Wales vs Argentina KO 14:30 Sat 10th Nov - TEAM ANNOUNCED

First topic message reminder :

WALES V ARGENTINA

Venue: Millennium Stadium Cardiff Date: Saturday, 10 November Kick-off: 14:30 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales & online; live on S4C; live commentary on BBC Radio Wales & online; live commentary on Radio Cymru

Wales Team

L Halfpenny (Blues), A Cuthbert (Blues), S Williams (Scarlets), J Roberts (Blues), G North (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), T Knoyle (Scarlets); G Jenkins (RC Toulon), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jarvis (Ospreys), A W Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), J Turnbull (Scarlets), S Warburton (Blues & Captain), T Faletau (Dragons)

Replacements: R Hibbard (Ospreys), R Bevington (Ospreys), P James (Bath RFC), R McCusker (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys), M Phillips (RC Bayonne), J Hook (USA Perpignan), L Williams (Scarlets)


Argentina Team

JM Hernandez (Racing Metro), G Camacho (Exeter), G Tiesi (San Isidro), F Contepomi (Stade Francais), J Imhoff (Racing Metro), N Sanchez (Bordeaux-Begles), M Landajo (San Isidro), M Ayerza (Leicester), E Guinazu (Southern Kings), J Figallo (Montpellier); M Carizza (Racing Metro), JF Cabello (Tucuman); L Senatore (Gimnasia Rosario), JM Leguizamon (Lyon), JM Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon, captain)

Replacements: A Creevy (Montpellier), B Posiglioni (La Plata), J Gomez (Los Matreros), T Vallejos (Scarlets), T Leonardi (San Isidro), N Vergallo (Southern Kings), H Agulla (Bath), J Tuculet (Grenoble).

England in the 6 Nations.

I rarely post on here these days but I figured I would come on and see what peoples thoughts were, some people anyways. Personally not that confident with the team selection or Howley. Argentina could easily beat us and Tavis at 9 and Priestland at 10 fills me with fear that they will. Hope I am proven wrong though.

There seems to be a great deal of negativity surrounding rob howley's selection. However one major positive that seems to have been overlooked is the average age of the team:

The average age of the welsh backline is under 23.

The average age of the whole team is under 25.

You could also select an extremely strong team from players not selected in the starting xv for saturday which suggests that Wales are building nicely for the 2015 world cup.

15. Liam Williams
14. Harry robinson
13. Jon Davies
12. Ashley Beck
11. Eli walker
10. James hook
9. Mike phillips
8. Ryan jones
7. Justin tipuric
6. Dan lydiate
5. Luke charteris
4. Bradley davies
3. Adam jones
2. Ken owens
1. Paul james

LordDowlais wrote:I see the bell ends are out in force here again, 60% of the votes going for an Argentina win, I tell you one thing, if Wales have any ambitions about sitting at the top table of international rugby then loosing to Argentina is a big NO-NO. Wales will not lose to the Argies this weekend, and let us not forget, we were only a few dodgy referee decisions away from winning down under.

I am a proud Welshman and I think the Argies will win. Giving an honest two eyed opinion does not make anyone a bell end. Wales do have ambitions to sit at the top table but that does not give them a divine right to win. We are weakened in key positions at TH, BS, SH and Centre. We are also coming in cold with many of our available front line players either short of game time or simply not playing well. Travis it could be argued for example is not nailed on No 1 at the Scarlets he has certainly played fewer ganes than Davies.

It could also be argued that those who expect Wales to win are the Bellends. This is not defeatest attitude as we may win a close game, but to dismiss Argentina as a mere stepping stone on the route to our rightfull position in world Rugby, is just the arrogance of the ignorant

We are not as strong as usual in the front row and back row. We have no second row cover. The halfbacks on current form are the weakest we have put out in years.

