Wales Tour of Japan

First topic message reminder :

I know there was a thread on this somewhere, but it's been swamped.

Wales Lions - likely replacements

Halfpenny - Liam Williams
Cuthbert - Walker, Robinson
Davies - Williams, Maule
Roberts - Beck, Hewitt
North - Owen Williams (gutted for Mike Poole)
Phillips - Aled Davies, Tavis Knoyle
Jenkins - Gill
Hibbard - Myhill
Jones - Mitchell
AW Jones - Lou Reed
Ian Evans - King, Kohn
Lydiate - Ieuan Jones
Warburton and Tipuric - Thomas
Faletau - Bearman

What do you think? Anybody else you'd like to see tour Japan?

Wales Training Squad:
Forwards: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Sam Hobbs (Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Blues), Lou Reed (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andries Pretorius (Blues), Josh Navidi (Blues).
Backs: Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Aled Davis (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Blues), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Steven Shingler (London Irish).

LATEST WRU PRESS RELEASE:




Wales Training Squad Update

Wales have called Cardiff Blues outside half Rhys Patchell and Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Sam Parry into their training squad for the tour of Japan but Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland has been ruled out of the tour.

Priestland aggravated his Achilles tendon in the warm-up of the Scarlets’ RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final on Friday evening and will miss the two-test tour.

Patchell, 19, who has scored 147 points in 22 appearances for the Blues this season and Haverfordwest born Parry, joined up with the training squad when they met for the first time this morning.

Ken Owens, Scott Williams and Liam Williams who picked up knocks in the defeat to Ulster, will continue to be monitored by the National Squad medical team.

Rhys PATCHELL (CARDIFF BLUES - Uncapped)
DoB: 17.05.93. 6’2” / 1.88m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs
International record: Uncapped

Sam PARRY (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Uncapped)
DoB: 17.12.91. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 11lbs / 107kgs
International record: Uncapped.

Further update:

Scott Williams out. Will not be replaced in the squad.

Further update:

Ken Owens confirmed out, won't be replaced. 27 man squad TBA.

Cheers Munkian:

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WELSH RUGBY UNION:
WALES ANNOUNCE JAPAN TOUR SQUAD

Cardiff Blues lock Bradley Davies will lead Wales in the forthcoming two-test tour of Japan.

The 26-year-old was named captain as Head Coach for the Japan tour Robin McBryde reduced his initial training squad down to a 27-man touring party.

The squad includes nine uncapped players including Ospreys duo Dafydd Howells and Dan Baker and Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell.

Props Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues) and Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs) who all featured for Wales in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations are joined by Saracens’ Rhys Gill and Rhodri Jones (Scarlets).

Uncapped pair Emyr Phillips (Scarlets) and Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) are named as hookers.

Davies returns to the squad after missing the Six Nations campaign due to injury and is named alongside Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Lou Reed (Blues) and James King (Ospreys).

Baker, 20, who featured 25 times for Swansea in the Principality Premiership this season, joins Scarlets duo Aaron Shingler and Rob McCusker and Blues captain Andries Pretorius.

Lloyd Williams (Blues) and Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) are named at scrum-half alongside Dan Biggar (Ospreys) and Patchell at fly-half.

In the backline Ospreys trio Ashley Beck, Jonathan Spratt and 18-year-old Howells are joined by Blues duo Owen Williams and Harry Robinson, Liam Williams (Scarlets), Tom Prydie (Dragons) and Steven Shingler (London Irish).

Wales face Eddie Jones’ Japan in Osaka on June 8th and then in Tokyo on June 15th and McBryde has been impressed with his squad over the past ten days.

“We’ve had the training squad together for more than a week and we’ve been impressed,” said McBryde.

“They have really put the effort in and stepped up as we have asked them to. Everyone in the training squad put their hand up for selection making our jobs much harder.

“It’s a chance for these players now to experience the international test environment and put their marker down.
Wales Squad:

Forwards: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Blues), Lou Reed (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andries Pretorius (Blues).

Backs: Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Blues), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Steven Shingler (London Irish).

