Wales -vs- RSA

[Sourdust]

I don't think Biggar can attack the line well, he never takes the ball up flat, this is the one thing holding him back.

The difference is there to see at the Os when you watch them play with Sam Davies @ 10.

He hasn't for a long time, for club or country. But he used to, that's my point.

I agree entirely about the difference Davies makes to Os. But he's not just a running 10, he has a fine tactical boot on him too. At the moment, all Biggar has on him IMO is defence (a bit better), aerial prowess and place-kicking (a lot better). So I'd be starting Davies with Biggar in reserve in case we get dragged into a scrap, and tell Biggar what he needs to do to get pole position back.

[Sandydragon]

I don't think Biggar can attack the line well, he never takes the ball up flat, this is the one thing holding him back.

The difference is there to see at the Os when you watch them play with Sam Davies @ 10.

He hasn't for a long time, for club or country. But he used to, that's my point.

I agree entirely about the difference Davies makes to Os. But he's not just a running 10, he has a fine tactical boot on him too. At the moment, all Biggar has on him IMO is defence (a bit better), aerial prowess and place-kicking (a lot better). So I'd be starting Davies with Biggar in reserve in case we get dragged into a scrap, and tell Biggar what he needs to do to get pole position back.

Indeed. For Wales, with Halfpenny playing the place kicking point isn't a concern. Defensively Biggar is very good, he even managed a rip on a Bokke forward the other day. Yet, I'd happily reduce that capability if it mean that we had some creativity getting the most out of our backline.

[Numbers]

I don't think Biggar can attack the line well, he never takes the ball up flat, this is the one thing holding him back.

The difference is there to see at the Os when you watch them play with Sam Davies @ 10.

He hasn't for a long time, for club or country. But he used to, that's my point.

I agree entirely about the difference Davies makes to Os. But he's not just a running 10, he has a fine tactical boot on him too. At the moment, all Biggar has on him IMO is defence (a bit better), aerial prowess and place-kicking (a lot better). So I'd be starting Davies with Biggar in reserve in case we get dragged into a scrap, and tell Biggar what he needs to do to get pole position back.

Indeed. For Wales, with Halfpenny playing the place kicking point isn't a concern. Defensively Biggar is very good, he even managed a rip on a Bokke forward the other day. Yet, I'd happily reduce that capability if it mean that we had some creativity getting the most out of our backline.

Yep, not much point turning the ball over if we don't do anything with it.

[Sandydragon]

WHoever plays at half back, we seriously need to improve our skill levels. The current generation just don't have the skill set, or certainly don't display those skills, in comparison to the 2005 era. I'm not advocating a return to harum scarum play, but we do need to acknowledge that the game has (thankfully) moved on from a period where defences were king and teams were too scared to play with the ball. Its great to see offloading coming back, but Ive seen too little evidence of well timed passes this AI, the only exception being between Faletau and Tipuric.

As an aside, if the backrow must contain Warburton and there are concerns over Tips being physical enough, could he play 12 instead? He seems to have the pace, vision and skill set for that role, far more so than most of our centres.

[Son of Mathonwy]

As an aside, if the backrow must contain Warburton and there are concerns over Tips being physical enough, could he play 12 instead? He seems to have the pace, vision and skill set for that role, far more so than most of our centres.

This seems crazy, but it should be given serious consideration given the weakness we have at 12. Tipuric appears to have better skills than most of our backs, so why not?

Big barrier is that with Matavesi the Ospreys do not have a weakness at 12, so Tipuric would not get much opportunity to practice there.

[Numbers]

WHoever plays at half back, we seriously need to improve our skill levels. The current generation just don't have the skill set, or certainly don't display those skills, in comparison to the 2005 era. I'm not advocating a return to harum scarum play, but we do need to acknowledge that the game has (thankfully) moved on from a period where defences were king and teams were too scared to play with the ball. Its great to see offloading coming back, but Ive seen too little evidence of well timed passes this AI, the only exception being between Faletau and Tipuric.

As an aside, if the backrow must contain Warburton and there are concerns over Tips being physical enough, could he play 12 instead? He seems to have the pace, vision and skill set for that role, far more so than most of our centres.

No.

This seems crazy

Yes.

[Sandydragon]

Tongue very much deployed into cheek. Theres no way I would risk the skills Tips brings by moving him to the centres, although I do lament the fact that his skill set is so much more developed than many of our centres.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Tongue very much deployed into cheek. Theres no way I would risk the skills Tips brings by moving him to the centres, although I do lament the fact that his skill set is so much more developed than many of our centres.

Since Tipuric may finally be getting game time at 7 there's no need, but if Howley prefers a back row of Moriarty, Warburton, Faletau we would see Tipuric being wasted again. Hopefully this will not happen.

[Sandydragon]

Tongue very much deployed into cheek. Theres no way I would risk the skills Tips brings by moving him to the centres, although I do lament the fact that his skill set is so much more developed than many of our centres.

Since Tipuric may finally be getting game time at 7 there's no need, but if Howley prefers a back row of Moriarty, Warburton, Faletau we would see Tipuric being wasted again. Hopefully this will not happen.

Or Lydiate with Moriarty on the bench


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[kk67]

This is such a bloody weird feeling. If you'd offered me a 1pt win this morning, I'd have bitten your arm off. If you'd offered 14pts, I'd have just laughed.