Against that, the outside backs are top quality. Let's hope they get plenty of ball.

gavstar wrote:also, young 10's out there, if HE REALLY likes you, you wont have to go to the special training camp and be judged like the rest, you will be given sooooooo many chances to prove yourself, and when you mess up BIG time on the WORLD stage, well you get a bench spot no problem.

hook may well be ok for for perps, but he is not in better form that biggar, no way, look at the game and full club stats. as i've said before howley should go,

BTW, Hook and Luke played for Perp over the weekend. From the highlights, you can see a fantastic tap pass by Hook that made the first Perp try and some good commitment by Luke (and Strokovich). The other thing that may strike you is the high quality of the Rugby played by both teams, which are mid-table outfits at best, but put on some great entertainment. Rabo Pro12 , please take note!

http://www.usap.tv/videos/90/701/10eme-journee-de-top-14-castres-vs-usap/

impressed in training ? pick the man in form ?
they will pick who they want,
to keep the ones they dont want out, plus of course they , sorry i mean howley, havent got a f.....g clue.

usual story.....indulge....

halfp injured, oops! hook on at 15 he can kick, because priest cant, ...gavstar tries to reason with sir howley, .....hook is not a full back, and he is keeping a natural full back sub out of the side.......shut up gavstar, i know what i'm doing.

but sir howley, you are picking 20% of the side to cover one player at 10 cos he cant kick!!!

ah, but he (hook) could have covered centre as well (......like a real centre, you mean .sir)? yes, he was, could have ,should have been a real centre but he wasnt played there enough see gavstar, like he was never played enough at 10. or at 15 come to think of it. Those ospreys didnt know where to play him mmmmmmm

you see gavstar, now hook can pick up the pieces when our number 10 fails, ......hows that sir howley, he's playing 15?

dont mix fact with my plans, i'm in charge, hook has played 3 positions in a game before, he can do it again!! ....... 3 positions sir howley ,

....yes 3, he'll kick as 15 sub covering our 10 who cant kick, but be second receiver in the centre position after passing to himself when he creates space as a 10 as he runs through the line covering at 15 supporting on his own shoulder, as all full backs should.

wow sir howley, what happens if he's injured? we'll be 3 men short.
.....what will gats say about that sir howley?

you're asking too many questions about my plans gavstar, like that upstart biggar!!!
gats knows i'll take the flack with impunity.

yeah, right.


if it wasnt so near the truth it would be laughable, which it is.

gavstar wrote:impressed in training ? pick the man in form ?
they will pick who they want,
to keep the ones they dont want out, plus of course they , sorry i mean howley, havent got a f.....g clue.

usual story.....indulge....

halfp injured, oops! hook on at 15 he can kick, because priest cant, ...gavstar tries to reason with sir howley, .....hook is not a full back, and he is keeping a natural full back sub out of the side.......shut up gavstar, i know what i'm doing.

but sir howley, you are picking 20% of the side to cover one player at 10 cos he cant kick!!!

ah, but he (hook) could have covered centre as well (......like a real centre, you mean .sir)? yes, he was, could have ,should have been a real centre but he wasnt played there enough see gavstar, like he was never played enough at 10. or at 15 come to think of it. Those ospreys didnt know where to play him mmmmmmm

you see gavstar, now hook can pick up the pieces when our number 10 fails, ......hows that sir howley, he's playing 15?

dont mix fact with my plans, i'm in charge, hook has played 3 positions in a game before, he can do it again!! ....... 3 positions sir howley ,

....yes 3, he'll kick as 15 sub covering our 10 who cant kick, but be second receiver in the centre position after passing to himself when he creates space as a 10 as he runs through the line covering at 15 supporting on his own shoulder, as all full backs should.

wow sir howley, what happens if he's injured? we'll be 3 men short.
.....what will gats say about that sir howley?

you're asking too many questions about my plans gavstar, like that upstart biggar!!!
gats knows i'll take the flack with impunity.

yeah, right.


if it wasnt so near the truth it would be laughable, which it is.

You never know maybe Hook trained well in Poland as a lock & can cover there aswell?

