Wales plans for the Autumn internationals.

First topic message reminder :

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed details of an autumn series of internationals at the Millennium Stadium in 2012 which will feature a clash against the current world champions, New Zealand.

Warren Gatland's Grand Slam winning side will face Argentina, Samoa, the All Blacks and Australia during November and early December. The series includes three Saturday kick-offs while the game against Samoa will be a Friday evening fixture.
Waleswill play Argentina on November 10 (KO 2.30pm), Samoa on Friday November 16 (KO 7.30pm), New Zealand on November 24 (KO 5.15pm) and Australia on December 1 (KO 2.30pm).

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/21666.php

bilton,

I agree with you, if there is any development to be done it should either be gametime off the bench or the odd one or two starting in amongst an already strong side.

Exactly...

Look at a very good recent example like how England developed between 1988 and 2003. Geoff Cooke took a great group of players and together they became very successful in the early 90's, he handed over to Jack Rowell who had to deal with the retirements and the blooding of new players, he did so almost seamlessly. By the time Sir Clive Woodward took over the reins he had a large pool of experienced players, back up players and youngsters pushing their way in.

Wales need to do similar, we are in a similar position as Rowell was in the mid 90's, and we are very lucky that all the hard work by the hundreds of coaches, parents, physios, medics, staticians, and the WRU has started to bear a good crop.

Not finished yet, merely the start of good things to come. Welsh Rugby has changed its colours. In the late 80's and early 90s the WRU was an abysmal organisation that let our game fall apart from the bottom up. Now, 20 odd years later we have a forward thinking organisation that have put us back on the path to developing decent youngsters and given those at the top the ability to do their very best.

Yeah Bedford, it is in my view the best way to gain experience, not only to learn from the senior players, but to know there is players around you that you can trust and all this whilst getting used to a winning culture.

Looking at the AIs I do think T/head and No10 are the positions we need to develop in.

If fit and on form then let Adan and Priestland play the big two game but give say Mitchell and Tovey some gametime in amongst a settled generally experienced squad.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Looking at the AIs I do think T/head and No10 are the positions we need to develop in.

If fit and on form then let Adan and Priestland play the big two game but give say Mitchell and Tovey some gametime in amongst a settled generally experienced squad.

I think something like that would be good, Bench Tovey maybe start with Priestland and switch around the 50 or 60 min mark.

Though with regards to the tighthead, I see Craig Mitchell as a lot like James Hook, we know what he can and cant do, lets get other players in for a shot. I would rather see younger props benching or getting game time than Mitchell. The younger lads are the ones who need the experience as well as Wales needing to see if they have got it.

damngoodOvalball wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

damngoodOvalball wrote:

nganboy wrote:I can't see Wales losing to NZ this year.

And so it begins....
We hear this every time Wales play NZ. Whilst you have got to admire the optimism, consider the tearful outrage which would fly over the Severn if an Englishman said this about any team...

One welshman on here even wrote that if Warburton hadnt been sent off then Wales would have beaten France in the SF, and then "most probably" have beaten NZ in the final!

Wales are looking good, have an impressive GS under their belts and fans who are understandably excited about what their team could do. However the fact that its been 60 odd years since the sole Welsh victory over NZ should surely mean a pause for some humility?

Unless you are stupid you would have seen the comment was made by somebody not Welsh?

Probably best that you work out the correct use of a question mark before labelling anyone stupid

Or perhaps it is fine to label you that considering you can't tell the difference between 'Location: New Zealand' and 'Location: Wales' ? Always a bitter England fan or two that has to ruin good threads. Grand Slams 05, 08, 12, 13?

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Looking at the AIs I do think T/head and No10 are the positions we need to develop in.

If fit and on form then let Adan and Priestland play the big two game but give say Mitchell and Tovey some gametime in amongst a settled generally experienced squad.

I think something like that would be good, Bench Tovey maybe start with Priestland and switch around the 50 or 60 min mark.

Though with regards to the tighthead, I see Craig Mitchell as a lot like James Hook, we know what he can and cant do, lets get other players in for a shot. I would rather see younger props benching or getting game time than Mitchell. The younger lads are the ones who need the experience as well as Wales needing to see if they have got it.

I think we have to persever with Mitchell at the moment. He is performing well in the Aviva and the Exteter scrum has done well this year. Until our younger players start to show somthing at regional level I dont see the point in throwing them up to Test level. Andrews and Gardiner both have potential and I hear whispers of a TH at Dave parade as well as upconing options at the Ospreys. Thats great but they need to demonstrate ability first.

Im really hoping that Toveys move to Cardiff really pays off for him, I think its potentially a great move and will raise his profile. It also allows Steffan Jones to get a lot more game time at the Dragons and start making his claim to the ten jersey. Next year we will have, Jones, Priestland, Tovey and Biggar/Morgan all as first choice tens at their regions fighting it out for teh Welsh outside half berth. As priestland hasnt made it his own yet unless he is spectacular on tour and we win the series the spot is up for grabs. Even then we have Hook playing week in week out in France.

