Latest news with #Galthie
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-France coach tees off at refereeing in All Blacks series
Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - France v Scotland - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - March 15, 2025 France head coach Fabien Galthie during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq (Reuters) -France coach Fabien Galthie has complained about the refereeing in their series against New Zealand, airing grievances over the scrum while querying several decisions following defeats in Dunedin and Wellington. With the All Blacks looking to seal a series sweep in the third and final test in Hamilton on Saturday, Galthie told French media he expected neutrality from referees. "We need the scrum and the ball being carried to be properly refereed," he said. "I don't usually dwell on refereeing, but when I have expectations, I share them. "Clearly, we need to be officiated as if we were playing on neutral ground. Neutrality." Galthie highlighted two instances in the 43-17 loss in Wellington where he thought the French were short-changed. He said All Black Jordie Barrett had entered a ruck illegally in the second half as the French set up a maul and rumbled over the line, only for the ball to be held up. "Clearly, Barrett enters in an offside position, on the side. For me, that's a penalty try and a yellow card." He also took umbrage with an interception by All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane which stopped a French attack on the try-line near the right corner. "When he intercepts the ball on Leo Barre's last pass ... he is off-side the whole time. There is a penalty try and a yellow card. "I'm happy for there to be that difference in the score, but that's two tries and two yellow cards." Reuters has contacted global governing body World Rugby, which appoints test referees, for comment. (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
France coach tees off at refereeing in All Blacks series
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - France v Scotland - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - March 15, 2025 France head coach Fabien Galthie during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq France coach Fabien Galthie has complained about the refereeing in their series against New Zealand, airing grievances over the scrum while querying several decisions following defeats in Dunedin and Wellington. With the All Blacks looking to seal a series sweep in the third and final test in Hamilton on Saturday, Galthie told French media he expected neutrality from referees. "We need the scrum and the ball being carried to be properly refereed," he said. "I don't usually dwell on refereeing, but when I have expectations, I share them. "Clearly, we need to be officiated as if we were playing on neutral ground. Neutrality." Galthie highlighted two instances in the 43-17 loss in Wellington where he thought the French were short-changed. He said All Black Jordie Barrett had entered a ruck illegally in the second half as the French set up a maul and rumbled over the line, only for the ball to be held up. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Up to 30% of aviation jobs would have to be redesigned because of AI, automation: CAAS Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore "Clearly, Barrett enters in an offside position, on the side. For me, that's a penalty try and a yellow card." He also took umbrage with an interception by All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane which stopped a French attack on the try-line near the right corner. "When he intercepts the ball on Leo Barre's last pass ... he is off-side the whole time. There is a penalty try and a yellow card. "I'm happy for there to be that difference in the score, but that's two tries and two yellow cards." Reuters has contacted global governing body World Rugby, which appoints test referees, for comment. REUTERS
The Star
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Understrength French an unwelcome 'deja vu' in New Zealand
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - France v New Zealand - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - November 16, 2024 France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey in action with New Zealand's Sevu Reece REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo (Reuters) -An understrength and unapologetic France kick off their three-test tour of New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, offering a Gallic shrug to a host nation raging at the absence of some of the Six Nations champions' top players. France coach Fabien Galthie picked 17 uncapped players in his squad of 37, with a slew of senior figures rested from the Dunedin opener due to the Top 14 championship match last Saturday. Galthie may reinforce his Gael Fickou-captained squad for the final tests in Wellington and Hamilton with up to five players from the Top 14 finalists, Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles. That could bring fullback Thomas Ramos, lock Thibaud Flament and wingers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey into the mix. But flyhalf Romain Ntamack is unlikely to feature after having knee surgery in the wake of Toulouse's triumph, while scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has been sidelined with an ACL injury since the Six Nations in March. They would