Warren Gatland Wales Coach: Time Up? Part 4 (THE WORLD CUP)

The World Cup. Six Nations will follow, and conclusion will be the Summer tests and the future...

Part 1: www.606v2.com/t32078-warren-gatland-wales-coach-time-up-part-1

Part 2: www.606v2.com/t32112-warren-gatland-wales-coach-time-up-part-2

Part 3: https://www.606v2.com/t32364-warren-gatland-wales-coach-time-up-part-3-pre-world-cup-training-warm-up-matches

The World Cup, and the game against South Africa, had arrived. Stephen Jones hadn't made the fitness test, nor had Gethin Jenkins. Surprisingly, Scott Williams and Halfpenny made up the back replacements and, with Byrne not deemed to have done enough, James Hook started at 15. That Gatland had turned to an inexperienced, previously nervy fly half to direct and run the game against the world champions was surprising indeed. It was a signal of how important the training camps were, and how good performances in training, and consequently the warm ups, could propel a player into the first team. The other surprise was, perhaps, Faletau starting at number 8 over Ryan Jones and, certainly, Luke Charteris starting over Bradley Davies. This was further proof that reputation only got a player so far. The game began with South Africa proving their ruthlessness; Wales, happy to back their defence, saw the ball retained by the Boks until an overlap occurred. One missed tackle allowed Frans Steyn to brush aside Shane Williams and plough through a poweder-puff James Hook to score, the Welshman proving that JPR he was not. Whilst unglamorous and predictable as the world champions' brutal, confrontational and aerial game was, it made it no easier to compete with. Yet Wales, after finding themselves ten points down, got back in the game through composed, possession-orientated play, and two Hook penalties left it 6-10 at half time. Controversially, Hook was adjudged to have sent a penalty wide. From a straightforward position, his kick swirled over the post and, even after several replayed angles, it was difficult to determine whether it had curled back in between the posts before passing the try line. Such decisions, past games between the sides would suggest, would be crucial if the margins were to be as close again. The scrum was holding well, Adam Jones and Paul James providing a solid platform, if not an out and out dominance, at the set piece. The lineout, previously susceptible to disruption from opposition, was holding well against the best lineout operator in the world, Victor Matfield. Charteris' inclusion now seemed an obvious one, his frame, the tallest in the tournament, making it easier for Bennett to find his man at the front. Possession was key for the Welsh, and with the Boks happy to kick it, albeit it very far into Welsh territory, it played into Welsh hands, literally. Steady, controlled, composed and purposeful drives and carries gained five yards, ten yards, until it was deemed the Boks' defence was unsettled enough to put pace on it. This was rare, but when it occurred, it was mightily effective. Carries from Faletau and Roberts took several men to take each down, and accurate offloading put fear in the green men. The try eventually came in such fashion, several aggressive carries leading to Faletau deservedly squeezing his way over. The conversion left it 16-10 in Wales' favour. Finally, Wales were living up to the hype. The Boks brought on the replacements, but to little avail, aside from Francois Hougaard, who added pace and venom to the aging side. After concerted possession of their own, and territory gained from a rare Welsh indiscretion at the breakdown, Hougaard found a gap in the fringe defence, and went over unopposed from twenty yards. Morne Steyn added the conversion in front of the posts to give the Boks a one point lead with fifteen minutes to go. Undeterred, Wales came back, with the game plan and their fitness causing problems for the South Africans; only one replacement was made, the players' ability to perform for 80 minutes was finally being realised. In the most tense of atmospheres, Wales worked a protected position in front of the posts, and when the ball went back to the superb Priestland, it appeared his drop goal had put them back in the lead. Yet it had hooked just across the face of goal, and Welsh nerves, amongst fans, at least, if not players, began to jangle. When, with minutes to go, Wales were awarded a penalty to the right of the goal, it seemed that, this time, they had not thrown the game away. Hook stepped up, and never got around the ball, his effort sailing ten yards wide of the right upright. The Boks saw out the game in composed fashion, and the familiar feeling of having thrown away a game that was there for the taking against the world champions was still as sickening. The narrowest of margins of defeat succeeded in suddenly raising expectations amongst fans, and the more optimistic were already looking forward to a quarter final against Australia, declaring the mistakes that occurred against South Africa would not be repeated. The captain, Sam Warburton, had led his men incredibly well, proving a menace at the breakdown and coming of age as a rugby player in the 80 minutes. Whilst there were so many positives to come from the game, the expectation was now heaped on Wales who, having lost one game, had to beat, and beat well, two bruising, Pacific Island teams. The spectre of Fiji and Samoa needed no exaggeration; having drawn with the former twelve months earlier, and exiting the previous World Cup at their hands as well, the focus now was to 'avoid a bananaskin'. Underestimating Samoa, perhaps, but true nonetheless.