Schitt if Japan score form this...

Shaun Edawrds has a lot of shouting to do

First time Wales have lost the tries scored count against Japan at any rate

Patchell saves us!!!!!!!!

Cari wrote:Patchell saves us!!!!!!!!

By knocking it on? Surely it wasn't deliberate?

NOOOO!

Patchell could have had a try!

At least we won..

Game over, well done to Japan they tried really hard, congrats to Wales, it took a while but they eventually gained control

Will have to work on their breakdowns though, very poor at getting numbers there.

Very petty pinging Wales at the end there, but I actually feel sorry for Japan they deserved to win today. But I'm glad they didn't.

just about good enough

Patchell could well start next game...

Good victory considering...

Possibly the most inexperienced Wales side ever.
Nearly all youngsters.
The regions performing badly so no real form to play off.
Very hot conditions.

Gutsy win.

Japan had a moral victory

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:Japan had a moral victory

absolutely, they will take a lot of confidence to next week.

That last kick from Patchell turned out to be crucial

Everyone who watched this game owes Liam Williams a drink

Big changes needed next week, starting with Navidi.


Players who improved their reputation
Liam Williams
Scott Andrews
Bradley Davies
Emyr Phillips

Player who have lost reputation (or shouldn't have played in the first place)
Rob McCusker
James King (not his fault he was played out of position)
Jonathan Spratt
Ryan Bevington

I think Pretorius made a difference when he came on.

Ya know, ya need a souf efrican connection these days

I feel so bad for Japan, they thoroughly deserved to win this, against an arrogant Wales management happy to underestimate them.

Mccusker and King were laughable in their roles today, Lloyd Williams how many times do you have to be schitt before you get dropped, Bevington and Reed were poor too.

On the plus side Liam Williams showed what he can do with a bit of ball in hand, Bradders showed he is back to fitness (although on deaths door) Andrews did his job superbly, and this Wales team had 100 caps between them, nearly half coming from 2 players.

I thought Robinson looked sharp too, Ive criticised him for a year for being rag doll esque, but he is growing and still looking sharp, he has to have some credit.

Biltong wrote:I think Pretorius made a difference when he came on.

Ya know, ya need a souf efrican connection these days

In fairness, anyone could have made that backrow look better

Navidi and Pretorious have to start next week - with King or Coombes at 6.

Agree with you blues man, if Japan slotted their kicks they could have won this, something they will have to work on.

Biltong wrote:Agree with you blues man, if Japan slotted their kicks they could have won this, something they will have to work on.

Ye, they have got to a point where their fitness and coaching rivals top 10 teams in the world, but their fundamental skill levels are just not there, recruiting foreign imports and converting them has got them this far, now they need to start working with academy players to excell in certain aspects just as goal kicking.

Biltong wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:Japan had a moral victory

absolutely, they will take a lot of confidence to next week.

Don't think they will. They can't really change too much. We have an ability now to change certain players and tactics, which should make us stronger.

They needed to win that test. Missed a big chance. Gutted for them, as they deserved that far more than we did.

thebluesmancometh wrote:
I thought Robinson looked sharp too, Ive criticised him for a year for being rag doll esque, but he is growing and still looking sharp, he has to have some credit.

Still don't think he is near international class - it is just that we only have 2 international wingers

He can run fast, but doesn't cut good lines and too often gets dragged into touch

Tom James without the power :/

Biltong wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:Japan had a moral victory

absolutely, they will take a lot of confidence to next week.

Wales then, will have to regroup and come up with a better game plan for the next match. From the sounds of it (only saw last 10 mins) not enough respect was shown to the opposition. Fatal error to make but at least they scraped through in the end.

The question is though, will McBryde see it like you guys did and make these changes? Or will he stubbornly persist and run the risk of something similar next time? Surely not... but I've given up trying to read coaches intentions these days.

Wales will still come in for a slating for this result from home and abroad. I hope that doesn't knock the young players' confidence too much. If it does, then it will go someway to show that these development games are often more negative than positive. A no win situation in some regards for Wales.

