Laporte laments losing French players

SEVERAL of the French players who line-up against the All Blacks next Saturday won’t just be playing for their country’s honour but for world cup places, coach Bernard Laporte said.

Laporte was furious with his players after seeing a Gonzalo Quesada drop goal hand Ireland’s world cup opponents Argentina a 33-32 victory in the second test on Friday and seal an historic 2-0 series win.

“It’s clear several players lost ground,” said Laporte, who accused the team that played the Pumas of dragging French rugby back three years.

“Certain players thought they were capable of competing with the first choice players I left behind in France. But now we see why they don’t normally play for France, ” added Laporte.

The coach was scathing about the inability of his backs to kick proper clearances and relieve the pressure on the defence.

“Quesada could kick it 60 metres and into touch while we, at best, could kick it only 18 metres.”

Laporte, who left behind established players so others could stake a claim as squad members for the world cup, made it clear he hadn’t held back in the dressing room after the match. However Laporte was not all doom and gloom as he praised some of the players’ performances.

“Yannick Jauzion was good and Frederic Michalak made a good return to the side despite missing two kicks.

“Jerome Thion (lock) was effective and tidy and didn’t cost us a point while Imanol Harinordoquy was immense in the back row.”