In a bruising, brutal and tight game, Samoa led 10-6 at half time. The flair players of yesteryear were now directed by the very capable and disciplined Kahn Fotuali'i and Tusi Pisi, at 9 and 10 respectively. Thankfully for Wales, the control of the latter player was absent for their meeting, but that did not stop prop Perenise powering over for the opening score. Wales had stuck with the same team that started the South Africa game, Gatland's loyalty a reward for their individual and team performances. Amazingly, Wales had played Samoa twice at World Cups, and lost both. In a nervous, physical game, Lydiate was replced by Andy Powell inside the first ten, and James Hook was replaced by Halfpenny at half time. Lydiate was a loss at the breakdown, and Wales failed to show the same composure and dominance as they had in the previous game. In a rare moment of space, Halfpenny used his deceptive size to outmanoeuvre the onrushing defensive line, and his break, after a misplaced pass, found the supporting Shane Williams, arcing over in the corner to give Wales a 17-10 lead with just over ten minutes to go, a lead they would not relinquish. It was the clinicality in close matches that Wales had been missing during Gatland's reign. Samoa, with some justification, could feel aggrieved for playing two matches in much shorter succession than Wales were afforded. Yet Wales, by the slimmest of performance margins, deserved the result. They faced Namibia next. It was a game for the squad members to be unleashed from their shackles and, with the news that Ireland had beaten Australia, try and nurse key players back to fitness in time for a potential quarter final. In a twelve try romp, Scott Williams showed his athleticism and skill in bagging a hat-trick and Gethin Jenkins returned to the side to score a scintilating, thirty yard, side-stepping try. Stephen Jones also returned with a composed performance at 10, but unfortunately there was a lack of control from his Scarlets teammate Tavis Knoyle. Knoyle was replaced by Lloyd Williams, who performed much better and scored a try to force his claim for a bench place. George North also got his first World Cup try. The replacements performed admirably, and there was no drop off in the standard set by the first team players. The final game was against Fiji, a team who had posed problems against South Africa, before eventually being dispatched 49-3. However, if Samoa defeated South Africa, Wales could still exit the tournament. The avoidance of complacency was paramount, and the first team, by and large, was restored. Byrne found himself at full back, Scott Williams rewarded at 13, Halfpenny replaced Shane, and Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones added experience to the side. Wales' defence held firm, and they scored nine tries of their own, beating Fiji 66-0. They had navigated the group, and by and large were on a par with the then world champions. Optimism was rife, and, having fortunately avoided Australia to give them what was perceived to be an 'easier', Northern Hemisphere side of the draw, the possibility of the side that ended the Six Nations in such dreadful fashion months ago were now being talked of as potential World Cup finalists.

