Welsh Team v Tonga ...what you think.

[ALunpg]

Whilst a lot of the focus is on the Lions Wales have a match on Friday which may unearth some players that may be in the World Cup 23.

So who would you start with .?

[Sandydragon]

The Fail was listing these games as must win, which is bollocks. I'd be happy with a competitive loss, particularly against Samoa, as long as some new faces got an opportunity and took it. That said, there needs to be a mix of experience and potential.

Since we are stuck with Roberts at IC, I'd like to see a fresh face as OC, probably COry Allen. I don't see any point in playing Cuthbert, so lets see Gilles and Stef EVans given a chance. Im assuming Anscombe at FB.

Sam Daviesfor FH and Gareth Davies for 9.

The pack is interesting top pick given Lions commitments and injury. I'd like to see Young give na run out, ditto Ellis Jenkins and Ollie Griffiths. Nicky SMith and probably Cory Hill will pr0obably start, any of the other hookers over Baldwin. Not sure about the second lock.

Might as well be bold, there isn't that much experience in that squad and some players who are experienced are hitting the heights of form so might as well give youth its chance.

[Numbers]

Evans
Dacey
Francis
Charteris
Hill
Shingler
Jenkins
King
Davies
Davies
Cuthbert
Williams
Morgan
Giles
Evans

Smith, Elias, Lee, Thornton, Griffiths, Aled Davies, Anscombe, Roberts

I've switched Steff Evans to FB as there aren't many alternatives other than Anscombe/Patchell neither of whom I think are as good as Evans at FB.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The Fail was listing these games as must win, which is bollocks. I'd be happy with a competitive loss, particularly against Samoa, as long as some new faces got an opportunity and took it. That said, there needs to be a mix of experience and potential.

Since we are stuck with Roberts at IC, I'd like to see a fresh face as OC, probably COry Allen. I don't see any point in playing Cuthbert, so lets see Gilles and Stef EVans given a chance. Im assuming Anscombe at FB.

Sam Daviesfor FH and Gareth Davies for 9.

The pack is interesting top pick given Lions commitments and injury. I'd like to see Young give na run out, ditto Ellis Jenkins and Ollie Griffiths. Nicky SMith and probably Cory Hill will pr0obably start, any of the other hookers over Baldwin. Not sure about the second lock.

Might as well be bold, there isn't that much experience in that squad and some players who are experienced are hitting the heights of form so might as well give youth its chance.

Pretty much agree with this. Maybe Patchell at FB instead. Please let's have Giles and Evans, not Cuthbert. Let's learn something.

Yeah, I wish we'd consider this a match we could risk losing (who cares about ranking points now?), but McBryde will not want to have another Japan on his CV, so he's be taking no chances. Any player development that takes place will be entirely incidental.

[ALunpg]

Squad as I understand it

Hookers
Scott Baldwin
Kristian Dacey
Ryan Elias

Props
Tomas Francis
Rhodri Jones
Wyn Jones
Nicky Smith
Gareth Thomas

Locks
Adam Beard
Seb Davies
Cory Hill
Rory Thornton

Flankers
Ollie Griffiths
Ellis Jenkins
Josh Navidi
Aaron Shingler
Thomas Young

No 8
0

Scrum Halves
Aled Davies
Gareth Davies
Tomos Williams

Fly Halves
Gareth Anscombe
Sam Davies
Rhys Patchell
Owen Williams

Centres
Cory Allen
Tyler Morgan
Jamie Roberts (c)
Scott Williams

Wing
Alex Cuthbert
Steffan Evans
Keelan Giles

FULL BACK
O

[ALunpg]

Made a few changes as I think King and Charteris are not travelling.

Evans
Dacey
Francis
Thornton
Hill
Shingler
Jenkins
Navidi
Davies
Davies
Cuthbert
Williams
Morgan
Giles
Evans

Smith, Elias,Jones,Beard, Griffiths, Aled Davies, Anscombe, Roberts

But Ithis is what they will pick

Smith
Baldwin
Francis
Thornton
Hill
Shingler
Jenkins
Navidi
Davies
Davies
Cuthbert
Roberts
Williams
Evans
Anscombe

Evans, Dacey,Jones,Beard, Griffiths, Aled Davies, Williams, Giles

[ALunpg]

This us the Fails team
Likely Wales XV v Tonga: Gareth Anscombe; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts (capt), Steff Evans; Sam Davies, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Rory Thornton, Ellis Jenkins, Ollie Griffiths, Thomas Young.