HERSH wrote:9/2 I might have a bit of that.

Good on you wummer.

I had a nice 50 quid on London Welsh not so long ago

majesticimperialman wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Oh jeez maj, tell us something we don't know for a change.

Oh jeez Morgannwg, seems like every body knows about this. except the Welsh Players.


Maybe you could have a word with Howely and co.

I'm sure that post made sense to you, but it makes little sense how you've written it.

Where did you see Jonathan Davies' quotes? Because having seen the article, I think you've been pulled in by a headline. You shouldn't be wumming anyway, after your ban.

Howely. Brilliant

viewtothegym wrote:Howley has to try out many combinations and players, it's all about exposing our players to a test match in the build up for the 2015 world cup.

NO IT'S NOT! It's about winning as many of these matches as we can in the hope that we finish in the IRB top 4 for the draw for the 2015 World Cup!

dragonbreath wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I see the bell ends are out in force here again, 60% of the votes going for an Argentina win, I tell you one thing, if Wales have any ambitions about sitting at the top table of international rugby then loosing to Argentina is a big NO-NO. Wales will not lose to the Argies this weekend, and let us not forget, we were only a few dodgy referee decisions away from winning down under.

I am a proud Welshman and I think the Argies will win. Giving an honest two eyed opinion does not make anyone a bell end. Wales do have ambitions to sit at the top table but that does not give them a divine right to win. We are weakened in key positions at TH, BS, SH and Centre. We are also coming in cold with many of our available front line players either short of game time or simply not playing well. Travis it could be argued for example is not nailed on No 1 at the Scarlets he has certainly played fewer ganes than Davies.

It could also be argued that those who expect Wales to win are the Bellends. This is not defeatest attitude as we may win a close game, but to dismiss Argentina as a mere stepping stone on the route to our rightfull position in world Rugby, is just the arrogance of the ignorant

I called them bell ends because sixty % voted for a Welsh loss, and not one person gave their reasons why.

It says a lot that you see it as voting for a Welsh loss rather than voting for an Argentinian win. You've assumed that anyone voting for anything other than a Welsh win must be on the WUM, which is bizarre.

I voted for Wales by +10. (not by much over that though)

Argentina are a decent team, but Wales are better. With home advantage this is the minimum they should accept.

I voted Argentina by 5 or less.

The reason is failry simple, they have completed the toughest tour of their history over the past winter season.

their players learnt how to face team that play hard physical rugby and breakdowns that require quick ball. their forwards have always been tough, but their backs managed some good moves and their execution improved as the tournamnet went on.

Wales on the other hand have not played a test in more than 3 months, they didn't convince me in australia and seems to have lost their attacking nous.

It will certainly be a battle of attrition, the forward edge goes to Argentina just, the backs on paper goes to Wales, the question is will they click or just play pedestrian one up, one pass rugby.

It is a tough one to call, but Argentina will want to prove that playing in the rugby Championship has been of benefit to them.

Wales is still the six nations champions, and a very good team, but I think Argentina wants this more. (Yeah I know that is an iffy statement)

I voted for Arg to win by 5. I think they will be too settled and too strong for us up front. As we have shown time and time again our scrum is de powered without A Jones and I would be very surprised if Jarvis is good enough to step in and stop that trend.

I also (although I am a huge fan of his) think that Priestland is massively off form and shouldn't be playing. Having said that I don't really rate Biggar either.

I don't mind Knoyle at 9 but I hope Howley has put a bit of hurry up into him because he dithers at the base for so long it allows the defense to get set.

It's good to see Roberts back as I think he was a big miss in the summer and I am happy with the back row.

So in conclusion Arg to win by a pen

LordDowlais wrote:I called them bell ends because sixty % voted for a Welsh loss, and not one person gave their reasons why.

I did

rainbow-warrior wrote:

HERSH wrote:9/2 I might have a bit of that.

Good on you wummer.

Again why is it a wum to say you'll have a bet on a game of rugby?

