Ospreys v NGD's 25/10 k.o 1905

First topic message reminder :

Ospreys: Daniel Biggar; Jeff Hassler, Jonathan Spratt, Andrew Bishop, Eli Walker; Matthew Morgan, Tom Habberfield; Ryan Bevington, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James King, Tyler Ardron, Morgan Allen, Justin Tipuric.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Duncan Jones, Adam Jones, Lloyd Peers, Joe Bearman, Tito Tebaldi, Ben John, Sam Lewis.

Dragons: Dan Evans; Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Lewis Robling, Hallam Amos; Kris Burton, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, Sam Parry, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, Andrew Coombs (c), Jevon Groves, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Williams, Francisco Chaparro, Adam Jones, Ieuan Jones, Jonathan Evans, Will Harries, Adam Hughes.

Referee: Nigel Owens
Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Jon Mason (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU )
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)


Dan bigg @ full back eh?   Btw.. Allen at 8, tips at 7 not as per beebs usual guff reports.

Faletau injured

 

Hope he's ok. Massive blow for Wales if he's injured. Shouldn't be too bad.

I don't blame him either if his contract is up anyway. I'd say Aly's at that point in his career now where he'll have one eye on retirement. He'd make a nice little pension fund at an English/French club.

Well, I hope this is one of those situations where the treatment makes the injury look worse than what it is. Just precautionary I hope.

All the best Toby.  Lots of respect from the crowd and players alike for him.

Penalty try awarded.

33-10 at 53 minutes.

Game is dire now it ain't a contest. Pretty boring. Poor attempt by Ieuan Jones on Beermun though.

Almost a hattrick for Tips, pity Walker can't catch as well as Tips

Tips should've passed that to Hassler really...at least they're trying for the BP by the looks. Fluffing it badly though.

Baldwin sneaks the BP try!!  

40-10 with conversion at 72 minutes.

Awh what a great break and run by Morgs...he's like a little terrier! Shame he couldn't get through. Great play though.

Less than 9000 is pish poor given the deals about down there. Unforgivable. Yes we are poor, but it's a derby.

Not surprisingly, Tips is MOTM.  

Coombes  

Try for the Dragons! Well, at least they're not giving up. Not bad either.

40-17 at 77 minutes.

Faletau taken to hospital

Ryan Jones has only had minimal gametime too, not good when facing the physical South African backrow first up

wales606 wrote:Coombes  

Been our only player really. Great leader

Hopefully Toby going to the hospital is just precautionary...we'll know more over the weekend I expect.

FT 40-17 Well done boys.  

Great win, deserved overall. Morgan superb, biggar too at FB. Bishop solid as ever....at 12! Dragons did ok at the beginning but offered nowt after 30 mins. This game was switched from Sunday so the attendance suffered, only a handfull from gwent.

Cari wrote:Hopefully Toby going to the hospital is just precautionary...we'll know more over the weekend I expect.

Early reports said it was precautionary so  

wales606 wrote:Faletau taken to hospital

Ryan Jones has only had minimal gametime too, not good when facing the physical South African backrow first up

Do we take a chance on Jones, he never lets Wales down in all honesty, do we maybe try Warburton there and go wioth a back 3 of Lydiate Warburton and Tipuric or do we take possible opportunity if Faletau is out top try maybe Morgan Allen or Ieuan Jones there?

Ieuan Jones was pretty awful tonight when he came on. Hard to come on to that, but things like his attempt on Bearman were poor.

Agree Rev but other than him or Allen what are the other youngsters about?

Don't know really. I don't think Jones is the answer either. I'll be honest, if Faletau is injured, I can see him calling up McCusker anyway.

Risca Rev wrote:Don't know really. I don't think Jones is the answer either. I'll be honest, if Faletau is injured, I can see him calling up McCusker anyway.

