Wales at the JWC 2014

First topic message reminder :

Wales Under 20 Junior World Championship squad 2014:

Forwards: Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Luke Garrett (Dragons), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys), Callum Lewis (Blues), Benjamin Leung (Scarlets), Ethan Lewis (Blues), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Scott Otten (Ospreys), Joe Davies (Dragons), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Dragons), Will Boyde (Carmarthen), Olly Cracknell (RGC), Scott Matthews (Dragons), Ben Roach (Blues) James Benjamin (Dragons)

Backs: Tom Williams (Blues), Luc Jones, Angus O'Brien (both Dragons), Luke Price (Ospreys), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Harri Evans (RGC), Tyler Morgan (Dragons), Joshua Adams (Scarlets), Dafydd Howells, Ashley Evans (both Ospreys), Hallam Amos (Dragons)

It's a good squad, a bit stronger than in the U20 Six Nations. Wales U20 should be very strong up front and will be looking dominate most teams there. I can see us reverting back to the style we played in last years JWC when we made the final. Wales' pool opponents in the 2014 JWC are Fiji, Ireland and France. France are our toughest opponents as we lost to them in the U20 6 Nations. Ireland will be much tougher to beat should the weather conditions be better than they were in Athlone, they'll throw the ball around and cause us some problems. Fiji should be swept aside and we hopefully get the TBP. Could likely be facing any one of Eng, SA, NZ if we make the top 4. We've beaten the latter 2 but have great difficulty when playing against England and usually lose.

Hopefully we'll keep this thread running throughout the tournament where we can report back on players, discuss results, prospects, etc.

Stream isn't working from their site, is that because I'm in England ?

No it should work fine.

Anyway, RE the game, I don't have much faith in Byron Hayward. He's league's behind Danny Wilson. Our defence looks rubbish these days, I remember in the last two season it being very good. Luc Jones is a cr@p scrum half, O'Brien is a bit hit and miss. I think Morgan has moved to centre on a few phases now that Hughes is injured. The Dragons midfield definitely look better playing together. Ethan Lewis doesn't offer much IMO, Scott Otten (the next Hibbard) should be ahead of him. He should at least be in the squad as he could probably play in the back-row too, that would give us an extra carrying option.

Impressive knowledge of our younger players there.

Though our defence wasn't as tight as I'd have liked I'm glad we dominated them physically

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic there... We did dominate in the scrum, but I think it was about even elsewhere. Our backs were better than I expected; with Howells, Morgan and Dixon each having a fine game. Fiji's three tries were soft and close range scores. I reckon last year's team would have nilled them.

Sorry, was a genuine compliment ! Stupid interwebs

I did notice players running in head first to try and smash way over instead of passing, we won't beat England etc like that, if I remember correctly from last time their players were even bigger than ours though perhaps less nippy

I think the one player to keep an eye out is definitely Tyler Morgan, looked very good for the Dragons.

Top lad

Watched highlights of the Fiji game last night and Morgan was invilved in a lot of the good stuff, him and Dixon are bright stars with huge futures.

So either the English or the French will nick them then. Or the Turks

munkian wrote:So either the English or the French will nick them then. Or the Turks

Oh your such a cynic Munk lol. Sure the Os will sneak in for them to lol.

Latest news is that Howells replaces Evans (probably the only player trying against Ireland) at full back. Why didn't he just replace Adams on the wing? Hayward is clueless and our defence under this guy has gone from bad to worse. At least he got the scrum half selection right this time though, Tom Williams starts.

The Saint wrote:Latest news is that Howells replaces Evans (probably the only player trying against Ireland) at full back. Why didn't he just replace Adams on the wing? Hayward is clueless and our defence under this guy has gone from bad to worse. At least he got the scrum half selection right this time though, Tom Williams starts.

Defence is shocking, even against the Fijians. We eon;t get out of the pool with out defense like that. Loosing Danny Wilson has been massive for the set up. They need another standard coach if our boys are going to compete in World cups every year.
Oh and why the hell has he left out possibly our best forward in Scott Mathews on the bench again. Doesn't make sense.

They don't half complicate this tournament....

9th Semi final, 5th Semi, 5th play-off.... aghh!!!

Ok, looking at the RWC site, it looks like Wales highest finish now is 5th, if they win their semi and playoff.. Is that right.

No9 wrote:They don't half complicate this tournament....

9th Semi final, 5th Semi, 5th play-off.... aghh!!!

Ok, looking at the RWC site, it looks like Wales highest finish now is 5th, if they win their semi and playoff.. Is that right.

Correct  

Watch the game and i though they players really well. Defense was the best I've seen it all year.
Is this Nicky Thomas and Smith's last year because they will be huge losses. The two best props at that age grade for the past 2 years. Not only do they get the upper hand at scrum time but they dismantle their opponents scrum at any time, even when we got smashed by England in the six nations; they were the only two shining lights.
First Rob Evans and Samson Lee (both Scarlets)
Then Nicky Smith and Nicky Thomas (both Ospreys)
Keep them coming U20's, its the Blues and Dragons turn next to produce but it will be hard to reach the standards both Nicky's have left. Anyone know of some good props coming through next year.

why dont they have quarter finals instead of this 5th play off . who can get motivated enough to win two games just to be 5th . so if you slip up one game you basically no chance to redeem yourself .   

The lineout was a nightmare against France. Hopefully they can sort that out before the next game.

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:why dont they have quarter finals instead of this 5th play off . who can get motivated enough to win two games just to be 5th . so if you slip up one game  you basically no chance to redeem yourself .   

They already play a game every 5 days as it is.They have a restricted time frame to play the tournament off so 5 rounds is the maximum they can fit in and even that is pushing the players very hard.