South Africa Wales - match thread

[Gatts]

First topic message reminder :

Well my comments today about the mighty 'W' and the performances of the minnow sides have obviously caused some controversy. I wouldn't be Gats if I didn't prod the opposition occasionally, usually just before a big game.

I for one loved watching Japan's bushido approach to tackling and Romania's scrummaging, it only served to highlight the soulless nature of the professional era when contrasted against the big teams seemingly inept but effective closing out. Namibia outplaying fiji for long periods and as for Argentina they played like warrior poets and i know all about them.
It reminded me of the good old days when giants could be slain and perhaps all these teases will finally come to fruition tonight when a new Welsh breed takes on the might of Bok experience . I am a romantic at heart, Tommo's kiss was old school class, the way we used to get under the oppo skin before tmo and yellow cards. But that era is gone, Wales played on passion alone for years and that, in my view and in hindsight, was our biggest problem. Gatland, a Kiwi and therefore fundamentally unable to get the significance of rugby in Wales, comes form a place where, clearly , rugby is life. That is a beautiful thing that we are all lucky enough to share in. I pity those that never pulled on the shirt, smelt the ralgex, bled and bought your opposite number a jug.
Gatland stumbled over the transition of Wales from a team that had to play offload catch up in the last third, to a team that is within a few hours going to play a game which may define how we progress for years to come. i know they can win but history tells us they can't.

Its now or never. No more talk. Bring on the boks and may the best team win.

[screamingaddabs]

forward pass? ;-)

[Gatts]

My bits are trembling

[MrFahrenheit]

Barnes going to the TMO now! Not when he disallowed Hooky's penalty.

The Saffers have paid him off!!!

[Smirnoffpriest]

TOBY!

[eirebilly]

Great stuff

[HammerofThunor]

Forward pass to Faletau.

[Guest]

all set uup from that amazing charge through by Jamie Roberts. This is incredible


Right calm heads lads, don't concede points back straight away. Keep it cool. You can do this.

[Cari]

Faletau take a bow!!! oh listen to that support...come on boys BELIEVE!!!

[Shifty]

Jesus christ I can't believe this

Still plenty of time for us to screw it up, but it's great to see!

[Cowshot]

Woohoo! Well done Wales! Now, can you sustain the momentum?

[Submachine]

Don't fancy Wales in the quarters. Come on SA

[rugbywhales]

WALES V ITALY QUARTER FINAL

[GunsGerms]

Push on Wales, turn the screw.

[Guest]

Hammer - I'd have tos ee the replay, but hoenstly, I thought it was a bit fowrward too,

Replay shown - looks flat to me.

[rugbywhales]

what a pass from Priestland

[Mad for Chelsea]

good lads Wales, keep it up!

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Well deserved try Wales. I'd like to see the last pass again though, my 1st impression was marginally forward. The TMO isn't allowed to rule on that though.

Edit, on 2nd viewing it may be OK.

[Cari]

Fairdo's Priestland has stepped up today, and has come a long way recently.

Cool heads now boys!

[Guest]

Driving them back in the tackle evertyime and turnover! This is what we want!

[eirebilly]

Looked flat to me but could have been called forward. Anyway COME ON WALES

[mckay1402]

come on wales. don't relax, keep the pressure up and this could be our greatest ever game

[Cari]

Oh Phillips throwing his toys....it's the Lions tour again...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Wales needed to put points on the board because the game was going their way. You have to strike when things are going well and now 6 points ahead. Let´s see how SA react but if Wales can get another score, then they´ll be in front with more than converted try.

This was a game the tournament needed to set it alight.

[Otagolad]

SA are shell shocked - Wales need to capitalise and put the Jarpies away now

[PJHolybloke]

It's all going Wales' way now and they're earning it.

[Ozzy3213]

Superb from Wales.

What they need to do now is maintain their intensity, but keep composed and not go headless chicken out there.

great performance so far, but the Saffas will fight back for sure.

[Cari]

oh fecking knock on!!!

[GunsGerms]

Roberts to score a try.

[Guest]

oooooooh curses on that knock on but AMAZING rugby by Wales!

Priestland and Faletau linking up SO well.

I LOVE THIS!

[Shifty]

Mike Phillips shut up and dont annoy the ref now please, he's getting too excited...

[Ozzy3213]

I want a pint of whatever it is that Faletau has been drinking.

The boy is having a stormer.

Bismarck on for the Boks, that could be huge.

[MrFahrenheit]

Mikey Phillips is going to wreck this by punching someone any minute - he looks psychotic now!

[eirebilly]

Exactly Kia, this is the game that has lit up the tournement so far. Great match.

[nathan]

Phillips needs to calm down!

[Cari]

I was saying to Kiwi on another thread about the underdogs in this world cup coming good....COME ON WALES play like it's the final!!

[GunsGerms]

This is the Roberts of the lions series. Good to see.

[scoi]

Until the try i wanted Toby to go off for Powell but took it well and the confidence should do him the world of good. Crowd are doing the boys proud, lots of the Welsh are doing much better than the first half and currently Saffers offering little. Need another score for insurance soon but definitely Wales's game to lose

[HammerofThunor]

Warburton not releasing the player after the tackle and wins the turnover. Getting away with it again

They did issue that directive didn't they? I didn't just imagine the last few years did I. I can see what Ghost is talking about now with Barnes

[Shifty]

I feel sorry for every non Welsh person on this forum, the Welsh fans will be unbearable if we win this...

[Guest]

eep Bismark on. Wales need more points, 6 just isn't enough. Keep it calm lads, keep it calm. Believe. We can do thi.s

[Goosestepper]

c'mon Wales -keep up the pressure -

[Cari]

COME ON!!!

Alyn - you're right but they'll cope

[Guest]

Priestland....just, I'm such a proud Scarlet so far.

[B91212]

Oh Phillips throwing his toys....it's the Lions tour again...

He needs to calm down, a yellow would undo all the hard work and help SA who look much shorter of breath at the moment

[Glas a du]

Just had to pop out, have I missed anything?

[Cymroglan]

SA are defending for their life

[mckay1402]

Priestland at 10 = masterstroke

[flyhalffactory]

Morning people............ Wales are having a superb game. Charteris immense Phillips having an awesome game as is Priestland his awareness, timed passing and decision making is the difference. Great all round effort

Get it on you beauties!!

[Guest]

ah Wales, don't switch off, keep it going. Concentration lads, keep the breakdown strong.

[Cari]

Priestland....just, I'm such a proud Scarlet so far.

He's played a corker today fairdo's. Really gone up in my estimation. He's matured so much.

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