Post Match thoughts...? Wales 18-21 Australia...! Well done both teams. A well earned win for the Aussies..!

A Welsh World Cup campaign that held so much promise a week ago ended in disappointment as Australia won the third-place play-off.

A try and drop-goal from Berrick Barnes and eight points from the boot of James O'Connor left Wales with fourth place despite a try from Shane Williams in possibly his last Test appearance.

In an error-ridden contest short on quality and atmosphere, Wales failed to replicate their devastating attacking form of earlier in the tournament.

A succession of handling errors gifted the Wallabies the initiative, and Leigh Halfpenny's try in the 83rd minute came too late to deny Robbie Deans' men.

While the result gives Australia revenge for Wales' victory in the corresponding game in the inaugural World Cup 24 years ago, a serious knee injury to fly-half Quade Cooper left their celebrations muted.

Let's hope both teams have enough in the tank to get a decent last game in. Plenty of injuries appearing now and duly more to come.

Let's hope this game lacks controversy and personifies the skilled rugby these two teams are famous for.

Last meeting was in cardiff and the ozzies handed out a beating to a tactically naive welsh team playing poor rugby.

Both teams have progressed since then, the Aussies maybe more than Wales, since they did lift the Tri nations trophy this year.

Wales have progressed in leaps and bounds with many older players finding fitness post operations and young players challenging them for their spots in the team.

This is the first of a five match series for Wales and Australia. Five matches that the Aussies play consecutively but Wales will have the interruption of the six nations in between the second and third.

It's a huge game, Wales have a lot more to prove to the world, Australia need to salvage one pride

"Let's hope this game lacks controversy and personifies the skilled rugby these two teams are famous for"

you may have been famous for that 50 years ago- but noit in our lifetimes.

"It's a huge game,"

- it means zip, 3rd and 4th play offs are just glorified practise seasons with teams that just wanna be home

"Wales have a lot more to prove to the world,"

the only honest thing you have ever said, you have to proove loads if you want the rest of us to see you for even 1 tenth of the way you see yourselves

mystiroakey wrote:"Let's hope this game lacks controversy and personifies the skilled rugby these two teams are famous for"

you may have been famous for that 50 years ago- but noit in our lifetimes.

"It's a huge game,"

- it means zip, 3rd and 4th play offs are just glorified practise seasons with teams that just wanna be home

"Wales have a lot more to prove to the world,"

the only honest thing you have ever said, you have to proove loads if you want the rest of us to see you for even 1 tenth of the way you see yourselves

Was your morning coffee particularly bitter today? Your comments suggest the large chip on your shoulder is weighing heavy. Try being nicer - you might enjoy it.

Still can't understand the reasoning behind taking a specialist T/Head in Mitchell then not playing him when the need arises.

Hook at 10, well thats been covered enough but should be Jones.

Hope the back row have the sense to swap around if things not working.

Morning Bedford Mate,

I saw Duncan Jones's farther this morning and we had a chat, I mentioned that I had read the praise Duncan has been getting from fans online, he said nothing but you could see his pride.

Anyhow had a chat about the Welsh front row, apparently Craig Mitchell is struggling with the fitness program in training and Gatlnad wants to rest him. He is not in best shape.

Apparently Adam is in good spirits but will need a month recovery from his calf tear.

So James was the best option.

The Aussies dont seem to have their best front row out, Moore is a big loss to them.

Perhaps its the optimism from the recent performances but I think we have a really good chance on Friday That's far from the strongest Aussie side, but our pack will still need a powerful percormance. On paper that's a fantastic Aussie backline - let's hope Cooper's poor form continues!!

offload wrote:Perhaps its the optimism from the recent performances but I think we have a really good chance tomorrow. That's far from the strongest Aussie side, but our pack will still need a powerful percormance. On paper that's a fantastic Aussie backline - let's hope Cooper's poor form continues!!

Well it is a great backline, really talented, but their pack looks under powered, or at least not what we presumed were their first choices.

I hope Wales have one more decent performance in them.

It is the start of a five match series between Wales and Australia and it would be great to go one up from the start... then hopefully two up in cardiff...

