RugbyRebels

ALunpg wrote:Could Anscombe be on the bench with Lloyd Williams and Sam Davies .?

No shortage of footballing ability there, although Id like at least one direct runner on the bench.

To be honest unless Foxy makes a recovery Roberts wont be being dropped ..and I dont think it will even happen then ..sadly. The sound from the camp seems to imply same old story .. one more chance please !!.

ALunpg wrote:To be honest unless Foxy makes a recovery Roberts wont be being dropped ..and I dont think it will even happen then ..sadly. The sound from the camp seems to imply same old story .. one more chance please !!.

The boys are "chomping at the bit" to "redeem themselves" after yet another inexplicable "bad day at the office".

Who would deny them the chance to do this? It's not like there could be anything systemically wrong with Wales's game.


But seriously, individual failings (of which there were many) aside, Wales have seemed undercooked in their first match so many times that it is blindingly obvious that our preparation needs to change in some way. The players can't really be surprised at the intensity of test rugby yet again, can they?

Son of Mathonwy wrote:

ALunpg wrote:To be honest unless Foxy makes a recovery Roberts wont be being dropped ..and I dont think it will even happen then ..sadly. The sound from the camp seems to imply same old story .. one more chance please !!.

The boys are "chomping at the bit" to "redeem themselves" after yet another inexplicable "bad day at the office".

Who would deny them the chance to do this? It's not like there could be anything systemically wrong with Wales's game.


But seriously, individual failings (of which there were many) aside, Wales have seemed undercooked in their first match so many times that it is blindingly obvious that our preparation needs to change in some way. The players can't really be surprised at the intensity of test rugby yet again, can they?

If some of the debutants looked a bit surprised then I would understand it, but not players with 50+ caps.

would be interesting to look at some of our best and worse performances over the past few years and see if we have some sort of pattern.

I know we have the old one of "we play boring, predicatable rugby" and "we always start slow" but we still played very very poorly last week regardless and would be interesting to see if there's a pattern.

Are there certain combinations that just don't work?
Do we miss a ball carrying member of the tight 5 vs Aus?
Are we just terrible unpredictable?

fatterfullback wrote:would be interesting to look at some of our best and worse performances over the past few years and see if we have some sort of pattern.

I know we have the old one of "we play boring, predicatable rugby" and "we always start slow" but we still played very very poorly last week regardless and would be interesting to see if there's a pattern.

Are there certain combinations that just don't work?
Do we miss a ball carrying member of the tight 5 vs Aus?
Are we just terrible unpredictable?

No, it was the first test for us since the summer and Australia have just come off the back of a tournament where they continually improved in performance.

Numbers wrote:

fatterfullback wrote:would be interesting to look at some of our best and worse performances over the past few years and see if we have some sort of pattern.

I know we have the old one of "we play boring, predicatable rugby" and "we always start slow" but we still played very very poorly last week regardless and would be interesting to see if there's a pattern.

Are there certain combinations that just don't work?
Do we miss a ball carrying member of the tight 5 vs Aus?
Are we just terrible unpredictable?

No, it was the first test for us since the summer and Australia have just come off the back of a tournament where they continually improved in performance.

what is the No in response to?

fatterfullback wrote:

Numbers wrote:

fatterfullback wrote:would be interesting to look at some of our best and worse performances over the past few years and see if we have some sort of pattern.

I know we have the old one of "we play boring, predicatable rugby" and "we always start slow" but we still played very very poorly last week regardless and would be interesting to see if there's a pattern.

Are there certain combinations that just don't work?
Do we miss a ball carrying member of the tight 5 vs Aus?
Are we just terrible unpredictable?

No, it was the first test for us since the summer and Australia have just come off the back of a tournament where they continually improved in performance.

what is the No in response to?

The three questions, I'm also slightly disappointed you've stopped signing your posts, good to see you posting btw.

Numbers wrote:

fatterfullback wrote:

Numbers wrote:
No, it was the first test for us since the summer and Australia have just come off the back of a tournament where they continually improved in performance.

what is the No in response to?

The three questions, I'm also slightly disappointed you've stopped signing your posts, good to see you posting btw.

to be fair that was a long long time ago, I think we've moved 5 times since then.

I disgaree with your answer to the 3rd question.

I think we are unpredictable.

Jamie Roberts on the bench

fatterfullback wrote:

Numbers wrote:

fatterfullback wrote:
what is the No in response to?

The three questions, I'm also slightly disappointed you've stopped signing your posts, good to see you posting btw.

to be fair that was a long long time ago, I think we've moved 5 times since then.

I disgaree with your answer to the 3rd question.

I think we are unpredictable.

By that, I hope you mean in performance, not in attack!

Good to see you btw.

