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Duo Enjoy French Renaissance at Manly

Duo Enjoy French Renaissance at Manly

Peter Bowers, August 1, 2012

Two Frenchmen (well . . . actually . . . Manly-men who've been playing in France) greatly contributed to Saturday's exciting victory over Uni.

Second-rower Ed Gower and winger Lui Siale have played for Manly the last few weeks after seasons in France.

Siale had been running the water for a few weeks but has now been released of his contract with the French Federation.

"The French people love to take their time," he said.

Both players enjoyed their time in France and hope to play there again next year.

Gower described French rugby: "There's a lot more forwards-orientated plays where it's a lot more bashing, a lot more winning the ball and then kicking down field."

But the biggest difference may well be the language.

"Sometimes I forget to speak French [in a game]. . . I'm speaking English and their looking at me going, 'we don't understand'," Siale said.

At least once last year there was someone on the field who understood.

Gower said: "I was lucky enough . . . to play against him [Siale] while I was over there . . . I think they got us."

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