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.

maestegmafia wrote:

The Saint wrote:Lloyd Williams is rubbish and Hook isn't controlling the game that well. Definitely a centre.

I think Hook is playing well, though I see your point.

But is there really any need to play flyhalf from the pocket in a game like this...?

We are playing for tries, not for points.

1out of 1 penalty attempt at goal. The rest of the balls we have gone for the corner.

can you post that again plase...missed it the first 6 times... 

majesticimperialman wrote:A very scrappy game this.

Wales only 10 points in front at half time.

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now...But Tonga are still in this game, looking forward to the second half.

BS

You said we had made too many changes, were taking Tonga to lightly. You were inferring we would lose...

Taylorman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

The Saint wrote:Lloyd Williams is rubbish and Hook isn't controlling the game that well. Definitely a centre.

I think Hook is playing well, though I see your point.

But is there really any need to play flyhalf from the pocket in a game like this...?

We are playing for tries, not for points.

1out of 1 penalty attempt at goal. The rest of the balls we have gone for the corner.

can you post that again plase...missed it the first 6 times... 

Sorry...!

iPad doesn't like my shakey hands.

majesticimperialman wrote:

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now..

Why?

majesticimperialman wrote:A very scrappy game this.

Wales only 10 points in front at half time.

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now...But Tonga are still in this game, looking forward to the second half.

Why would you expecta team that is a notoriously slow starter with numerous new combinations to be out of sight? I think there is better to come in the second half but there are issues to resolve and i think they all stem from 9. Change the 9 and change the game.

Agree, would love to see Rhodri get on

The halfbacks are completely counterproductive, they're killing Welsh momentum. At this rate Lloyd Williams simply has to go off, that blatant lack of pace simply can't be allowed to stand.

The other backs have been quite good so far considering the poor quality possession they've been receiving. The locks have butchered a couple of giant overlaps in favour of running straight and eventually coughing up possession. This epitomises the rigid approach that has held Wales back from progressing from where they currently are.

If this carries on I fear the worst.

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:A very scrappy game this.

Wales only 10 points in front at half time.

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now...But Tonga are still in this game, looking forward to the second half.

BS

You said we had made too many changes, were taking Tonga to lightly. You were inferring we would lose...

You have not won yet!!

Yes i did say you was disrespecting Tonga with the changes that have been made. But i did say that Wales should not lose this game seeing that they are 6ns champions. As you like to keep reminding us.

lloyd Williams service is love sacks

He actually looks at the ball sometimes before passing

his seems to lob the ball

Get him off asap and Rhodri on

Knowsit17 wrote:The halfbacks are completely counterproductive, they're killing Welsh momentum. At this rate Lloyd Williams simply has to go off, that blatant lack of pace simply can't be allowed to stand.

Think Ryan is thinking the same....

majesticimperialman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:A very scrappy game this.

Wales only 10 points in front at half time.

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now...But Tonga are still in this game, looking forward to the second half.

BS

You said we had made too many changes, were taking Tonga to lightly. You were inferring we would lose...

You have not won yet!!

Yes i did say you was disrespecting Tonga with the changes that have been made. But i did say that Wales should not lose this game seeing that they are 6ns champions. As you like to keep reminding us.

No we haven't but remember what you wrote

majesticimperialman wrote:I am not saying that Wales wont in against Tonga. But with Gatland saying that he is going to rest some of his players from this week.

Is he not taking Tonga for Granted? Is that a wise thing to do under estimate you opponent?

majesticimperialman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:A very scrappy game this.

Wales only 10 points in front at half time.

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now...But Tonga are still in this game, looking forward to the second half.

BS

You said we had made too many changes, were taking Tonga to lightly. You were inferring we would lose...

You have not won yet!!

Yes i did say you was disrespecting Tonga with the changes that have been made. But i did say that Wales should not lose this game seeing that they are 6ns champions. As you like to keep reminding us.

If you want Wales out of sight, turn around and look the other way

Why on earth is Rhodri Jones appearing at second reciever? Beck should have been standing there - wasted opportunitiy.

Good invididual play from Hook - I still want to see him bring others into the game though

RDSguru wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:A very scrappy game this.

Wales only 10 points in front at half time.

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now...But Tonga are still in this game, looking forward to the second half.

BS

You said we had made too many changes, were taking Tonga to lightly. You were inferring we would lose...

You have not won yet!!

Yes i did say you was disrespecting Tonga with the changes that have been made. But i did say that Wales should not lose this game seeing that they are 6ns champions. As you like to keep reminding us.

