Wales tour of SA

by The Saint Sat 15 Mar 2014, 8:54 pm

First topic message reminder :

Halfpenny is out and recent news (unknown to me) is stating that Warburton will now also miss out due to a dislocated shoulder. It doesn't look good for us going to SA without these two and with our recent away form being so bad. Personally I think it would be a good idea if we had a midweek game before the first test against a SA Provincial team, using the majority of our first team.

Who would you like to see on the plane?

by HammerofThunor Wed 26 Mar 2014, 10:57 am

Saint, Scotland haven't won in South Africa.

Biltong, have we only played 13 games in South Africa...ever? 7 of those have come since 2000 (inclusive)

by The Saint Wed 26 Mar 2014, 10:58 am

Nobody is crowing over 3rd place. Also, Wales fans were very gracious after all of their wins despite being accused of cheats. I did allude to this a few posts ago, but if you have no intention of discussing the OP and your only intention is to put in subtle, sly and childish digs at Wales than take the pill...and don't come back when the effects ware off! So embarrassing.

by The Saint Wed 26 Mar 2014, 10:58 am

HammerofThunor wrote:Saint, Scotland haven't won in South Africa.

Biltong, have we only played 13 games in South Africa...ever? 7 of those have come since 2000 (inclusive)

Ah, so we were strictly referring to games in the Republik then.

by Scrumpy Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:00 am

Pathetic Saint!

Why are you de-railing your own thread? warning

by **Biltong** Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:02 am

The Saint wrote:
Biltong wrote:We have a very proud record at home against the Six Nations teams.

The best England has mustered was a drawn series 1-1 in 2000. England has one draw and three wins in 13 attempts.

France has the most successful record of the Six Nation teams in SA, they have won a series in SA in 1958 1-0, 1993 1-0, and drew a series in 2001 1-1.

They have managed 6 wins and 5 draws in 21 attempts.

Scotland, Italy, Ireland and Wales have not achieved a win in 28 attempts.

Not intending to be pedantic, but Scotland have one win, don't they? And France; somewhere between 2005-08 they drew with the Boks and beat the Boks in SA, but I'm not sure if that was a series?

Also, appreciate how you guys in the SH are gracious before and after a match. Some graceless fans of the '2nd place' finishers here in the NH would learn a lot from your example (if they were to be less stubborn and take note).

Scotland hasn't won in SA. France has played one off matches as well yes, France won a one off match in 2006..

by HammerofThunor Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:03 am

The Saint wrote:
HammerofThunor wrote:Saint, Scotland haven't won in South Africa.

Biltong, have we only played 13 games in South Africa...ever? 7 of those have come since 2000 (inclusive)

Ah, so we were strictly referring to games in the Republik then.

We? No, Biltong was specifically referring to games in South Africa.

by **Biltong** Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:03 am

Gus, let it go please, Saint please let's not descend into a fracas again.

by Scrumpy Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:04 am

Are you sure you haven't blocked out Scotlands win Bil?

by The Saint Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:05 am

They won it pretty well too if I remember, but that was the France of old... They should have lost by more the last time you both faced off (in Paris).

I don't see us doing much harm to SA. Hibbard was an important player to us and I expect we'll lose a few more of the big guys before the season is out, and our depth just isn't level with SA's. We'll probably have a better idea if this Probables vs Possibles and Eastern Kings matches go ahead.

by **Biltong** Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:05 am

Hammer, we have played a lot more games in Europe than they have played in SA.

But I think that has a lot to do with pre World War 2.

I think we toured a lot more than you guys did back then

by **Biltong** Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:06 am

Scrumpy wrote:Are you sure you haven't blocked out Scotlands win Bil?

Nah mate, I give credit where it is due.

by HammerofThunor Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:10 am

Biltong wrote:Hammer, we have played a lot more games in Europe than they have played in SA.

But I think that has a lot to do with pre World War 2.

I think we toured a lot more than you guys did back then

Also, I suppose there are 5 of us trying to tour three of you.

by Scrumpy Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:12 am

Just ditch the teams that have never won in SA. Whistle

by **Biltong** Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:13 am

HammerofThunor wrote:
Biltong wrote:Hammer, we have played a lot more games in Europe than they have played in SA.

But I think that has a lot to do with pre World War 2.

I think we toured a lot more than you guys did back then

Also, I suppose there are 5 of us trying to tour three of you.

Agree, also you have the Lions that tour every four years.

by Scrumpy Wed 26 Mar 2014, 11:20 am

Ditch the Lions too!

There is more value to each home nation touring SA on their own and trying to beat one of the best on home soil rather than playing a Lions tour.

