Ospreys 16/17 season thread

[wayne]

First topic message reminder :

Rugby Management and Squad for 16/17
Head Coach Steve Tandy
Backs Gruff Rees
Forwards Chris Gibbes
Defence Brad Davis
Backs.
Dan Evans 3,     Jeff Hassler 2,     Dafydd Howells 2,     Ashley Beck 2,     Owen Watkin 3,     Kieron Fonotia 2,    Ben John 2,     Tom Habberfield 3,     Rhys Webb NDC 3?,     Dan Biggar NDC 3,     Eli Walker 1,     Josh Matavesi 2,     Tom Grabham 1,      Brendon Leonard 2,     Sam Davies 1,      Hanno Dirksen 1, Keelan Giles 3   
Forwards.
Olly Cracknell 2,     Lloyd Ashley3,     Bradley Davies NDC 3,      Joe Bearman 1,     Gareth Thomas 3,     Hugh Gustafson 2,     Adam Beard 3,     Scott Otten 3,     AWJ NDC 3,     Dan Baker NDC 3,     Rory Thornton NDC 3,     Scott Baldwin NDC 3,     James King NDC 2,     Ma'afu Fia 2,     Nicky Smith 3,     Dmitri Arhip 2,     Justin Tipuric 4,     Sam Parry 2,     Tyler Ardron 1,     Paul James 2,     Dan Suter 1,    Rhodri Jones 2, and Sam Underhill 2 but on permit from Bridgend RFC.
Fixture list for 16/17    
2/9   Zebre                                         H                        Guinness                   W 59-5
10/9 Connacht                                    A                        Guinness                   W 32-11
17/9 Treviso                                       H                         Guinness                   W 64-10
23/9 Leinster                                      A                         Guinness                   L  19-31  
1/10 Ulster                                        A                          Guinness                   L  7-9
7/10 Blues                                         H                          Guinness                   W  46-24
15/10 London I                                   H                           BIC                          L  14-25
14/10 Newcastle Falcons                      H                          RCC2                       W  45-0
23/10 Cornish Pirates                          A                           BIC                          L  5-41
22/10 Lyon Olympique                          A                          RCC2                       W  31-13
29/10 NGD                                        H                            W                          W   35-15    
4/11 Munster                                    A                           Guinness                   L   0-33
11/11 Harlequins                               H                            AWC                         L   12-15
18/11 Blues                                      A                           AWC                         W  31-7
25/12 Glasgow Warriors                      H                           Guinness                    W  22-5  
2/12 Edinburgh                                  H                          Guinness                    W  31-22
9/12 Grenoble                                    H                          RCC                          W  59-7
10/12 Connacht Eagles                        A                          BIC                           W  20-17
17/12 Grenoble                                  A                          RCC                           W 71-3                                 
18/12 Connacht Eagles                       H                           BIC                            W 55-14
27/12 Scarlets                                   H                          Guinness                    W  19-9
1/1 NGD                                           A                           Guinness                    W  10-0
7/1 Connacht                                     H                           Guinness                    W  29-7
14/1  Cornish Pirates                          H                            BIC                           L  10-34
15/1 Lyon                                         H                           RCC                           W 47-7
21/1 Newcastle Falcons                       A                          RCC                           W  26-21  
21/1 London I                                   A                            BIC                            W 26-24
28/1 Bristol                                      H                            AWC                          W  20-14
5/2 Wasps                                        A                           AWC                          W  31-22
10/2 Zebre                                       A                           Guinness                     W  40-10
18/2 Munster                                    H                           Guinness                     L  23-25
26/2 Glasgow W                                H                            Guinness                     W  26-15
3/3 Edinburgh                                   A                            Guinness                     W  13-9
25/3 Treviso                                     A                            Guinness                     L  5-13
2/4  St. Francais                               H P/S                       RCC Q/F                     L  18-20  
8/4 Leinster                                      H                            Guinness                     L  18-20
15/4 Blues                                        A                            Guinness                     L  17-35  
29/4 Ulster                                       H                            Guinness                     W  24-10
6/5 Scarlets                                     A                            Guinness                      L  17-40
20/5 Munster                                    A                            Guinness S/F
Will add RCC2 matches when they've been finalised.
Contrary to popular belief some of the Guinness League games will be affected by the Autumn Internationals, our players will be with TW when we play the Dragons, Munster and Glasgow Warriors, the first 2 because of the 13 day call up period and the Warriors because of the infernal 4th game which this year is against SA, and to think some people think everything is hunkydory now that Dodger Lewis has left his legacy rolls on.               
The number after each player signifies how many years they have left on their Ospreys contract, there are a few others who are on either Development Contracts or appear not to be under contract, Jonathon Spratt, Jordan Collier, and Alex Jeffries and a few others come into that category.
Our first 5 games of the season account for the 2 Italians at home and 3 Irish, Connacht, Ulster and Leinster away, so we shouldn't have as bad a start as last season, but not as good as the previous seasons start, in certain positions especially during International periods we are only 1 or 2 injuries away from disaster, and I just hope Steve has learned his selection mistakes from the last few seasons.

