Wales tour of SA

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?

Oops, I actually meant to post that in the possibles v probables thread   

If both teams but some balls into it then they'll be good games - usually are between us two

i dont think any Welsh supporter expecting anything from this tour , just hope we give S A good games and blood a few younglings

Snap

Why do you keep going on about who South Africa play at 6 0r 7 you know that they play side and side maybe Wales will after do the same Lydiate is use to that as that is the way his side play in France

irnbrew,

I know Dan plays left and right in France but I wasn't aware SA played that way I just thought openside played with 6 on his back and blind with 7.

Biltong wrote:You never know, the Boks have quite a number of injuries and a few players in poor form, I don't think it will be a rout as most suggest.

We certainly have a few challenges to overcome in this series.

Do you know if they are going to call up the likes of Habana, Steyn and Pienaur?

If theses players aren't in the team, then i think our backs will be able to put a lot of pressure on in attack but whether we try to play that game or whether we start Mike at 9 will take that away from us. Knowing Gatland in the first test, he will probably try to match the bok pack up front but it won't work. We need to play an open expansive game. I just think we all know what the game plan will be and that we already know the game plan and it's it work. We changed it a bit against Scotland and it payed off, i just hope gats has the guts to work off that now. I hope he proves me and many others wrong but i just think it's going to be the same old same old

Argus reckon Ryan Jones isn't touring, due to Brizzle commitments

Bristol's season is over after today either way. What need could they possibly have for important players when they don't have any more games, let alone important games?

This rule of not having to release players for full internationals is being abused.

Ryan jones is just the type of player you need on a tour like this.experienced committed and versatile.

Jhamer25 wrote:

Biltong wrote:You never know, the Boks have quite a number of injuries and a few players in poor form, I don't think it will be a rout as most suggest.

We certainly have a few challenges to overcome in this series.

Do you know if they are going to call up the likes of Habana, Steyn and Pienaur?

If theses players aren't in the team, then i think our backs will be able to put a lot of pressure on  in attack but whether we try to play that game or whether we start Mike at 9 will take that away from us. Knowing Gatland in the first test, he will probably try to match the bok pack up front but it won't work. We need to play an open expansive game. I just think we all know what the game plan will be and that we already know the game plan and it's it work. We changed it a bit against Scotland and it payed off, i just hope gats has the guts to work off that now. I hope he proves me and many others wrong but i just think it's going to be the same old same old

It seems they will be there.

Risca Rev wrote:Argus reckon Ryan Jones isn't touring, due to Brizzle commitments

What commitments will Bristol have, these tours are recognised by the IRB so they have to release him don't they?

Knowsit17 wrote:Bristol's season is over after today either way. What need could they possibly have for important players when they don't have any more games, let alone important games?

This rule of not having to release players for full internationals is being abused.

I was wrong, the final is also over two legs apparently. Apparently Ryan Jones was taken off on a stretcher and looked crocked so that's another name struck off the list.

Bet he's gutted he didn't just wait until next season to go to Bristol.

Yes he landed on his leg really badly after being coming down from a line-out jump. You could hear the pain in his scream.
Real shame, big loss i'm just praying Dan Lydiate can recover now

Jhamer25 wrote:

Biltong wrote:You never know, the Boks have quite a number of injuries and a few players in poor form, I don't think it will be a rout as most suggest.

We certainly have a few challenges to overcome in this series.

Do you know if they are going to call up the likes of Habana, Steyn and Pienaur?

If theses players aren't in the team, then i think our backs will be able to put a lot of pressure on  in attack but whether we try to play that game or whether we start Mike at 9 will take that away from us. Knowing Gatland in the first test, he will probably try to match the bok pack up front but it won't work. We need to play an open expansive game. I just think we all know what the game plan will be and that we already know the game plan and it's it work. We changed it a bit against Scotland and it payed off, i just hope gats has the guts to work off that now. I hope he proves me and many others wrong but i just think it's going to be the same old same old

If Morne can't play then the game will be run by Goosen. A supreme talent with the ball in attack but perhaps a little naive with his hand to ball kicking as witnessed last weekend vs. the Stormers. Something Wales should look into.

With no Frans Steyn, JDV, Jaque Fourie they may have a little inexperience in the centres too.

However they game will still be mainly about the bok pack and how Wales can even compete without some of their first choice forwards.

I imagine Habana, Louw, Pienaar and Morne will join if they are fit. Not sure on Morne otherwise I think they rest are fit.

