Wales overhyped and just not that good

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So Wales lost AGAIN this year and at home to an inconsistant Australian team. Since the world cup starteda couple of months ago Wales have played 8 games and LOST 4. Of the four games they won only ONE was against a tier one nation. Wales are massively overhyped when you look at their poor results. A 50% win ratio since the start of the world cup is a sign of a poor team add in their results from the 6 nations and its clear Wales are no more a minor irritant to the world rankings. Their ranking of 8th in the world is fully justified in my opinion, you can only climb the rankings by winning games, and Wales just don't win many games to do so!
The Welsh public need to take off their blinkers and recognise actually look at RESULTS there are more losses than wins in there for Wales!

I disagree, Pot Noodle Miner. The Wallabies were comfortable winners. They turned it on when they needed to and then sat back. We huffed and puffed but they looked a class apart.

if they were a class apart then surely they would have been more ruthless and not just "sat back"

They did all they needed to do. The fact they were a class apart and put points on the board meant they could afford to sit back.

The Aussies were a class above for long periods of the match. Even when behind they looked the better team. Wales are not as far off as some may think though and will almost certainly get better over the coming seasons with such a young side.

I agree Australia were the better team but on our recent performances against Southern Hemisphere opposition theres not alot init

The late try made the result look closer than it was, just as Leigh Halfpenny's late try did in the 3rd / 4th playoff match. We should have beaten South Africa and we should have beaten France, but the Wallabies have now beaten us twice quite comfortably.

Why are people so surprised that Wales lost, it wasn't that long ago they wanted Gatts and Co out of the coaching set up, They fluked a decent showing in the world cup (I haven't worked out how seeing as they lost 3 games) and everyone is tipping them to win the 6 nations.

How?

WRFC1980

I respect you for saying it as it is, keep up the good work.

so HERSH who are you backing to win the 6 Nations and where do you think Wales will finish?

France & 4th (again)

Pot Noodle Miner wrote:so HERSH who are you backing to win the 6 Nations and where do you think Wales will finish?

What're the odds he'll say fourth I wonder? Can hardly expect a sensible response from Hersh of all people so it's hopeless to ask. Him and wrfc are on the same page here, reading between the lines this article isn't meant to spark objective debate, just to provoke a kickfest on Wales fans whom they're betting are down after the result. I initially refrained from biting until noticing that people have been very dignified in their responses, on the old 606 many would have certainly joined the torrent of abuse.

Personally I can't complain with the result, the Aussies deserved it, they looked more threatening when it mattered and took their chances well. Next to that I have mixed feelings, there was every indication that we haven't yet emerged from beneath the inconsistant tag. We shot backwards from the promise of the World Cup, not looking nearly determined or reckless enough for the majority of the game, only playing with enthusiasm once the result had been closed out and nothing was left to lose.

This could not bear a more striking resemblence to many games we had before the World Cup. On Saturday we played with 14 for 10 mins and conceded 21 whereas in our semi we were down a man for 60 mins and only conceded 9. I think that says it all. Although I had to fight the urge to shed tears along with Shane before and after the whistle and was delighted to see him fool one last defence. Despite the nature of the defeat that could not have been a more fitting final act in retrospect. The blow was also softened by the respect the Aussies gave him afterwards, fair play to em.

Regarding the 6N, we have perfect cause to feel optimistic as on form it should be a fairly open tournament among other things. Though I wouldn't think to go overboard with expectations of a Grand Slam, I think a top 2 finish is a decent hope. By the end of the day we could finish anywhere between 1st and 5th imo.

Whilst it was a sterling effort by Wales after Warburtons card I think that said as much about how bad France were as how good Wales were/are/could be.

The reality is that Wales are around and about the same level as the other top 6N sides. Having a settledish team who knows what they are doing makes them unique though. I wouldnt at all be surpised to see Wales finish anywhere between first (again) and forth (again).
I dont think the mild Welsh optimism is any worse than the embaressing rubbish coming from some Scotts fans who are talking their team up as potential champions with yet another list of average backs who are putting up acceptable performaces against weakend robocop club sides.
Its the same every year really isnt it. I guess sooner or later wales will have to finish somewhere other than 1st/4th and scotland will manage to win 3 games by chance. hell maybe england will mange to string 5 competant performances in a row together sometime.

HERSH always criticises the Scots, so does pornoys... multiple i-D's?

Wales have every reason to be optimistic,the RWC is not a true measure of where some countries are.
Ireland had a Great win versus Australia ,but OZ had key players missing in the tight 5 plus Pocock.
Wales had a good match versus SA and Samoa,Ireland,France I don`t know what to make of them.Were they faking itin the poolstages,then played in the knockout phases.
How good were they in the Quarter and Semi-Final?they were good in the final.
BUT it looked like the All Blacks were feeling the effects of a long season,and aftereffects from there SF effort.
Truth is come 6Ns don`t think there is much between any of them.

In reagards to the 6 nations, i look at the squads and in reality there is very little between France, Wales, Ireland and England in regards to the strength of their squads.

France will have a new manager and will look for stability and should they find that, then they will be very difficult to beat.

Wales have a very young team and have (IMHO) been playing the best rugby of any of the NH teams so should they continue that then they will be hard to beat. Fixtures will be telling for them.

Ireland under Kidney are very inconsistent, able to play some absolute dross but equally have the ability to walk all over teams. Irelands inconsistency for me rules them away from any favourite tag.

England, regardless of the drama, still have a very strong and set team so if the caretaker manager gets them into any sort of form and consistency then they will be up there. I still personally feel that there is not enough time to find enough cohesion though.

Back to the original point, Wales are not being overhyped, they are just playing a little bit better than most of the other NH teams. Will they continue it? I dont know but they are in better form than the rest. I see no reason for the Welsh fans optimism of a good 6N to be turned into being stated as overhyping.

Because its such a short tournament in regards to the games etc then the first up games have always been of big importance.

If teams can get that first win under their belt, especially if its away from home then it helps build momentum and confidence.

Our first match is a tough one. We have such a poor record in Dublin over the last twenty years or so.

lp,

Never said it was easy lol but if we could sneak a win then we have Scotland at home before going to Twickers so who knows,

It's a pretty open tournament. Any of four, maybe five sides can win it. I can see it being decided by points difference.

I read this morning that Brew is now out of contention as well as Charteris, apparently has broken a bone behind his eye last week. Link posted elsewhere.

Whats wrong with saying 4th, France, England and Ireland could on their day beat Wales, in a couple of season Wales will be the team to beat, as the other nations are re-building their squads for the 2015 RWC.

Attack the post not the poster!

bone behind is eye ouch sounds nasty

Morning beds

Yes poor bloke passed out at home. Wasn't an obvious injury as it was behind the eye.

Could be out for a decent while unfortunately.

Bad luck for him and us down at Dave, not sure if he would hve got the nod for Shanes slot but would or should have been in the running fot it at least.

Completely.but would need some outstandingly good HEC performances to move up the ladder in my opinion.

Good player just very predictable.