Wales verdict and tier 3

Wales are on the verge being placed in tier 3 of world rugby. If Wales lose to Australia they will be consigned to tier 3 and a possible nightmare situation in a hugely competitive and tough World Cup Group in 2015.

But... Wales' problems are more immediate than that of tough world cup pools or tier bandings. So where exactly do these problems lie? Coaching staff, regional frailties, playing personnel or injuries? All of these are seemingly viable reasons for their recent collapse although, I believe it has been coming for some time since the world cup.

For me the recent grand slam covered up the frailties of the management to tinker with a gameplan that had served them so well in the world cup. There seems to be a lack of invention or a certain amount of stubborness by the management. For consecutive matches teams have been able to analyse and perfect their gameplans. Not that NZ would of changed theirs!

I have raised my concerns previously about the managment team citing a an overwhelming reliance on Gatland. This was as evident as ever this weekend. The loss of which Wales suffered was yet another in a string. But there was evidence that the players' were bolstered by the return of the head honcho. Passion and pride were the buzz words of the week. And this showed yesterday.

So what do we make of this? Howley and co clearly have the inability to motivate a side boasting some of the most talented welsh players' in some generations. Or does blame lie at the players' feet. A culmination of both I would think. But there is a clear lack of trust on the part of the players' in regards of the remaining coaching team when Gats is away.

Players' have struggled for form and I was pleased to see Scott williams, Hook, Shingler, Charteris and the Passionate Liam (JPR) Williams who had an outstanding 2nd cap.

Wales must make changes again. Too much trust has been placed in certain players and we must not be afraid to drop big names. Warburton and Faletau were exemplary yesterday. Tackling and carrying hard and fast in the second half. JD2 has been a big miss and he shone against the best team in the world.

The management must again look to surprise the aussies but must get their selection right. Roberts has to be dropped and he has looked like a player who cares too much about his own welfare for international rugby. Wales must develop a hard edge and pile in when foul play takes place. Many might mock handbags but England are a team who are displaying unity and the will to fight for each other. They stand up for each other against the bully boys and Wales must do the same.

The team for Australia:

1) Gethin Jenkins
2) Mathew Rees
3) Paul James
4) Bradley Davies
5) Luke Charteris
6) Sam Warburton
7) Justin Tupuric/Shingler at 6 (warbs back at 7)
8) Toby Faletau

9) Phillips
10) Hook
11) Halfpenny
12) Scott Williams
13) JD2
14) Cutherbert
15) Liam Williams

16) Ken Owens
17) Andrews
18) Bevington
19) R Jones
20) Shingler/Tupuric
21) Knoyle
22) Priestland
23) North

Gethin, James, Phillips and Hook won't be available (there is a chance for Gethin)

Oh dear, I assumed we had cleared them. Thanks for that spanner haha. If this is the case we are struggling. If Biggar is fit he should start at 10. Gethin replaced by Bevington. Duncan Jones on the bench. James replaced by andrews. Lee on the bench.

Phillips replaced by Knoyle. Davies/Webb on the bench.

Oh thats right Wales... Poopie forgot.

All I took from this thread is Grandslam covering cracks, lets hope we are covering cracks next year too

What's Tier three?

Was Wales realy that bad yesterday?

Or was it more to the fact that they lost to the best team in the world?

Or are you saying that any NH team that loses to NZ is only good enough for tier 3 status?

What is tier 3?

Bradley Davies was concussed. He'll likely miss the game. Jenkins even Phillips and Hook could be headed back to France and James back to Bath. Maybe not Jenkins but he won't be missed at all given the way he is playing. The only place where we may have the advantage in the pack is back-row. I'm wondering myself do we start with Shingler or two open-sides like Australia do. With Toby at 8 and R.Jones at 2nd row if Bradley doesn't make it.

Why are we always talking about covering cracks all the sodding time?

Wales are a confidence side, we all know that, they lose it sometimes and lose games they would expect to win, and when they have it they can win grand slams and push the big 3 close.

Throw in the fact that luck is going against us in a big way at the moment, which is probably fair considering the luck that went our way in the world cup and the last 6 nations and were probably just getting things balanced out.

We're a yo-yo team like France but without the player depth they have so results tend to be more odd.

Player depth is certainly being tested with three locks injured, three tightheads, two blindsides, one hooker, one flyhalf, one inside centre, one wing and four players unavailable for the next game, two of those are looseheads.

It was tough enough facing a first choice AB team with so many absentees and injuries during yesterday's game.

The fact we weren't humped by fifty plus points yesterday proves depth is improving.

IRB rankings 1-4 = Tier 1,
5-8 Tier 2
9 -> Tier 3.

maestegmafia wrote:What is tier 3?

It's just north of Scotland

I thought Scott Andrews done well yesterday so why pick a L/Head at T/head. Players like Andrews, Jarvis and Lee will only improve when playing at this level