I was concerned about this game per tour. More so than most others. I was only basing this on the last World Cup which I appreciate was a long time ago. But they pushed France in the group match and drew with Canada. Now they're coached by Eddie Jones and have the likes of Borthwick in their camp, plus their league is full of stars who must have an influence on the homegrown players. And, unlike the World Cup sides they faced this was a 3rd or 4th choice Wales team. So, I was genuinely concerned. Pleased with a win, but was expecting a close game and potentially a loss. I personally feel we should have started a stronger side and sent some better players. I understand the need for development, but I don't want these players to be considered the ones that 'nearly lost to Japan' or 'lost to Japan' in the next game. That'll do nothing for them.

McCusker has always been terrible in every department.

Scott Andrews was very mobile and ferocious today.

Team for next week

1. Rhys Gill
2. Emyr Phillips
3. Scott "I can play 7" Andrews
4. Bradley Davies (c)
5. Andrew Coombes
6. James "I can't play 7" King
7. Josh "waterboy" Navidi
8. Andreus "i'm Welsh" Pretorious
9. Tavis "i'm third choice for my region" Knoyle
10. Dan Biggar "is better"
11. Harry "run fast in a straight line" Robinson
12. Adam Warren/Steven Shingler
13. Owen "give me the ball already" Williams
14. Tom Prydie
15. Liam "the saviour" Williams

16. Scott Baldwin
17. Ryan Bevington
18. Craig Mitchell
19. Lou "distinctly average" Reed
20. Rob "distinctly average" McCusker
21. Lloyd "plays well occasionally" Williams
22. Rhys "I can do anything" Patchell
23. Whoever

wales606 wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:
I thought Robinson looked sharp too, Ive criticised him for a year for being rag doll esque, but he is growing and still looking sharp, he has to have some credit.

Still don't think he is near international class - it is just that we only have 2 international wingers

He can run fast, but doesn't cut good lines and too often gets dragged into touch

Tom James without the power :/

So far, he is immensely agile, and elusive, once he gets to a size where physically he can stop from being thrown around he'll be usefull. The lines and angles of running will come in time and with experience.

Do you think he'll get to that size Blues? He looked pretty stocky to me already, but his height is the problem. Not sure he'll grow much more in height now!

Griff wrote:Do you think he'll get to that size Blues? He looked pretty stocky to me already, but his height is the problem. Not sure he'll grow much more in height now!

Ye easy, I can condition anyone to a point where they can compete in rugby, it's not that difficult but to do it correctly it does take a few years!

He looks like he is in the mid stages of his programme, and with a recent ballooning burst (well looks like to me) I suspect his strength and power capabilities have just been upped a level, which is why I was impressed as he looks as sharp as he always does.

The problem he has is straight line speed will be matched by most wingers, it is very difficult to get any advantage there, so he needs to develop his angles, agility and one thing that Shane did that is massively underestimated by the rugby world - Decceleration! Now he is getting more powerfull he will do more damage and the more club time he gets (without being thrown into touch every time) the more experienced he'll become and his game will develop.

I was always worried about his potential before, but for the first time today he has shown me something that other coaches clearly see in training, he's nowhere near there yet but he is showing potential, and for his age thats all you can ask

Where do you stand on the team selection today blues? I understand development, but for me it was too many youngsters/inexperienced in the team. A few more old heads would have been better IMO.

wales606 wrote:Team for next week

1. Rhys Gill
2. Emyr Phillips
3. Scott "I can play 7" Andrews
4. Bradley Davies (c)
5. Andrew Coombes
6. James "I can't play 7" King
7. Josh "waterboy" Navidi
8. Andreus "i'm Welsh" Pretorious
9. Tavis "i'm third choice for my region" Knoyle
10. Dan Biggar "is better"
11. Harry "run fast in a straight line" Robinson
12. Adam Warren/Steven Shingler
13. Owen "give me the ball already" Williams
14. Tom Prydie
15. Liam "the saviour" Williams

16. Scott Baldwin
17. Ryan Bevington
18. Craig Mitchell
19. Lou "distinctly average" Reed
20. Rob "distinctly average" McCusker
21. Lloyd "plays well occasionally" Williams
22. Rhys "I can do anything" Patchell
23. Whoever

I pretty much agree with this, (apart from number 23).