add to an absentee list which includes loose forwards Gregory Alldritt and Paul Boudehent, and prop Jean-Baptiste Gros. Injuries and calendar constraints notwithstanding, the B-squad has been viewed dimly in New Zealand, seven years after a similarly depleted France were trounced 3-0 on their last tour. "I'm really disappointed with the way the French always seem to come up with excuses to not bring their top players," former All Blacks halfback and TV pundit Justin Marshall fumed on Sky Sports. "Our fans deserve to see their best players playing in our country against our All Blacks because we do that in November to them." Galthie has said he had no other solution than to pick a developmental squad. "I think that's pretty clear. Or the New Zealanders will have to help us reinvent a national calendar," he told a press conference last month. 'TRUST OURSELVES' New Zealand Rugby might like the idea of tweaking the calendar but can only hope that a contest is served up and fans will not feel short-changed. In 2018, Steve Hansen's All Blacks humiliated the French with a combined scoreline of 127-38 from the three tests at Eden Park, Wellington and Dunedin. France have not won in New Zealand since a famous 27-22 win at the old Carisbrook ground in Dunedin. They may struggle to break the losing streak on this tour against an All Blacks outfit keen to make a statement halfway through the World Cup cycle. Coach Scott Robertson has been at pains to warn his squad to avoid complacency, having tasted defeat in a 30-29 classic at Stade de France last November, the All Blacks' third successive loss to Les Bleus. While he has lost a couple of key soldiers with injuries to prop Taimati Williams and loose forward Wallace Sititi, Robertson will hope 'next-gen' talents can make strides. Cameron Roigard and Cortez Ratima are fighting for the starting scrumhalf slot and one-test Wellington Hurricane Ruben Love is looking to make his mark at fullback. Overall, though, the squad captained by lock Scott Barrett is seasoned and familiar. Only five uncapped players have been given a chance, including Wellington Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi and Waikato Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister. Playmakers Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie will resume their running battle for the number 10 shirt, with the loser likely to be deployed at fullback. "The biggest thing (for us) is we respect (France) with our preparation and understand those strengths," Robertson said on Monday. "We have been together for a year and our cohesion is high and we trust ourselves." (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Understrength French an unwelcome 'deja vu' in New Zealand
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - France v New Zealand - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - November 16, 2024 France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey in action with New Zealand's Sevu Reece REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo An understrength and unapologetic France kick off their three-test tour of New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, offering a Gallic shrug to a host nation raging at the absence of some of the Six Nations champions' top players. France coach Fabien Galthie picked 17 uncapped players in his squad of 37, with a slew of senior figures rested from the Dunedin opener due to the Top 14 championship match last Saturday. Galthie may reinforce his Gael Fickou-captained squad for the final tests in Wellington and Hamilton with up to five players from the Top 14 finalists, Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles. That could bring fullback Thomas Ramos, lock Thibaud Flament and wingers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey into the mix. But flyhalf Romain Ntamack is unlikely to feature after having knee surgery in the wake of Toulouse's triumph, while scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has been sidelined with an ACL injury since the Six Nations in March. They would add to an absentee list which includes loose forwards Gregory Alldritt and Paul Boudehent, and prop Jean-Baptiste Gros. Injuries and calendar constraints notwithstanding, the B-squad has been viewed dimly in New Zealand, seven years after a similarly depleted France were trounced 3-0 on their last tour. "I'm really disappointed with the way the French always seem to come up with excuses to not bring their top players," former All Blacks halfback and TV pundit Justin Marshall fumed on Sky Sports. "Our fans deserve to see their best players playing in our country against our All Blacks because we do that in November to them." Galthie has said he had no other solution than to pick a developmental squad. "I think that's pretty clear. Or the New Zealanders will have to help us reinvent a national calendar," he told a press conference last month. 