Wales XV for Australia 1st test

Wales must field their strongest XV against Australia and must start the tour with a win.

Losing Roberts in the midfield is a massive blow. He is an all round massive asset in midfield. I would definitely not risk giving Ashley Beck his first cap starting against Australia at 12. If he makes mistakes he will be slaughtered by fans and press alike. Most people on here seem to think Jon Davies is a better 12 than 13. If that is the case then boy do we have some player here, because he is a pretty damn good international 13.

Scott Williams is a good 22 player and this could be his chance to start. Personally I think Wales need to keep as much of their starting XV as possible. Having watched numerous highlights of the Grand slam and world cup I must say how impressed I am with the relationship Jon Davies and George North have on the field. North to Davies for his 2nd try v Ireland in the Aviva and Davies to North for the final try of the match. North comes in looking for work and this might be the opportunity to have a little reshuffle, but keep those two together.

I feel sorry for Lee Byrne, especially after watching his interview on sport Wales last night. However it is not a bad thing that an outstanding Leigh Halfpenny is keeping Byrne out of the starting XV although I do feel Byrne could have at least made a bench spot during the Six Nations. He is playing well for Clermont, they are in a better league and doing well in the Heineken Cup. Byrne has Lions aspirations and is apparently as fit as he has ever been. One thing that concerns me massively is that Leigh Halfpenny's only apparent weakness is in the air. I am not sure if it's his height or the fact he hasn't always played full back. Against France, Wales didn't win a SINGLE ball in the air. That was shocking. I have always though Halfpenny is a devastating finisher and a bigger asset on he wing. He is in the mould of Shane Williams as far as looking for work is concerned so it's not like he's hung out to try on the wing. That is his best position.

I believe my starting team against Australia makes sense and certainly needs to be our best.

15. Lee Byrne
14. Leigh Halfpenny
13. George North
12. Jon Davies
11. Alex Cuthbert
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Mike Phillips

8. Toby Faletau
7. Sam Warburton / Justin Tipuric (depends on injury)
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Ian Evans (outstanding)
4. AWJ (continuity)
3. Adam Jones
2. Matthew Rees
1. Gethin Jenkins

16. Paul James
17. Ken Owens
18. Luke Charteris
19. Ryan Jones
20. Rhys Webb
21. James Hook
22. Scott Williams

I think a Davies / North centre pairing is a chance worth taking and could be frightening and Lee Byrne has a point to prove. The bench picks itself to a degree although I prefer Rhys Webb to Lloyd Williams.

i wouldnt be surprised with that selection Idris,

i cnt comment on byrne as i havent seen him play,

i agree with the comments re halfpenny,

my only concern is the age of north, the guy is still a teenager and putting him at 13 may be asking too much of him at this stage (although he could end up there at some point)

IMO id go with Beck just because he is on form for the ospreys and i prefer to pick form players

i tink gatland will go with williams as he usually goes with what he knows, i suppose alot will come down to who performs in training

the only other selection difference is charteris for wyn jones, and thats probably just my gwent bias ;-)

I would agree that Wales must go all out for the first test. The Australian conference isn't looking brilliant apart from the Brumbies who are holding their own.

However the individual talent is there, they are just all fractured between the five frnachises, but becuase the Test are smack dab in the middle of the Super XV, they will have little time together before the first test.

So that will be Wales' best opportunity, once the Wallabies have spent an extra week after the first test, they might be in much better prepared mode.

I know you guys diisagree with me, but I think for that first match North must go into centre, I don't know if there is another crash ball runner that can replace Roberts.

Everytime people say "Don't build North up too much" or "He's still young", he then goes and does something even more ridiculous on the rugby pitch.

The boy/man/beast is from another planet.

i know perhaps im being overcautious, but i say just let him cotiue enjoying his rugby out on wing...its not as if hes shy in coming in looking to carry

But the fact is, his runs into midfield to break the gain line and offload was very effective for Wales.

I'll throw another cat amongst the pigeons here. Put Phillips in midfield.

i think scott williams is capable of breaking the gain line, and runs more intelligent angles than roberts

biltongbek wrote:But the fact is, his runs into midfield to break the gain line and offload was very effective for Wales.

I'll throw another cat amongst the pigeons here. Put Phillips in midfield.

Lions third test, Mike Phillips 12: One of the best things I've ever seen.

Well there you have it, I am not crazy after all.

Gatland should experiment more. That guy can play anywhere.

