Welsh World Cup Squad part 2

First topic message reminder :

Anyone else think Ll Williams and Anscombe did well when they came on? Would definitely take them over Phillips and Hook at the moment.

Like said think they will give him as long as possible but then if they do have to call someone in how much time will they get with the squad etc.

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Apparently Webb is definitely out but they are keeping a hope that Halfpenny is only two to three weeks.

Wonder how realistic that hope is.

A friend of ours is the physio

It's more hopeful than fact but there will be an announcement soon apparently

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Apparently Webb is definitely out but they are keeping a hope that Halfpenny is only two to three weeks.

Wonder how realistic that hope is.

A friend of ours is the physio

It's more hopeful than fact but there will be an announcement soon apparently

Will be great if he makes it back for Aus, can't see him being back for England though, even if they assign Dan Lydiate to chase him around with an ice-pack.

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Apparently Webb is definitely out but they are keeping a hope that Halfpenny is only two to three weeks.

Wonder how realistic that hope is.

A friend of ours is the physio

It's more hopeful than fact but there will be an announcement soon apparently

Will be great if he makes it back for Aus, can't see him being back for England though, even if they assign Dan Lydiate to chase him around with an ice-pack.

The WRU have sent people over to Tonga to track down Waisake Naholo's family witch Dr.

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Apparently Webb is definitely out but they are keeping a hope that Halfpenny is only two to three weeks.

Wonder how realistic that hope is.

A friend of ours is the physio

It's more hopeful than fact but there will be an announcement soon apparently

Will be great if he makes it back for Aus, can't see him being back for England though, even if they assign Dan Lydiate to chase him around with an ice-pack.

Just saw that Halfpenny is out - I would imagine that has to qualify as a full fledged disaster?

Who will replace him? I didn't realise that Liam Williams hasn't played since June. How far away is he from returning?

Gutted for Welsh rugby.

Biggar can kick and Williams offers more in attack than HP does. After the initial shock at the weekend, I don't see this as a total disaster - more like a very uncomfortable bump in the road!

Will need Williams to be fit and on top of his game though or I think we're kinda stuffed.

Agreed, it could have been worse.

Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

LondonTiger wrote:Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

Phillips

Walker

Would have preferred Patchell at this stage.

What happened to Walker? He looked like a real star in the making a few years ago.

Walker being called up over Hook shows how worried they are about Cuthbert's slump.

LondonTiger wrote:What happened to Walker? He looked like a real star in the making a few years ago.

He's suffered a lot with injuries. Which is rare for a Welsh player.

GavCanDance wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

Phillips

Walker  

Would have preferred Patchell at this stage.

I agree on Patchell. I think his ability to cover fullback and fly half would be a big benefit

The Second Coming of Phil.

He'll put egg in Gats's face yet. Gats will be nervous.....

Webb is a huge loss. His club partnership with Biggar is really solid.

Gareth Davies is a great option but he and Biggar don't have the same familiarity.

maestegmafia wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

Phillips

Walker  

Would have preferred Patchell at this stage.

I agree on Patchell. I think his ability to cover fullback and fly half would be a big benefit

Not when we don't need fly half cover.

Phillips was a gimme I think to be honest and I would have had there in first place, with Cuthberts poor form continuing played into Walkers hands.

Happy with both and wouldn't be surprised to see both of them included against Uruguay

Someone on Wales Online wrote yesterday that they had concerns about Gareth Davies's temperament - I couldn't resist and wrote back telling them not to worry as we now have Mike Phillips to come on in his place if things are getting too hot - You gotta love being welsh - If life aint a roller coaster going from jam and honey to bread and water in the same day then it simply aint welsh. C'mon boys get stuck into them

RubyGuby wrote:Someone on Wales Online wrote yesterday that they had concerns about Gareth Davies's temperament - I couldn't resist and wrote back telling them not to worry as we now have Mike Phillips to come on in his place if things are getting too hot - You gotta love being welsh - If life aint a roller coaster going from jam and honey to bread and water in the same day then it simply aint welsh. C'mon boys get stuck into them

Hehe - Yeah I read that and it made me chuckle! Though Mike has been a good boy (at least in the jersey) for many a year now. I remember Mirco Bergamasco *really* trying to bait him a few years ago and I thought 'Uh oh - here we go', but Mike just brushed him off like he didn't exist.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

Phillips

Walker  

Would have preferred Patchell at this stage.

