Wales Team vs Tonga

First topic message reminder :

We had a great game yesterday and we thoroughly deserved it.
Now on to next week vs the Tongan's and with our record with injuries, i'm not looking forward to it. Watched them vs Frances and they were very physical. A lot of the French ended up on their arse.
Tonga to have a threat in their backs and a good ball carrying pack. The dilemma we have it that we have Australia the week after and we want as many of out first team starters as we can. However we need to win this game next week against a descent Tongan team without risking our star players because i sense a few more injures will occur against a brutal side who show no mercy:

Here is my team for the game:
1. Paul James
2. Ken Owens
3. Samson Lee
4. Bradley Davies (C)
5. Ian Evans (if fit)
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Toby Falateu

9. Rhodri Wiliiams
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Liam Williams
12. Ashley Beck
13. Owen Williams
14. Geogre North
15. James Hook

16. Emyr Phillips, 17. Gethin Jenkins, 18. Rhodri Jones, 19. Luke Charteris, 20. Ryan Jones, 21. Mike Phillips, 22. Dan Biggar, 23. Tom Prydie

The Tongan scrum is shocking and i have no worries what so ever. Paul and Samson would be our key to winning the game at scrum time, both deserve a shot.
If Ian is fit he should start and join with Bradley to have there own little battle to see who is ready for the match against Australia, Bradley can also bring that physicality to the pack as well which will be needed vs the big pacific islanders. For me Bradley has been amazing so far this Autumn and deserve a start vs Australia but if Ian can come back into form Bradley will have to fight for his spot.
Dan needs to be on the field o cut down these tree like figures and needs game time if he is set to start vs the Aussies
To me Gats is definitely going to start Dan and Sam for the Aussie game which is why Tipuric deserves another start int he form he is in.
We need Toby's edge and physicality in the pack; it's a risk but i wuld be willing to take it

Mike was exceptional on Saturday but we still need more depth at 9 because it is the are were we are weakest (depth wise) at the moment. Lloyd has been ok when he has come on but i want to see Rhodri have a shot

Priestland should start for another chance to shine, Biggar played really well on Saturday and made us play an expansive game; if Priestland is to start vs the Aussies he needs a corker.
Don't have much of a choice at Center and we can't risk Scott
George needs to start for the physicality that is set to be set upon us on Friday, again it's a risk but i would be willing to take it. However i wouldn't hesitate in staring Eli if he is fit.
James has stated he wants to play so much and this is the only chance i feel Gatland will give him to shine.

Some superb tackling by the Tongans

Owen Williams is very good at picking angles - pity he left the ball behind

wales606 wrote:Owen Williams is very good at picking angles - pity he left the ball behind

See how he goes on his second attempt...

6 scrum in 10 minutes

We didn't have 1 untill the 35 minute mark last week :/

At least Tonga are here to scrum. Most teams come to Cardiff with the intention of not scrumming.

Whys the crowd doing a Mexican wave already?

Game shaping up to be an absolute cracker

Jonathan Davies has already lost his patience with the front rows

shouldn't be going for the corner yet

Good defence by Tonga, legal too .

Lucky pen, should be Tongas IMO

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:Owen Williams is very good at picking angles - pity he left the ball behind

See how he goes on his second attempt...

Didn't drop it second time.. All is good

kingjohn7 wrote:Game shaping up to be an absolute cracker

isn't it just

Good tackling by Tonga, but we're telegraphing everything so far!

Slotted by 'the kicker'….shoo in for POTY now

The effect Leigh Halfpenny has on my wife makes me jealous

Whoopee 3-0

Get in .. Try time....

maestegmafia wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:Owen Williams is very good at picking angles - pity he left the ball behind

See how he goes on his second attempt...

Didn't drop it second time.. All is good

Third touch try...!

And what a blwdi try...

Great work Williams

and some foul play too

Try... and maybe a late hit by Tonga.... YC?

A tad late... not enough for a YC imo

Slow mo makes it look a lot worse.

Dont think thats a yellow.

What do you expect...? It's Tonga..

8-0 wales

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Slow mo makes it look a lot worse.

agreed

DO NOT CARD THAT

Bit late, though committed while Hook has ball, and uses arms

Certainly not dangerous

kingjohn7 wrote:Dont think thats a yellow.

He didn't use his arms so it technically is a yellow.

I love how Jiffy nonchalantly fobs off Halfpennys forward pass though...

Considering it's only his second international the ref is doing very well.

It was definitely a penalty. Shocking decision.

common sense prevailed then...

He did use his arms but Hook was on the floor by time they should have made contact.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I love how Jiffy nonchalantly fobs off Halfpennys forward pass though...

I think Owen Williams fantastic work after distracted most rugby fans mate..

The Saint wrote:It was definitely a penalty. Shocking decision.

Cancel the try and award a pen?

The Saint wrote:It was definitely a penalty. Shocking decision.

geez...

GeordieFalcon wrote:I love how Jiffy nonchalantly fobs off Halfpennys forward pass though...

How you wish it was aye. pathetic

Rhodri Jones is having another good game.

You can go back to the halfway and punt for a penalty after a try has been awarded. It was a clear and late shoulder charge. Nothing malicious, but it was certainly a penalty.

God defence by Hallam Amos...

So many scrums, so feew phases....

rainbow-warrior wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:I love how Jiffy nonchalantly fobs off Halfpennys forward pass though...

How you wish it was aye.  pathetic

Hey it was a good try, but doesntake away from the fact it was forward. Pathetic? okey dokey...

Scrum every 2 minutes so far...

Tongan handling is appalling today

wales606 wrote:So many scrums, so feew phases....

I was just going to say that it must be cold because the poor Tongans keep dropping the ball...

GeordieFalcon wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:I love how Jiffy nonchalantly fobs off Halfpennys forward pass though...

How you wish it was aye.  pathetic

Hey it was a good try, but doesntake away from the fact it was forward. Pathetic? okey dokey...

Hands went backward, doesn't matter that the ball went forwards

Hence why the ref said try stands when he saw it on the big screen

forward pass...no try

Tonga knocking on all the time .

Please keep these comments coming. I'm unable to watch the game right now and the regular updates on the score are appreciated. Thanks

Must be said….Hook, J is having a good game