Sandydragon wrote:

fatterfullback wrote:

Numbers wrote:
The three questions, I'm also slightly disappointed you've stopped signing your posts, good to see you posting btw.

to be fair that was a long long time ago, I think we've moved 5 times since then.

I disgaree with your answer to the 3rd question.

I think we are unpredictable.

By that, I hope you mean in performance, not in attack!

Good to see you btw.

in performance... 100%..

nice to be here as well!

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gethin Jenkins (capt), Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, James King, Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Jamie Roberts.

Apparently, this is the team:

1. Gethin Jenkins (c)
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomos Francis
4. Luke Charteris
5. AWJ
6. Warburton
7. Tipuric
8. Moriarty
9. Gareth Davies
10 Biggar
11. Liam WIlliams
12. Scott Williams
13. JD2
14. North
15. Halfpenny

Replacements

Baldwin, N Smith, Lee, Cory Hill, James King, Lloyd Williams, Anscombe, Roberts

Sam Davies drops completely out of the squad. I think Biggar is doing well to hang onto that shirt given the challenge from Davies and Anscombe. Maybe Roberts as a battering ram against tired legs could be effective? I am pleased that Tipuric wasn't scapegoated for last weekend but its a shame that Liam isn't at Full Back.

Sandydragon wrote:Apparently, this is the team:

1. Gethin Jenkins (c)
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomos Francis
4. Luke Charteris
5. AWJ
6. Warburton
7. Tipuric
8. Moriarty
9. Gareth Davies
10 Biggar
11. Liam WIlliams
12. Scott Williams
13. JD2
14. North
15. Halfpenny

Replacements

Baldwin, N Smith, Lee, Cory Hill, James King, Lloyd Williams, Anscombe, Roberts

Sam Davies drops completely out of the squad. I think Biggar is doing well to hang onto that shirt given the challenge from Davies and Anscombe. Maybe Roberts as a battering ram against tired legs could be effective? I am pleased that Tipuric wasn't scapegoated for last weekend but its a shame that Liam isn't at Full Back.

quite a front row on the bench, from a scrummaging persepctive...

fatterfullback wrote:Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gethin Jenkins (capt), Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, James King, Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Jamie Roberts.

I'm quite pleased Scott Williams has been given a chance, I would have preferred to see Liam and Leigh the other way around.

Numbers wrote:

fatterfullback wrote:Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gethin Jenkins (capt), Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, James King, Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Jamie Roberts.

I'm quite pleased Scott Williams has been given a chance, I would have preferred to see Liam and Leigh the other way around.

I wonder if Sam Davies was seen as a change too far, with our experienced midfield being altered? In fairness to Anscombe, he has been playing well so I don't object to his place in the squad. I think Biggar needs to feel a bit of pressure on him, which will hopefully bring out the best in him as well.

Welly well well..Howlers has obviously been looking at our measured and constuctive debate...well mostly anyways.

I can understand most of the changes although think Sam Davies must be a little unlucky..but I think will get a chance against Japan.

My only concern is that matchday wing injuries may cause a bit of shuffling , which always causes issues otherwise... I will buy the changes.

Now..let us see if it does what is needed !!!

I'm pleased to see Scott being tried out at 12.
And no selection by numbers to put Warburton straight in at 7.
I would have preferred Liam at full back, 1/2p on the wing.
I wonder who will kick goals given leigh's poor effort last week, and Biggar's great kicking form for Wales. It should be Biggar, really.
I think Sam Davies is a little unlucky to be dropped after only 15 minutes on the pitch last week. It's not really a great message. I would like to see what he could do with Scott. Hopefully he'll be back for Japan.

I guess they will have been spending a lot of time in training this week attempting to overhaul their poor defence from last week, but it would be nice to see some ideas in attack. I hope Wales's inexperienced attack coach has something up his sleeve.

Son of Mathonwy wrote:I'm pleased to see Scott being tried out at 12.
And no selection by numbers to put Warburton straight in at 7.
I would have preferred Liam at full back, 1/2p on the wing.
I wonder who will kick goals given leigh's poor effort last week, and Biggar's great kicking form for Wales. It should be Biggar, really.
I think Sam Davies is a little unlucky to be dropped after only 15 minutes on the pitch last week. It's not really a great message. I would like to see what he could do with Scott. Hopefully he'll be back for Japan.

I guess they will have been spending a lot of time in training this week attempting to overhaul their poor defence from last week, but it would be nice to see some ideas in attack. I hope Wales's inexperienced attack coach has something up his sleeve.

