Sebastien Chabal hunts down Ian Balshaw

Simply put, everyone loves Sebastien Chabal. The big guy is currently one of the most recognisable figures in world rugby, particularly after the World Cup in France in which fans were flocking to see the big caveman and his flowing locks in action.

After the Six Nations kicked off last weekend, it seems that simply put, everyone dislikes Ian Balshaw.

Balshaw was a bit of a surprise selection at fullback for England and coach Brian Ashton has taken quite a bit of heat about for it.

With that in mind, I'm posting this clip of Chabal hunting down Balshaw early last year when Sale took on Gloucester. Chabal's hit is pretty late and he gives away a penalty, but I figured some of the anti-Balshaw brigade and the Chabal fans would enjoy this one.

Exclusive: Check out the latest rugby caveman here in these new pics from pre-season training.

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WC07 Defining Moments - Leguizamon smashes Chabal

I've chosen this as a defining moment not because it changed the outcome of the tournament as such. What it did show however is the Argentinian attitude towards the French, and perhaps all opponents they came up against.

By not giving an inch and fronting up to the big men, Argentina showed that there is perhaps no place for intimidation in rugby anymore. This attitude combined with some exceptionally talented players got them to their prestigious third place in the tournament.

The tackle itself is questionable, and Leguizamon did get carded for it. It's up for debate though as some people will say he used his arms and others will say it was a definate shoulder. Sebastien Chabal also looked to perform somewhat of a spectacularly exagerated dive after contact.

There's no doubt it was a massive hit either way, and for sticking the iconic hard man of French rugby on his backside, this will be a 2007 World Cup moment thats lasts in the memory for years to come.

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Sebastien Chabal doesnt want to speak English

One of the most talked about players at this years World Cup, Sebastien Chabal comes up with this classic line in a recent press conference.

Some people will say this shows pure arrogance. I personally think it's pure comedy.

A great moment from the World Cup.

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Sebastien Chabal's two great tries against Namibia

Two tries by Sebastien Chabal helped France achieve a 87-10 victory over Namibia in Toulousse on sunday evening.

With a French crowd baying for blood if the home team didn't perform, the hosts came out firing and totally demolished a Namibian team that were down to 14 men after the 19th minute.

Chabal started this match in the second row and showed what a valuable asset he is to the team with his agility and awareness of space. He took some good lineout balls as well as bashed it up well.

The first of his two tries came when France were awarded a penalty close to the line, and some quick thinking from scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde put in a neat crosskick for Chabal to collect and fall over the line.

The second of his tries put the first one to shame. It came from a close to 60m penalty kick attempt from the Namibian fullback Loster. The kick fell short, and France returned the ball with interest, rapidly getting up to the halfway line and creating fast second phase ball.

After swinging it wide, the big caveman received the ball well inside his own half and took off, sniping through the tiniest of gaps and showing superb acceleration that I, for one, didn't know he possessed.

Leaving the Namibian's for dead and brushing off three would be tacklers, he charged over the line for what for me is already one of the best tries of the tournament.

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Sebastien Chabal hit hard & high - red card

Seabass started at lock on sunday night in the mismatched game between hosts France and Namibia, once again showing his versatility and giving more options to French coach Bernard Laporte.

Chabal is not someone who goes unnoticed on the rugby field though, as he poses a threat whenever he has ball in hand, purely because of his strength, aggresion and as you'll see later, speed.

So when he got the ball in a little space, Namibian eighth man Jacques Nieuwenhuis wasn't taking any chances. He swooped on Chabal and hit him hard and high, resulting in the Frenchman being left in a daze on the floor. Referee Alain Roland promptly issued the straight red, and Namibia had to play the rest of the game with 14 men, which probably contributed to them going down 87-10.

Nieuwenhuis was warned a couple of times before that, but to give him a straight red clearly meant that Roland viewed his intent as deliberate and a direct attack on Chabal. And he was probably right.

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Jerry Collins nails Chabal

Hard man Jerry Collins give Sebastien Chabal some of his own medicine with this hit during the second test between France and the All Blacks. Notice how quickly Chabal tries to get rid of it when he sees Collins coming. I don't blame him. Apparently Jerry has the biggest biceps in the All Black squad, measuring in at 52cm (21 inches).

Not a massive hit, but pretty decent nonetheless.

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Ali Williams breaks his jaw from Sebastien Chabal charge

From the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand...France's big number8 has a go at Ali Williams. Williams broke his jaw in several places while attempting to make this tackle.

Williams was operated on yesterday and is expected to miss the Tri-Nations. This means that the All Blacks lock supply is running low.

Both Eaton and Ryan out with severe knee problems. Keith Robinson hurt his calf in the warm-up of this game. And now Ali and his jaw. Ross Filipo and Greg Rawlinson have been called up.

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All Blacks vs France - Auckland

New Zealand scored five tries to beat France in what was an average performance from the hosts with Les Bleus showing plenty of courage throughout the match at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

The All Blacks were far from perfect, and will be hoping for a better performance against the French this weekend in Wellington.

That said, a win is a win, and the final score of 42-11 is satisfactory. The highlights of the match in my mind being the memorable haka and of course that textbook tackle by Chabal.


Time: 04:16

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Sébastien Chabal hammers Chris Masoe

From this weekends match between France and New Zealand, a massive hit by the big French number eight against leave Chris Masoe a little dazed to say the least. Huge impact on the All Black players head as he hits the ground.

Best thing about this massive hit was that it was 100% legal. Lined him up beautifully and nailed him.

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