At odds of 9/2 you'd be mad not to.

It seems many people from one home nation aren't respecting the views of other 606ers, which is a shame!

Not everyone loves you, deal with it guys.


Oh and good luck against Arg.

At 33-1 I am tempted to put a couple of quid on Fiji. Then at least if the unthinkable happens I have some consolation.

Latest average odds for Argentina are 30-7. Personally I think Wales will win but 1-4 odds on favourites is overstating it a touch.

I don't gamble so not too sure what these odds really mean.

Does this effective mean Australia has a 30/7 = 4 and 2/7ths

Devide 100 into 4.2859 and it gives you a 23.33% chance of winning?

But then these odds are affected depending on the pundits that put money on?

So these odds are not statistically correct?

It tells you who favours which team.

I suppose the odds given before the betting starts are based on statistics and odds of previous games?

The odds are set by the bookie to cover their back/make money. Yes they change depending on which team money is being laid on. they are not concrete, statistacl calculations - but Bookies do tend to be richer than punters.

At 30/7 (that is average odds across a number of bookies), if you bet 7 pounds you would get £30 back (plus your original bet).

LondonTiger wrote:At 33-1 I am tempted to put a couple of quid on Fiji. Then at least if the unthinkable happens I have some consolation.

Latest average odds for Argentina are 30-7. Personally I think Wales will win but 1-4 odds on favourites is overstating it a touch.

The few times I have put money on a match it has been on the opposition. When we won I was happy to have lost a few quid, but if we had lost I would have had my first handful of consolation beers paid for by the opposition team (well you know what I mean). Seeing as the opinion on Wales' chances of winning are pretty devided on here, I would say a bet on the Argentinians would not be a bad idea.

I'm surprised at how big the odds are for Argentina, I can't see it being a walk over for Wales even if they win.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:At 33-1 I am tempted to put a couple of quid on Fiji. Then at least if the unthinkable happens I have some consolation.

Latest average odds for Argentina are 30-7. Personally I think Wales will win but 1-4 odds on favourites is overstating it a touch.

The few times I have put money on a match it has been on the opposition. When we won I was happy to have lost a few quid, but if we had lost I would have had my first handful of consolation beers paid for by the opposition team (well you know what I mean). Seeing as the opinion on Wales' chances of winning are pretty devided on here, I would say a bet on the Argentinians would not be a bad idea.

I used the odds to encourage a vague idea of the concept of where this game might be going, not to encourage you all to waste your hard earned cash on the bookies.

Before you book i hope you all read this website thoroughly first...!

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/

From BBC Sport

Veteran Felipe Contepomi returns at centre for Pumas

Argentina have recalled veteran centre Felipe Contepomi to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The 35-year-old former Leinster back, currently at Stade Francais, sat out the Rugby Championship due to an agreement between the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) and the French clubs.

He was not named in coach Santiago Phelan's initial Pumas squad. Juan Martin Hernandez has been moved to full-back, while Bordeaux-Begles' Nicolas Sanchez starts at fly-half.

Biarritz centre Marcelo Bosch is unavailable due to his own club commitments this weekend, while Contepomi comes back into Phelan's starting XV to win his 79th cap for the Pumas

Argentina make six changes and two positional switches from the side beaten to Australia. Alongside Contepomi in midfield will be former Harlequins and Stade Francais three-quarter Gonzalo Tiesi, who will make his first appearance since the 2011 World Cup.

Toulouse lock Patricio Albacete has been ruled out after suffering a fracture near his eye, with flanker Julio Farias Cabello moving into the second row to partner Manuel Carizza and Leonardo Senatore coming into the back row.
The 31-year-old, who has won 51 caps for the Pumas, is one of three players withdrawn from the Argentina squad for the visit to Wales.

In the front row Leicester's Marcos Ayerza benefits from the retirement of Rodrigo Roncero and the absence of Gomez Kodela to start on the loosehead side of the scrum alongside Eusebio Guinazu and Juan Figallo.