Tactics like that bring the element of surprise and then the opposing team don't have a clue what's coming or who to mark.

I remember Joost v d Westhuizen once played wing for the Boks and looked very good. That is the benefit when you have a halfback the size of modern day wingers and midfielders.

Wales also have a winger that is the size of modern day monsters and superheros.

I'd like to see Beck play, if only because he offers something different to all the other centres in the squad. His handling skills could really bring the best out of foxy.

idris wrote:Wales also have a winger that is the size of modern day monsters and superheros.

Bring Henson for in flight entertainment.

Now why do you have to spoil a perfectly interesting thread?

biltongbek wrote:Now why do you have to spoil a perfectly interesting thread?

HERSH's day off so someone gotta do it LOL. Come on that was funny. Plane might not make it to Australia but what the heck.

Fair enough.

hehe i had a laugh at that

I still have nightmares about Gareth Pooper in the dying minutes of the 1st test in Oz in 2007. Wales seconds away from a famous away win and then it all goes mammary glands up...

yep i wtched that game, although tbf it was a tactic all our 9's were using at that time, a pointless kick away surrendering possession

The Bergamasco experiment springs to mind
I'm all for squad rotation but rotating positions at international level is risky business.
We should use players who are experienced in their positions even if it means a player getting his first cap.

I am sure if wales pulls it off in the first test this time, revenge will be sweet.

I think Wales have a lot of players at the moment who are competent at international level in several positions.

Shane Williams. 9, 10, 11, 14, 15... whatever LOL
Mike Phillips. 9, 7(probably), 12 (Lions 3rd test)
North. 11, 14, Probably 13 and 12 too
Hook. 10,12,13,15
Halfpenny. 14,11,15 and probably 10
JD2. 12,10
Williams. 12,10

Scott Williams I meant 12 and 13.

Don't see how playing a on form 12 against Australia is considered too risky but the shifting of a winger to 13 is completely sane and ok.

Looseheaded wrote:Don't see how playing a on form 12 against Australia is considered too risky but the shifting of a winger to 13 is completely sane and ok.

Why isn't it Sane.

Halfpenny is a better wing than a 15
Cuthbert is on the wing too and is BIGGER than North
What North does regularly for Wales could be regarded as typical 13 play
He has a great on field understanding with Davies
Davies is an excellent 12 and players there for the Scarlets.

Those are just a few reasons as to why it is a sane suggestion. North could be a 13 just like BOD in time...

For all his heroics and kicking 1/2p looks like a winger covering full back

Weakest player on the pitch by miles.

Byrne needs to play in oz - he a natural fullback and has a hefty boot.

slartibartfast wrote:For all his heroics and kicking 1/2p looks like a winger covering full back

Weakest player on the pitch by miles.

Byrne needs to play in oz - he a natural fullback and has a hefty boot.

You are so wrong. He looks like a winger covering FB but he still looks like your best player in a strong team. Which is saying a lot. Byrne needs to earn his starting space back, he's not good enough to oust any of the back 3 right now.

I would like to see Byrne get a game in Oz but Halfpenny is head and shoulders our No1 XV by a long way

ChequeredJersey wrote:

slartibartfast wrote:For all his heroics and kicking 1/2p looks like a winger covering full back

Weakest player on the pitch by miles.

Byrne needs to play in oz - he a natural fullback and has a hefty boot.

You are so wrong. He looks like a winger covering FB but he still looks like your best player in a strong team. Which is saying a lot. Byrne needs to earn his starting space back, he's not good enough to oust any of the back 3 right now.

1/2p best player? You're having a giraffe! Byrne looked like getting back to his best for clermont. Shame 1/2ps goal kicking is going to keep him at 15.

I wouldn't even take Byrne on the tour.

Yes Byrne is playing very well at the minute.Halfpenny is better on the wing than at full back but Byrne will be 32 in June and will be unlikely to make it to the next world cup. Surely taking him on the plane would be the equivalent of England picking Easter for their tour in South Africa.

I would much prefer us to take Liam Williams and give him some game time from the bench than take Lee Byrne.

Further confirmation this weekend that Owens is well above Rees IMO: Here's Gatt's team


15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. Williams
12. Jon Davies
11. Alex Cuthbert
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Mike Phillips

8. Toby Faletau
7. Tipuric
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Ian Evans
4. AWJ
3. Adam Jones
2. Ken Owens
1. Gethin Jenkins

16. Paul James
17. M Rees
18. Luke Charteris
19. Ryan Jones
20. Rhys Webb
21. James Hook
22. Ashley Beck

You know it makes sense

I honestly wonder if people implying that Halfpenny looks anything but completely natural at 15 have ever watched a game of rugby in their lives. Ever.