That looks like a tasty 10-12 channel for Jamie to attack.

"It is the start of a five match series between Wales and Australia and it would be great to go one up from the start... then hopefully two up in cardiff... ."

Isn't that a strange position - sound more like an ashes series than test match rugby!

We have the Six nations in between the second and third test, but for the Aussies they will play us five times in a row before they play any other opponents...

offload wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:"Let's hope this game lacks controversy and personifies the skilled rugby these two teams are famous for"

you may have been famous for that 50 years ago- but noit in our lifetimes.

"It's a huge game,"

- it means zip, 3rd and 4th play offs are just glorified practise seasons with teams that just wanna be home

"Wales have a lot more to prove to the world,"

the only honest thing you have ever said, you have to proove loads if you want the rest of us to see you for even 1 tenth of the way you see yourselves

Was your morning coffee particularly bitter today? Your comments suggest the large chip on your shoulder is weighing heavy. Try being nicer - you might enjoy it.

You can't rationalise with a somone who knows nothing about the game. All he knows of rugby is what he has read elsewhere. Not worth the space he takes up in his posts

Quite Gatts

I don't get the bickering/wum crepe here. The other home nations have fallen below expectations. Wales exceeded their's, in terms of what I read on here going into the RWC.

Just be happy for the Welsh fans, who have seen their team come out of this tournament well in credit.

Plus, mistiroakey, I think you need to get out and watch some club rugby to appreciate the game a bit more. At my local club I mix with English, Welsh and Irish members of the club and we never spout the garbage you get on a fans forum.

We understand each other a bit better admittedly, and offer an opinion based on the RUGBY we see, not some preconceived prejudice.

Messymesina wrote:That looks like a tasty 10-12 channel for Jamie to attack.

could well be...

looks like Shanes has to games vs Australia to beat Campos record... He needs 6 to equal Campese's 64 test tries.

11 to beat Daisuje Osaka

I disagree stephen jones should start ahead of hook.....Hook played poorly last week but he was put on the pitch to play his natural running game and get the back line moving then the pack was down to 7 and going backwards and without a forward platform you had the wrong fly half on the pitch. If wales have any chance of beating australia its by running the ball, stephen jones is like johny wilkinson these days and not that great at getting the backline moving but good at positional rugby, if wales can get the go forward then you want hook running the ball.

I would back a full strength wales team to beat australia but its such bad luck to lose adam jones your destructive tighthead, your captain and world class openside Sam Warburton and your pivot Rhys Preistland who has been awesome all RWC, they are the first 3 players you don't want to lose!!!

Your edge at the scrums has gone which would have been a big game changer, Pocock will steal ball all day with faleatau awesome but not an openside and Priestland would have added that x factor

I'll be cheering for Cymru but reckon Australia to win by 5-10

I agree, it will be like SA without Brussow against Aus with Pocock free to cause havoc at the breakdown, i expect us to play offload as much as possible to offset

Its good that both teams are bothering to put out the first choice sides (injuries, suuspension and hook/jones controversy aside)

Should be a good game, a full strength wales would have been favourites based on world cup games ...without warburton preistland and jenkins though Id go with an aus win

You're right, Mr Wheeler.

The missing players for Wales couldn't be in more important positions. And I do think the psychological impact of the semi-final loss was massive - Gats has oozed bitterness since. Not a good mindset for winning this game.

Could be worse, but not much.

Wales ought to win if they can achieve any sort of dominance up front and combat Pocock by avoiding the breakdown as much as possible, back to offload.

Huge game for Faletau and Hook who cannot afford to miss so many kicks

This is a massive game for Wales and a huge opportunity to get a rare win over one of the Tri-Nations.

To win this and finish 3rd would be a fantastic achievement. Look at the boost finishing 3rd gave to Argentina last time out.

I really hope Wales can pull out another big performance and round of a very successful RWC in style.

It's going to be a tough game.

If there's 3 players I would want to be on our teamsheet it would be Adam Jones, Warburton and Priestland.

We have none of them.

But Australia have suffered with injuries as well and will be missing some first choice players.

Both teams have good back lines though so I think as always this game will be won upfront.