Jhamer25 wrote:Yes he landed on his leg really badly after being coming down from a line-out jump. You could hear the pain in his scream.
Real shame, big loss i'm just praying Dan Lydiate can recover now

Lewis Evans can more than do the job there but I doubt he will tour.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:Yes he landed on his leg really badly after being coming down from a line-out jump. You could hear the pain in his scream.
Real shame, big loss i'm just praying Dan Lydiate can recover now

Lewis Evans can more than do the job there but I doubt he will tour.

I've called for it to bedford but I think we have to accept that he isn't really on Gatland and Co's radar. They will stick with Turnball and Shingler as they have in the past when we have had injuries to our back row; we know Galtand likes to keep to his guns.
As much of a chance he deserves, i doubt they will take him even though he has so much talent and potential. I mean i'm a Scarlet's fan and i can fairly and honestly say that Turnball and Shingler at the moment are just really good club players (well turnball). How shingler can be picked ahead of Evans with the lack of game time he has had all season and the form Evans has been in is beyond me.

jh,

I do like Shingler but like you said he's had little game time where as Evans has been a constant in the Dragons side and one of our most consistent performers.

Turnbull on the other hand well I just don't rate him and never have.

Commentators were creaming over him when the Turks played the Blues (I think)

Turnbull is in good form. Though that probables back-row is like the worst back-row I've ever seen. Hope Navidi has a stormer, and Gareth Davies.

If Lewis Evans was in the squad like he should have been at the start, he'd be starting.

Don't these idiots ever learn: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27670118

They did that the last time we played SA and we all remember how that went.

I agree no player is that vital that he should be risked if he is not 100% fit (unless it was extraordinary circumstances like a cup final)

go with Turnball and Shingler and cross everything that they dont get absolutely mullered

I am not a fan of Turnbull at all and whilst Shingler hasn't had much game time I do like him as a player so if Danny boy isn't 100% then its gonna be a weakened backrow anyway how about Shingler Baker and Faletau?

I don't rate either player, but Turnbull is playing much better than Shingler right now. I don't see what anyone sees in Shingler.

Shingler is a bit of a Tom Croft, if you like him then you see his work at the line out, and in open play and think he is outstanding. However if you don't you look at rucks and see that he doesn't do as much as you may expect. Also in his defence he must be a solid runner after all lets not forget Hibbard had him lined up to be smashed into the stands, only to end up being put on his bum instead.

What I really don't get is out fascination with trying to out muscle teams that are physically bigger than us. Lets put out a good strong pack, aim for parity up front, and then look to run rings around them with our more skilful backs. Throw Cawdor, Jordan, and Cory Allen into the backline instead of the forwards with pace out there (Phillips, Roberts, Cuthbert), and then bring on the lumps in the second half to change things up.

agree with not trying to out muscle S A . we are a big unit but he springboks are bigger . i doubt he will get a chance prob won't make the bench but Matthew Morgan running at them would be ideal second half . paint his shirt colours on him and grease him up

First team has been announced for eastern province kings. Does anyone know if it is being televised?
Basically what we all assumed I think

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/matthew-morgan-make-first-start-7231966

Jhamer25 wrote:First team has been announced for eastern province kings. Does anyone know if it is being televised?
Basically what we all assumed I think

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/matthew-morgan-make-first-start-7231966

Its on Sky, not sure if S4C have highlights, as for team still not sure why Rh Jones starting the centre pairing looked good in the Probs Poss match and exciting back 3.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:First team has been announced for eastern province kings. Does anyone know if it is being televised?
Basically what we all assumed I think

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/matthew-morgan-make-first-start-7231966

Its on Sky, not sure if S4C have highlights, as for team still not sure why Rh Jones starting the centre pairing looked good in the Probs Poss match and exciting back 3.

Ah I found it, thanks
It's beyond me Bedford, I just don;t see where Gatlands sense is. It's quite ridiculous when you think of it. Don't worry though if Adam goes off injured within the first 5 mins and Rhodri is on the bench, Gatland will learn a lesson.

It looks like a good team, should be a decent score provided they play with more width like they have lately. What do we know about the Kings, are they a regular team playing competitive rugby or is this an invitational thing?

The Kings are a weak team, if you don't beat them handsomely you should be very disappointed

I agree. You never know with us as we always seem to make a lot of errors when we make changes. But there are some big names in the team on this occasion. Will Kings be in the Super Rugby competition (Super 18?) next year?

How are the Boks looking Bilt? Didn't see the game but seen the score, sounds like a thrashing. And good to see Bakkies on the score sheet! Never too old.

