Wales V Japan

[stud muffin]

Wales: Liam Williams; Leigh Halfpenny Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert; Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), James King.

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Keelan Giles

Sam Warburton will captain a Wales team showing 10 changes from the win over Argentina when they play Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

[Mikey Brown]

When did Halfpenny last play wing?

[Sourdust]

Everyone and his wife said "I wouldn't recommend wholesale changes"... just 10, then.

Of course games like this are lose/lose for fringe players; you were either "only good against Japan" or "not even any good against Japan". But at least for young, uncapped squad members it's a foot on the ladder. What on Earth anyone gains - himself included - by Cuthbert's inclusion is a mystery to me. The same could also be said of Roberts, unless he's been given a new "chuck it around" brief. Let's face it; he hasn't.

The pack changes seem sensible enough, though.

I'm agnostic on the Williams/½p situation. Part of me suspects that we lose more of ½p on the wing than we gain from Sanjay at the back. But I might be wrong. ½p might even start attacking again. Well, I can dream...

[Sandydragon]

Im a bit surprised that Scott Williams has been dispensed with so soon. Is he perhaps rested for next weekend, or does Howley think that the inclusion of Anscombe will provide enough creativity to bring back Roberts?

Andrews on the bench must just be to give Francis a rest. Cuthbert is a bit of a mystery. Im also a bit surprised at the return of Lydiate, unless of course the plan is for Lydiate, Warburton and Moriarty to start against the Bokke, so this is a game time ploy.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales: Liam Williams; Leigh Halfpenny Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert; Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), James King.

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Keelan Giles

Sam Warburton will captain a Wales team showing 10 changes from the win over Argentina when they play Japan in Cardiff on Saturday.

I'm pleased that Liam and Leigh have been switched - Howley listens to the fans!

I'd refer to see Giles starting, but I guess it's fairly sensible to just have him as a sub for his first game. Unfortunately, though this gives us Cuthbert, and this seems like a waste to me. I'd rather see almost any of the up and coming wingers eg Walker, Steff Evans, Hewitt or of course Giles.

My preference would be for Sam Davies to start, so I hope he gets subbed on early in the second half.

Also surprised to see Scott dropped, surely he needs another game with JD2?

The others I'm reasonably happy with, some of them needed a rest. Clearly AWJ and Warburton could do with more time, so it's good for them to start.

[ALunpg]

Everyone and his wife said "I wouldn't recommend wholesale changes"... just 10, then.

Of course games like this are lose/lose for fringe players; you were either "only good against Japan" or "not even any good against Japan". But at least for young, uncapped squad members it's a foot on the ladder. What on Earth anyone gains - himself included - by Cuthbert's inclusion is a mystery to me. The same could also be said of Roberts, unless he's been given a new "chuck it around" brief. Let's face it; he hasn't.

The pack changes seem sensible enough, though.

I'm agnostic on the Williams/½p situation. Part of me suspects that we lose more of ½p on the wing than we gain from Sanjay at the back. But I might be wrong. ½p might even start attacking again. Well, I can dream...

Last chance saloon for Cuthbert ..only because Amos is out till after the 6N. The only redeeming thought is that Giles does not have to start..give him a chance on his first match.

JR should be given this chance to redeem himself .. and with the frequency of centre injuries for Wales we may need him.I dont think its anything negative against Scott.

I agree with you on 1/2p and Liam I am non commital....but lets give it a shot..it may just be the key to unlock things .

Interesting to see Cory Hill in ,will be good to look at him at this level Also James King... he always is under my observation radar...hope he does well.

Last I had hoped Dacey would get a start...but if not ..give him a chance to show in the match hopefully.
It will certainly interesting....

[Sandydragon]

IM feeling a bit pessimistic. I feel that we will have too much for Japan, and Anscombe/Davies will bring some creativity to our midfield. That means that Biggar will return against the Bokke, with Roberts and JD2 which will result in a return to Warrenball v2 and another lack of anything remotely like creativity.