I agree on Patchell. I think his ability to cover fullback and fly half would be a big benefit

Not when we don't need fly half cover.

I thought that no one rated Priestland?

What if they get an injury to Biggar?

maestegmafia wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

Phillips

Walker  

Would have preferred Patchell at this stage.

I agree on Patchell. I think his ability to cover fullback and fly half would be a big benefit

Not when we don't need fly half cover.

I thought that no one rated Priestland?

What if they get an injury to Biggar?

I would guess if Biggar got injured Wales would be screwed.......In term of world class goal kickers.

maestegmafia wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

Phillips

Walker  

Would have preferred Patchell at this stage.

I agree on Patchell. I think his ability to cover fullback and fly half would be a big benefit

Not when we don't need fly half cover.

I thought that no one rated Priestland?

What if they get an injury to Biggar?

Just because some fans don't like Priestland doesn't mean we need to replace an injured back three player with an outside half.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Phillips was a gimme I think to be honest and I would have had there in first place, with Cuthberts poor form continuing played into Walkers hands.  

Happy with both and wouldn't be surprised to see both of them included against Uruguay

I am a little worried with our lack of centre cover seeing how poor Allen is as an option, I think North will end up playing at outside centre hence Walkers selection. The problem with Walker he is like Beck keeps getting injured. Beck lasted about 10 mins for the Ospreys, shame he has shown good pre season form.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Webb ruled out, Phillips and Walker called up.

Phillips

Walker  

Would have preferred Patchell at this stage.

I agree on Patchell. I think his ability to cover fullback and fly half would be a big benefit

Not when we don't need fly half cover.

I thought that no one rated Priestland?

What if they get an injury to Biggar?

Just because some fans don't like Priestland doesn't mean we need to replace an injured back three player with an outside half.

No but replacing one good goal kicking fullback with another who can also slot in at ten would be a good option to me.

Didn't Patchell miss seven out of nine conversions and a few penalties, and was relieved of his dead ball duties as a result on the weekend.

What will he bring to the Welsh side that Priestland (who was courted by a fair few decent English and French sides before he chose Bath) cannot or doesn't?

Are the posters basing it on a few moments in one or two matches a fair few seasons back or is it because The Priest openly admitted he is sought the help of a sports psychologist due to derision by so called Welsh fans?. I seem to remember that was in 2012 and the likes of Ryan Jones, Warburton and Howley all called the booing by a small minority as disgraceful and not Welsh fans at all. Or is he still playing poorly in the 2015 season?

I don't believe Patch will bring much at this moment in time. Evidently it is too soon for him, but I think he has potential.

Priestland is second choice whether you rate him or not; nobody rates him, even the people that claim he is a good player are extremely hopeful of Biggar not picking up a tournament-ending injury. If they rate Priestland then surely they'd be less worried? I personally don't believe that the Priest is a good player and have only seen him play well in glimpses since the end of 2011 - most other matches (especially in a Wales jersey) he has been an absolute disaster. By the end of 2012 he was the complete disaster and only seemed to get worse. In an ideal world Anscombe (who is ahead of Patch) would be in the squad. I'm hoping Biggar lasts more than 2 weeks! (Anscombe's lay-off).

What Patchell needs (and will benefit Asncombe) this season is for Wilson to give him a good run in one position rather than swapping him about.

glamorganalun wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Phillips was a gimme I think to be honest and I would have had there in first place, with Cuthberts poor form continuing played into Walkers hands.  

Happy with both and wouldn't be surprised to see both of them included against Uruguay

I am a little worried with our lack of centre cover seeing how poor Allen is as an option, I think North will end up playing at outside centre hence Walkers selection. The problem with Walker he is like Beck keeps getting injured. Beck lasted about 10 mins for the Ospreys, shame he has shown good pre season form.

alun,

I do like Allen and think he has got what it takes to make the grade however as you said he has looked poor so far and has had hardly any game time of late due to injury. I know Tyler Morgan is in-experienced but I still would have taken him even if only due to fact he has been playing more regularly and was in really good form.

