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I dont get how May has stayed in the squad after puling up in a one on one against Barrett. He must surely be carrying a hamstring twinge.
You would have thought so wouldn't you but he must have passed a bunch of tests to be included. They must be sure about him or else there'd be wing cover on the bench.
Jones keeps banging on that “..SA will just play like the always have…” Not sure if this is gamesmanship and he’s trying to get into Rassie’s head and force him to change his plans to something he doesn’t want to do.
On the other hand Rassie was pretty open about SA sticking to their gameplan...so maybe he’s playing the games!
It’s hard to see S.A. changing the way they play though. The team selected is on to play direct.
Talking about changing plans, I dont get why ford was dropped for the aus game but stays in this when he's likely to have Delande and other going straight down his channel.
Because he proved against NZ that he is not as much of a defensive liability as we once thought?
I think Farrel has proved a much better second tactical ability than Slade, our back line really has many options with him at 12.
Because he proved against NZ that he is not as much of a defensive liability as we once thought?
Well it's pretty easy to defend when the other team don't have the ball.
Ford is a better tackler than Farrell anyway. He misses far fewer tackles.
Farrell supposedly provides more impact in defence although his technique is poor and his "hits" are often without the arms and accompanied by feigning injury.
Talking about changing plans, I dont get why ford was dropped for the aus game but stays in this when he’s likely to have Delande and other going straight down his channel.
Although and and powerful, I’m not sure the Bok centres offer that much. The Aussie centres do seem to offer a bit more going forward rather than just trying to run over people.
Ford earned the right to start last week too; he was very good.
Because he proved against NZ that he is not as much of a defensive liability as we once thought?
NZ seemed to studiously avoid sending anyone down the 10 channel and spent all game trying to get outside the blitz at 13.
Ford earned the right to start last week too; he was very good.
Yep, he's a quality player and England look far more dangerous with him and Faz. I just still dont get why he was dropped v Aus, logic would suggest if its due to big 12's coming his way the same logic would apply v SA.
Maybe Eddie not risking two 10’s until it really matters?
The SA defence is probably stronger than Australia's so maybe he thinks he needs Ford on the pitch longer to unlock it, albeit at a slight weakening of the England defence.
Can we do predictions?...
SA to win in an utter bore-fest is mine
Firstly tomorrow, I fear for an AB backlash against a depleted Wales.
Saturday, Look at the ease of Wales try. England forward power should create enough opportunities, we just need to take them.
Look at the ease of Wales try
Not saying England wont win as they should but if it was that ****ing easy they'd have scored more than one wouldnt they!
ElShalimo
Member
Can we do predictions?…
SA to win in an utter bore-fest is mine
I agree
England to win quite handily I reckon, by 15.
Wales to lose this am quite handily by 25+.
Sad thing is had Wales got past SA we'd be going into the final v England without Liam, 1/2p, North, maybe Parkes, Navidi, Wainwright and Francis lost during and no Faletau, Anscombe or Jenkins lost before.
Today we have Lewis at tighthead who is not up to international rugby scrumaging and Wyn Jones covering tighthead on the bench, and he's a loosehead. Our only hope is that NZ deem it beneath them to beat us by scrumming and mauling us to death.
England to win quite handily I reckon, by 15.
Wales to lose this am quite handily by 25+.
That's the same as I had in my mind.
Glad to see Barnes is ref.
Oh dear ! Wales's defence is resetting a bit slowly today.
Pleased for Amos after all his **** ups v Uruguay!
A good watch so far, quite a relief after the SA/Wales semi.
Straight to head that on Tomos Williams, video ref awol as usual!
Good game so far! I feared the worse at 14-0 but good to see Wales play. They have such good attacking backs when all fit.
Ha! A taste of his own medicine for Moriarty 😀
Mmm, normal service resumes.
They have such good attacking backs when all fit.
Most of them aint playing as they are not fit!
I can’t help feel Hansen tried to get too cute with his selection last week against England.
Cane, Smith, Crotty and Coles all not starting. Barrett gets all the glory, but Ben Smith is absolutely world class.
Agreed AA - what I was trying (badly) to say was I would love to see the full Wales back line playing this way.
Cant believe they played last weeks right wing in preference to Ben Smith and then late on the bought on that tall shit Barret rather than Ben Smith.
I didn’t realise that Wales under Gatland had such a low win rate - 58% according to ITV, 51% according to wiki.
Agreed AA – what I was trying (badly) to say was I would love to see the full Wales back line playing this way.
Patchel having the ability to pass is a massive upgrade over Biggar in attack.
Could be a long second half!
Why is it that if you mess up a quick throw-in that you get a second chance? It should be a scrum to the other side, I’ve always thought.
Why is it that if you mess up a quick throw-in that you get a second chance? It should be a scrum to the other side, I’ve always thought.
I thought that, threw it forward not from the mark and it was knocked on, line out NZ...seems wrong!
Looks like Parkes has been mumified!
Ben Smith is bloody class. He’d walk into pretty much any other team.
Ben Smith is bloody class. He’d walk into pretty much any other team.
That’s not news! 😂
The weird thing is why the best player in the world was left out vs England.
The weird thing is why the best player in the world was left out vs England.
Retallick played against England !
Gatland’s last game pretty much sums up his time as coach. No real in threat in attack - why has he never managed to achieve that other than in short bursts? Inaccuracy in everything, no real intelligence on the pitch so no quick change of game plan. Too many players who aren’t good enough.
Edwards’ defence is what we’ll miss but even that disappeared today.
IMO that’s the most disappointing Welsh performance for a long, long time.
Well in the end that went much as expected. Wales can hold their heads up high though afaic. Some decent performances.
I guess the talk of what comes next for each home nation should wait until after the final.
Looking forward to tomorrow's game, (so long as I don't hear much more of the thoughts of Dallaglio et Al) I shall be cheering on England.
Go England!
Too many players who aren’t good enough.
And which ones should he have picked?
Gatland’s last game pretty much sums up his time as coach.
4 six nations with three grand slams and two World Cup semi finals.
Wasn't it you telling me I talk bobbins the other day? You post is both complete and utter bobbins as well as being extremely churlish. Gatland has consistently over achieved with a very limited player pool.
Some decent performances.
Dillon Lewis played very well I was totally wrong about him, Carre could be very good if his scrumaging improves at Saffercens. Playing the second half with a backrow of Davies, Shingler and Tips at 8 was a bit lightweight to say the least. Patchel was good and so was Adams, Watkin exceeded expectations too.
Why we love rugby so much - seeing the respect amongst the players after the match - opposing numbers chatting to each other , hooker to hooker, lock to lock.
4th? Obviously not what I wanted, but given the injuries to the team, a damned good effort!
Warren G can walk away proud of what he's done.
Also, I gather AWJ was asked by a French journalist about his retirement. His reply? "See you in February"
Wales do seem to lose a lot of players in big tournaments- I don’t know if the style they play is just so attritional or maybe the smaller player pool puts a bigger strain on them?
Wasn’t it you telling me I talk bobbins the other day?
No it wasn’t actually but don’t let that put you off. Are you the only person on here who is allowed to be negative about the Welsh then, you insufferable knob?
No but when you decide to start jabbering on rubbish about the best coach wales have had in 50 years I do feel the need to add some balance. If you cant talk about the game without talking rubbish you throwing abou insults why dont you try going for a ride or something?