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Galthie has finally spoken about Mohamed Haouas' recent conviction

(Photo by Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)

France boss Fabien Galthie has ruled Mohamed Haouas out of selection for the upcoming Rugby World Cup following his court conviction last week in Montpellier. The 29-year-old was handed a one-year jail sentence for hitting his wife in public.

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He told a court that he had lost control when he saw his wife smoking at the shopping centre where she worked, after telling him she had given up.

The court did not follow the recommendations of the prosecution, who had called for the prop to face 18 months in prison, beginning immediately. Instead, Haouas is currently free while he launches an appeal, or he could wear an electronic tag.

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In the meantime, the fallout for his rugby career has been savage. The front-rower was due to join Clermont on a three-year deal this summer, but they have now ripped up that contract leaving him clubless.

A French rugby federation statement explained that Les Bleus head coach Galthie would address the Haouas case on June 7 at a two-day preliminary training camp which marked the start of pre-season preparations for Rugby World Cup 2023.

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As promised, Galthie took questions at his media briefing and Haouas, who has won all 16 of his Test caps under the coach, is now officially out of the running for World Cup selection. Asked for his view about the forward being convicted of an act of domestic violence, Galthie said: “Last week, I called him.

“I listened to him and told him that he would not be selected. He replied that he understood and apologised to the players and the staff.”

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Asked if this selection unavailability extended beyond the upcoming finals, Galthie replied: “The competition we are interested in is the World Cup.

“I didn’t survey my players (about the decision) but we exchanged a lot, yes,” he added. “What they said, I will keep to myself. But what is happening to Momo Haouas is not good news for him or for us.”

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1 Comment
C
Colin 513 days ago

Should be banned sine die, guy's a nutter.

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AM 11 minutes ago
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That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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