I forgot Poite was reffing   

The scrummaging game will be a mess on both sides now

The Saint wrote:I agree. You never know with us as we always seem to make a lot of errors when we make changes. But there are some big names in the team on this occasion. Will Kings be in the Super Rugby competition (Super 18?) next year?

How are the Boks looking Bilt? Didn't see the game but seen the score, sounds like a thrashing. And good to see Bakkies on the score sheet! Never too old.

Kings will only be in the expanded Super 18 from 2016. SO big names aren't really there at the moment.

The Bok's scrum was very poor, they struggled badly. They had some nice attacking moves, but it concerns me that so many overseas players are selected.

I heard the rolling maul was decent, but the scrums were pretty poor aye.

Yes the maul went OK.

Biltong wrote:Yes the maul went OK.

That's us screwed then as we seem not to be able to deal with that element of play regardless of who we playing.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Biltong wrote:Yes the maul went OK.

That's us screwed then as we seem not to be able to deal with that element of play regardless of who we playing.

What are the odds of us doing that annoying standing off the lineout and preying that the opposition get don for offside.

I don't think I've ever seen a side defend a maul as badly as Wales have done over the last few years. I can see it now already, first line out on the 10 metre line inside the SA half, they catch with Matfield and maul us up to our own try line and score with their first attack. Sets the precedent for the rest of the game and tour.

Wales need to play to our strengths, and rather than simply trying to match the Boks for power (which is just stupid) we need to get our backs running at them and secure quick ball at the breakdown. That means Gareth Davies starting at SH for me and Mathew Morgan on the bench.

Won't happen, as someone will infringe before we get to the try line.

Standard procedure to stop a maul.

Liam wrote:I don't think I've ever seen a side defend a maul as badly as Wales have done over the last few years. I can see it now already, first line out on the 10 metre line inside the SA half, they catch with Matfield and maul us up to our own try line and score with their first attack. Sets the precedent for the rest of the game and tour.

Wales need to play to our strengths, and rather than simply trying to match the Boks for power (which is just stupid) we need to get our backs running at them and secure quick ball at the breakdown.  That means Gareth Davies starting at SH for me and Mathew Morgan on the bench.

I agree with both but I expect Phillips and Rh Williams to be the No9s in the match day squad along with Biggar and Hook.

Good steady start to the tour some will say it was only the Kings and should have won by more then if we had they would have still said its only Kings etc etc but good start and gave some young players a taste of this level.

In fairness as much as we know most of the test team I think a fair few have put their hands up for selection and given Gatland the headache he would have wanted.

Baldwin went well overall
Hook and Evans had their best games for a while and Turnbull most probably his best game in Welsh shirt.
Baker was strong all game
Davies was electric when he came on
Allen just looks class.

S Shingler didn't do much hardly heard his name in commentary
J Williams for me didn't go looking for the ball often enough, Cuthbert may not be everyones choice but he does go looking for work.
Morgan does look good in open play and glad he not afraid to have a crack but needs to know when to run when to kick etc - will come with experience

Test team for me

Jenkins Ownes A Jones
AWJ Charteris
Lydiate Faletau Turnbull

Phillips Biggar
North Roberts JD Cuthbert
Li Williams

Bench- James Rees Rh Jones Evans Baker Davies (will be Rh Williams) Hook Allen.

Wales beat Kings 34-12, I didn't see the match, so can't really tell you much about it.

Didn't see it either, couldn't find any link.

I thought it was tomorrow, bloody annoyed that it wasn't better advertised

Lots of errors, scratch Wales team rusty but some nice touches. Kings played with a lot of heart. Showed us what most Welsh fans already know, Hook CAN be good, we have a younger, faster replacement for Phillips, Baker is good work in progress and Nipper is too small for Test rugby

The beeb says Turnbull, Cuthbert, Allen, Hook and Davies all on the score-sheet for Wales.

Some strange officiating, ref let alot go - including a fore arm smash that even the Saffa comentstor said should be a penalty and YC - Kings try shortly after

Was a good game overall, Kings put up a good fight and gave them a good workout, as said always hard to judge these games as expected to win and people will always say stuff like it was only kings etc etc.

Pretty sure Phillips will start but his days are numbered now Rh Williams and Davies were very good, Davies was electric.

Evans had good game as did Ball, Turnbull, Baldwin, Baker, Hook and Allen.

And lord above we scored from a rolling maul - yes honestly we did.