Juan Imhoff is rewarded for his impressive form during the Rugby Championship and for Racing Metro as he takes the left wing slot from Bath's Horacio Agulla, with Exeter's Gonzalo Camacho on the other flank. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe captains the side from number eight and is set to win his 50th cap.

Argentina team to face Wales: JM Hernandez (Racing Metro), G Camacho (Exeter), G Tiesi (San Isidro), F Contepomi (Stade Francais), J Imhoff (Racing Metro), N Sanchez (Bordeaux-Begles), M Landajo (San Isidro), M Ayerza (Leicester), E Guinazu (Southern Kings), J Figallo (Montpellier); M Carizza (Racing Metro), JF Cabello (Tucuman); L Senatore (Gimnasia Rosario), JM Leguizamon (Lyon), JM Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon, captain).

Replacements: A Creevy (Montpellier), B Posiglioni (La Plata), J Gomez (Los Matreros), T Vallejos (Scarlets), T Leonardi (San Isidro), N Vergallo (Southern Kings), H Agulla (Bath), J Tuculet (Grenoble).

Argentina from the UAR website

Puntos = Points

Partidos = Caps

1- Marcos Ayerza (37 partidos – 5 puntos)
2- Eusebio Guiñazú (24 partidos – 5 puntos)
3- Juan Figallo (15 partidos – 5 puntos)
4- Manuel Carizza (29 partidos – 5 puntos)
5- Julio Farías Cabello (16 partidos – 10 puntos)
6- Leonardo Senatore (14 partidos – 10 puntos)
7- Juan Manuel Leguizamón (43 partidos – 35 puntos)
8- Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (capitán) (49 partidos – 20 puntos)
9- Martín Landajo (14 partidos – 5 puntos)
10- Nicolás Sánchez (5 partidos – 7 puntos)
11- Juan Imhoff (11 partidos – 50 puntos)
12- Felipe Contepomi (78 partidos – 628 puntos)
13- Gonzalo Tiesi (30 partidos – 40 puntos)
14- Gonzalo Camacho (17 partidos – 25 puntos)
15- Juan Martín Hernández (37 partidos – 112 puntos)

Suplentes:

16- Agustín Creevy (19 partidos)
17- Bruno Postiglioni (6 partidos)
18- Juan Gómez (5 partidos)
19- Tomás Vallejos Cinalli (2 partidos)
20- Tomás Leonardi (13 partidos – 10 puntos)
21- Nicolás Vergallo (29 partidos)
22- Horacio Agulla (40 partidos – 20 puntos)
23- Joaquín Tuculet (3 partidos)

Entrenador: Santiago Phelan.

Strong Arg team, weakish bench though. Hernandez, contepomi and sanchez, let's hope they kick to our wingers a lot.

Should be a tough game. Good Argie side despite their injuries and withdrawals.

Fernandez Lobbe will be the most valuable player on the park - Wales be warned

RubyGuby wrote:Fernandez Lobbe will be the most valuable player on the park - Wales be warned

Seriously ? I know he is very good, but most valuable player on the park ? I cannot see it. I think Warburton will have a point to prove this weekend, and I think he will be everywhere. Also I think our big backs will make an impact on this game, look out for Jamie Roberts, George North, Alex Cuthbert hitting the shoite out if them and breaking them as the game wares on.

I can easily see Argentina winning this. As Biltong points out, they'll be battle-hardened from playing the best teams in the world. Wales always start series slowly. I've not much faith in Jarvis coping (or anyone else we could have put in with AJ out). We (the fans) often underestimate Argentina, who until recently had been ranked above us for a long time. I don't rate Howlers as a thinker (I always thought that was his one weakness as a scrum-half).

I can't understand why no Tipuric and no Hibbard.

Having said that, there's no doubt with good ball our backs can do some damage.