And that's where it gets difficult. Our lineout was pants against France and our scrum was rocking once Adam went off but I don't think Aus will provide the same test in those areas. Aus will have the edge at the breakdown with Pocock so we have to neutralise him as much as possible my making sure we recycle quickly and don't give the opportunity to influence the game too much.

So I think I will be decisive and definitely sit on the fence.

PS

Please can we not just kick away possession all day like we did against France.

The Australian are going to find it tough, with only 2 forwards still standing from last week,Wales go into this with a bit of an easy ride.
But the Aussies will play with plenty of digger spirit

doctornickolas wrote:Please can we not just kick away possession all day like we did against France.

A-f_cking-men!

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Please can we not just kick away possession all day like we did against France.

A-f_cking-men!

If we can just txt this to Hook...

He's probably just boot the phone down field anyway..

Wales did kick less posession than France in that game despite being a man down.
In genral it worked for them too, if they hadnt had a team wide goalkicking brainfart then they wouldve won the game with ease despite a red card. Strikes me that the tactical kicking game worked very well for them, they were certainly coming out on top when engaging France that way. Trying to run from his own 22 and chucking a suicide pass is what Hook used to get slaughtered for.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:If they hadnt had a team wide goalkicking brainfart then they wouldve won the game with ease despite a red card.

Stop saying that! I know it's true but I don't want to hear it!

Sob... we'll never get a better chance of making the World Cup final...

Messymesina wrote:That looks like a tasty 10-12 channel for Jamie to attack.

On defence for Oz Ioane or Beale plays 10 I think and Cooper goes to fullback,the up and under to Cooper is very effective as he's not great under pressure.

OzT wrote:He's probably just boot the phone down field anyway..

had me in facking tears!!!!!

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:If they hadnt had a team wide goalkicking brainfart then they wouldve won the game with ease despite a red card.

Stop saying that! I know it's true but I don't want to hear it!

Sob... we'll never get a better chance of making the World Cup final...

oh god it's true....

rugbydreamer wrote:

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:If they hadnt had a team wide goalkicking brainfart then they wouldve won the game with ease despite a red card.

Stop saying that! I know it's true but I don't want to hear it!

Sob... we'll never get a better chance of making the World Cup final...

oh god it's true....

lads, lads ! Teak heart ! , by 2015 Sam will be able to tackle with the power of suggestion and The North will have probably stopped growing and 'Lomu' most opposition

North will never stop growing

and gav will only be 33 in 2015, body like his and fitness fanatic should see him in the next rwc as super cover, especially if he plays fly half and not centre for the blues he wont get so knocked up. cant wait to see him play.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Messymesina wrote:That looks like a tasty 10-12 channel for Jamie to attack.

On defence for Oz Ioane or Beale plays 10 I think and Cooper goes to fullback,the up and under to Cooper is very effective as he's not great under pressure.

Damn, you're right... I hate looking stupid!

I'm going to do a "Guby" here, that is not admit I'm wrong, despite all contrary evidence, and end my sentence in a meaningless symbol

gavstar wrote:and gav will only be 33 in 2015, body like his and fitness fanatic should see him in the next rwc as super cover, especially if he plays fly half and not centre for the blues he wont get so knocked up. cant wait to see him play.

I agree, Henson may be 33 by the next world cup, but he won't have many miles on the clock, and vanity alone will ensure he stays fit. I just hope he rekindles and sustains his desire to play rugby.

Messymesina wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Messymesina wrote:That looks like a tasty 10-12 channel for Jamie to attack.

On defence for Oz Ioane or Beale plays 10 I think and Cooper goes to fullback,the up and under to Cooper is very effective as he's not great under pressure.

Damn, you're right... I hate looking stupid!

I'm going to do a "Guby" here, that is not admit I'm wrong, despite all contrary evidence, and end my sentence in a meaningless symbol

Lol I hate when people do that.

Well Gavs only just signed and already hes creeping into a world cup thread. How his agents must love him when he generates this type of interest.

Personally lets see where and how he plays for the Blues before we start jettisoning him into the team. Dont see him replaceing Priestland for Wales even if he plays ten for Cardiff. I think he will either play centre partnering Roberts or Laulala or he will play at full back. Ive always liked Henson the full back for the Ospreys.