[Sandydragon]

That sounds about right Alun. No change unless forced to. Dear Lord, Cuthbert, Baldwin! Why?

Neither have been in particular form, let someone who is have a go. Scott Williams has at least been playing well.

[Numbers]

Made a few changes as I think King and Charteris are not travelling.

Evans
Dacey
Francis
Thornton
Hill
Shingler
Jenkins
Navidi
Davies
Davies
Cuthbert
Williams
Morgan
Giles
Evans

Smith, Elias,Jones,Beard, Griffiths, Aled Davies, Anscombe, Roberts

But Ithis is what they will pick

Smith
Baldwin
Francis
Thornton
Hill
Shingler
Jenkins
Navidi
Davies
Davies
Cuthbert
Roberts
Williams
Evans
Anscombe

Evans, Dacey,Jones,Beard, Griffiths, Aled Davies, Williams, Giles

Apparently Rob Evans is also out with a finger injury so maybe Wyn Jones to the bench.

[ALunpg]

Ha ha ..got confused with my Evans Jones and Davies. k

[Lizard]

Tonga's full squad, which has players based in France, NZ, England, Japan, Australia and some place called Tonga

Ben Tameifuna, Racing 92
Latu Talakai, Waikato
Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Waikato
Sila Puafisi. CS Brive
Siua Halanukonuka, Highlanders
Sione Lea, Taranaki
Paula Ngauamo, Mont De Marsan
Suliasi Taufalele, Counties Manukau
Dan Faleafa, SC ALBI
Leva Fifita, Waikato
Steve Mafi, Castres
Jack Ram, Doncaster Knights
Michael Faleafa, Northland
Nili Latu, Newcastle Falcons
Sione Tau, Agen
Valentino Mapapalangi, Leicester Tigers
Leon Fukofuka, Crusaders
Sonatane Takulua Lapaha, Newcastle Falcons
Kali Hala Counties, Manukau
Latiume Fosita, Auckland
Siale Piutau, Bristol
Tevita Taufui, Waikato
Viliami Tahitua, Yamaha
'Atieli Pakalani, Southern Districts
Cooper Vuna, Worcester Warriors
David Halaifonua, Gloucester
Nafi Tu'itavake, Northampton Saints
Kiti Taimani Vaini Grammar TEC

Extended Training Squad:
Sione Lolohea Sila Pelu Ua
Phil Kite, Brisbane NRC
Harrison Mataele, North Harbour
Otenili Moala, Waikato
Vainanuma Manu, Marist Apifo'ou
Sefo Ma'ake, Havelu Bulldogs
Tuihakavalu Ika, Toloa Old Boys

[Numbers]

Wales:
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins, capt), Steffan Evans (Scarlets); Sam Davies (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Nicky Smith (Ospreys) Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets,), Thomas Young (Wasps), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues).

Replacements: Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ollie Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Ospreys).

Two backrowers on the bench?

I assume they would move Shingler to the 2nd row.

No Giles ffs.

[Lizard]

Tonga team:
Latu Talakai
Paula Ngauamo
Ben Tameifuna
Leva Fifita
Steve Mafi
Dan Faleafa
Nili Latu
Valentino Mapapalangi
Tane Takulua
Latiume Fosita
Cooper Vuna
Vili Tahitua
Siale Piutau (capt)
Nafi Tuitavake
Dave Halaifonua

Replacements: Suliasi Taufalele, Sila Puafisi, Phil Kite, Sione Tau, Mike Faleafa, Leon Fukofuka, Kali Hala, Kiti Taimani.

[ALunpg]

We got MOST of what these coaches would select.. Cory Allan is just big and little subtlety. I wish the guy well..but deary me ..no Giles. ..guess he is too small to play against Tonga or Samoa.
I don't care if we lost both matches..but at least there should have been a nod to development.
Just 1 new cap in the backs andt1 in the back subs...ridicilous..They have no idea ... it's this critical time that they need to blood replacements ready for the next World Cup.