Noooooooooooooooooooo

Well, watched this in the pub so couldn't gauge the atmosphere at the ground. The game seemed (through my  glasses) to start of pretty ferociously. I thought the Dragons looked like they were out to prove a point and went toe to toe with the Ospreys. Looked brutal.

Seemed about even til 16-10, then I seemed to turn my back and all of a sudden it was 26-10 and then 40-10?! Did the Dragons just capitulate in spectacular fashion, or was it a case of them taking their chances and us missing ours??? Very disappointed with the final score, I must say. Thought we'd turned a corner this season and were starting to be a bit more competitive away from home.

On a side note, how did Biggar do? Doesn't seem from the score line that we caused him too much trouble! Ha!

Atmosphere was good griff, especially in the second half. Dragons started ok and threatened early on but as we kept the scoreboard ticking over, the dragons looked deflated. Biggar was solid at 15 and caught every single high ball thrown at him and made some decent breaks. Burton was poor..

The atmosphere didn't really show that well on tv. It seemed really quiet unless they disagreed with a call by Owens. I'm not overly a fan of the tannoy playing songs or the band, as to me it seems a bit manufactured. It picked up a bit second half, but then it's easy to get that when you're comfortable.

Disappointed with Burton, as he's meant to be our most solid ten in theory. Was disappointed with our defence. I am not sure the Ospreys would've made that many breaks at Dave, which is a bit annoying the difference in ferocity between home and away. I hope Pat Leavh is back soon as he's our defensive leader, as well as getting TRT and Dixon back.

The best we could've hoped for was an LBP considering the gulf in class with the packs. I never really expected us to do that, even at 16-10.

Think it was difficult for the crowd to get up for the game having lost 3 games in a row, plus the low quality opposition and there being close to 0 Dragons fans in the stadium there just wasn't a need to sing throughout the game as they knew it was a 5 pointer before it started, atmosphere was good enough in these circumstances. It's a big stadium and the cameras are not as close to the stands as they are in other stadiums so it never comes across well on tv, but at the game the atmosphere is fine.

Interested to hear how fans knew this would be a 5 pointer? These are the same fans who witnessed their team score one try in the Heineken cup so far, and only get one TBP last season...

Wasn't expecting a bp at all. The difference from last season is when there's a bp on, the team has more purpose in getting one whereas last yr, they'd settle for the win. A good win considering the changes made from last week. Hasslers a great signing.

The Saint wrote:Interested to hear how fans knew this would be a 5 pointer? These are the same fans who witnessed their team score one try in the Heineken cup so far, and only get one TBP last season...

You could tell from the first scrum that it was going to be one of those nights, and it was 2 get it right.  

Welsh Magician wrote:Think it was difficult for the crowd to get up for the game having lost 3 games in a row, plus the low quality opposition and there being close to 0 Dragons fans in the stadium there just wasn't a need to sing throughout the game as they knew it was a 5 pointer before it started, atmosphere was good enough in these circumstances. It's a big stadium and the cameras are not as close to the stands as they are in other stadiums so it never comes across well on tv, but at the game the atmosphere is fine.

Pretty contradictory really. If you can't back your team after three defeats, that's poor as they need your support more than ever. Otherwise it's even more excuse for a party atmosphere then, if you're all expecting a BP. There's a reason there were next to no Dragons fans there. It's a lifeless stadium, with zero appeal and the last time we were there we kept getting told to sit down as we were blocking a sponsor's sign (not even supporters). It says a lot that there's more interest in a trip to PYS for an LV game.

It isn't a big stadium. Wembley/Millennium Stadium are big stadiums. I've been there four times now (I've even seen your guys get outdone by a handful of Scarlets) and I can tell you it isn't a good atmosphere. Otherwise why do you need a band or tannoy to try getting you going?

