category: Rugby World Cup
MATCH REPORTS

Frogs rediscover their flair

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September 16th, 2007

France turned local jeers into cheers when they thrashed a 14-man Namibia 87-10 in Toulouse.

The bonus-point victory takes the hosts to within three points of Argentina and Ireland on the Pool D log. The Six Nations champions will now go into the crunch fixture against Brian O’Driscoll’s struggling side on Friday night as favourites.

This has so far been a World Cup where the minnows have stood up to the big boys, but Namibia were never going to hold their own and claim a moral victory. Especially not after the hosts’ crushing defeat to Argentina last week and the flak they’ve taken since.

France had 75% possession and Namibia missed more than 30 tackles.

The Tricolores scored their first try through Cedric Heymans, back on the left wing after his shocker against the Pumas at fullback. Emile Wessels kicked a drop goal to get Namibia on the board, but the flyhalf left the field soon after with a leg injury. Tries from centre David Marty and flank Thierry Dusatoir gave France a 19-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Any hope the Africans had of repelling the French onslaught evaporated when Jacques Niewenhuis was given a red card by referee Alain Rolland for a dangerous tackle. The Valke flank will now miss his side’s remaining matches against Argentina and Georgia.

Second rower Lionel Nallet claimed the bonus point try and further scores from right wing Vincent Clerc and Nallett gave France a 40-3 half-time lead.

The French played with great freedom in the second half.

No 8 Julien Bonnaire scored just after the break when they rumbled forward from a 5m scrum and second-rower Sebastien Chabal added another five points after collecting a cross kick.

Chabal then did an excellent impression of Jonah Lomu, taking possession near the halfway line, sprinting down the touchline and bouncing off two tackles. That even brought a smile to the face of coach Bernard Laporte.

Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde’s goal kicking had been superb all night and he added a five-pointer to his tally. Clerc then ran in two simple tries to claim his hat-trick.

That left the hosts with 15 minutes to score 18 points for their century. For 10 of those, Namibia stood firm, before French squad skipper Raphael Ibanez was driven over.

However, it was Namibian No 13 Bradley Langenhoven who ensured his team reached double figures when he claimed an interception try with the last move of the game.

France – Tries: Cedric Heymans, David Marty, Thierry Dusautoir, Lionel Nallet (2), Vincent Clerc (3), Julien Bonnaire, Sébastien Chabal (2), Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Raphaël Ibañez. Conversions: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (11).
Namibia – Try: Bradley Langenhoven. Conversion: Tertius Losper. Drop goal: Emile Wessels.

By Simon Borchardt | Keo.co.za