Yet they had to overcome Ireland, the hot favourites after hammering the Tri Nations champions, a result which gained them much favour in New Zealand. Ireland, it was clear, were capable of truly world class performances that their players, and the form of Leinster and Ulster, threatened. The intensity and quality shown against Australia was akin to that displayed in the final game of the Six Nations, where they played England off the pitch. However, where perhaps unfamiliarity and awareness of stature hampered the team when they faced South Africa, the side was well acquainted with the Irish. Not, as Gatland once claimed, due to hatred, but through both the Lions and regular, competitive games in the Six Nations. Team selection would be intriguing, since the previous two games had seen rotation. Lee Byrne had not done enough to merit inclusion, the impressive Leigh Halfpenny rewarded with the full back berth. The rest of the side, however, had a surprisingly settled air to it; the back row unit that had performed so impressively thus far was retained, as was the rest of the pack, bolstered by the experience of Gethin Jenkins, and the half backs' composed control, with the essential cannonball of Jamie Roberts inside Jon Davies, North and Shane, formed a formidable backline. Wales began impressively, utilising Roberts' on the crash ball, Priestland's accurate, perfectly placed and timed distribution reminiscent of Stephen Jones, one of the best distributors in the world. The same gameplan which kicked off the tournament was again evidence; keeping the ball relatively close, with one or two passes away from the breakdown, coming at pace, with support, and making the opposition work to stop Wales making ground. But ground was made regardless. After impressive bursts inside the 22, it appeared ominous. Indeed, the try came. After a burst from Faletau nearly saw him score, the ball was recycled with the composure and confidence often absent from Welsh teams in dominant positions, and Shane Williams was there, again, in the right place, to finish off an excellent period of pressure for Wales, finishing neatly in the right corner after Halfpenny's perfect draw-and-pass. Priestland landed the difficult conversion, and Wales had begun in the best possible way. The much more experienced Irish side was not one to role over, however, and they had some purchase at the breakdown, with Welsh indiscretion giving them territory and possession. In a rare broken field opportunity, the Irish spread it, and, with O'Driscoll at the centre of the attack, very nearly scored, Shane turning from try scorer to saver, holding up the rampaging Sean O'Brien after a lineout drive, a tactic in the tight Ireland could clearly dominate Wales in. But they were kept out, and Wales led 10-3 at the interval, Halfpenny given long range kicking duties alongside having to deal with the aerial bombardment the Irish threw, or kicked, at him in the swirling wind and rain of Wellington.

Wales were playing an intelligent game, however. Kicking was now accurate and led to attacking positions: Jamie Roberts exemplified how a kick will only ever be as good as the chase which follows it. It was now performed not only as an exit strategy but also, after aggressive carrying had taken the ball out of the danger area, in and around the 22, as a way of gaining territory and potentially possession. The halfway line appeared to be an important measure; if it was slow ball between the Welsh 10m line and halfway, Priestland would send it up in the air. If the had it inside the opposition's half, momentum would be generated through aggressive strike runners, especially Roberts and Faletau, but also including Lydiate, Warburton and Jon Davies. Then, the likes of Shane, Halfpenny and North would be found in the outer channels, and the devastating and diverse threat each of those players brought made Wales, finally, the attacking threat from 1 to 15 which Gatland had sought to create. The lineout, which had stuttered against Samoa, again reverted to the defensive, possession retaining set piece it had been against South Africa, Bennett and Charteris working extremely well together. The two also added immense effort in the loose. Bennett had always typified the work ethic Gatland had admired, which had initially led to Gatland sticking blindly by him for twelve months after the '08 GS. But with his lineout throwing restored, he was hitting rucks and offering himself as a carrier to great effect, making himself a nuisance at the breakdown if possible. Charteris, amazingly, made 16 tackles in the first 40 before being replaced by Bradley Davies due to injury. His snaring reach epitomised the aggression Shaun Edwards had instilled in the team. With Warburton putting himself up there with Pocock, Brussouw and McCaw as one of the best fetchers in the world, it made for a defence that gave very little, and one that backed themselves as individuals and as a unit to keep the opposition out.

Ireland had the first word in the second half, drawing level with a try of their own through Keith Earls. The defence had seemingly done enough to keep their scoresheet try-free, but with penalty advantage, five yards out, Ireland threw it wide with abandon and, somewhat fortuitously, the ball fell to Tommy Bowe, who managed to outflank the umbrella defence and find Earls, who squeezed in in the corner. Undeterred, Wales kept ball in hand and, when Phillips saw the slightest of gaps on the nearside fringe defence, he took it, and with an athletic leap and an outstretched arm, put Wales back in the lead. This was Phillips at his very best: sniping runs, aggressive carries at the right time, instantly to the breakdown, and equally instant service without hesitation to Priestland. Gatland's faith in Phillips was clearly, now, justified. Wales led 15-10, but still dominated possession and territory. After a magnificent burst by Roberts, aided by the typically humble Shane, Wales utilised the smallest of opportunities, and Jon Davies ruthlessly finished, as he had been doing for the Scarlets for two seasons, with deceptive acceleration, pace and power. Whislt Ireland would have been disappointed with their defence, the threat outside of Davies in the shape on North showed how hard Ireland were having to work to try and cover the Welsh attack. Wales led 22-10, and they saw out the game with the same intensity in the tackle as they had shown in the carry, Ireland throwing all they could at Wales to no avail. This was the consummate performance; decision making, such as when to kick, was top drawer, and Phillips and Priestland's partnership was largely responsible for this. Mistakes were minimal, and when they were made at the breakdown, they were often offset by the gains that were made by Warburton at other rucks, and penalties were not compounded by silly, defensive lapses or sin binnings. The tries showed the best of Wales; brilliantly worked, composed team try; moment of individual inspiration; ruthlessness when shown the slightest of scoring opportunity. Wales were through to the semi final against a mutinous France.