Re: the atmosphere at the Liberty. I think it is too big to create much atmosphere given it's not full to capacity. When I went to the Leinster/O's Heino match the other week, it seemed quiet and subdued despite there being a bigger crowd than last night. Admittedly, the result in the Heino game didn't help matters, but you kind of feel embarrassed making too much noise, and some people don't like it when you do which can spoil things. I think if the O's played somewhere a bit more intimiate/intimidating, things might be different.

Welsh Magician wrote:

The Saint wrote:Interested to hear how fans knew this would be a 5 pointer? These are the same fans who witnessed their team score one try in the Heineken cup so far, and only get one TBP last season...

You could tell from the first scrum that it was going to be one of those nights, and it was 2 get it right.  

Do tell us the lottery numbers as well young man. You've probably never put the lottery on in your life, but can no doubt tell what numbers will be revealed?

It was definitely one try, scored by Biggar. That's shocking for the O's.

The Saint wrote:

Welsh Magician wrote:

The Saint wrote:Interested to hear how fans knew this would be a 5 pointer? These are the same fans who witnessed their team score one try in the Heineken cup so far, and only get one TBP last season...

You could tell from the first scrum that it was going to be one of those nights, and it was 2 get it right.  

Do tell us the lottery numbers as well young man. You've probably never put the lottery on in your life, but can no doubt tell what numbers will be revealed?

It was definitely one try, scored by Biggar. That's shocking for the O's.

Two TBP's, one of them against the Dragons was it not?  

Risca Rev wrote:

Welsh Magician wrote:Think it was difficult for the crowd to get up for the game having lost 3 games in a row, plus the low quality opposition and there being close to 0 Dragons fans in the stadium there just wasn't a need to sing throughout the game as they knew it was a 5 pointer before it started, atmosphere was good enough in these circumstances. It's a big stadium and the cameras are not as close to the stands as they are in other stadiums so it never comes across well on tv, but at the game the atmosphere is fine.

Pretty contradictory really. If you can't back your team after three defeats, that's poor as they need your support more than ever. Otherwise it's even more excuse for a party atmosphere then, if you're all expecting a BP. There's a reason there were next to no Dragons fans there. It's a lifeless stadium, with zero appeal and the last time we were there we kept getting told to sit down as we were blocking a sponsor's sign (not even supporters). It says a lot that there's more interest in a trip to PYS for an LV game.

It isn't a big stadium. Wembley/Millennium Stadium are big stadiums. I've been there four times now (I've even seen your guys get outdone by a handful of Scarlets) and I can tell you it isn't a good atmosphere. Otherwise why do you need a band or tannoy to try getting you going?

It's easy for you to say as your team is used to getting smashed week in week out every single season, our supporters are used to seeing a winning team and even if we don't win we expect to see a good performance which wasn't the case at home the past 2 games before the Drags turned up. Do you get up for a game against Zebre or do you get up for a game against Cardiff even though the odds are that you'll lose more often?

Haha. Plastic. Did your tannoy tell you to say that, or is it still playing ole ole ole? I'll give you some credit, it's probably a bit to do with the deals you churn out. You get bums on seats, but no contribution otherwise.

Don't be embarrassed or look for excuses. Just back your team, no matter the result or what has gone on previously. It was a derby last night, not a game v Zebre. If we do "get smashed" every week, I'll take that as a compliment that we do at least back our team.

Risca Rev wrote:Haha. Plastic. Did your tannoy tell you to say that, or is it still playing ole ole ole? I'll give you some credit, it's probably a bit to do with the deals you churn out. You get bums on seats, but no contribution otherwise.

Don't be embarrassed or look for excuses. Just back your team, no matter the result or what has gone on previously. It was a derby last night, not a game v Zebre. If we do "get smashed" every week, I'll take that as a compliment that we do at least back our team.

I'm not embarrassed, we won quite handsomely. Your the one looking to take away the focus from your teams performance by talking about stadium atmosphere and how there was fabricated chants, like "he knocked it on" repeated 5000 times isn't fabricated and cringeworthy. Each team has fabricated chants to try and get the crowd going.

