happy with wales?

i am.

it's been more of a toppsy turvey tour than we would have liked. but, weve shown glimpses, and we've fallen short. but still i feel happy with wales.

wales are setting the bar high. we went to aus with expectations of wins. i didnt give us 1 out of 3 wins, but they went with expectation of wins. it's never happened in the professional era. we expected wins! we have come a long way.

selection, coaches, tactics are always worth debating. with all that said, would you say wales have done well so far? are you happy with wales?

we've come a long way but we are a flipping shambles

Being happy with losing is losers' thinking. So no, not happy at all. But there is a match to go and a good win there would make up for the series loss to some extent.

Why can't I vote for both? We have come a long way obviously but that finish was a shambles. After the start we made I thought we were going to put some points on.

We're not a shambles, but our tactics are still just a bit dumb. They worked in the Six Nations, but let's not pretend we ran riot in that tournament: we squeaked past Ireland and England and we were lucky that our safety-first approach worked against France - a better French side would have made us pay for feeding them so much ball.

Our victories have half-blinded me to how limited our game tends to be. In defeat, that fact returns and so does the frustration. We have good attacking players but we send them out with instructions to kick the ball away and play without it. It's a bit @rse-backwards, I'd say.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:We're not a shambles, but our tactics are still just a bit dumb. They worked in the Six Nations, but let's not pretend we ran riot in that tournament: we squeaked past Ireland and England and we were lucky that our safety-first approach worked against France - a better French side would have made us pay for feeding them so much ball.

Our victories have half-blinded me to how limited our game tends to be. In defeat, that fact returns and so does the frustration. We have good attacking players but we send them out with instructions to kick the ball away and play without it. It's a bit @rse-backwards, I'd say.

+1

Don't see how we can be deemed shambolic. We are as organised, structured and regimented as any test team nowadays.

The tactic of Kick/Chase/Defend has turned us into a 6N winning team and a team that is respectable against SH opposition now, but we're never going to challenge the very best teams playing this way.

Can't decide whether I'm happy with this situation or not.

No they've beaten us 3 times in a row I'm not happy with them at all.

In the past, I don't think we would have been able to push Australia close twice while playing terribly.

Not enough middle ground between those two choices -Come a long way but could do better -would be more like it .

We wouldn't have pushed them close if they'd had their first-choice XV available.

Our plan seems to be to keep things tight and sneak wins. There's no ambition to really take it to the opposition unless we're playing teams we expect to beat. I say we should look to impose ourselves regardless of who we're playing. Do we believe in ourselves or not?

I would say that we have reached a level and are stuck. Having said that, that level is significantly above where we were this time last year. Not sure how we progress. There are a number of players who may be less effective in 2nd year as often happens.

I think it is important to realise that with Cooper, Beale and O'Connor in the backline and 66% territory and 64% posession the score on Saturday would probably have more accurately reflected the Aus domination of these areas. If Berwick Barnes was able to sell Beck a dummy what would Cooper be able to do with him.

Beale is back on Saturday and he will have to be very rusty not be rubbing his hands at the propect of all that aimless kicking.

We had our chance and didn't take it, but at least we can move forward free of the illusion that we are actually better than we really are.

dragonbreath wrote:at least we can move forward free of the illusion that we are actually better than we really are.

Well said.

The end of the game was a lottery, you lost the lottery, no shambles about it.

How do you improve your odds in a lottery, you play in the opposition half.

I was expecting Wales to get beaten well in the last 20 mins so I am happy with wales proformance but I do think they need the win to move up to the England and French teams of we will beat anyone. The AIs will tell alot as Wales can struggle in them. What was the best Wales have done against Aus in away matches in the last 10 years. This year they will all be close were as usually the NH have the first test to try and after that its numbers so good to see wales keeping consistant

I am disappointed and I hinestly thought we could have won this series before we left.

I know we can still win on Saturday which will get the monkey off our back so I guess we have come a long way (cant ever remember thinking we could win a series) but we are certainly not a shambles.

I must admit it's a strange feeling being disapointed with a loss against a SH team in their own backyard but I am really disapointed.

