3 players Wales NEED

Lee Byrne
Dan Biggar
Richie Rees

Byrne is on fire and our only quality 15. Halfpenny is quality overall but not in the air. Wales struggle with high ball.
Biggar is the form 10 in the UK and has been discarded for no apparent reason. Wales need a form 10. Hook played 12 last week and 15 today. The joke continues.

Phillips is too slow and make strange decisions. Williams isn't phyiscal or experienced enough and Webb well I'm not sure how he would cope against Oz. Rees is quick, tenacious and has a point to prove to Wales.

Rees has been blackballed. Did absolutely nothing wrong and was on the brink of ousting Phillips for good until they decided Bryn moors boy was the better option!!

Byrnes kicking game has been immense this season, but 1/2p has to play to kick at goal, and who do you drop? Cuthbert or North?!

Biggar is the form 10, and for me is a bit like Brew, they never get a fair crack with Wales! The psospect of Biggars kicking game with the likes of North, Cuthbert, Roberts etc running of his shoulder is mouth watering, but he gets to play with Hook at 12, who wants the 10 shirt, wants to play like a 2nd 10 at 12, and has to be looked after defencively!!!

Anybody else wanna see 1/2p have a crack at the 10 shirt?

I think Halfpenny had a great game today.

When I first saw this thread I thought to myself...

Genia, Carter, Parisse! Actually think about that for a second... mmmmm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Rees has been blackballed. Did absolutely nothing wrong and was on the brink of ousting Phillips for good until they decided Bryn moors boy was the better option!!

Byrnes kicking game has been immense this season, but 1/2p has to play to kick at goal, and who do you drop? Cuthbert or North?!

Biggar is the form 10, and for me is a bit like Brew, they never get a fair crack with Wales! The psospect of Biggars kicking game with the likes of North, Cuthbert, Roberts etc running of his shoulder is mouth watering, but he gets to play with Hook at 12, who wants the 10 shirt, wants to play like a 2nd 10 at 12, and has to be looked after defencively!!!

Anybody else wanna see 1/2p have a crack at the 10 shirt?

North is potentially injured. Byrne could be needed on the bench at least.

Biggar need to be given a chance soon.

Ritchie Rees does not get on with Howley - I think we need Webb involved.

thebluesmancometh wrote:When I first saw this thread I thought to myself...

Genia, Carter, Parisse Ioane! Actually think about that for a second... mmmmm

Fixed that for you.

biltongbek wrote:I think Halfpenny had a great game today.

Yep, his kicking is really superb - probably the best we have had since Jenkins, and his defence is brilliant.

I'm sure Halfpenny was a 10 when he was at Neath/Ospreys and Wales under 20 for some games. I may be wrong.

That would be an immense option playing Halfpenny at 10, imagine the breaks!

North at 13 is something that needs to be tried. If Roberts is out and Davies goes to 12 then we need some spark in midfield.

9. Rees
10. Biggar
11. Halfpenny
12. Davies / Beck
13. North
14. Cuthbert
15. Byrne

That's better

Apart from that his positional play at the back was superb

What did Ioane do that Cuthbert never? Or North wasn't showing before he went off?

I think we need an offloading dynamic 8 more than another wing!

1/2p for 10, I'm telling you! His distribution is good, out of hand is big, decision making top notch. I don't think we utilise him enough in most games. He is the running threat we don't have at 10!

I think if Halfpenny was a good 10, the Blues would have figured it out by now...I hope.

Your right Biltong, his positioning is top class - one of the reason he is the best defender in the back 3.

If Wales lost the 2nd test I think there should be all out experimentation for the 3rd test as the series can't be won.

Obviously if Wales win next week then they will keep the same XV injury permitting.

thebluesmancometh wrote:What did Ioane do that Cuthbert never? Or North wasn't showing before he went off?

I think we need an offloading dynamic 8 more than another wing!

1/2p for 10, I'm telling you! His distribution is good, out of hand is big, decision making top notch. I don't think we utilise him enough in most games. He is the running threat we don't have at 10!

But we have no depth in the back3, at all.

I quite like to see 1/2p given a chance at 10 at some point - but probably starting at the Blues.

Beck has to start next week.

Imagine...

Webb
1/2p
North
Davies
Beck
Cuthbert
Byrne

2 very big kickers out of hand, Davies and Beck very creative, for North and Cuthbert to run off, Byrnes crash lines from deep. And Webb being one nasty little so and so with one thing in his head at all times, go, Go, GO!!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:What did Ioane do that Cuthbert never? Or North wasn't showing before he went off?