I have an awful memory of the last time I saw Argentina in Cardiff, Iestyn Harris' debut game.

samuraidragon wrote:

gavstar wrote:also, young 10's out there, if HE REALLY likes you, you wont have to go to the special training camp and be judged like the rest, you will be given sooooooo many chances to prove yourself, and when you mess up BIG time on the WORLD stage, well you get a bench spot no problem.

hook may well be ok for for perps, but he is not in better form that biggar, no way, look at the game and full club stats. as i've said before howley should go,

BTW, Hook and Luke played for Perp over the weekend. From the highlights, you can see a fantastic tap pass by Hook that made the first Perp try and some good commitment by Luke (and Strokovich). The other thing that may strike you is the high quality of the Rugby played by both teams, which are mid-table outfits at best, but put on some great entertainment. Rabo Pro12 , please take note!

http://www.usap.tv/videos/90/701/10eme-journee-de-top-14-castres-vs-usap/

Selected highlights mask the contribution that Hook's control and awareness has made to a highly talented and rather costly Perpignan side.

Played 10 Lost 6 Won 4
The truth is more close to 8 losses as 2 were won almost in the last few mins. Shades of seasons gone by or maybe he is a really really good player playing in a poor side............ you decide

He has not been more than average so far this term and the Perpignan supporters are already voicing their discontent over a very costly flyhalf

The age old problem with Hook is that looking only at highlights you'd think he was one the world's best.

LordDowlais wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Fernandez Lobbe will be the most valuable player on the park - Wales be warned

Seriously ? I know he is very good, but most valuable player on the park ? I cannot see it. I think Warburton will have a point to prove this weekend, and I think he will be everywhere. Also I think our big backs will make an impact on this game, look out for Jamie Roberts, George North, Alex Cuthbert hitting the shoite out if them and breaking them as the game wares on.

On this rare occasion Lord we have to differ - I beg your pardon

Hook shouldn't be in that squad at all. Howley's blunderbolt selections are really going to mess things up for us.

RubyGuby wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Fernandez Lobbe will be the most valuable player on the park - Wales be warned

Seriously ? I know he is very good, but most valuable player on the park ? I cannot see it. I think Warburton will have a point to prove this weekend, and I think he will be everywhere. Also I think our big backs will make an impact on this game, look out for Jamie Roberts, George North, Alex Cuthbert hitting the shoite out if them and breaking them as the game wares on.

On this rare occasion Lord we have to differ - I beg your pardon

Fernandez Lobbe has always been Argentina's most overrated player in my opinion. They will miss Albacete though.

Well that has sealed it then - Hook will come on in the last 20, score 1 try, set up another and Wales win by 10

The Hook debate was settled long ago. French coaches, media and even the impartial French poster on 606v2 (the intriguingly named 'whocares') have praised his consistency and ability to not only 'control' but to 'boss' a game.

Just needed a run of games at 10, under a decent coach. Something he never had here. (No more than 2 consecutive starts in a Welsh 10 shirt since 2008, for the fact checkers).

All immaterial now. As mentioned above, Priestland is the man. He might recapture that pre RWC form any day....

Casartelli wrote:The Hook debate was settled long ago. French coaches, media and even the impartial French poster on 606v2 (the intriguingly named 'whocares') have praised his consistency and ability to not only 'control' but to 'boss' a game.

Just needed a run of games at 10, under a decent coach. Something he never had here. (No more than 2 consecutive starts in a Welsh 10 shirt since 2008, for the fact checkers).

All immaterial now. As mentioned above, Priestland is the man. He might recapture that pre RWC form any day....

Mr F
Actually they havent praised him at all except for one MOM game, the rest has been at times scathing (thats more losses than wins)

Dont be selective in your years
Look a tad before that in 2006/7 he had more starts as a 10 that Jones Robinson or Sweeney put together......... the issue was clear then "consistently inconsistent", 10 mins of brilliance doth not make a decent player, his 2007 Aussie tour was all that you shouldnt do as a halfback. The 2008 season saw him dropped by the Os not because his face didnt fit but because he had three 'mares and they were forced to bring in a young inexperienced buck called Biggar and lol and behold he won the championship for them and likewise Wales dropped him for the same reasons

RP shouldnt be starting but for 1/2p tremendous kicking, I feel Biggar should have been given a chance based on current form

Biggar will face Samoa - unfortunately for him

Biggar doesn't get the backline moving well enough for Wales to utilise the players out wide. Until he does he won't get a decent shot at the ten shirt.