He is and always has been a natural fullback. It's only because of the circus act that is the Blues managment that he ended up playing wing. Now that he's playing 15 again he's looking like th most consistant and reliable back in Wales.

Very impressed with Liam Williams, looked better than Byrne but the competition is great.

One position I'm surprised hasn't come into question much here is scrum half...

I can understand people choosing Phillips, but although he played well in the six nations, I wonder if it would be a good idea to start looking at our other options in this position?

Phillips' service can be quite slow, and he will be turning 30 this year (I think?) Personally I think it might be a good idea to start looking at some of our other options. One or two people have mentioned Rhys Webb- I guess maybe thinking to give him some time off the bench, coming on for Phillips in the second half at some point?

Or what about giving Lloyd Williams or Tavis Knoyle some more game time?

Knoyle is injured.

Not sure about Liam Willams at fullback. His kicking game is nowhere near up to standard yet

Probelm or perhaps the posisitve for Wales is that their first 15 is very settled, it is really a question of what Gatland wants out of the tour for australia.

Does he want to rest some players, there are one or two injuries which will enforce changes, or does he want to send his best over there to win a test series.

gowales wrote:Not sure about Liam Willams at fullback. His kicking game is nowhere near up to standard yet

I disagree, he is a tough cookie. Doesn't lose the ball, great runner, very physical player. I am looking forward to seeing him get a few games.

But what about his kicking game maes. All good international fullbacks have to have a decent kicking game!

Doesn't seem to be a problem though I admit not as good as Byrnes. Such a small part of the game too

I wouldn't say that because he is not a huge ball clearer, means he should be written off thats rather like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Big kicking is just timing, it is all his other attributes that make him a stand out choice.

biltongbek wrote:Probelm or perhaps the posisitve for Wales is that their first 15 is very settled, it is really a question of what Gatland wants out of the tour for australia.

Does he want to rest some players, there are one or two injuries which will enforce changes, or does he want to send his best over there to win a test series.

Don't get you there mate. Everybody is crowing on about beating SH on a consistent basis. Thought the plan was decent WC, own 6Ns and maturity by kicking some serious SH butt. Let's get the MS open again like last time with a big crowd back home roaring them home. Surely a first. Don't think the boys are travelling down under to :play tiddlywinks!

Don the reality is that most touring teams either during the summer tours or Autumn tours haven't been putting out their strongest sides on a regular basis.

I know SA over the past number of years have rarely put out their strongest teams in the autumn. Even our last few midyear tests prior to the Tri Nations was experimental.

In fact I checked this the other day, our best 15 only played 24 of our 50 odd tests between the last two world cups.

Adam Hughes is putting a good case for the centre birth at Rodney parade at the moment.

Liam Williams and Aaron Shingler too

Jenkins
rees
jones
charteris
evans
lydiate
warbs
faletau
phillips
priest/hook
north
davies
williams
cuthbert
hp

owens
james
awj
r.jones
webb
priest/hook
beck/byrne


id like to see gill, mitchell, tipuric, webb and beck given a chance to start against the ba'baas

The contentious areas will be lock, Center and back three.

We have four good locks all up for a 4 or 5 shirt, Roberts is out and a replacement needed and Cuthbert is not playing well in the back three and could well be replaced..

Selecting a team SOLELY on form in the recent Pro12 game.

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Ken Owens
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Ian Evans
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Martyn Williams (Tipuric unimpressive, Warbs injured, Martyn playing well)
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips (MOTM for Bayonne)
10. Dan Biggar/James Hook (Both playing well)
11. George North (for his 10min appearance in the Blues game)/Andy Fenby)
12. Ashley Beck
13. Adam Hughes
14. Liam Williams (from FB)
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Rhodri Jones
17. Matthew Rees/Richard Hibbbard
18. Aaron Shingler
19. Ryan Jones
20. Gareth Davies
21. James Hook/Dan Biggar
22. George North/Andy Fenby

Can't see anything other than an Aussie series win, This will be one tour too many for the Welsh boys after the long season and RWC, to be honest I think they need a break just like Gats.

That goes for England too, with the Lions next summer I'd like the Home nations teams rested.