We all know that Roberts and Williams will be used in the two big pool games and then hopefully beyond, injury permitting.

Whats our starter back 3 now

I go for Amos, North and Williams and if fit its a killer attacking back 3.

We must preserve Biggar, problem we now have is familiarity with Davies but I am not sure who gets the nod at 9 now.

Right now my starting XV v Eng is this

Gethin, Owens, Lee if fit
AWJ/CHarters
Tips, Warbs, Faletau
? and Biggar
Doc and Scott
Sanjay, Amos and North

Gwlad wrote:Whats our starter back 3 now

I go for Amos, North and Williams and if fit its a killer attacking back 3.

We must preserve Biggar, problem we now have is familiarity with Davies but I am not sure who gets the nod at 9 now.

Right now my starting XV v Eng is this

Gethin, Owens, Lee if fit
AWJ/CHarters
Tips, Warbs, Faletau
? and Biggar
Doc and Scott
Sanjay, Amos and North

You thinking Sanjay at 14 or 15 ?

mikey_dragon wrote:Priestland is second choice whether you rate him or not; nobody rates him

That's clearly not true!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Priestland is second choice whether you rate him or not; nobody rates him

That's clearly not true!

+ 1

Lots of positive vibes coming out of the welsh squad, sometimes something special can appear from adversity and looking at the changes from the injuries the potential is there for us to actually have a stronger XV and not a weaker XV. The long range kicking might be the only down side.

While I admire your optimism Ruby and I'm all for positivity, I can't believe anyone thinks a current Welsh 15 could possibly be stronger without Webb or 1/2P. Webb is clearly the best 9 we've got on form and is also the most comfortable with Biggar. Not to mention his familiarity with the game plan! And even if you believe, as I do, that Sanjay should be wearing 15 every game, I'd still have 1/2P on the wing. Also the fact that Davies and probably Amos step into the starting team makes our backup players weaker, even though I would have originally picked Phillips and Walker ahead of Lloyd and Cuthbert!

Liam Williams WILL be starting against Uruguay:-

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/34193632

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Priestland is second choice whether you rate him or not; nobody rates him

That's clearly not true!

Okay, nobody rates him apart from Scarlets' fans. If our coach rated him highly then he would have more time in the fly-half jersey. Look to the last time he started for Wales as to why he will only feature as a desperate last resort . Cue people telling me "but he's amazing cuz he's going to the mighty Bath RFC innit."

bedfordwelsh wrote:What Patchell needs (and will benefit Asncombe) this season is for Wilson to give him a good run in one position rather than swapping him about.

Certainly. But which position?

mikey_dragon wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Priestland is second choice whether you rate him or not; nobody rates him

That's clearly not true!

Okay, nobody rates him apart from Scarlets' fans. If our coach rated him highly then he would have more time in the fly-half jersey. Look to the last time he started for Wales as to why he will only feature as a desperate last resort . Cue people telling me "but he's amazing cuz he's going to the mighty Bath RFC innit."

I'm not a Scarlets fan.

hjumpshoe wrote:While I admire your optimism Ruby and I'm all for positivity, I can't believe anyone thinks a current Welsh 15 could possibly be stronger without Webb or 1/2P. Webb is clearly the best 9 we've got on form and is also the most comfortable with Biggar. Not to mention his familiarity with the game plan! And even if you believe, as I do, that Sanjay should be wearing 15 every game, I'd still have 1/2P on the wing. Also the fact that Davies and probably Amos step into the starting team makes our backup players weaker, even though I would have originally picked Phillips and Walker ahead of Lloyd and Cuthbert!

Gareth Davies was the player favoured by Gatland prior to an injury which opened up the door for Rhys Webb. The two players are pretty much identical. They both are a sniping, running type of scrum half, and they are both prone to doing silly, petulant things when the opposition winds them up. Also with Phillips back in the squad, we could/should use him on the bench for if we want to change up the style of the game, as Lloyd Williams is of a similar style to Davies.