IMO Wink

by Scrumpy Wed 26 Mar 2014, 2:09 pm

by Welly Fri 28 Mar 2014, 1:27 pm

Owen Williams starting again against Saints (away) currently Tigers biggest game of the season followed by next week. Big derby game suggest Williams is officially Tigers first choice 10 now.

by munkian Fri 28 Mar 2014, 1:52 pm

Welly wrote:Owen Williams starting again against Saints (away) currently Tigers biggest game of the season followed by next week. Big derby game suggest Williams is officially Tigers first choice 10 now.

Is he capped yet ?

by Guest Fri 28 Mar 2014, 2:06 pm

Welly wrote:Owen Williams starting again against Saints (away) currently Tigers biggest game of the season followed by next week. Big derby game suggest Williams is officially Tigers first choice 10 now.

I think its mostly because Flood is leaving, clubs always do this to their players

by BlueNote Fri 28 Mar 2014, 3:38 pm

Mike, they wouldn't give themselves less of a chance of winning that game, though; if it's 50/50 you could see it maybe having an impact.

by fa0019 Fri 28 Mar 2014, 3:48 pm

Scrumpy wrote:Ditch the Lions too!

There is more value to each home nation touring SA on their own and trying to beat one of the best on home soil rather than playing a Lions tour.

IMO

Perhaps, perhaps not.

With the lions teams and players can occasionally out do themselves and find out their potential which otherwise would have been largely ignored.

Tom Smith, probably would have been forgotton as a player had he only played for Scotland.

Also the players learn what it requires to challenge the best and can take that back to their respected test sides.

For me, I think its a positive.

by bedfordwelsh Fri 28 Mar 2014, 4:14 pm

The mid-week game has now been confirmed which I think is a good thing as hopefully all the tour party should get a run out.

by Welly Fri 28 Mar 2014, 6:19 pm

IronMike wrote:
Welly wrote:Owen Williams starting again against Saints (away) currently Tigers biggest game of the season followed by next week. Big derby game suggest Williams is officially Tigers first choice 10 now.

I think its mostly because Flood is leaving, clubs always do this to their players

Doubt cockers would risk it on a game this size, (maybe against Newcastle etc but not saints away) also this suggest he will be starting against Clermont away in the HC 1/4 when the last time a welsh 10 (let alone a 22 year old) had that pressure on them?

by The Saint Fri 28 Mar 2014, 6:27 pm

I don't think I'll be home in time to watch that, though I'd like to. He's in a pivotal rule against a good team so it will be a good test of his ability and character. He was a good player when he left and Leicester have a knack for turning promising players into very good ones (good club players at least).

by Jhamer25 Fri 28 Mar 2014, 6:30 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:The mid-week game has now been confirmed which I think is a good thing as hopefully all the tour party should get a run out.

Yes but i still think we need at least 2 more warm ups for our more senior players. It's all good giving our other boys a go but what's going to happen when our seniors are under cooked. I would like to see a game vs someone like Tonga or Samoa and then a better South African club team like the Sharks

by The Saint Fri 28 Mar 2014, 6:32 pm

The game is 4 days before the first test... I think a lot of first team players should be involved and get half a game or so... Maybe the SARU (who have been good to us so far) well allow us a matchday squad of 30 players Smile

.

by bedfordwelsh Fri 28 Mar 2014, 7:53 pm

Oh for the days of proper tours

by Welly Sat 29 Mar 2014, 5:54 pm

100% Kicking record today in a big derby game, made some nice runs including stepping North controlled the game well.
Got bounced by North but was solid outside that game.

The game he has been given has done wonders for him.

Next week will be a true test Clermont away.

by bedfordwelsh Sun 30 Mar 2014, 9:06 am

I hope I am proven wrong but I just don't think he is on the radar yet, I imagine we will still see Biggar, Priestland and Hook as our No10 options.

by Jhamer25 Sun 30 Mar 2014, 1:08 pm

Captain will be interesting. It's definitely between Gethin and Alyn Wyn and Gethin proved last night against Ulster he is a great leader. Either way i would put my trust in either.

by The Saint Sun 30 Mar 2014, 1:27 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26802572 Injuries are bad, but I think this is good news from a Wales perspective. I don't at all rate Webb just yet. I can see him becoming a highly erratic and inconsistent player like RP. G.Davies is the man for SA, I bet you he's on the score sheet yet again today.

by Guest Sun 30 Mar 2014, 2:36 pm

Gareth Davies and Richie Rees should be the tourers with Phillips as the form scrum halves in Wales, leave Rhodri Williams at the Scarlets for a couple of seasons to get even better.

by The Saint Sun 30 Mar 2014, 2:43 pm

Howley just being interviewed by Steele, asked about the scrum-halves available to Wales. Howley mentions Lloyd Williams and Webb and neglects to mention Rees. The guy's a muppet.
Doh

by The Saint Sun 30 Mar 2014, 2:48 pm

Maybe a South African can clear this up, but I think Howley also mentioned that SA are playing a game before the series against Wales?

