France World Cup preview
October 12th 2008 09:30
Justin Murphy will be a key for the French
France and history go together well. They seem made for each other and this is why the French are one of the most culturally significant nations in the world - even in Rugby League.
Whether it be luring former NRL superstars Sonny Bill Williams, Mark Gasnier and Jason Ryles for big cash, the French always seem involved in everything.
NRL foundation club the Sydney Roosters come to mind when talking about the influence French League has had over this part of the world.
The Roosters changed their playing strip during the mid nineties to a V style, modelled on the popular and entertaining French teams (who also wore red, white and blue) that visited Australia in the '50s and '60s.
Indeed Easts became officially known as 'The Roosters' once the new jerseys took the field. According to the players it was because of the 'Le coq' badge on the French jersey.
While their influence over one famous NRL club in Australia has been paramount to say the least, the French will visit Australian shores to perhaps create some history of their own in this years League World Cup.
Although not as powerful as the likes of Australia, New Zealand and England, the French should not be discounted. They have played in every League World Cup since its induction in 1954 and were runners up in the same year. Their last final though was way back in 1968.
Despite never winning a World Cup, France have shown enough in the past to suggest they will be no pushovers come late October.
During the early '50s and '70s, the French more than held their own against the likes of Australia, more often than not registering wins over their heavyweight counterpart.
Recently however, French Rugby League has not faired so well.
1995 was the low point for France, losing every game in the League World Cup and casting its national team into oblivion.
Just when the life of French League was dying away, the Engage Super League threw in a lifeline in the form of Perpignan based club, the "Catalans Dragons''.
Since their inception back to mainstream competition, French League has enjoyed a massive revival and the national team now sits at no.5 in the world rankings, behind Tonga and the big three that are favoured to dominate the 2008 league World Cup.
France are now even in the World Four Nations Rugby league Tournament, which will see them compete against England, New Zealand and Australia on a consistent basis starting in 2009.
Their current squad for the 2008 world cup is not bad, but is nothing that could potentially set their League campaign alight.
One player on their roster that could cause damage is Catalans Dragons winger Justin Murphy.
When he moved from the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the 2004 NRL season, Murphy would find himself in France, via English club Widnes, playing League in a nation that really just wasn't interested.
But in his first season with the Dragons, Murphy finished as Top try-scorer in Super League XI with 26 tries and also made the Super League "Dream Team" despite his side finishing at the bottom of the table.
Murphy's performances for the French outfit atleast generated some interest in League, mainly in the south of France.
Indeed the French will need more than Murphy's try scoring ability if they are to progress far against their more fancied opponents.
But compared to twenty or so years ago, France will fancy their chances in this years world cup.
Head coach of the ‘Les Tricolores’ Australian John Monie, has a team capable of casting French League back to the superpower it once was.
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