I'm afraid that I think it's right that Davies drops out for this game - he had a chance and didn't do too much right (and gifted them a try). Given the need for us to avoid 9th position int he rankings, we can't afford to slip up in these games. Anscombe has been in good form and is more experienced and, hopefully, won't make similar naive errors

TibetanBlue wrote:

Son of Mathonwy wrote:I'm pleased to see Scott being tried out at 12.
And no selection by numbers to put Warburton straight in at 7.
I would have preferred Liam at full back, 1/2p on the wing.
I wonder who will kick goals given leigh's poor effort last week, and Biggar's great kicking form for Wales. It should be Biggar, really.
I think Sam Davies is a little unlucky to be dropped after only 15 minutes on the pitch last week. It's not really a great message. I would like to see what he could do with Scott. Hopefully he'll be back for Japan.

I guess they will have been spending a lot of time in training this week attempting to overhaul their poor defence from last week, but it would be nice to see some ideas in attack. I hope Wales's inexperienced attack coach has something up his sleeve.

I'm afraid that I think it's right that Davies drops out for this game - he had a chance and didn't do too much right (and gifted them a try). Given the need for us to avoid 9th position int he rankings, we can't afford to slip up in these games. Anscombe has been in good form and is more experienced and, hopefully, won't make similar naive errors

He did set up a nice opportunity for Cuthbert to run for the line and in fairness we were chasing the game hugely at the point he gave away the interception. I was more concerned at his poor pass to beat the Aussie defence when we had an overlap which gave plenty of time for the cover to get across.

Anscombe is a decent replacement on the bench and I'm kind of resigned to Biggar starting given the other changes around him, I can almost see Howley's logic in not shaking things up too much in one go. I also suspect Davies will get run vs Japan, so all is by no means lost for him.

Sandydragon wrote:

TibetanBlue wrote:

Son of Mathonwy wrote:I'm pleased to see Scott being tried out at 12.
And no selection by numbers to put Warburton straight in at 7.
I would have preferred Liam at full back, 1/2p on the wing.
I wonder who will kick goals given leigh's poor effort last week, and Biggar's great kicking form for Wales. It should be Biggar, really.
I think Sam Davies is a little unlucky to be dropped after only 15 minutes on the pitch last week. It's not really a great message. I would like to see what he could do with Scott. Hopefully he'll be back for Japan.

I guess they will have been spending a lot of time in training this week attempting to overhaul their poor defence from last week, but it would be nice to see some ideas in attack. I hope Wales's inexperienced attack coach has something up his sleeve.

I'm afraid that I think it's right that Davies drops out for this game - he had a chance and didn't do too much right (and gifted them a try). Given the need for us to avoid 9th position int he rankings, we can't afford to slip up in these games. Anscombe has been in good form and is more experienced and, hopefully, won't make similar naive errors

He did set up a nice opportunity for Cuthbert to run for the line and in fairness we were chasing the game hugely at the point he gave away the interception. I was more concerned at his poor pass to beat the Aussie defence when we had an overlap which gave plenty of time for the cover to get across.

Anscombe is a decent replacement on the bench and I'm kind of resigned to Biggar starting given the other changes around him, I can almost see Howley's logic in not shaking things up too much in one go. I also suspect Davies will get run vs Japan, so all is by no means lost for him.

It's fair that Howley doesn't want to shake things up too much (not that I'm asking for Davies to start or anything). Personally, I don't see Davies had any choice but to play aggressive rugby at that point in the match, but true, there was that wayward pass that the Aussies got to first. I guess I'm feeling that if we're playing catch up in the last 15 minutes, is Anscombe really the man for the job?

Anyway, we'll see how it works out. My god we can't be any worse than last week.

unless there is a near-miraculous turnaround from the coaches about how Wales should approach & play the game, the changes in personal are almost irrelevent & we will see the same turgid, one-dimensional gameplan given a run-out. It's sad but I'm more excited to see Argentina play than Wales.

wayneha50 wrote:unless there is a near-miraculous turnaround from the coaches about how Wales should approach & play the game, the changes in personal are almost irrelevent & we will see the same turgid, one-dimensional gameplan given a run-out. It's sad but I'm more excited to see Argentina play than Wales.

Well hope you enjoy the match .. your thoughts would get a lot of support in many groups of Welsh supporters. There is also nothing sad about wishing Argentina success and for them to win.

I personally do not wish that outcome but I will also say that I also do not accept that changes to the playing personell wont give the potential to alter the balance of how Wales play.

Only the 10 and 15 in the backline are the only ones who have not played regional rugby at the Scarlets. That gives an inherant style change to how they interact when the pressure is applied.

So I personally will watch with great interest to see what impact, if any, the changes make to this Wales team and their on field real time decisions.

Enjoy the day

I'm sure Howley's genius will slowly become apparent as the team spends more time with him. Like 2013, culminating in the 30-3 beating of England. So, I'm looking forward to trouncing Ireland in March. It'll all have come together by then.