'TRUST OURSELVES' New Zealand Rugby might like the idea of tweaking the calendar but can only hope that a contest is served up and fans will not feel short-changed. In 2018, Steve Hansen's All Blacks humiliated the French with a combined scoreline of 127-38 from the three tests at Eden Park, Wellington and Dunedin. France have not won in New Zealand since a famous 27-22 win at the old Carisbrook ground in Dunedin. They may struggle to break the losing streak on this tour against an All Blacks outfit keen to make a statement halfway through the World Cup cycle. Coach Scott Robertson has been at pains to warn his squad to avoid complacency, having tasted defeat in a 30-29 classic at Stade de France last November, the All Blacks' third successive loss to Les Bleus. While he has lost a couple of key soldiers with injuries to prop Taimati Williams and loose forward Wallace Sititi, Robertson will hope 'next-gen' talents can make strides. Cameron Roigard and Cortez Ratima are fighting for the starting scrumhalf slot and one-test Wellington Hurricane Ruben Love is looking to make his mark at fullback. Overall, though, the squad captained by lock Scott Barrett is seasoned and familiar. Only five uncapped players have been given a chance, including Wellington Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi and Waikato Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister. Playmakers Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie will resume their running battle for the number 10 shirt, with the loser likely to be deployed at fullback. "The biggest thing (for us) is we respect (France) with our preparation and understand those strengths," Robertson said on Monday. "We have been together for a year and our cohesion is high and we trust ourselves." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Wales Online
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
All Black launches live TV rant at 'disrespectful' France
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info All Blacks legend Justin Marshall has heavily criticised France for sending a vastly underpowered squad to New Zealand this summer. The average age of the French squad is just over 25, with head coach Fabien Galthie deciding to leave out 20 'premium' internationals for the Test series against the All Blacks. That means the likes of Romain Ntamack, Damien Penaud and Gregory Alldritt will be staying at home this summer. Speaking on Sky Sports New Zealand's 'Breakdown' show, Marshall labelled their decision to leave out key players as "complete BS". The French Rugby Federation (FFR) and National Rugby League (LNR), who are in charge of the clubs, agreed in October last year that players who feature in the Top 14 final cannot take part in the mid-year internationals. This was an amendment to Galthie's premium player policy that rested players key to the national set-up, regardless of where they finished. With Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles taking part in the Top 14 final last weekend, that means a large chunk of elite French players could not be selected for the summer's tour. "To be honest, I'm really disappointed, the way the side that the French have brought is clearly underpowered, the average age of 25 ,the average number of caps is 9.3," Marshall told The Breakdown on Sky Sports. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. "This is a side that has a very little amount of experience and then at the end of the day, 49% of the players have got no caps at all. So it's a development team with a few senior players involved. "In my mind, it's complete BS the way that they're treating this tour, the way that the French always seem to have come up with excuses to not bring their top players, I feel they disrespect the international window. "I'm not going to say that it's not going to be a contest out there, but our fans deserve to see their best players playing in our country against our All Blacks because we do that in November to them, we send our very best players for filling their stadiums and giving the fans the best experience they can get by seeing the best players in the world. "They are not doing that and if they keep doing this, which is quite regular for them, just don't invite them. We'll play someone else, it's still going to be a good series, and they'll be competitive, and they've got depth. "But the reality is, they've left 70% of their best players in France, and I just don't feel that that is within the decency and the respect of the game." Watch the clip below. Speaking to L'Equipe, Galthie clarified why France do this. "We follow a hundred players. But above all we have identified a 'premium' group of 20 players," he said. "We want them to have consistent development. We want to work hand-in-hand with the league and the clubs. Our goal is for players to be able to give the best of themselves in the French team, but also in club. We want to go further while taking into account the challenges of the clubs. "Players will benefit from four mandatory weeks off and four weeks without matches." Galthie also argues that northern hemisphere players take part in seven or more games than their southern hemisphere counter-parts, which means Les Bleus feel they must manage the workload to avoid injury. (Image: (Photo by)) Conversely, French players reportedly do not agree with this policy, and view a tour New Zealand as a unique opportunity. "He's run into some real opposition over that from his own players," commentator Tony Johnson told Sport Nation's Afternoons with Staffy. "They want to come on this tour. They still see a series in New Zealand against the All Blacks as one of the ultimate challenges in rugby - perhaps the ultimate challenge outside of the World Cup." When this system was implemented by France in October, New Zealand Rugby even asked World Rugby for clarity around the rules, with regulation nine stating that players must be made available for international windows.