It usually takes a bit longer for the pre-match pessimism to kick in, but I feel like we are wasting time at the moment.

[Son of Mathonwy]

IM feeling a bit pessimistic. I feel that we will have too much for Japan, and Anscombe/Davies will bring some creativity to our midfield. That means that Biggar will return against the Bokke, with Roberts and JD2 which will result in a return to Warrenball v2 and another lack of anything remotely like creativity.

It usually takes a bit longer for the pre-match pessimism to kick in, but I feel like we are wasting time at the moment.

Agreed, I fully expect a return to the usual selections for SA.

We probably won't beat the Bokke but it's unlikely to be the trouncing we got from Australia, so "something to build on" with some "lessons to learn" for 2017.

I can almost see the boys' anguished, tired faces and Warburton telling us how we're not happy with a close loss etc etc etc etc etc etc

Howley will go on. (Only a loss to Japan would cast any doubt on that)


The only glimmer of optimism I feel is that maybe, just maybe the Liam/Leigh switch will work stunningly well or that Sam Davies or Keelan Giles will have amazing games and really put their hands up for future selection.

[morepork]

Wales Vs. Boks could be a horribly turgid affair with lots of bad kicking and lots of running straight into each other.

[joshfishkins]

Wales Vs. Boks could be a horribly turgid affair with lots of bad kicking and lots of running straight into each other.

You forgot to add 'with Wales winning until minute 79.9'.

[ALunpg]

I honestly think Williams/ Davies will be the starters against SA.

If we go back to 2008 Gatland wanted Henson at 12 ... but has never really replaced him with a ball playing 12 and until now ..maybe that was right ....but honestly if it is not done now and Williams given a few matches ..then we should be up in arms.

My thought is IF Howley plays JR in the SA match and Wales lose ..he will get it in the neck big big time and pressure will mount IF he does not play JR and we lose... then he will survive...just.

As for Anscombe, I really look forward to see a quality performance . .because this is his chance to shine with no Biggar on the bench.
Gatland wants him to perform..thats why he was brought here so lets see what he can do , if he does then great..bring it on .

[bruce]

Jesus Christ, Cuthbert?! I'm predicting at least 2 Japanese tries run in down his wing.

Looking forward to see how the front row go. Back row looks about as dull as it gets without being English.

[Cartman]

Wales Vs. Boks could be a horribly turgid affair with lots of bad kicking and lots of running straight into each other.

Rugby League style.

[Sourdust]

I'm not a big Anscombe fan but I do accept that he's had very limited opportunities and - like Biggar before him - has waited long enough.

I'd like to see* him and Sam have a half each (or maybe 50/30) and whoever impresses most gets to start against the Boks with Biggar on the bench.

*(This will not happen)

[Sandydragon]

I honestly think Williams/ Davies will be the starters against SA.

If we go back to 2008 Gatland wanted Henson at 12 ... but has never really replaced him with a ball playing 12 and until now ..maybe that was right ....but honestly if it is not done now and Williams given a few matches ..then we should be up in arms.

My thought is IF Howley plays JR in the SA match and Wales lose ..he will get it in the neck big big time and pressure will mount IF he does not play JR and we lose... then he will survive...just.

As for Anscombe, I really look forward to see a quality performance . .because this is his chance to shine with no Biggar on the bench.
Gatland wants him to perform..thats why he was brought here so lets see what he can do , if he does then great..bring it on .

You see, I get your logic.

But, Im sure the management will make an argument about the physicality of the Bokke and the need for defence, hence Lydiate and Warburton on the flanks and Roberts in the centre. And 1/2d back to full back. I suspect it will be all back to normal and if we have a near loss then it will be held up as a brave performance with the boys redeeming themselves.

I really hope I am wrong. Id rather use lose trying to adapt with new players than lose with the same old, same old.