King is a front lock or blindside. Bradley is captain so really we want King at 6.
I'm not sure it's a good idea to have Coombs at 5 mind, he isn't that tall, but maybe we can get away with it against Japan, especially if we have King as a line out option as well.

To be fair to Wales though their looking at the bigger picture on this tour, they were not worried about losing the games. They are simply trying to put young players into a harsh environment under pressure and see who sinks or swims. Nearly the entire team are kids with no international rugby experience, so to win is a fantastic achievement.

Rob McCusker is the only player in that game who has looked very poor so far. We do need to sort the scrums out though, so maybe Baldwin and Gill to start next week. Don't be suprised, if Wales change most of them team over, I think they will want to cap everyone and give them all a chance, win or lose.

Shifty wrote:

wales606 wrote:Team for next week

1. Rhys Gill
2. Emyr Phillips
3. Scott "I can play 7" Andrews
4. Bradley Davies (c)
5. Andrew Coombes
6. James "I can't play 7" King
7. Josh "waterboy" Navidi
8. Andreus "i'm Welsh" Pretorious
9. Tavis "i'm third choice for my region" Knoyle
10. Dan Biggar "is better"
11. Harry "run fast in a straight line" Robinson
12. Adam Warren/Steven Shingler
13. Owen "give me the ball already" Williams
14. Tom Prydie
15. Liam "the saviour" Williams

16. Scott Baldwin
17. Ryan Bevington
18. Craig Mitchell
19. Lou "distinctly average" Reed
20. Rob "distinctly average" McCusker
21. Lloyd "plays well occasionally" Williams
22. Rhys "I can do anything" Patchell
23. Whoever

I pretty much agree with this, (apart from number 23).

King is a front lock or blindside. Bradley is captain so really we want King at 6.
I'm not sure it's a good idea to have Coombs at 5 mind, he isn't that tall, but maybe we can get away with it against Japan, especially if we have King as a line out option as well.

To be fair to Wales though their looking at the bigger picture on this tour, they were not worried about losing the games. They are simply trying to put young players into a harsh environment under pressure and see who sinks or swims. Nearly the entire team are kids with no international rugby experience, so to win is a fantastic achievement.

Rob McCusker is the only player in that game who has looked very poor so far. We do need to sort the scrums out though, so maybe Baldwin and Gill to start next week. Don't be suprised, if Wales change most of them team over, I think they will want to cap everyone and give them all a chance, win or lose.

Emyr Phillips was very good, and the lineout went well

I wouldn't start Baldwin, he has fallen to pieces under pressure for the O's and Philips certainly deserves his place.

I hope Mitchell is fit so we don't have to keep Andrews on for the full 80 - he must be knackered

Griff wrote:Where do you stand on the team selection today blues? I understand development, but for me it was too many youngsters/inexperienced in the team. A few more old heads would have been better IMO.

I think some of the more experienced players were injured though weren't they, such as Owens, Williams, Beck, and Shinglar.

I see the use of youth on this tour, but in moderation and using them in settled combinations to allow them a platform to perform, my team for the first game wouldve been...

Gill
Phillips
Andrews
Davies
Coombs
Pretorious
Navidi
Mccusker
Knoyle
Biggar
Robinson
Patchell
O. Williams
Prydie
L. Williams

Not many experienced options in midfield, but both options know each other, Biggar inside them and Patchells kicking as a second option.

Yeah agree with that team mainly. I just feel that the boys today a lot of them were chucked in and expected to do a job with little experience either themselves or around them. International rugby is a different beast! I think your team would have won more comfortably but still allowed some youngsters to be blooded. Would have been a safer environment!

Pretty poor performance by Wales. No ball at the breakdown but no surprises considering the selection and the quality of the Japanese 6,7 and 8.