I try not to listem to the hype in the press and go by what I see and I thought we could 'ave them.

I think Wales had improved up until this tour.

Unfortunately I think it is an ask too much on the players, especially those that haven't played since march or April.

That said the lads have done well, they have been competitive and shown they have more gears and a higher level of quality achievable.

Over all im happy. Sad to have not won on Saturday but happy that a win looks possible.

We are the fourth best in the world at the moment, Australia are the second best and we are playing in their backyard. We can clearly all see that the welsh boys can be better.

Let's hope they can fulfill their potential in the future.

For now, lessons are learnt and improvements can be made.

Australia have not been producing good rugby at all in the last 2 tests, yet Wales have fallen short twice. You can say it was a lottery at the end sure, but Wales should have put the score beyond them before that point, if indeed this is the level you expect them to play at.

WALES

Population: Hardly any
Infrastructure and resources: Meh!

WC Semi final
Grand slam
Pro 12
Under 20's beat NZ
Ranked 4th in the world.

Absolutely gutted Saturday and really really angry, but HELL YES I am happy with Wales!!!

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:Australia have not been producing good rugby at all in the last 2 tests, yet Wales have fallen short twice. You can say it was a lottery at the end sure, but Wales should have put the score beyond them before that point, if indeed this is the level you expect them to play at.

Sorry but I disagree, Australia have played some great rugby in both vs Wales tests. Particularly the first.

maestegmafia wrote:Sorry but I disagree, Australia have played some great rugby in both vs Wales tests. Particularly the first.

You are entitled to your opinion, that's okay. I feel some individual spark from Genia saved Australia in the first game, by the usual Tri Nations standards I don't think they are quite up there at the moment, but it's early in the season.

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Sorry but I disagree, Australia have played some great rugby in both vs Wales tests. Particularly the first.

You are entitled to your opinion, that's okay. I feel some individual spark from Genia saved Australia in the first game, by the usual Tri Nations standards I don't think they are quite up there at the moment, but it's early in the season.

Agree with that. Genia was the difference, but Aus aren't really firing yet. They've got a lot more in the tank and especially when players return from injury.

I really don't think anyone can be happy with Wales performances in Australia. The aim of the tour was to take a scalp and while that is still a possibility the fact is Wales were shown up horribly in the final minute on saturday. That's 4/4 losses to Aus in under a year when everyone knew that the next step required Wales to win at least two of the fixtures v Aus. The same lack of composure that saw Wales fail to reach their potential at RWC is still there and until they consistently close out tight games against SH sides, which they do in the 6 Nations, they will continue to promise a lot but not deliver on the world stage

sugarNspikes wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Sorry but I disagree, Australia have played some great rugby in both vs Wales tests. Particularly the first.

You are entitled to your opinion, that's okay. I feel some individual spark from Genia saved Australia in the first game, by the usual Tri Nations standards I don't think they are quite up there at the moment, but it's early in the season.

Agree with that. Genia was the difference, but Aus aren't really firing yet. They've got a lot more in the tank and especially when players return from injury.

Although Australia are missing O'Connor, Beale and Cooper, Wales have players returning from injury as well - Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Sam Warburton, Luke Charteris? We also didnt have Jamie Roberts either, who has been one of our best backs this season and a rock in defence.

Not making excuses, but the rustiness of some of the players who hadn't played for a while definitely showed in the first test.

I'm happy where Wales are, we got a World Cup semi final, a grand slam, and we came close twice to beating Australia in the first 2 tests, in the first test we got it to 20-19 before making an error and giving them a late try. Then lost to a penalty in the second test.

Wales are in a good place, we shouldn't over react to a test loss in Australia during a 10 month season, if the WRU had any sense we would not even be on tour.

We've come a long way. Who could see us in this position before the WC? Semi-finalists, GS champs and 4th in the world (at least momentarily), 18 months ago you'd have been considered insane by many to see us as we are now.