[Sandydragon]

Wales Vs. Boks could be a horribly turgid affair with lots of bad kicking and lots of running straight into each other.

Yup. Heaven forfend that we try something radical like running at space.

[ALunpg]

I honestly think Williams/ Davies will be the starters against SA.

If we go back to 2008 Gatland wanted Henson at 12 ... but has never really replaced him with a ball playing 12 and until now ..maybe that was right ....but honestly if it is not done now and Williams given a few matches ..then we should be up in arms.

My thought is IF Howley plays JR in the SA match and Wales lose ..he will get it in the neck big big time and pressure will mount IF he does not play JR and we lose... then he will survive...just.

As for Anscombe, I really look forward to see a quality performance . .because this is his chance to shine with no Biggar on the bench.
Gatland wants him to perform..thats why he was brought here so lets see what he can do , if he does then great..bring it on .

You see, I get your logic.

But, Im sure the management will make an argument about the physicality of the Bokke and the need for defence, hence Lydiate and Warburton on the flanks and Roberts in the centre. And 1/2d back to full back. I suspect it will be all back to normal and if we have a near loss then it will be held up as a brave performance with the boys redeeming themselves.

I really hope I am wrong. Id rather use lose trying to adapt with new players than lose with the same old, same old.

Your concern is well founded on what has happened before. Development should be happening in the b team ..oh ..we dont have one...hmmmm.Not a fan of losing with no aim either and slinging young new players against SA is imho a mistske.

Japan is a potential look at where we are going as a team. Lets hope it is forward and together.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I honestly think Williams/ Davies will be the starters against SA.

If we go back to 2008 Gatland wanted Henson at 12 ... but has never really replaced him with a ball playing 12 and until now ..maybe that was right ....but honestly if it is not done now and Williams given a few matches ..then we should be up in arms.

My thought is IF Howley plays JR in the SA match and Wales lose ..he will get it in the neck big big time and pressure will mount IF he does not play JR and we lose... then he will survive...just.

As for Anscombe, I really look forward to see a quality performance . .because this is his chance to shine with no Biggar on the bench.
Gatland wants him to perform..thats why he was brought here so lets see what he can do , if he does then great..bring it on .

You see, I get your logic.

But, Im sure the management will make an argument about the physicality of the Bokke and the need for defence, hence Lydiate and Warburton on the flanks and Roberts in the centre. And 1/2d back to full back. I suspect it will be all back to normal and if we have a near loss then it will be held up as a brave performance with the boys redeeming themselves.

I really hope I am wrong. Id rather use lose trying to adapt with new players than lose with the same old, same old.

Your concern is well founded on what has happened before. Development should be happening in the b team ..oh ..we dont have one...hmmmm.Not a fan of losing with no aim either and slinging young new players against SA is imho a mistske.

Japan is a potential look at where we are going as a team. Lets hope it is forward and together.

Lest we forget what George North did on his first ever game... against SA:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 164712.stm

[ALunpg]

Well ...you have to have a few that break the rule ... . Indeed I am well old enough to remember Keith Jarrets brilliant explosion onto the stage against England.

When it goes for the player its great for them and the team....when it doesnt ?. Have we stunted an emerging talent? .how do we manage that outcome ? It just seems left the regions to resolve.

Personally I think Giles could be the reak thing ..but Saturday will tell us more about the young man and I will be happy in this case to be proven totally wrong.

[Graigwen]

I woke up this morning long before dawn with the feeling this was going to be a great game. Back from work with ten minutes to spare I feel the same.



(...ready for the usual dissappointment)

[Ross. S]

FFS!

[Len]

Wales off to a good start. That backline move by Japan was tidy.

[Len]

Good call for just a penalty there. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see yellow for something like that

[Len]

Cuthbert

[Ross. S]

I really do feel sorry for Cuthbert, hes useless in defense and is horribly out of form in attack. I feel the only way we'll be shot of him is if he gets the same treatment Preistland got which will be sad.