Wales managed to name nearly same starting XV, proof that their fitness was to such a degree that their bodies were able to cope with the intense rugby they were displaying. The one injury was a key one; the fantastic Priestland made way for Hook, giving the Perpignan-bound fly half the opportunity to impress his new fans by aiding a Welsh victory over their nation. It was a chance to atone for his dreadful performance against France in the Six Nations earlier in the year as well. France, it seemed, were there for the taking; the coach had been overthrown in a player revolt, reduced to a moustache-bearing figure of intrigue for journalists. The French started with Morgan Parra, one of the best scrum halves in the world, at 10, Francois Trinh-Duc not complying with the collective's ethos. Wales were clear favourites, guaranteeing a North-South Hemisphere final, with Australia and New Zealand facing one another in the other semi final. Over 60,000 people attended the big screen broadcasting of the match back in the Millenium Stadium. Not only were Wales favourites for the France game, but the unbridled faith and support from Welsh fans left them giddy with the prospect of a World Cup victory.

Wales started brightly, sticking to the possession-based gameplan. An early penalty gave them a 3-0 lead, though handling errors were too common for both sides' liking, especially Wales, reliant on minimal mistakes in their directives. Perhaps the most irreplaceable man in the side, Adam Jones, went off injured after ten minutes, being replaced by Paul James. One big loss was followed by another. Everyone knows what happened next, and, whether right or wrong, Wales were down to 14 men, without their captain and ball-poacher, with 63 minutes left to play in a World Cup semi final. Yet, surprisingly, Wales finished the half strongly, the reduced numbers only focusing their possession-orientated game. Two Morgan Parra penalties had put the French in the lead, 6-3, James Hook putting two of his penalties wide. He also made a hash of a drop goal attempt, and was deservedly replaced by Stephen Jones at half time. Hook's tournament had begun with him being blasted over by Francois Steyn, and had ended in a similarly embarrassing manner; perhaps Wales' most naturally gifted player, after Shane, had had a tournament to forget. The atmosphere was utterly surreal; a return to the kicking ping pong of yesteryear ensued. Whilst it may have made sense from Wales' point of view, it highlighted the lack of ambition in an uncharacteristically dull French side, protecting their slender lead. Eventually, however, their numerical advantage, and physical pack, began to tell. They had Wales under sustained pressure, but yet against the Edwards' defensive drilling kept them out. A penalty seemed scant consolation for French territorial dominance, but in dire conditions, and the psychological and pyhsical draining that occurred when Warburton was sent off, Wales looked unlikely to come back at the French. But that is exactly what they did. The close, composed carrying returned, and eventually it opened up for Phillips, repeating his quarter final heroics and scoring just as it seemed Welsh hopes were fading. Stephen Jones missed the kickable conversion, striking the post. With a point in it, at 9-8, Wales knew they would get one more opportunity. They had one, but the drop goal was missed. Then they had another, but Stephen Jones bizarrely rejected the opportunity for the drop. They had yet another, and it fell to Leigh Halfpenny. His halfway-line attempt dropped inches below the bar. Having dominated the last ten minutes of the game, repeatedly turning over the French before grinding the ball back into the French half, it was cruelly fitting that the team went through 26 phases before the final whistle sounded.

The fact Wales had used four kickers in the tournament, unsure who was deemed first choice, explained why the middle-difficulty kicks that were missed contributed so greatly to their exit; initially against South Africa, and ultimately against France. Being clinical was something Wales had in nearly every other facet: Jon Davies' try against Ireland, the number of missed tackles to made ratio, the successful lineout. They all proved this. The one, point-producing area Wales fell down was kicking their points. And it sent them out of the World Cup. France were there for the taking. They showed little ingenuity, their highly talented backs all but made redundant, and even without Warburton, Wales could and should have progressed. So much that was good about Wales was on display in the game. Faletau and Roberts were superb at straightening the line, Phillips was almost unplayable, bossing, directing and keeping the fringe defence honest, until it was there to be breached for the try. Shane and Jon Davies added pace in the outer channels to make the ground in a different manner to the crash ball players. AWJ, Charteris and Lydiate were exceptional in defence, Bennett excellent at clearing out and securing ball. But they had lost.