I think we need an offloading dynamic 8 more than another wing!

1/2p for 10, I'm telling you! His distribution is good, out of hand is big, decision making top notch. I don't think we utilise him enough in most games. He is the running threat we don't have at 10!

It's very interesting he hasn't been considered there. Maybe it's because he's too valuable joining into back play and popping up in open space etc..

Would he get more tries at 10 and give Wales more opportunities or is he better for Wales at 15?

New Zealand thought Hook was the next Dan Carter when he came on the scene. Shame he's played so many positions and been messed around so much.

What Wales NEED is a better performance. It's easy enough to say the game would have been different if this player or that player had been there but that doesn't make it true. If all three of the players you mentioned had started we still would have lost imo, possibly by more.

The hurtful truth is that we weren't good enough today, not that we made some bad selections. Phillips is a class above Rees, there's no way the latter was on the brink of taking Mike's spot. When's the last time Byrne had a good game for Wales against good opposition? Biggar I can agree with to an extent, he should be in the squad at least but I seriously doubt he'd have made much difference.

Wales have been under serious pressure in their last two games now. They got away with it against the Baabaa's, they didn't today. In fact we reacted very badly to the Aussie strategy, lucky not to lose by more. What we need is a pack that can secure possession and a backline that doesn't cough it up so much. And on top of that we need a lot of smarter defenders. Hopefully We'll learn these lessons and bounce back next weekend, if we don't then we deserve to lose again.

Knowsit17 wrote:What Wales NEED is a better performance. It's easy enough to say the game would have been different if this player or that player had been there but that doesn't make it true. If all three of the players you mentioned had started we still would have lost imo, possibly by more.

The hurtful truth is that we weren't good enough today, not that we made some bad selections. Phillips is a class above Rees, there's no way the latter was on the brink of taking Mike's spot. When's the last time Byrne had a good game for Wales against good opposition? Biggar I can agree with to an extent, he should be in the squad at least but I seriously doubt he'd have made much difference.

Wales have been under serious pressure in their last two games now. They got away with it against the Baabaa's, they didn't today. In fact we reacted very badly to the Aussie strategy, lucky not to lose by more. What we need is a pack that can secure possession and a backline that doesn't cough it up so much. And on top of that we need a lot of smarter defenders. Hopefully We'll learn these lessons and bounce back next weekend, if we don't then we deserve to lose again.

Yep, Wales deserved to lose today. Most of the players on the pitch were responsible.

But there were some awful performances, and we cannot afford to let them slide - Faletau and Charteris need to be dropped and Davies benched. Hook is not a FB - Halfpenny needs to be kept at FB in my opinion. Hopefully North will be available, if not, then it may fall to Robinson to do a Prydie and provide a solid wing option.

What they need is Derren Brown to sort out their heads....

I honestly thought that Wales would walk this test...and the series...after today...im inclined to think a 3-0 whitewash....

Halfpenny can be Wales' JOC- I'd back him to play anyway in the backline, it's a question of where he is needed.

3 players Wales NEED?
Jonny Wilkinson
Lawrence Dallaglio
Martin Johnson

Sorry, couldn't help myself.
At least I didn't say Flood, Hartley, and Strettle?

Hey, this was my post numner 2001........

ChequeredJersey wrote:Halfpenny can be Wales' JOC- I'd back him to play anyway in the backline, it's a question of where he is needed.

I don't think he would do well at 12.

I can't see him not starting for the Lions at the moment though - probably on the wing. His place kicking is better than the options at 10, and he can do it from behind halfway.

I don't know, as long as he had a big bugger outside him I reckon he could play 12. But for Wales (with Roberts and JD2) he's wasted there

Definatly agree with Biggar and Byrne!

11. Halfpenny
14. Cuthbert
15. Byrne

but only if North is out. When will the coaches realise that just because Hook CAN play in any position doesn't mean he's good in any of them!

Don't know if R.Rees is up to the job, think Phillips had a good game today too. Wouln't mind Webb coming off the bench in the later phases though.

GeordieFalcon wrote:What they need is Derren Brown to sort out their heads....

I honestly thought that Wales would walk this test...and the series...after today...im inclined to think a 3-0 whitewash....

Sadly can't disagree. The task is now monumental and the players can thank themselves for that.

Hook is as inconsistent as ever, having made good and bad impacts off the bench today was one of the latter. Just goes to reinforce my statement on him last weekend, he can be very good in a game of less significance and then mediocre on the big occasions.