His natural instinct is kick rather than look to exploit the defensive frailties in front of him.

Hey Flyhalf, how's it going,

The stats on Hook are shocking - I was surprised too. The longest run he had starting at 10 was 6 games through the end of the 2007 season and the pre RWC games.

To date, Priestland has been given 15 starts at 10 (okay, one was a run on as a sub, but it was still at 10, so he can't use that as an excuse).

Ospreys form was irrelevant. Holley would have turned Dan Carter into Ceri Sweeney.

Anyway, this isn't about you and me any more. Hook has proven himself in France (as 'whocares' said a while back - if he was French he would be their starting 10).

And Priestland is clearly going to have to shoot someone on the pitch with a gun (like in The Last Boy Scout with Bruce Willis) to lose that 10 shirt.

The 3 of them have something to prove - lets wait and see eh

Casartelli wrote:And Priestland is clearly going to have to shoot someone on the pitch with a gun (like in The Last Boy Scout with Bruce Willis) to lose that 10 shirt.

I remember when it was the Hook V Jones debate tht people used to come on here and spout about how many games Hook has played at 10 and how many of those we have won compared to Jones. Any idea how those stats stack up against Priestland.

Oh and you can't count Scarlets form as we have no pack to give him the quick service.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Casartelli wrote:And Priestland is clearly going to have to shoot someone on the pitch with a gun (like in The Last Boy Scout with Bruce Willis) to lose that 10 shirt.

I remember when it was the Hook V Jones debate tht people used to come on here and spout about how many games Hook has played at 10 and how many of those we have won compared to Jones. Any idea how those stats stack up against Priestland.

Oh and you can't count Scarlets form as we have no pack to give him the quick service.

What stats do you want me to look up?

For SS,

Priestland has started 15 games at OH. Wales won 9, lost 6.

Hook has started 19 games at OH. Wales won 12, lost 7.

5 mins of my life I will never get back!

Cas - Cheers, and you would have only wasted them five mins doing something else anyway.

Looking at your Stats Priestland had to start as he has lost less matches

I voted Argentina by 10+. I think they are more of a unit, have most of their key players in form and not injured and have a point to prove.
It will be an intensely physical match up, and if Wales suffer an injury or two, which I think frankly inevitable, they don't have the bench cover at this time to keep up the intensity.
Wales has fantastic backs, especially the wingers, however if they lose the battle up front they won't get enough ball to make a difference.
If Argentina can keep Wales quiet for the first 20, then I think they'll turn Wales over.
If I had a second vote, I'd say Wales by +10 - sounds daft, but I think these aren't teams that will run each other close - either one side or the other is going to win comfortably. For my money - this time -with this squad - it's Argentina.
I may well be wrong - if it's any consolation to Wales fans - I usually am.
Best of luck either way.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Cas - Cheers, and you would have only wasted them five mins doing something else anyway.

Looking at your Stats Priestland had to start as he has lost less matches

Actually, Dan Biggar has started 5 times at 10 and has only lost once (All Blacks away!)

So, by the SSSS (ScarletSpidermanStatisticalScale) - he's our greatest ever outside half.

Casartelli wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Cas - Cheers, and you would have only wasted them five mins doing something else anyway.

Looking at your Stats Priestland had to start as he has lost less matches

Actually, Dan Biggar has started 5 times at 10 and has only lost once (All Blacks away!)

So, by the SSSS (ScarletSpidermanStatisticalScale) - he's our greatest ever outside half.

Another five mins gone, but in fairness probably one of the best replies I have heard in a while