In something of a dead rubber for third place, Wales faced Australia in a game no-one wanted to be playing in. With New Zealand in the final, the crowd could also be forgiven for not giving the two teams the kind of atmosphere one would hope for in the latter stages of a World Cup. It was important to end on a high though, to get the Southern Hemisphere scalp that they had passed up against South Africa, and had eluded them in the draw before they failed to make the final. Australia were the better, more clinical, more aggressive side in a game which failed to see Wales continue with 'the gameplan'. Gone was the possession, Australia were bossing the ball. In a piece of individual brilliance, Phillips again drifted off the base of the ruck, as he had for his try against France, and put in a brilliant grubber kick that sent Hook through. Though the fly half's pass was clearly forward, Shane hacked on and dropped over the line for the score. Australia led 11-21 when the hooter sounded. Wales, finally, put together the phase play that had been so impressive in the tournament, and worked the ball from deep in their own half. Crashing up to the try line, the ball went wide wide, Leigh Halfpenny's try and Stephen Jones' conversion concluding a World Cup campaign that will live long in the memory.

In a tournament which could have ended at the hands of Fiji or Samoa, Wales had worked themselves into a team one point away from a World Cup final. Perhaps they deserved more, and the tantalising prospect of getting to have a crack at New Zealand, devoid of Dan Carter, in a World Cup final went begging. So much about their game, however, was complete. Starting at the front, the solid scrum, one of the best in the world, had held its own and at times bettered both both France and South Africa, but was evidently reliant of Adam Jones' fitness. The lineout was now, with Charteris at the front, a banker of possession. It was basic, however, and very little ball went to the tail, in an attempt to launch a strike move in the backs. The carrying was now performed by each member of the side. Respect was shown to the ball, and Wales wanted to keep it. Whilst defensive kicking did occur, it was far less frequent and far more effective than the past two seasons' had been. The mantra was to have runners to come at pace onto the ball, with two players supporting, securing the ball, and then the ball would go again in the same direction (at one point an obvious sign of players playing to coaching directives, but not effectively). Now it gained ground. With Roberts coming in on the angle, often putting his first 'tackler' on the floor before finally being taken down, and Faletau's leg-pumping refusal to go to ground, Wales had two players whose ability to get over the gainline helped them massively. This allowed the platform for Phillips, so dreadful the previous season, to run the game from 9 in a manner not too dissimilar to Will Genia. Priestland benefited from this. With time on the ball, his distribution belied his international inexperience, and his feeding of Roberts was key. Jon Davies ran hard and true, defenders still surprised by his pace and step. Shane, for so long the only Welsh hope for a score, was now threatened for a place in the team. His work ethic epitomised his love for playing for Wales; getting stuck into mauls if the situation required. He had bulked up to be in his best physical condition in order to comply with Gatland's demands, and though his pace and body was fading (the way he was flung, first by Frans Steyn in the Autumn of '11 which nearly ended his World Cup hopes, then in the Bronze Final, showed how he no longer bounced back up from the big hits, and the hits were getting bigger), his sight, ability to play at first receiver, and uncanny nack of scoring tries made him worthy of his place. The defence was incredible, Australia the only side, in a seemingly meaningless game, to score more than 20 points against them. If it means anything to certain people, Wales had lost three games by a combined total of 5 points.

However, they had lost, and the World Cup will always be remembered as one that got away, when Wales came of age as a professional rugby nation, unearthed incredible young talent, and could look at the best teams in the World and declare that they would become better than them. Gatland had, eventually, brought his hopes for Wales into reality; though in reality mistakes were made in the 18 months leading up to it, he had got it right when it counted. That Wales were denied through missed kicks, a red card, more missed kicks and, frankly, the little bit of luck that all champions receive at the right time, was a devastating way in which to book their flight home. But Wales, and Gatland, could be proud of what they had achieved, and Wales were already looking to the future.

Well done with your posts. A solid synopsis.