If you want Wales out of sight, turn around and look the other way

Ha ha ha

majesticimperialman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:A very scrappy game this.

Wales only 10 points in front at half time.

I was expecting Wales to be out of sight by now...But Tonga are still in this game, looking forward to the second half.

BS

You said we had made too many changes, were taking Tonga to lightly. You were inferring we would lose...

You have not won yet!!

Yes i did say you was disrespecting Tonga with the changes that have been made. But i did say that Wales should not lose this game seeing that they are 6ns champions. As you like to keep reminding us.

You know what you said madge, do it's a bit stupid to come in and suddenly change your mind. Only a moron would expect this Wales team to be out of sight by now.

 

Sloppy disipline errors are not helping

Not watching but from the comments on here it sounds like problems at 9. I have always thought that Lloyd Williams should be nowhere near a Welsh shirt and yet many on here disagree. He is not a test quality player.

that should have been a try . well done hook

offload wrote:Not watching but from the comments on here it sounds like problems at 9.  I have always thought that Lloyd Williams should be nowhere near a Welsh shirt and yet many on here disagree.  He is not a test quality player.

Sums up what we're seeing

Amos is really having a shocker

Lucky bounce for Tonga there

Tonga are doing a great job of getting to Lloyd Williams

wales606 wrote:Amos is really having a shocker

Trying to hard?

wales606 wrote:Amos is really having a shocker

Lucky bounce for Tonga there

First cap nerves?

Bit harsh on the debutant there wales606.

no try

Unlucky there from Amos.

No try.. Good work by Amos to there eh Wales606

Looks bad for the tongan

RDSguru wrote:

wales606 wrote:Amos is really having a shocker

Trying to hard?

Pretty much - awful kick down the line, awful blind fling of the ball inside and a charge down kick when trying to counter.

wales606 wrote:

RDSguru wrote:

wales606 wrote:Amos is really having a shocker

Trying to hard?

Pretty much - awful kick down the line, awful blind fling of the ball inside and a charge down kick when trying to counter.

Only teasing mate ... It hasn't been the best debut ever but we have seen worse...

maestegmafia wrote:No try.. Good work by Amos to there eh Wales606

Was about to write an apology - then I saw the foot in touch

Fair play to Tips the... first aider in the making

wales606 wrote:

RDSguru wrote:

wales606 wrote:Amos is really having a shocker

Trying to hard?

Pretty much - awful kick down the line, awful blind fling of the ball inside and a charge down kick when trying to counter.

I'll swap Amos for Ashton?

Please?

Nice to see Tips tending to the injured Tongan  

Nasty clash of heads. Good to see the lads prioritise the oppositions welfare over the game...

Time for Rhodri Williams!

Back... gees

nobbled wrote:

wales606 wrote:

RDSguru wrote:

wales606 wrote:Amos is really having a shocker

Trying to hard?

Pretty much - awful kick down the line, awful blind fling of the ball inside and a charge down kick when trying to counter.

I'll swap Amos for Ashton?

Please?

No one is going to make that deal - Amos can probably tackle at least

Well done tips and the other welsh player for seeing to the welfare of the Tongan 6. Just another reason why rugby is what it is.

wales606 wrote:Time for Rhodri Williams!

Yes please...!

Really looking forward to seeing him

Rabbit in the headlights moment for Ian Evans then...

Ref not doing anything about Tonga diving and lying all over the ball in a few of those phases.

tigertattie wrote:Well done tips and the other welsh player for seeing to the welfare of the Tongan 6. Just another reason why rugby is what it is.

Tips is first to everything!

Wales are doing well but can't quite finish. The time for a few changes is now.

wales606 wrote:

nobbled wrote:

wales606 wrote:

RDSguru wrote:

wales606 wrote:Amos is really having a shocker

Trying to hard?

Pretty much - awful kick down the line, awful blind fling of the ball inside and a charge down kick when trying to counter.

I'll swap Amos for Ashton?

Please?

No one is going to make that deal - Amos can probably tackle at least

Yup - and he's probably not a total tool either...

Tongan players droping like flies

Can handly the Welsh physicallity?

nasty Welsh hurting the Tongans

Time has been off more than on, this is drudgery

Good to see Tipuric calling for aid for that Tongan player.

Wales almost clicking so far but just not quite settled.

Tonga are fairly rubbish though

Yaaaawnsville and what's with the overcast cloud grey kit?
Is Glasgow v Dregs on the red button?