Biggest ever win over SA. Biggest win against one of "the big three" in over 40 years. And yet here we all are feeling... meh.

Today was easily our best showing of the autumn; by which I mean we actually looked competent for sustained periods, and even good in brief flashes. But we're still pretty rudderless, lacking in ideas, and frankly boring to watch. It's a good win but in our hearts we know that pretty much any Wales team of 2008-15 would have put 25-35 points on the Boks today. Nothing about this performance changed my dread of the 6N coming up.

We can't really even say "at least we're not SA", because you know that they'll fix this pretty quickly and be humping us again soon. It's Italy next up, and while that's a pretty big banana skin now, at least it gives us a chance of some momentum. Let's hope this win inspires the team more than it does us.

Yeah. There are times when I wonder how good this group of players would be if they were all playing heads up rugby.
I don't think they're rudderless, everyone knows what to do but they collectively lack a bit of imagination.

It was yet another stunning performance from Tips. Sam is a very inspirational skipper but Tipuric has that quality where if he starts to get a sniff of turnover ball, the whole team catches the scent and suddenly it's flies on sh*t.
Such a cool Fella. 100 yard stare, totally ball focused....he plays rugby like a fighter pilot doing mach1 at low level and watching the terrain 15 miles ahead.

[Sandydragon]

This is such a bloody weird feeling. If you'd offered me a 1pt win this morning, I'd have bitten your arm off. If you'd offered 14pts, I'd have just laughed.

Biggest ever win over SA. Biggest win against one of "the big three" in over 40 years. And yet here we all are feeling... meh.

Today was easily our best showing of the autumn; by which I mean we actually looked competent for sustained periods, and even good in brief flashes. But we're still pretty rudderless, lacking in ideas, and frankly boring to watch. It's a good win but in our hearts we know that pretty much any Wales team of 2008-15 would have put 25-35 points on the Boks today. Nothing about this performance changed my dread of the 6N coming up.

We can't really even say "at least we're not SA", because you know that they'll fix this pretty quickly and be humping us again soon. It's Italy next up, and while that's a pretty big banana skin now, at least it gives us a chance of some momentum. Let's hope this win inspires the team more than it does us.

Yeah. There are times when I wonder how good this group of players would be if they were all playing heads up rugby.
I don't think they're rudderless, everyone knows what to do but they collectively lack a bit of imagination.

It was yet another stunning performance from Tips. Sam is a very inspirational skipper but Tipuric has that quality where if he starts to get a sniff of turnover ball, the whole team catches the scent and suddenly it's flies on sh*t.
Such a cool Fella. 100 yard stare, totally ball focused....he plays rugby like a fighter pilot doing mach1 at low level and watching the terrain 15 miles ahead.

I'm not sure I agree with that. I think we have played one style for so long that it is now firmly in the muscle memory and whatever the coaches are trying to achieve is fighting against that. As soon as there is a bit of pressure the players revert to type and it will take time to move on from that. It will also take improved skill levels (not to mention some vision) which I'm not sure we have in abundance at the moment (excepting the obvious players like Tipuric and Faletau).

[Numbers]

This is such a bloody weird feeling. If you'd offered me a 1pt win this morning, I'd have bitten your arm off. If you'd offered 14pts, I'd have just laughed.

Biggest ever win over SA. Biggest win against one of "the big three" in over 40 years. And yet here we all are feeling... meh.

Today was easily our best showing of the autumn; by which I mean we actually looked competent for sustained periods, and even good in brief flashes. But we're still pretty rudderless, lacking in ideas, and frankly boring to watch. It's a good win but in our hearts we know that pretty much any Wales team of 2008-15 would have put 25-35 points on the Boks today. Nothing about this performance changed my dread of the 6N coming up.

We can't really even say "at least we're not SA", because you know that they'll fix this pretty quickly and be humping us again soon. It's Italy next up, and while that's a pretty big banana skin now, at least it gives us a chance of some momentum. Let's hope this win inspires the team more than it does us.

Yeah. There are times when I wonder how good this group of players would be if they were all playing heads up rugby.
I don't think they're rudderless, everyone knows what to do but they collectively lack a bit of imagination.

It was yet another stunning performance from Tips. Sam is a very inspirational skipper but Tipuric has that quality where if he starts to get a sniff of turnover ball, the whole team catches the scent and suddenly it's flies on sh*t.
Such a cool Fella. 100 yard stare, totally ball focused....he plays rugby like a fighter pilot doing mach1 at low level and watching the terrain 15 miles ahead.

Is Ryan Jones available to play 7.

[kk67]

Is Ryan Jones available to play 7.

...and the Ladies swoon.

Zero mention of The Clart in the ratings thread.

[Sourdust]

Our skill levels are so mediocre that when we see a player like Tipuric we think he's from Mount Olympus. No; he's just got the skills, vision and game intelligence that ALL international-class players should have.

If we were a better handling side, I would have a lot more time for those questioning Tips' breakdown efficiency. But we've got to have SOMEONE in the team who can play.

[kk67]

Our skill levels are so mediocre that when we see a player like Tipuric we think he's from Mount Olympus. No; he's just got the skills, vision and game intelligence that ALL international-class players should have.

All NZ international-class players have it.
Wales have all the right players. In the first half they built a few 9/12 phases that looked deadly. They need someone like that Huw Jones in the midfield.