Semi Final - South Africa

[Sandydragon]

Really did it think I would be typing this a few hours ago, but it’s the semis up next against the Bokke.

Hopefully JD2 will be fit, ditto Navidi.

[normanski]

Yes I hope so too. Japan faded quite badly in the face of a dominant pack.

I wonder how much the two games have taken out of the sides.

[Sandydragon]

Well we need to play with that maximum aggression we sometimes do to rattle their forwards and give our own backs a chance. I think I prefer playing the Bokke to Japan mind.

[switchskier]

One for the purest this I suspect. Hard to see Wales making much ground through the backs based on today's games but can't see them beating them up front either. Suspect you'll have to be Uber disciplined and milk penalties

[Buggaluggs]

Yep. Unless we have a few tricks up the sleeve that no-one has seen yet, it will be tough to get 7s and not 3s against SA. And 18 points won't win it.

[Sandydragon]

Aside from the Biggar kick and chase or Davies sniping, we are a big buggered for creativity in the midfield. JD2 can be creative, as against Fiji, but Patchell makes the back line much more threatening.

[MrK]

We can beat this SA team, but we need some luck with injuries.

We need JD2 back in midfield - Parkes and Watkins offers nothing. Do we have any other options if JD2 is out? Amos at 13? North at 13? Patchell at 13? its too late to get Williams out there.

Personally Id start Patchell at 10, i love Biggars commitment, but he doesnt get our backs movng, for me - Its a gamble worth taking.

North is at risk - I can see Gatland going Williams at 11 and 1/2p 15 for SA.

Forwards, no changes, Im hoping Navidi is fit, if not, Shingler or Davies to bench.

[Hooky]

Yep. I'd start patchell and bring biggar on to finish. I'd also bring halfpenny in for north. Backrow is tricky, assuming navidi unfit then probably Wainwright, Tipuric, Moriarty. Or gamble on james Davies?

[Ross. S]

Chances of "the beast" getting cited and banned after his tackle and yellow? I suspect it'll be brushed over for the sake of the knockout stages...

[bruce]

Chances of "the beast" getting cited and banned after his tackle and yellow? I suspect it'll be brushed over for the sake of the knockout stages...

TBF I think the ginger dude is better anyway.

[Ross. S]

Chances of "the beast" getting cited and banned after his tackle and yellow? I suspect it'll be brushed over for the sake of the knockout stages...

TBF I think the ginger dude is better anyway.

Quite possible but at least a ban would force them to play a third stringer on the bench

[Sandydragon]

If Navidi is out then it’s either Stringer or Cubby into the match day squad.

Stringer would boost our line out but his attempts at offloads scare me to death. Or we go for Cubby and have a pretty quick back row.

[normanski]

I thought we looked tired today and were so far off the pace I just couldn’t believe we won through finally.

That was the fourth really hard game out of five compared to rested France who had only been stressed for about forty minutes against Argentina so far. Similarly SA had a relatively easy run after the NZ game so both sides played with the freedom of fresh legs and few knocks and bruises.

Hopefully JD will be back (refreshed!) and Navidi’s hamstring is not serious. I’m not a coach but I would have thought the squad needs to rest this week rather than go in for strenuous training.

We’re battle hardened and recovery and getting energy levels back up is this week’s requirement.

I just hope we have another performance in us for next week.

[cashead]

On the plus side for Wales, they can't possibly play as poorly as they did against France.

Wales do have the wood on South Africa at the moment, having beaten the Springboks in 5 of the last 6 fixtures against them, including a current streak of 4 in a row.

[Sandydragon]

I agree that we have looked knackered. We also have a good record against the Bokke recently, although I think this is the first time in a while that we will face a full strength team so past games count for very little.

Getting to the semis is a great achievement in itself and this team can beat the Bokkes. We just need to find that fifth gear that we produce once every six nations.

[normanski]

I agree that we have looked knackered. We also have a good record against the Bokke recently, although I think this is the first time in a while that we will face a full strength team so past games count for very little.

Getting to the semis is a great achievement in itself and this team can beat the Bokkes. We just need to find that fifth gear that we produce once every six nations.

Just reading the Matt Dawson column on BBC and he was saying that after they beat us to get to the semis in 2003 the coaches stood back and let the team say how they wanted the week to unfold.

They wanted no hard training, just light drills, rest and recovery.

The hard work had been done in the build up. A lesson for Wales?

[Digby]

Gats did the same thing in the final week of the Lions tour to Oz, and the team looked much better for not having Gat's coaching input. But if you try that and it doesn't work you will get rinsed as a clueless tosser

[Hooky]

Gats did the same thing in the final week of the Lions tour to Oz, and the team looked much better for not having Gat's coaching input. But if you try that and it doesn't work you will get rinsed as a clueless tosser

Why would you get rinsed? Wales have had 5 tough matches. It's the sensible option if you ask me. If he drills them too hard in training this week, that would be a reason to rinse him, given how knackered we looked. We need to taper, much like marathon training

[Digby]

Gats did the same thing in the final week of the Lions tour to Oz, and the team looked much better for not having Gat's coaching input. But if you try that and it doesn't work you will get rinsed as a clueless tosser

Why would you get rinsed? Wales have had 5 tough matches. It's the sensible option if you ask me. If he drills them too hard in training this week, that would be a reason to rinse him, given how knackered we looked. We need to taper, much like marathon training

Because the media will interview any number of ex pros who'll talk about failing to do the hard work required. I'm not saying it's the wrong call, but it's a riskier move for the reputation of the coach

Also, 5 tough matches? When?

[Numbers]

Navidi out of the rest of the tournament

[MrK]

Navidi out of the rest of the tournament

And sounds like they are going to call up Scott Williams to replace him. Thats a good call IMO.

[MrK]

Navidi out of the rest of the tournament

And sounds like they are going to call up Scott Williams to replace him. Thats a good call IMO.

Actually how is Owen Lane playing? Is he an option at 13?

[normanski]

Navidi out of the rest of the tournament

Shite. At least Wainwright or Moriarty can cover 8. Time for Moriarty to really make his mark (and not a yellow).

[Hooky]

Sounds like gatland to call up a back. Hopefully SW

[Sandydragon]

Shame for Navidi who has been one of our better players, although he didn’t start well on Sunday.

Calling up a back makes a lot of sense given issues with Parkes and JD2. Scott Williams would be the obvious call.

So Shingler or Cubby to the bench.