Crikey

I was just taking the urine out of all those people who make silly excuses about AIs not being important, tiredness, weak SH defense, great players and all those other stereotypes that people like to chuck into their babble.

Of course we are going to give Taffy a spanking with all of our stolen Southsea Islanders.

I'll give myself a white card

TycroesOsprey wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Looking at the AIs I do think T/head and No10 are the positions we need to develop in.

If fit and on form then let Adan and Priestland play the big two game but give say Mitchell and Tovey some gametime in amongst a settled generally experienced squad.

I think something like that would be good, Bench Tovey maybe start with Priestland and switch around the 50 or 60 min mark.

Though with regards to the tighthead, I see Craig Mitchell as a lot like James Hook, we know what he can and cant do, lets get other players in for a shot. I would rather see younger props benching or getting game time than Mitchell. The younger lads are the ones who need the experience as well as Wales needing to see if they have got it.

I think we have to persever with Mitchell at the moment. He is performing well in the Aviva and the Exteter scrum has done well this year. Until our younger players start to show somthing at regional level I dont see the point in throwing them up to Test level. Andrews and Gardiner both have potential and I hear whispers of a TH at Dave parade as well as upconing options at the Ospreys. Thats great but they need to demonstrate ability first.

Im really hoping that Toveys move to Cardiff really pays off for him, I think its potentially a great move and will raise his profile. It also allows Steffan Jones to get a lot more game time at the Dragons and start making his claim to the ten jersey. Next year we will have, Jones, Priestland, Tovey and Biggar/Morgan all as first choice tens at their regions fighting it out for teh Welsh outside half berth. As priestland hasnt made it his own yet unless he is spectacular on tour and we win the series the spot is up for grabs. Even then we have Hook playing week in week out in France.

Not a bad point mate,

Also you are right about Tovey, it will be interesting to see how he goes at the Blues, very unfortunate for the Dragons to lose him though. I take it Dan Parks is 100% leaving and Tovey will be first choice?

maestegmafia wrote:

TycroesOsprey wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Looking at the AIs I do think T/head and No10 are the positions we need to develop in.

If fit and on form then let Adan and Priestland play the big two game but give say Mitchell and Tovey some gametime in amongst a settled generally experienced squad.

I think something like that would be good, Bench Tovey maybe start with Priestland and switch around the 50 or 60 min mark.

Though with regards to the tighthead, I see Craig Mitchell as a lot like James Hook, we know what he can and cant do, lets get other players in for a shot. I would rather see younger props benching or getting game time than Mitchell. The younger lads are the ones who need the experience as well as Wales needing to see if they have got it.

I think we have to persever with Mitchell at the moment. He is performing well in the Aviva and the Exteter scrum has done well this year. Until our younger players start to show somthing at regional level I dont see the point in throwing them up to Test level. Andrews and Gardiner both have potential and I hear whispers of a TH at Dave parade as well as upconing options at the Ospreys. Thats great but they need to demonstrate ability first.

Im really hoping that Toveys move to Cardiff really pays off for him, I think its potentially a great move and will raise his profile. It also allows Steffan Jones to get a lot more game time at the Dragons and start making his claim to the ten jersey. Next year we will have, Jones, Priestland, Tovey and Biggar/Morgan all as first choice tens at their regions fighting it out for teh Welsh outside half berth. As priestland hasnt made it his own yet unless he is spectacular on tour and we win the series the spot is up for grabs. Even then we have Hook playing week in week out in France.

Not a bad point mate,

Also you are right about Tovey, it will be interesting to see how he goes at the Blues, very unfortunate for the Dragons to lose him though. I take it Dan Parks is 100% leaving and Tovey will be first choice?

Yep

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Not a bad point mate,

Also you are right about Tovey, it will be interesting to see how he goes at the Blues, very unfortunate for the Dragons to lose him though. I take it Dan Parks is 100% leaving and Tovey will be first choice?

Yep

Yep Parks is definitely leaving ???

It would be a bloody waste if Tovey was second fiddle.

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Not a bad point mate,

Also you are right about Tovey, it will be interesting to see how he goes at the Blues, very unfortunate for the Dragons to lose him though. I take it Dan Parks is 100% leaving and Tovey will be first choice?

Yep

Yep Parks is definitely leaving ???

It would be a bloody waste if Tovey was second fiddle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17191403

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Not a bad point mate,

Also you are right about Tovey, it will be interesting to see how he goes at the Blues, very unfortunate for the Dragons to lose him though. I take it Dan Parks is 100% leaving and Tovey will be first choice?

Yep

Yep Parks is definitely leaving ???

It would be a bloody waste if Tovey was second fiddle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17191403

Poor old Connacht... Wouldnt wish Parks on anyone. They are taking Richie Rees too I hear