Anyway wales forwards are going to munch the ozzies, I just hope Hook has a good game this time.

As long as nothing silly occurs, more of the same should be enough. To our advantage the Aussies have picked mainly a second-rate pack to amend for the absence of Warbs and AJ. Hopefully Lydiate and Faletau can step up and successfully neutralize Pocock.

We ought to go all out for this one. Go one better, take points on offer and put a higher level of opposition away. Things we haven't managed in the past, whether the opportunity's been there or not, and need to focus on doing now.

We just need to win the fecker and i don't care how we do it....hook can play hooker if he wants JUST FECKING SCORE THE POINTS

rugbydreamer wrote:

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:If they hadnt had a team wide goalkicking brainfart then they wouldve won the game with ease despite a red card.

Stop saying that! I know it's true but I don't want to hear it!

Sob... we'll never get a better chance of making the World Cup final...

oh god it's true....

Dont worry RD, with four years practice and pretty much the same team, more rehearsed, theoretically we stand more chance in 2015...!

Gatts wrote:We just need to win the fecker and i don't care how we do it....hook can play hooker if he wants JUST FECKING SCORE THE POINTS

Amen...!

maestegmafia wrote:I saw Duncan Jones's farther this morning and we had a chat, I mentioned that I had read the praise Duncan has been getting from fans online, he said nothing but you could see his pride.

How is he? The last time I heard anything of him was he was ill and had stopped working

I used to work with him, and he took me through my mecanics apprencticeship. I remember him telling me when Duncan first got selected for Neath, he was very proud .

AD PM'd you mind having a read mate...!

Cheers

FFS c'mon people, who thought we'd be within two points of this year's final before everything started? Development at the regions is on the up as evidenced by the breakthroughs of Warburton, North, Faletau, Roberts, Davies, Halfpenny etc within the last four years or less. Isn't the fact that the system could improve even further a good thing considering what it's providing us now?

If this is, as some people say, only the beginning then this certainly won't be our last chance at the big one! These boys aren't going any time soon and they have provided inspiration for themselves and other who will follow them. It will happen, believe!

And get behind Cymru tomorrow

Knowsit17 wrote:FFS c'mon people, who thought we'd be within two points of this year's final before everything started? Development at the regions is on the up as evidenced by the breakthroughs of Warburton, North, Faletau, Roberts, Davies, Halfpenny etc within the last four years or less. Isn't the fact that the system could improve even further a good thing considering what it's providing us now?

If this is, as some people say, only the beginning then this certainly won't be our last chance at the big one! These boys aren't going any time soon and they have provided inspiration for themselves and other who will follow them. It will happen, believe!

And get behind Cymru tomorrow

its taken its time, but a post on the welsh team by the wlesh with the right attitude, time is a healer i suppose.

Knowsit17 wrote:FFS c'mon people, who thought we'd be within two points of this year's final before everything started? Development at the regions is on the up as evidenced by the breakthroughs of Warburton, North, Faletau, Roberts, Davies, Halfpenny etc within the last four years or less. Isn't the fact that the system could improve even further a good thing considering what it's providing us now?

If this is, as some people say, only the beginning then this certainly won't be our last chance at the big one! These boys aren't going any time soon and they have provided inspiration for themselves and other who will follow them. It will happen, believe!

And get behind Cymru tomorrow

Completely agree,

There hard work has only just started and we are already seeing some dividends. I can see a great time for Welsh rugby just around the corner, everything geared to progressing in the right direction.

I don't think there are any people who aren't proudly supporting Wales tomorrow, I even know non-Welsh Australians who want Wales to win tomorrow...!!!

It has been a great World Cup, a shame it wasn't a spectacular one, but great will do for now...!

Not sure if this helps anyone who has to work but there is a text tracker on the Western Mails website...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/10/20/wales-v-australia-live-rugby-world-cup-coverage-8am-91466-29631048/

Morning folks. Does anyone have a link for the match? I'm at work and I just know the ITV website will be as slow as anything.

try koisports