But it was overall a poor team display. They were caught cold, outrun and outplayed by an overworked Aussie outfit which is embarrassing to say the least. The heads went down when the players realised the Aussies were playing with more pace than they were comfortable with. The writing was on the wall about the Wallaby rally after the Scotland game but the Welsh still froze up and didn't know how to react. Pathetic!

I still don't think many radical changes are called for, the performance just needs to be ten times better. The Aussie backs need to be better contained, our own need to be more creative and clinical, the pack needs to be able to secure more possession etc.

I stopped reading at Richie Rees.

maestegmafia wrote:I stopped reading at Richie Rees.

I know how you feel! No wonder Wales is short on quality coaches, imagine the starting XV if some people who post here tried their hand at coaching!

Rees did little wrong until he was dropped for Bryn moors son!

Granted he wasn't anywhere near Genia's standard but he was a better option than Phillips has ever been!

Knowsit

your analysis is pretty poor!! Hook inconsistent? He was consictantly poor. Over run Aus? or galvanised Aus? And poor performance? need 10 times better?! I would listen to a large number of opinions on here, and allow them a shot at coach, you however are far from one of them!

Ouch, well I'm drowning in a river of tears now that I know you don't rate my opinion.

I find your selections and those of a few others to be reactionary, kneejerk decisions. Nothing personal, it's just the way I see it and the reason why I thank my lucky stars none of that group is anywhere near the Welsh coaching staff.

Rees was never ahead of Phillips, at best he filled in when Mike was injured. We've never beaten a big side with Rees involved. And if he was as good as you think he'd have at least been able to hold down a regular starting spot for his clubs. Instead he's been in and out of the first team.

So forgive me for not buying into the latest batch of hype and not thinking Rees is the dog's bullocks just because he had an okay game in a good Baabaa's side recently.

Richie Rees is good at clearing the ball quickly but that about it. He's about the fifth or sixth best nine available..!

You'll be talking up Nicky Robinson as a decent alternative at flyhalf next..!!!

No he was excellent for Wales, before he got injured and was never given a shot again.

Of course the reaction is Kneejerk, according to the research people remember less than 40% of what happens in any sport!

You don't have to buy into any hype, Rees was good for Wales, took the Blues to their best seasons ever, and was then discarded as Williams is the next big thing

Go and have a drink to drown your sorrows, and don't take criticism so hard!

If he wanted to resign for the Blues I wouldn't complain!

Rees was good when it was a choice between him and Cooper while Phillips was out injured and as maesteg says was good at passing quickly out of the ruck but that's where it ends. He was never excellent, only satisfactory when we were short on options at 9.

Phillips, Williams, Webb and Knoyle are all deservedly ahead of him in the pecking order and have been for a while.

No offence taken from your criticism mate, you're allowed to think what you want. I just can't for the life of me understand the reasoning behind it

Richies Rees !

It sounds like your making out that I'm advocating Rees for Wales. Lets be clear I have never said that, only recognising that he was playing very well before the young boys were determined as better long term options.

Phillips was in dire form for about 2 1/2 years, he scores a few WC tries and all of a sudden he is good? NO CHANCE.

He is big and strong, but an effective 9 he certainly is not!

For the record I wanted Webb brought in!!

Knowsit17 wrote:What Wales NEED is a better performance. It's easy enough to say the game would have been different if this player or that player had been there but that doesn't make it true. If all three of the players you mentioned had started we still would have lost imo, possibly by more.

The hurtful truth is that we weren't good enough today, not that we made some bad selections. Phillips is a class above Rees, there's no way the latter was on the brink of taking Mike's spot. When's the last time Byrne had a good game for Wales against good opposition? Biggar I can agree with to an extent, he should be in the squad at least but I seriously doubt he'd have made much difference.

Wales have been under serious pressure in their last two games now. They got away with it against the Baabaa's, they didn't today. In fact we reacted very badly to the Aussie strategy, lucky not to lose by more. What we need is a pack that can secure possession and a backline that doesn't cough it up so much. And on top of that we need a lot of smarter defenders. Hopefully We'll learn these lessons and bounce back next weekend, if we don't then we deserve to lose again.

Totally agree with this. Wales players are easily good enough but they just didn't show up for enough of the match today. Gatland must have been doing his nut watching at home.

I wouldnt drop anyone really, the performance had rustiness all over it, Priestland didnt really have a good game but I doubt Biggar or Hook would have done better.

Hook did well to come on earlier than expected and play at fullback where he hasnt played there for some time.

Again Kruger has just thrown a shoulder at Foden wrestling over the line, these are all cheap shots and I'm not a fan.