Fitting Finale, Poor Performance and Who did we Miss

Fitting Finale - I am pretty sure Shame himself would have rather gone out with a Welsh win at the expense of his try but I felt it was great that he had the last word and got his try. He has been great servant for Wales, will go down as a true legend of our game and a great world class player all over, someone who genuienly got fans on their feet when he got the ball. Well done Shane good luck in the future.

Poor Performance - Actually was a very poor perfromance by both teams in the 1st half. 2nd half the Aussies came out pf blocks quicker and took us to the cleaners during the 10 minute spell when Halfpenny was off. Can count on one hand the amount of time Roberts or North took the crash ball up the middle and the first time they did it led to 1st try. Scrum struggle against not one of the strongest scrummaging sides.

Players we Missed - Well as I have mentioned scrum the obvious would be:

A Jones, this is still our weakest area when it comes to back. BUT the guys like Andrews and Mitchell need gametime at this level to improve so its a bit of the chicken an egg syndrome, that said I thought Andrews showed up well in the loose.

AWJ/Charteris - DOn't think we missed them both as Evans had a very good game and was one of our best on the pitch, which is good considering both 1st choices are doubts for 6 Nations, Davies was poor again.

Phillips - Know this is an area of disagreement but I really think we missed his physicality today and L Williams had a poor game, seen nothing that suggests Phillips won't be 1st choice come February.

JD - Again bit of dodgy area as some say he doesn't play well for Wales and has been poor in Welsh shirt but again think we missed him and the partenership he is developing with Roberts. I think Sc WIlliams has huge future ahead of him but again JD will be 1st choice come Feb.

SO with all that said and if all are fit, on form and free from any Club v Country row this would be my team for first 6 Nations game

Jenkins
Rees (maybe bit harsh on Bennett but thought he proved enough in his little cameo)
A Jones
AWJ
Charteris
Lydiate
Faleta
Warburton (c)

Phillips
Priestland

Stoddart, Brew, Cuthbert (Pick 1 from 3 but all now have great chance)
Roberts
JD
North

Halfpenny

Bench
James, Bennett, R Jones, Evans, L Williams, Hook,Stoddart, Brew, Cuthbert (Pick 1 from 3 but all now have great chance)

With the exception of the wing slot I think the starting side is an easy pick, they obvious spot for discussion is the 10 cover on the bench does he go for:

Jones - Steady and experience but will he be getting gametime down at PYS
Biggar - Currently on form and seems to have matured a lot at mo
Hook - My choice because despite not thinking her currently good enough to hold down a starting slot he can do something out of nothing and is more versatile off the bench.

Jason Jones Hughes needs to be brought back into the squad to freshen up midfield.

Yep - some good observations.

Adam J is the only top-notcher at tighthead,

Phillips is the only international 9 we have, despite the occasional Barnes-Wallis passing,

Ryan Jones should still start ahead of either Faletau or Lydiate.

The honeymoon period is over for Priestland - he has to raise his game at this level now.

Brew is okay as a Rabo player but should never play test rugby. Stoddart can fill a gap but we need to develop some new talent out wide. Byrne can go out on the wing until we find someone else.

Wales missed Adam Jones yes, but Andrews is not good enough for the Rabo Direct, so why pick him for Wales?

JD2 will strengthen the mid field and Phillips at 9. I thought both Scott and Lloyd Williams looked poot today.

North, Roberts, Preiestland, Halfpenny and Lydiate looked unfit. All recovering from injuries.

On the positive side, Ian Evans played well (but why was he taken off?), Gethin also played well. The back row looked OK but the pack were second best throughout the game.

Ryan and Matt Rees looked good when they came on, also Knoyle added some physicality (some loose passes as well).

Interesting to see BedfordWelsh picking Hook, he was woeful in the World Cup and Perpignan have lost the last 6 games!

Its going to be interesting to see the back 3 in the 6N. North & Halfpenny if fit will play. Stoddart if he recovers from the injury may feature. Brew and Cuthbert havent done anything yet to say they will be challenging. Maybe one of the Centres playing out of position or Byrne at 15 and Halfpenny on the wing.

By the way BedfordWelsh you did not pick a back up tight head. Wales cannont go on without a reserve for Adam, hopefully we will not see Andrews for some time. Who else is out there?

Priestland seems to be the only 10 who can make the most out of Roberts.

Bigger needs more chances.

i thought biggar looked quite good in his cameo, nowhere near priestland but not bad

dissapointed cuthbert wasnt brought in more as he could be effective,
evans was immense really impressed, i thought warburton was outshone by lydiate and toby f although all 3 together work well.
thought we didnt utilise the big runners in midfield and we missed adam jones, but ryan bevington did look good aswell
rees looked hungry

seagul,

With regards the no back up I just think that if James is fit he will cover both prop positions of the bench and as I commented the 10 cover on bench could be one of the more interesting selections Gatland will have to make, unless Tovey has a string of storming games between now and the 6 Nations then I can't see it ebing anyone else than Hook Jones or Biggar.

As for R Jones starting ahead of Lydiate and Faletau then I have a pint of what Cas has been drinking

bedfordwelsh wrote:seagul,

As for R Jones starting ahead of Lydiate and Faletau then I have a pint of what Cas has been drinking

agree with you bedford, ryan is a good impact player but seriously wouldnt replace either, lydiate is becomming not just a great defending 6 but is also carrying well and his little step and offload to toby was immense