[Numbers]

We got MOST of what these coaches would select.. Cory Allan is just big and little subtlety. I wish the guy well..but deary me ..no Giles. ..guess he is too small to play against Tonga or Samoa.
I don't care if we lost both matches..but at least there should have been a nod to development.
Just 1 new cap in the backs andt1 in the back subs...ridicilous

Aye, have you seen anything of Seb Davies, I must confess I've never heard of him.

[ALunpg]

Not a thing..glad to see Navidi get a run and Shingler. the Pack does have some new blood on the bench and that is a positive...but it's creativity in the back lione. ..let us just hope that Sam gives some hope if getting them moving .
BTW thought Biggar and Webb dI'd ok yesterday. Biggar is still clearly 3rd choice but he did ok.

[Numbers]

Not a thing..glad to see Navidi get a run and Shingler. the Pack does have some new blood on the bench and that is a positive...but it's creativity in the back lione. ..let us just hope that Sam gives some hope if getting them moving .
BTW thought Biggar and Webb dI'd ok yesterday. Biggar is still clearly 3rd choice but he did ok.

Yeah, I would have prefered some different backs, agree re:Biggar, I'm no fan of his but he was taking the ball up to the defensive line and passing flat yesterday and no interceptions which was a bonus.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Cuthbert gets another chance. Giles still hasn't had a single chance. Genius.

[ALunpg]

Cuthbert gets another chance. Giles still hasn't had a single chance. Genius.

Yep....it is a pretty requisite that our coaches are certifued as genius. We chastised Stan inot the Autumn but McBryde has not stepped up on the same issues.

[ALunpg]

Not a thing..glad to see Navidi get a run and Shingler. the Pack does have some new blood on the bench and that is a positive...but it's creativity in the back lione. ..let us just hope that Sam gives some hope if getting them moving .
BTW thought Biggar and Webb dI'd ok yesterday. Biggar is still clearly 3rd choice but he did ok.

Yeah, I would have prefered some different backs, agree re:Biggar, I'm no fan of his but he was taking the ball up to the defensive line and passing flat yesterday and no interceptions which was a bonus.

I know it is off topic but thus is a Welsh thing not a Lions thing ..I totally understand the concerns about hIm sitting too far back in the pocket ..but what confuses me it's the same head coach same backs coach ..same no 9.. so... why does he start doing it now..??

Has he finally listened that is the only way he will challenge in NZ . .or have they said step up to the plate if you want a shot at the big time.

Because if this is a permanent upgrade then it has to be to Wales benefit to have that option even if others are better at it.

[Numbers]

Not a thing..glad to see Navidi get a run and Shingler. the Pack does have some new blood on the bench and that is a positive...but it's creativity in the back lione. ..let us just hope that Sam gives some hope if getting them moving .
BTW thought Biggar and Webb dI'd ok yesterday. Biggar is still clearly 3rd choice but he did ok.

Yeah, I would have prefered some different backs, agree re:Biggar, I'm no fan of his but he was taking the ball up to the defensive line and passing flat yesterday and no interceptions which was a bonus.

I know it is off topic but thus is a Welsh thing not a Lions thing ..I totally understand the concerns about hIm sitting too far back in the pocket ..but what confuses me it's the same head coach same backs coach ..same no 9.. so... why does he start doing it now..??

Has he finally listened that is the only way he will challenge in NZ . .or have they said step up to the plate if you want a shot at the big time.

Because if this is a permanent upgrade then it has to be to Wales benefit to have that option even if others are better at it.

Aye, he used to play a lot flatter at the start of his career and suffered some interceptions which may have dented his confidence a bit, I think he knows he has no chance of a test cap unless he tries something different.

[Sandydragon]

Whilst Biggarbhasnt been showing the same creativity as Sam Davies, the new Biggar is a huge step on the right direction.

[Lizard]

Nice trolling by Sky NZ to have Shane Howarth on studio comments.

[Graigwen]

3-8 at half time.

Anscombe is looking good, if the Lions were not on tour he could easily be the fifth best 10/15 in New Zealand.

[Graigwen]

6 - 24 Full time