I feel for King, asked to play an alien game to him, and looked totally lost at times.

Mccusker was just plain awfull, as he always has been in a red shirt of Wales.

McCusker has had an awful last 18 months. He needs dropping at Regional and international level. Should have to play his way back. Baker should start next week.

It was too much too ask James King to play seven, only because it left us without anyone trying to turn over or contest on the ground, while Japan had four or five lads fighting well at the breakdown.

Lou Reed did better than I thought but I really do not expect much of him.


Be good to see a different group get an opportunity next week.

I have never rated McCusker or Turnbull in a Welsh shirt, which makes it more difficult to swallow when Lewis Evans gets overlooked for them, no matter what he does.

Still, it was nice to give the young player a tough game

In the long run, that game will probably be better for their development than the old 50 - 3 thrashings

Even if it looks bad on the scoresheet

I think there were some nice touches and good play in bits and pieces but underestimating the Japanese ability at the breakdown was naive by the welsh management.

Had they have selected an openside, especially a lad as talented as Nalvidi we would have had so much more ball to be able to judge players performances from.

I thought of the small amount of rugby we played that most players had good games. Liam Williams was off form, McCusker useless, didnt see Spratt once, Bevington was too quiet.

on the plus side Gill looked great, Knoyle looked really good too.. Patchell has the air of a future great about him. Robinson and Howells looked sharp, Owen Williams looks a clever lad, Phillips and Andrews, Coombes and Davies were great.

We just didnt have any ability to win breakdowns.

Yet again some strange decision prior and during the game from the Welsh management.

No natural openside, taking Coombs and Biggar off

bedfordwelsh wrote:Yet again some strange decision prior and during the game from the Welsh management.

No natural openside, taking Coombs and Biggar off

It's a development tour it doesn't matter in my opinion. We learn as much from a bad performance as a good one.

Great game against Japan. New guys, not played together before against well organised team who have been playing together a lot with quite a few S15 players. Hot and humid too. Japan just had a narrow loss to Fiji which shows their quality. We were under the cosh quite a lot but discipline was good apart from a rather harsh binning for McCusker. First outings for Patchell and Pretorious who both showed well. Good start

Great game against Japan.18-22 for Wales. New guys, not played together before against well organised team who have been playing together a lot with quite a few S15 players. Hot and humid too. Japan just had a narrow loss to Fiji which shows their quality. We were under the cosh quite a lot but discipline was good apart from a rather harsh binning for McCusker. First outings for Patchell and Pretorious who both showed well. Good start

Next week I want the coaches to select the following

Gill
Phillips
Andrews
Coombs
Davies
King
Nalvidi
Baker
Knoyle
Biggar
Prydie
Shingler
Williams
Robinson
Williams

Baldwin
Bevington
Jones
Reed
Pretorious
Lloyd
Patchell
Howells

Were surprised with how well organised the Japanese were, and their experience of the conditions certainly gave them an advantage. The quality of the inexperienced Welsh side eventually shone through though, good experience for them.

Duty281 wrote:Were surprised with how well organised the Japanese were, and their experience of the conditions certainly gave them an advantage. The quality of the inexperienced Welsh side eventually shone through though, good experience for them.

Good pace and power by Wales, considering how much ball we conceded.

Japan's form has taken a bit of a dip because they are trying to produce more of their own players instead of capping foreigners.

It would be great if more of their players got a contract with super 15 or European sides. It would really help them.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Japan's form has taken a bit of a dip because they are trying to produce more of their own players instead of capping foreigners.

It would be great if more of their players got a contract with super 15 or European sides. It would really help them.

Are they? Considering they recently capped Craig Wing, I think if that was true then that wouldn't have happened.

Wasn't the openside that scored a Kiwi?

Glas a du wrote:Wasn't the openside that scored a Kiwi?

Yes there were a few Kiwis in the side. But they are a lot less NJPs than in previous years.

Obviously they aren't just going to drop every foreigner in the side at once. It something that is happening over time.

There are a lot less now, than say around the 2011 world cup.