As daft as it may be, it's spontaneous at least and doesn't need a tannoy to get people singing. That's what I mean by manufactured. Forced fun if you like. A tannoy and a band.

I haven't focussed solely on your hushed support though, I've highlighted some of the Dragons faults. Though to be fair, it isn't my job to do that (it's the coaches). If everything is so rosy in the Library, I'm surprised you feel the need to try and defend your support. I guess the Library nickname is just a joke? Are you the drummer or trumpeter and that's why you feel the need to try defending it?

Besides which, I shouldn't need to dissect my team's performance, as according to you, we get smashed every week?

Risca, I think you are a bit of a joker, there were probably more people there last night from your Region supporting us than there were Dragons supporters, I was actually talking to one who I met at Judgement Day, (he was an honorary Osprey for the 2nd match at the MS) at half time last night, he seemed to be enjoying it at the time. As for supporting their team apart from Connaught, you are the worst team for away support that attend the Liberty, even Glasgow and Edinburgh fetch more supporters here than you lot ever do, normally I could understand that as you would think we have no chance, but last night we had lost our last 3 matches and you were the 2nd Welsh Region in the League and if there were 10 of you there that was it, the atmosphere there was fine thank you.

Please rev. You bang on about the same thing every time the dragons play at the liberty. The atmos on the tv may be lacking but it's there. Supporters in the east stand don't need the band to get them going. It's different wherever you go. I guess the atmos on the hazel is yelling abuse at biggar & co...

wayne wrote:Risca, I think you are a bit of a joker, there were probably more people there last night from your Region supporting us than there were Dragons supporters, I was actually talking to one who I met at Judgement Day, (he was an honorary Osprey for the 2nd match at the MS) at half time last night, he seemed to be enjoying it at the time. As for supporting their team apart from Connaught, you are the worst team for away support that attend the Liberty, even Glasgow and Edinburgh fetch more supporters here than you lot ever do, normally I could understand that as you would think we have no chance, but last night we had lost our last 3 matches and you were the 2nd Welsh Region in the League and if there were 10 of you there that was it, the atmosphere there was fine thank you.  

I did not attend this game but I was at the liberty the two previous Dragons games and the dragons supporters made a lot more noise than the home team, last year the dragons supporters were poorly treated by the moron stewards, may be the dragons supporters did not want to experience poor treatment again and it was a Friday game. The Ospreys supporters only come to life when the ref has screwed up or when they are winning, the first half of this game the crowd were quiet just like the Leinster game I attended.

glamorganalun wrote:

wayne wrote:Risca, I think you are a bit of a joker, there were probably more people there last night from your Region supporting us than there were Dragons supporters, I was actually talking to one who I met at Judgement Day, (he was an honorary Osprey for the 2nd match at the MS) at half time last night, he seemed to be enjoying it at the time. As for supporting their team apart from Connaught, you are the worst team for away support that attend the Liberty, even Glasgow and Edinburgh fetch more supporters here than you lot ever do, normally I could understand that as you would think we have no chance, but last night we had lost our last 3 matches and you were the 2nd Welsh Region in the League and if there were 10 of you there that was it, the atmosphere there was fine thank you.  

I did not attend this game but I was at the liberty the two previous Dragons games and the dragons supporters made a lot more noise than the home team, last year the dragons supporters were poorly treated by the moron stewards, may be the dragons supporters did not want to experience poor treatment again and it was a Friday game. The Ospreys supporters only come to life when the ref has screwed up or when they are winning, the first half of this game the crowd were quiet just like the Leinster game I attended.

Wow, a person from the Dragons Region, obviously sitting with other Dragons THINKS they made more noise than Ospreylians, stewards have a reputation at the Liberty for being over zealous or it could be called thorough against the home supporters as well, it is a lot better than the abuse WE receive at the Dave, yet a lot more of us do the return journey. How do you know the crowd was quiet WHEN YOU WASN'T EVEN THERE, I was in the lower section of the West stand and the atmosphere was fine.