Liam Williams was going to start anyway (if he was fit), but he would have been on the wing where he has less of an impact on the game. Now he will start at fullback, so that could/should be seen as an improvement. And with Amos (or Walker) as the likely choice on the wing we have not lost too much over Halfpenny on the wing. The loss of a long range kicking option could be a blessing in disguise. We seem to rely upon just waiting for the pen and then slotting it, as our main form of attack. Without that certainty, we could be forced into having to play more rugby, and that may well lead to more tries, and a higher points differential which could be crucial.

I am optimistic that the 15 on the field will be more of a unit with Liam at full back over Halfpenny. I rate Liam as the superior full back and perhaps this will stop gatland trying to fit square pegs in round holes.

I still feel that we lose a little defensively without Halfpenny, his sweeping at the back is incredibly underrated. Strong in one on one tackles and barely gets caught out by letting the ball bounce (NZ at home the exception)

But I'm keen to see Williams play the big games at 15. Hard player to analyse as an opposition coaching team, as he's capable of some great lines in attack and quality under the high ball.

The WC is the perfect stage for the two guys coming in to take it by storm.

That's true chris. During the warm-ups I thought Halfpenny was looking very sharp, good in both attack and defence.

I didn't like the fact that Italy were trying to take him out off the ball. Clever tactic until it gets penalised. If they actually tried to compete for the ball rather than do that then Halfpenny would have taken every ball. That's something else we'll lose with him but luckily guys like Biggar and Williams are also exceptional at taking the high ball.

Gareth Davies is a great player and when he and Webb were emerging, I always considered Davies the better prospect. However, since his injury and since Webb took the 9 shirt from Phillips, Webb has been a revelation. This isn't to say that I don't have faith in Davies because I do, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him have an excellent WC as he is quality. Maybe it's the bench I'm more worried about at sh, felt a lot more at ease with Webb/Davies than Davies/Williams (which I think Gatland will pick) should an early knock occur. As for 1/2p, I agree re.Sanjay at 15, and that 1/2p's absence may force us to play a more expansive game, but top test matches are generally very tight affairs now, with defences on top, and penalties can, and have, decided such matches. While Biggar is an excellent kicker, 1/2p's range and accuracy have been a trump card of ours several times. Also, just by his presence, opposition teams are more reluctant to infringe anywhere in their own half thus giving us quicker, cleaner ball. Look, maybe I just take longer than some to recover from the shock of seeing two of our better players requiring oxygen on Saturday, I know by the time it all kicks off though, my belief in the boys will be total and I'll expect nothing less than victory! Cymru am byth!

hjumpshoe, time will tell. But keep that chin up, we have been in worse places.

Very true Scarlet, we have! Was reading Goughie's interview on here again yesterday, reminded me of his debut away in S.A. Ouch, now that hurt!!!

hjumpshoe wrote:Very true Scarlet, we have! Was reading Goughie's interview on here again yesterday, reminded me of his debut away in S.A. Ouch, now that hurt!!!

No no no I can no hear you, no no no I can not remember that no no no.......

Ooops sorry mate, didn't mean to drag up any old issues. Repeat after me....it didn't happen, it didn't happen, it didn't happen!lol

chris_501 wrote:I still feel that we lose a little defensively without Halfpenny, his sweeping at the back is incredibly underrated. Strong in one on one tackles and barely gets caught out by letting the ball bounce (NZ at home the exception)

This is why I didn't want to see Hook called up, or (even more bizarre) Patchell. You have to play full back regularly to get that sense of where you'll need to be in defence.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

chris_501 wrote:I still feel that we lose a little defensively without Halfpenny, his sweeping at the back is incredibly underrated. Strong in one on one tackles and barely gets caught out by letting the ball bounce (NZ at home the exception)

This is why I didn't want to see Hook called up, or (even more bizarre) Patchell. You have to play full back regularly to get that sense of where you'll need to be in defence.

This is true, even Amos looked a bit out of sorts against Ireland.

Understandably, when he'd played left wing most of the season.