France V Australia U/23’s. (Thats the full French team)

[Abicus]

Not sure if this had a thread here but Mal Meninga has willed the Australian U/23’s into existence replacing the U/18’s.

This new side will play its first match against the um, French National side at 3pm 25 October 2019 (AEST time) in Wollongong as part of a Triple Header that has Australia v New Zealand in the men’s and women’s.

So, has anyone told France they they are playing this Test?

If so, why would they agree to play what is essentially Australia A instead of, say, Tonga or PNG?

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Wow. Seems very much in the down low. 

Why would France travel all the way to Australia to play a junior side?

[Man of Kent]

Good to see France touring Down Under even if it’s just Australia ‘Knights’.

[Hvy wg]

What???? 

First time hearing this. The French u19 are down under but the senior squad is nowhere near. 

[The Future is League]

12 minutes ago, Hvy wg said:

What???? 

First time hearing this. The French u19 are down under but the senior squad is nowhere near. 

That's what i thought

[Abicus]

https://wsec.com.au/event/aus-v-nz-rugby-league-test-2019

This is WIN Stadium site with the full itinerary for the match.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-2019-mal-meninga-reveals-plans-for-new-u23-kangaroos-concept/18esf7oh0tpxp14bvb8trxxlrd

An article covering the Australian Juniors concept.

http://westernrams.com.au/2019/07/14/western-rams-to-play-france-in-parkes/

France are also playing the Western Rams on Wednesday 30 October in Parkes. This is intended to be a farewell match following the World 9's that takes place from 18-19 October.

 

So,

France will play in the World 9's (Oct 18-19), against Australia Juniors (Oct 25) then the regional Western Rams team (Oct 30).

[DoubleD]

It will be good experience for them regardless and pleased that they’re playing some internationals than none! 

It will be interesting to see the make up of the side as aren’t they also playing in the European championship over here at the same time?

[Oliver Clothesoff]

Australia A will still be streets ahead of anything the French can muster together. You 

[Damien]

My money would be on Australia u23s if they have their top players available

[Pulga]

International rugby league keeps getting better.

 

This is damaging to France's brand and, like the Lions tour don't count towards world rankings.

[Yakstorm]

The FFRXIII, CRL and Asia Pacific RL have all said that the match between the Western Rams and French team is against the Federation of Francais XIII team, not the Les Chanticleers.

From everything I've seen it will be the same Federation of Francais XIII team, not Les Chanticleers playing Australia U23s, so in short it is nothing more than Aus U23's v France A.  All in all, a good development opportunity for both nations, and doesn't impact the French brand at all.

[Damien]

1 hour ago, Pulga said:

International rugby league keeps getting better.

 

This is damaging to France's brand and, like the Lions tour don't count towards world rankings.

It would be damaging if the French had much of a brand in the first place. Their best players being often unavailable and showing little effort when they do play has done more damage than anything.

[JonM]

It will be about as representative as the "England" team playing in the World 9's, I would think.

[Themusician_2]

Will it be live streamed?

[Hvy wg]

The team france is gonna field at the 9s is almost a joke. 

Most of the Catalans players won't play, Fages and Escare neither. 

We are clueless when it comes to international rugby. 

[Man of Kent]

Day 2 of the World Nines will be on Sky Sports Main Event. 20 games and more than 10 hours of coverage.

 

[barnyia]

It's east v west here in Sunday as a trial match for the French team, even though the elite  season does not start until mid November 

[Mattrhino]

1 hour ago, Hvy wg said:

The team france is gonna field at the 9s is almost a joke. 

Most of the Catalans players won't play, Fages and Escare neither. 

We are clueless when it comes to international rugby. 

To be fair no top union players play in the 7s comp no one complains. 

[Hvy wg]

4 hours ago, Mattrhino said:

To be fair no top union players play in the 7s comp no one complains. 

Because they have players that train all year long for 7s. 

[Mattrhino]

15 hours ago, Hvy wg said:

Because they have players that train all year long for 7s. 

They are still players not good enough to play top class club or international rugby or otherwise they would not be playing sevens. 

[Sports Prophet]

Is there any great incentive for French players to make this tour?

A bit of giggle in the 9s and astonishingly no test matches. I don’t begrudge any French player staying at home and lengthening their off season.

[EastLondonMike]

Didn't England Knights play France previously? not sure a game against the Aussie U23's carries any less prestige (for want of a better word).
It will do France no favours whatever though. They'll get absolutely murdered in this game and the 9's.

[Hvy wg]

6 hours ago, EastLondonMike said:

Didn't England Knights play France previously? not sure a game against the Aussie U23's carries any less prestige (for want of a better word).
It will do France no favours whatever though. They'll get absolutely murdered in this game and the 9's.

The problem is the game is so weak France can't play anyone. 

England, Australia and NZ kill us in 20mins. The rest can't field a team in a non world cup year. 

In union the lesser sides can always play Italy, Georgia, Russia or Uruguay. 

[TboneFromTO]

A games a game I guess?

Oz by 16!

[Copa]

9 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

 

Is there any great incentive for French players to make this tour?

Well yeah.. they get to play the sport they love in the best purpose built rugby league stadium on earth, in one of the biggest rugby league heartlands, in the biggest RL country on earth.