Few nibbles about mind.

I've been there as an Ospreys supporter, sat all round the ground and a lot of people don't sing. Alun is spot on as to why we don't bother our arris going there. He's not a Dragons fan and he's also been to other games (like Leinster as he says). My mate went last night and he said the atmosphere was rubbish. He has no reason to lie (maybe a loud atmosphere to you guys is more than one person singing?) On top of which, you're probably one of the only rugby stadiums that you can't go out and smoke. Not very hospitable for a rugby crowd is it? Like I said, we have more interest for an LV game. We didn't even bother offering up a coach.

If you're happy with the atmosphere, good luck to you. It was only loudish when you were howling at Nigel.

Why wouldn't we give Biggar a bit of stick by the way? It used to work in our favour. It's called home advantage.

Risca Rev wrote:Few nibbles about mind.

I've been there as an Ospreys supporter, sat all round the ground and a lot of people don't sing. Alun is spot on as to why we don't bother our arris going there. He's not a Dragons fan and he's also been to other games (like Leinster as he says). My mate went last night and he said the atmosphere was rubbish. He has no reason to lie (maybe a loud atmosphere to you guys is more than one person singing?) On top of which, you're probably one of the only rugby stadiums that you can't go out and smoke. Not very hospitable for a rugby crowd is it? Like I said, we have more interest for an LV game. We didn't even bother offering up a coach.

If you're happy with the atmosphere, good luck to you. It was only loudish when you were howling at Nigel.

Why wouldn't we give Biggar a bit of stick by the way? It used to work in our favour. It's called home advantage.

Why would we SING, we are not there to sing we are there to support our team, that is why you and the Scarlets sing because you have NOTHING to support, a 31 year old and you need to go outside for a smoke, that's what's wrong with our country. This is a multi use Stadium. Of course you have more interest in LV games because you lose so few players to International call ups you have a chance of progressing in that competition. What is it you supply 2 as against our 11 for this seasons AI.

What's the point in your band and your tannoy then, if you aren't there to sing? How do you support by just sitting there? You lot don't chant either.

I don't need to smoke, but people do. I certainly don't epitomise what's wrong with this country if I did though. It isn't a multiuse stadium all the time though is it, it was a rugby stadium (allegedly) last night.

It is nothing to do with the fact we might have a better chance of progressing, it's appeal of grounds. As to how many players we supply to the Wales squad, I'm not too worried. I'd rather not have our players broken by Gatland etc. There's always a case of favouritism in some cases though. I thought Amos showed more than Eli Walker last night considering how poor we were, as an example. Richie Rees has been better than Lloyd Williams and definitely Phillips thus far. Ryan Jones has been injured a lot this season and was poor at Northampton, whereas other back rowers have been better (including Evans until last night).

Risca Rev wrote:The atmosphere didn't really show that well on tv. It seemed really quiet unless they disagreed with a call by Owens. I'm not overly a fan of the tannoy playing songs or the band, as to me it seems a bit manufactured. It picked up a bit second half, but then it's easy to get that when you're comfortable.

Disappointed with Burton, as he's meant to be our most solid ten in theory. Was disappointed with our defence. I am not sure the Ospreys would've made that many breaks at Dave, which is a bit annoying the difference in ferocity between home and away. I hope Pat Leavh is back soon as he's our defensive leader, as well as getting TRT and Dixon back.

The best we could've hoped for was an LBP considering the gulf in class with the packs. I never really expected us to do that, even at 16-10.

Yea I agree about the atmosphere and Burton I expected more from him especially with his international credibility. Ten is the playmaker but when you have a pack that is not performing and losing their put in, then you expect the Ten to change things , don't take them on up front mix it up a bit, but it never happened.

Don't Agee with leach and Dixon making a change , they made no difference last season behind a pack that wasn't performing, so see no reason why it would change this year.