We're getting there, excluding the possibility of backwards progress over the coming seasons (which could always happen knowing Wales). Not there yet as this current tour is making obvious. But I feel confident in saying that any Welshman would have happily given an arm back before the WC for the progress we have witnessed since.

We're due to make Welsh rugby history this Saturday. Wait until that's over and then draw further assessments. Until then get behind the boys

I agree Wales are doing well but in light of their plans to go down under and start to make progress by beating the wallabies i think the tour has been a failure and sets the team back. The problem is not that they are a class side, we know they are, its the fact that when push comes to shove, they get close and then revert to the Wales of old and start to go wibble.

A win saturday is absolutely mandatory. If not I question also the decision to release Gatland for the Lions.

Knowsit17 wrote:We've come a long way. Who could see us in this position before the WC? Semi-finalists, GS champs and 4th in the world (at least momentarily), 18 months ago you'd have been considered insane by many to see us as we are now.

Indeed.

18 months ago Welsh posters on the old 606 board were demanding the heads of Gatland and Howley and deriding the "typewriter" attacking policy. A poor 6Ns had followed an AI period where fans were in fury at the performance against Fiji. Late night events around players liek Roberts, Philips and Powell were putting Welsh rugby in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The change in fortunes since then are enormous. Sure the summer tour results are disappointing, but you do tend to learn a lot more about players from defeats. Wales have made good progress and are the best team in Europe. They just need to start beating SH rivals.

Not happy.
6N champs and WC 4th place team should not be losing 5 on the trot to Oz and, let's face it, being outplayed in every match.

We drew with Oz in 06, lost narrowly away to them in 07 (thanks, Gareth Cooper) and beat them at home in 08, so I don't buy the argument the results this time round are a huge step up. They are not. What would constitute a step up would be a win in the last test. Nothing less.

sugarNspikes wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:I feel some individual spark from Genia saved Australia in the first game, by the usual Tri Nations standards I don't think they are quite up there at the moment, but it's early in the season.

Agree with that. Genia was the difference, but Aus aren't really firing yet. They've got a lot more in the tank and especially when players return from injury.

Very true - and that's the frustration, that we still haven't been able to beat them. But on the other hand, we haven't been at our best either (mainly due to dumb tactics). If we'd played out of our skins in these two Tests and lost, then I'd be more concerned.

I think there is something that needs to be said for patience.

In 2005 the Grandslam champions Wales got a home win over OZ.
In 2006 the Champions France got a an away win over SA.
In 2007 the champions France got an RWC win over NZ.
In 2008 the Grandslam Champions Wales got a home win over OZ.
In 2009 the Grandslam Champions Ireland got a home draw over OZ and a home win over SA.
In 2010 the Grandslam Champions France got no wins.
In 2011 the Champions England didn't play any of the Tri Nation teams.

When you look at te history of the Grandslam or six nation champions, they all managed a singular victory over the SH three during their year as champions, only France has managed an away win as champions, no other has managed that.

Wales do ave a very good team, there is no doubt about that, but again Rome was not built in a day, their focus should obviuosly be to focus on winning the third test, however it is their home base that should be the next step.

Wales came fourth in the World Cup, but without beating a SH nation, they are currently 4th in the rankings based on the fact that they are the best in Europe, The obvious next step is to attack the top three, and that starts at home, where with all due respect their record is woefull against the Tri Nation teams.

The next step is winning their home matches, once the can do that on a regular basis, then there should be disappointment if they don't win away.

The RWC 2015 is still way off, take the next two years and make the millenium stadium a fortress, then focus on the bigger prize.

I am not saying don't try and win away, but be realistic, history tells you it isn't that easy, so give the guys time and support, if they continue to grow they will achieve those successes.

Remember, baby steps, and it isn't a sprint, it is a marathon.

You always talk sense, Biltong. there must be somethng in the water down there - or in the biltong!

Most promising is watching the maturity of the young players develop. Remember that Halfpenny is 23, JD2 22, the wingers 20 and 22.

Backrow with Toby in it are all youngsters too.

This team have another RWC in them and more for 70% of the team.

Plenty of reason to be optimistic.