I will waiting for the movie version.

anotherworldofpain wrote:I will waiting for the movie version.

Errmm...it's already been made...? (click me)

If its all tries and not plot, is it rugby porn?

These are a good set of articles A bit rose-tinted in places, but if you can't be a a tad over-optimistic about your own side then it's a sad day indeed

anotherworldofpain wrote:If its all tries and not plot, is it rugby porn?

Porn? At times it was better than sex...

I didnt notice at the time, but the try against Australia, no. 10 is off-side then there the pass is blatantly forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d2XCQcbzrk&feature=related

07:44

If you're referring to Shane's try, yes, the pass was horrifically forward, shocking officiating for a World Cup. Thankfully it didn't occur in a game that mattered.

Hook wasn't offside though.

It's very close, judgement call. I'd call him off-side.

Gosh. Id finished War and Peace after part three...

miaow wrote:If you're referring to Shane's try, yes, the pass was horrifically forward, shocking officiating for a World Cup. Thankfully it didn't occur in a game that mattered.

Hook wasn't offside though.

Hook wasn't offside; but that was the worst forward pass I have ever seen. And typical Barnes (the forward pass ignorer) ignored it .

Another great read. I think we finally have an established kicker now, who has a high percentage! I think it might be time to give Biggar more opportunities from now on (if his form continues), as he has the capabilities to become a good international, place kicker. History shows that we need more than one good kicker in the team. RP is quite unreliable. Hook had one excellent kicking tournament in 08, I don't ever remember him being touted for his kicking though. He did look capable of becoming world class when he burst onto the scene, but it has not happened.

Along with the non use of Ian Evans the decision not to take Biggar was what surprised me most.

He was the form 10 in Wales last season and without the additional responsibility of place kicking I hope he gets his chance come the AIs

Another good read (though amazed you didn't get to the 2012 6N's!).

I still think the one fact - 3 games lost by 5 points combined, says all you need to know about Wales' World Cup, how close we came to winning, and how well we played, but in the end not enough with the amount of kicks we missed.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Along with the non use of Ian Evans the decision not to take Biggar was what surprised me most.

He was the form 10 in Wales last season and without the additional responsibility of place kicking I hope he gets his chance come the AIs

Hi beds

Biggar was the inform flyhalf in the latter part of the season, before that most ospreys fans wanted rid of him for being a petulant little brat who aimlessly kicked the leather off any possession we had and refused to tackle.

There are plenty of reasons why Biggar wasn't picked ahead of Hook as a flyhalf option.

There are also reasons why awj, charts and brad could be selected ahead of Evans. They are all good lads, we are lucky to have all four of them.

Anyhow, season over, new chapter starts here, time to look forward not back mate.

Morgannwg wrote:

miaow wrote:If you're referring to Shane's try, yes, the pass was horrifically forward, shocking officiating for a World Cup. Thankfully it didn't occur in a game that mattered.

Hook wasn't offside though.

Hook wasn't offside; but that was the worst forward pass I have ever seen. And typical Barnes (the forward pass ignorer) ignored it .

The off-side is borderline is impossible to say from camera angles but I heard from people at the game that he was off-side.

Now on to Barnes is an interesting one. I know there is some moderator sponsored hating of Bryce Lawrence (sponsor by Biltongbek) but I'm interested how criticism of Barnes is not traditionally allowed to 606v2. Does anybody know why this is?

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Along with the non use of Ian Evans the decision not to take Biggar was what surprised me most.

He was the form 10 in Wales last season and without the additional responsibility of place kicking I hope he gets his chance come the AIs

Hi beds

Biggar was the inform flyhalf in the latter part of the season, before that most ospreys fans wanted rid of him for being a petulant little brat who aimlessly kicked the leather off any possession we had and refused to tackle.

There are plenty of reasons why Biggar wasn't picked ahead of Hook as a flyhalf option.

There are also reasons why awj, charts and brad could be selected ahead of Evans. They are all good lads, we are lucky to have all four of them.

Anyhow, season over, new chapter starts here, time to look forward not back mate.

Agreed he was crap at the start

anotherworldofpain wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

miaow wrote:If you're referring to Shane's try, yes, the pass was horrifically forward, shocking officiating for a World Cup. Thankfully it didn't occur in a game that mattered.

Hook wasn't offside though.