by Guest Sun 30 Mar 2014, 3:15 pm

Good call on Gareth Davies scoring again

by The Saint Sun 30 Mar 2014, 3:32 pm

Yeah, The Saint is never wrong. RP has been pretty bad today, he makes the wrong calls 50% of the time... L and J Williams and Davies have been good though.

by bedfordwelsh Sun 30 Mar 2014, 3:48 pm

Lets hope ffs the don't go back down the Lloyd Williams route, for me it should be G Davies, Rees and Phillips but judging by interviews it will be Phillips, Webb (injury permitting) and Rh Williams.

by HammerofThunor Sun 30 Mar 2014, 4:20 pm

The Saint wrote:Maybe a South African can clear this up, but I think Howley also mentioned that SA are playing a game before the series against Wales?

I think they're supposed to be playing Scotland but I thought that would be after. Maybe not.

by **Biltong** Sun 30 Mar 2014, 5:37 pm

The Saint wrote:Maybe a South African can clear this up, but I think Howley also mentioned that SA are playing a game before the series against Wales?

Nothing before Wales that I know of, just two tests against Wales and then one against Scotland.

by Knowsit17 Sun 30 Mar 2014, 5:45 pm

Welly wrote:100% Kicking record today in a big derby game, made some nice runs including stepping North controlled the game well.
Got bounced by North but was solid outside that game.

The game he has been given has done wonders for him.

Next week will be a true test Clermont away.

He ought to be monitored closely over the next couple of seasons. Still a very young lad and has shown consistent signs of potential, it'd be foolish to not keep an eye on him. With Biggar (first choice in my view, though apparently not in Gatland's), Priestland (horribly erratic, not sure how many more times Gatland will reward his liability) and Patchell (promising but still young) we ought to be looking to shore up that position over the long term.

Hammer, I do believe SA play the Scotland test after the two Wales games (14th June vs. Wales in Durban; 21st June vs. Wales in Nelspruit; 28th June vs. Scotland tbc)

by bedfordwelsh Sun 30 Mar 2014, 6:33 pm

Genuine question, do you think Matthew Rees should be consdiered if he gets a run in the next 4 games?

by Guest Sun 30 Mar 2014, 6:37 pm

No. Dacey should out of the Blouse.

I remember reading the Saffers were playing a warmup game. Not a full international, but some sort of hit out. It was on an article when our possible v probable game was mooted.

by Guest Sun 30 Mar 2014, 6:49 pm

Walesonline wrote:The Springboks have arranged an extra fixture of their own, against a World XV the week before facing Wales, to ensure they hit the ground running against Gatland’s men at Durban’s Kings Park on June 14.

by **Biltong** Sun 30 Mar 2014, 7:12 pm

SARU wants the match against a World XV, but it is yet to be confirmed.

by The Saint Sun 30 Mar 2014, 9:51 pm

I thought I heard Howley mention World XV too. What exactly is a Word XV, it's basically the Barbarians isn't it? I don't really think the Boks need it because of their S15 Franchises, but also probably don't want to let Wales potentially get an advantage going into the series.

by Scrumpy Sun 30 Mar 2014, 9:52 pm

I don't think the books need it to be honest.

by The Saint Sun 30 Mar 2014, 9:53 pm

Scrumpy wrote:I don't think the books need it to be honest.

Books? What we reading, 50 Shades of Gray?

by quinsforever Sun 30 Mar 2014, 11:12 pm

the scoreline is going to be embarrassing. Wales have so many injured or knackered players who they will choose not take, that i reckon 30 points per match points difference is a minimum. cr1p scrum and no 1/2P. honestly i think most welsh occasional rugby fans have no idea what they are in store for.

Saint, maybe you can set them straight?

If, no, what is you aggregate poinsts for and against prediction? Mine, is minus 90 over 3 matches. A mullering. No WRUbs, no 1/2P...

not a hater, just honest.

by Knowsit17 Sun 30 Mar 2014, 11:21 pm

quinsforever wrote:the scoreline is going to be embarrassing. Wales have so many injured or knackered players who they will choose not take, that i reckon 30 points per match points difference is a minimum. cr1p scrum and no 1/2P. honestly i think most welsh occasional rugby fans have no idea what they are in store for.

Saint, maybe you can set them straight?

If, no, what is you aggregate poinsts for and against prediction? Mine, is minus 90 over 3 matches. A mullering. No WRUbs, no 1/2P...

not a hater, just honest.

Yeah you're right, let's just not tour this summer Rolling Eyes

by jimmyinthewell68 Mon 31 Mar 2014, 8:39 am

can we tour Romania instead

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