Yes, i am happy with Wales.

It's like the saying, 80% of the work is easy, it's just that final 20% you need to work for.

Wales are a good side and meet the 80%, they just need to work on that final 20% to meet their potential, and that's going to take time and hard work.

good to see most of us wales fans are not screaming for the ritual sacrifice of players or coaches after our disapointing show so far.

this is one of the last mental hurdles for this wales team, beating a sh team in the sh. it is tantalizingly close.

i have given up on this tour now. i think the team has too. i expect a heavy defeat on saturday (6.00am mrs tooth will never let me have beer at that time)

yes, fellers, a heavy defeat. so lets make the most of it. chuck hooky on at 10. start with webb. start tipps. make it a squad game and tell the xv to get stuck in to aus, chuck it about and make it a game worth watching.

or we could close it down, make it dull and plodding and sneek a win.

chuck it about lads.


and, welcome to mowgli

dogtooth wrote:welcome to mowgli

+1

Is anyone getting up at 6am to watch it ?

Is anyone else considering waking up whenever they like, checking the result and then deciding if they should watch the recording ?

I'm getting too old for this emotional rollercoaster malarky

Must watch test rugby live, live test rugby is a must, no delayed or recorded viewings are permissable.


When it is live it is exciting, when it is recorded it is history.

biltongbek wrote:Must watch test rugby live, live test rugby is a must, no delayed or recorded viewings are permissable.


When it is live it is exciting, when it is recorded it is history.

I know, I know. I'm just feeling a little delicate at the moment

I'm still kinda proud that I got up and watched 90% of ALL the world cup matches - considering the time difference its a little impressive, and I was drinking

munkian wrote:

biltongbek wrote:Must watch test rugby live, live test rugby is a must, no delayed or recorded viewings are permissable.


When it is live it is exciting, when it is recorded it is history.

I know, I know. I'm just feeling a little delicate at the moment

I'm still kinda proud that I got up and watched 90% of ALL the world cup matches - considering the time difference its a little impressive, and I was drinking

I was knackered during the world cup, I did very little work during it and watched 90% of the matches as well.

I got through on 2-3 hours of sleep a night and then crashed for a whole day on Sundays.

Looks like I'll be stuck in Germany this weekend...!

Buggerall chance of any live coverage there.

*cough*Streaming*cough*

Voted happy. Last Saturday's match was an unfortunate loss and really could have gone either way. Had changes been made to 10, 2 and 7 (I think Warbs was injured fairly early on and wasn't playing at his best) then I honestly feel we would have won.

Feel sorry for and exasperated with Priestland all at the same time. Needs a little rest now and he will improve again (like Biggar has). Owens is an all-round better 2 than Rees and needs to start, IMO. Rees hasn't been much cop since his last injury, doesn't have much go forward and I don't even need to comment on his lineouts - we all saw them. Seems we are still picking players on past performances which is a real shame. Having players like Tipuric and Owens and not using them is just silly.

I thought that the final test would mean nothing if we lost the second, but now I actually feel it means everything. Nothing to lose in test 3, so let's go for it. We need to win this one.

GavCanDance wrote:Seems we are still picking players on past performances which is a real shame.

Gatland used to be guilty of that but seems to have changed his ways. I think Rob Howley was making the selection calls for this tour.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:Seems we are still picking players on past performances which is a real shame.

Gatland used to be guilty of that but seems to have changed his ways. I think Rob Howley was making the selection calls for this tour.

Let's hope so, though I think a lot of the RWC changes were made due to injury and Gat's kinda lucked out a little bit! Gats 'persevered' with RP in the 6N when he possibly should have dropped him. I don't think Howley had the cahoonas to make that kind of call for these tests. I still think he'll pick RP for Sat...

ok, wales team announced. same as before.

still happy. hoping for a win.

i will be getting up for the match. i might buy something to put in my coffee.

Goodman Dogtooth, I may have to do the same : )

6:00 start is perfect - leaves us the rest of the day to CELEBRATE the win!

Either that or Dogtooth's got the rest of the day to drown his sorrows!