Hook wasn't offside; but that was the worst forward pass I have ever seen. And typical Barnes (the forward pass ignorer) ignored it .

The off-side is borderline is impossible to say from camera angles but I heard from people at the game that he was off-side.

Now on to Barnes is an interesting one. I know there is some moderator sponsored hating of Bryce Lawrence (sponsor by Biltongbek) but I'm interested how criticism of Barnes is not traditionally allowed to 606v2. Does anybody know why this is?

I think it's old now because Barnes took so much criticism on the old 606. I wouldn't say it is not allowed, just that nobody talks about it. Perhaps he is not that interesting a subject after coming off the IRB elite list.

Morgannwg wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

miaow wrote:If you're referring to Shane's try, yes, the pass was horrifically forward, shocking officiating for a World Cup. Thankfully it didn't occur in a game that mattered.

Hook wasn't offside though.

Hook wasn't offside; but that was the worst forward pass I have ever seen. And typical Barnes (the forward pass ignorer) ignored it .

The off-side is borderline is impossible to say from camera angles but I heard from people at the game that he was off-side.

Now on to Barnes is an interesting one. I know there is some moderator sponsored hating of Bryce Lawrence (sponsor by Biltongbek) but I'm interested how criticism of Barnes is not traditionally allowed to 606v2. Does anybody know why this is?

I think it's old now because Barnes took so much criticism on the old 606. I wouldn't say it is not allowed, just that nobody talks about it. Perhaps he is not that interesting a subject after coming off the IRB elite list.

Barnes is apparently a bit of an Allan Rolland. Born and grew up in Chepstow Wales. Moved to England for university.

He is not a bad ref, though he isn't a good one either. Indecision and lacking consistency or empathy let him down.

I've really enjoyed reading your recent articles. They are publication standard. Well done.

Norfolklass wrote:I've really enjoyed reading your recent articles. They are publication standard. Well done.

Must be a media studies student.

LOL! I know what you mean.LOL I'll have you know I am a first year registered optomterist! I did a science degree not b*llocks!!

OH no I spelt it wrong!!

Haha, well I was talking about miaow actually! I would do physics or history though if I get the chance again one day (not until I am retired then!).

Morgannwg wrote:Haha, well I was talking about miaow actually!

Media Studies!? Ouch...

Nice work Miaow, good group of articles.

Just one thing, I still look at that Bok team and wonder why that was called an aging side, there were four "aging boks" in that side and as far as fitness goes, well they proved against Australia how fit they were.

Cheers biltong.

Perhaps calling the side aging without qualification is harsh. Experienced would be better, but doesn't, I don't think, reflect how it was a team reliant upon the majority of players who made up the World Cup winning side four years previously. The most clear case of selection of an experienced player, to the detriment of the team, was Jon Smit; whatever leadership he brought was certainly not worth leaving du Plessis on the bench. Arguably, as well Hougaard, and maybe even Pienaar, would have been better choices at 9.

Yes Smit should perhaps not have been there, although he wasn't bad, Bismarck already at that stage was a cut above him for some time.

fourie du Preez at that stage was still only 27, but he never really regained any form since his injury in 2009, and also considering he never played in 2010

maestegmafia wrote:Barnes is apparently a bit of an Allan Rolland. Born and grew up in Chepstow Wales. Moved to England for university.

Hmmm, what do you mean by this?

Norfolklass wrote:I've really enjoyed reading your recent articles. They are publication standard. Well done.

Well said really enjoyed reading your posts. Hope you enjoyed writing them enough to do a few more in the future

Cheers maesteg and norfolklass. Being Summer, and devoid of any meaningful, compulsory essays to write, it's been a good excuse to actually write at length (even if it's too long for some... ) on a subject I actually have an avid interest in. It was also good going back and reviewing (watching) extended highlights of Welsh games over the last few years. Shame about the World Cup though, ITV has practically kept all highlights off youtube, and their itvplayer is awful, meaning a combination of their rubbish video streaming and my rubbish internet connection forced me to trawl the internet for a reliable site. Which was frustrating.

Hope the few who are reading them have got some enjoyment out of them, or at the very least has made them think about Welsh rugby retrospectively. The whole point I did this was in defence of Gatland and, eventually, I'm going to try and state just why I think we would struggle to find a better coach for our present state as a rugby nation.