts: 1,049
Points: 2,747
|
I hope the French are really ready for this game,it would be good for the Kiwis to have to work hard for the win.
An easy game could disrupt things for the next round.
If the French could keep the momentum up for both halves it could be interesting.
|
|
Rank: Immortal/Vodafone One Tribe Supreme god
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/31/2008
Posts: 4,639
Points: 13,241
|
timburgess wrote:It might make the game interesting if Bobbie Goulding comes out of retirement, he's still only 35 years old hahahha that would be hilarious!
|
|
Rank: Vodafone Warriors regular starter
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/16/2008
Posts: 927
Points: 2,587
|
Its just been revealed the french were also suffering diarhoea. turns out they were just crapping themselves at the thought of taking on the might of the KIWIS
|
|
|
Guest |