Expert Witness: Brian Liebenberg on the Six Nations finale

Colin Newboult
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With the final game of the Six Nations upon us, we welcome back one of our regular Expert Witnesses to Planet Rugby, former France centre Brian Liebenberg, to preview Les Bleus’ rearranged encounter with Scotland.

Lost for words

With France coming back to win in the final moments of one of the greatest games witnessed in Six Nations’ history, the one remaining fixture of the 2021 tournament sees them host Scotland.

The mathematics are simple; they need to win by 21 points and secure a try bonus-point to claim the championship from Wales on points difference, a challenge that, against an improving Scottish side, is quite monumental.

Liebenberg believes that France have turned a corner last weekend and that leadership was at the core of the win.

“This was a landmark win for the team, make no mistake about that. It’s a last gasp, 80-minute performance where France took the game to the wire, with immense control and with incredible conviction,” he said.

“At the heart of this was one of the finest individual performances I’ve seen in many years from Charles Ollivon, someone we already know is a world-class player, but on Saturday he transcended even his own high standards and put in a display that was, at times, quite staggering in its intensity and purpose. In short, he is destined to be a true great of the sport and nobody is more deserving than he is, with a huge work ethic, a great rugby brain and a humble outlook on life.

“This is ‘Charley’s’ team, make no mistake about that. It has his DNA throughout and the self-belief and accuracy he demanded from his team was out of the highest drawer imaginable and he’s supported with brilliant leadership elsewhere, notably by the leader of the defence, Gael Fickou and his back-row partner, Gregory Alldritt.”

The final cut

“Wales were desperately unlucky, and I feel for them – they’re a proud and talented side led by an icon in Alun Wyn Jones. Although I feel it was correct from the replays I have seen, Luke Pearce’s call to ping Cory Hill for sealing off in the last minute was rather punchy, to say the least!” joked Liebenberg.

“I also feel Wayne Pivac made a big error when he pulled off something near 400 caps’ worth of players at the 69-minute mark. The Test match was bubbling at that point and it’s very hard to get up to match pace in 11 minutes, and I feel that Wales lost a lot of solidity when he made that move.

“Conversely, Fabien Galthie had come in for a lot of stick for not using his bench in the England game and he went early with some big replacement calls which paid off, notably flank Anthony Jelonch who had an outstanding 20 minutes carrying direct and deep into contact. I feel Pivac saw that the fresh legs were allowing France to gain some momentum and sent the replacements on to counter and that backfired on him.

“My final point on those last few minutes was the sheer rugby intelligence we saw from Ollivon and his team; their ability to retain through phases was exceptional and the Romain Ntamack conversion in 12 seconds to allow France another bite at the deficit. All of these shows that the leadership and confidence are really starting to come through.”

High hopes

“Scotland were great value in their win against Italy, but I note that my old teammate Gregor Townsend has gone quite conservative in his centre combinations by swapping the running brilliance of Huw Jones for the rather more defensive presence of Chris Harris. That certainly sends a message to all that Scotland are coming to rain on France’s parade,” Liebenberg said.

“But on the flip side, Finn Russell, who obviously has a deep knowledge of French rugby, is there to ignite a spark in midfield. I do believe that Harris has been brought in to solidify that midfield channel and to allow Finn to perform with defensive certainty around him.

“The Ntamack/Russell tussle is a rugby fan’s dream; Romain comes into the game under huge personal pressure with the injured Matthieu Jalibert probably now just ahead of him as the number one fly-half for France and he’ll be doing everything he can to claim that starting berth back. A feature of his play is his ability to take the ball to the point of traffic and offload to the carriers, something that really hurt Wales at the end of the match last weekend.

“France have recalled Arthur Vincent and pushed Fickou out one into the wing position. Vincent is direct but still a very attacking player and I see his selection as creating a focus for others to run off second and third phase into a scramble defence.

“But in regard to match-ups, the big one is in the back-row. ‘Captain Fantastique’ Ollivon versus the little Braveheart Hamish Watson, who has been a pocket-sized giant for Scotland this year.

“With France aligning their back-row as left and right, rather than open and blind, and with Ollivon more of ‘le carrier’ than Jelonch, who will be ‘le grattoir’ (scratcher or openside), for the simple fan both Watson and Ollivon are wearing seven and it’s their head-to-head that will be crucial in deciding the match.

“Watson reminds me greatly of Neil Back; he punches so far above his weight it’s untrue and he’s tirelessly hitting rucks, carrying into contact and making a general nuisance of himself. He’s living proof that size doesn’t matter, and the contrast in styles between the running and set-piece brilliance of Ollivon versus the nuggety aggression of Watson will be one to relish.”

A great day

“I am absolutely looking forward to what should be a great day for the tournament. I am confident France will win, but this is a test of just how good they are and how much belief they have. If they can shut Scotland out and do the business at the other end of the pitch to make a points difference of 21, that will send a shockwave around the rugby world and put so much confidence into this group of players for their hosting of the 2023 World Cup,” he added.

“When you also recall that Scotland also ruined France’s Grand Slam hopes last season at Murrayfield, you’ll see just how spicy this clash will be.

“It’s truly tough to call a win by 21 points, and I do believe that France will have their work cut out in the scrum and breakdown if they’re to take the Championship.

“My head says France by 12 but my heart hopes they double that. Let’s hope for a match of excellence that’s as entertaining as the last couple we’ve seen from Les Bleus.”

We thank Brian for his time.

Brian Liebenberg was a powerful centre in the colours of Stade Français and France, whom he represented in the 2003 RWC. With five international tries from 12 caps, he was noted for his physicality and handling skills. Brian now works in rugby product development and is the owner and inventor of www.playball.fr a coaching and educational tool for youngsters.

James While

 

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