[exile jack]

Whilst I agree the ref should've sent of the Stade 11 for his stamp on Giles, facial stud marks to boot, and the offside try was dubious at best, we lacked big game composure YET again. Absolutely criminal to lose line outs 5 metres out, miss touch with 2 mins to go and throw wild looping passes begging to be intercepted. A severe lack of big game composure again and wrong selections by Tandy. A huge 2 games coming up if we have any chance of making the play offs...

I agree about the stamp. The ref bottled it.

As for the offside. What offside.. Stade kicked the ball and most of the forwards where offside yes, but the Ospreys caught the ball and played it, playing all the Stade players back on side. Now unless the rules have changed, we cant argue that one, and I was amazed that the ref went to the TMO and checked it for so long before awarding the try.

We just wasn't good enough..... mind you the ref wasn't up to the standard I would expect for a European QF.

You need to read and understand section 11 of World Rugby Laws and then re-post.On your argument,rugby coaches could place their players all over the pitch,get their team mates to kick towards them from 50 metres away,a little shuffle backwards towards them and they're onside.I believe the Police call it loitering with intent.

[No9]

He did move back before the Os took the ball... Admittedly, he only took 2 steps and small ones at that, but that did constitute moving back and then when the Os played the ball he was back on side.

It was right in front of me at the ground, so have just checked the video clip on YouTube, and although Shane Williams and the other commentators say he was offside and made no attempt to move back, check it, you can see him walk 2 steps back, which in the spirit of things isn't right, but to the letter of the law is.

[exile jack]

He did move back before the Os took the ball... Admittedly, he only took 2 steps and small ones at that, but that did constitute moving back and then when the Os played the ball he was back on side.

It was right in front of me at the ground, so have just checked the video clip on YouTube, and although Shane Williams and the other commentators say he was offside and made no attempt to move back, check it, you can see him walk 2 steps back, which in the spirit of things isn't right, but to the letter of the law is.

I was sitting in the middle tier on the halfway line.When the French player kicked the ball the French player,apparently clearly knackered or injured,wasn't moving.If your argument is right the French forward could have just started walking back from our try line and not been offside if passed to by Sam D in a brainfart moment.

I understand that this new standing 50m offside but not inadvertently loitering rule is being referred to World Rugby.You can see knackered forwards adding this technique to their repertoire.I did admire the transformation of a tired French forward into a galloping gazelle.The incident was not the reason we lost but it leaves a bad odour.Rugby Union is not American Football.

[wayne]

He did move back before the Os took the ball... Admittedly, he only took 2 steps and small ones at that, but that did constitute moving back and then when the Os played the ball he was back on side.

It was right in front of me at the ground, so have just checked the video clip on YouTube, and although Shane Williams and the other commentators say he was offside and made no attempt to move back, check it, you can see him walk 2 steps back, which in the spirit of things isn't right, but to the letter of the law is.

Sorry No 9, but as Jack has stated you need to go and have a look at Law 11 and to understand it, Law 11.4 states that there is a straight line from touchline to touchline through the offside player and the same to the receiving player and in a straight line there has to be 10 metres at no time was he anywhere near 10 metres away, the 2 small steps are irrelevant to this part of the law, let me also add that doesn't excuse the idiotic pass by Sam Davies, he should have either passed to the player next to him or ran and drawn Pyle and then passed. Why the need to keep on slinging long passes all game when the draw and pass option would have been all that would have been needed. As a few have already stated how that winger was allowed to come back on after 10 minutes was ludicrous, it should have been a straight red.

Jack you say in an earlier post that Sam Davies will never make a 15, apart from the brainfart already mentioned, what did you think was so terrible about his performance, because I thought his overall play was very good, the only facet that he wasn't as good as Dan Evans has been all season was his positioning, and as he was coming into the line much more than Dan usually does, I presume that was the team orders, to me it is an option that needs to be used, not every game. Sam and Biggar need to be on the field at the same time IMO, it gives us so many options, according to where Sam comes into the line. Perhaps what you say about him playing in the 12 channel with Matavesi leaving, could be utilised next season, but with the likes of Beck and Hook available who knows?

It was also unfortunate that Sam Parry got injured in the warm up, because of the recent performances of Baldwin he would surely have been taken off earlier, his arrows have been very inconsistent for a few matches recently whether with Wales or us.

Have to say the atmosphere yesterday with a 12000 plus crowd was excellent, apart from the result a good day.

[exile jack]

He did move back before the Os took the ball... Admittedly, he only took 2 steps and small ones at that, but that did constitute moving back and then when the Os played the ball he was back on side.

It was right in front of me at the ground, so have just checked the video clip on YouTube, and although Shane Williams and the other commentators say he was offside and made no attempt to move back, check it, you can see him walk 2 steps back, which in the spirit of things isn't right, but to the letter of the law is.

Sorry No 9, but as Jack has stated you need to go and have a look at Law 11 and to understand it, Law 11.4 states that there is a straight line from touchline to touchline through the offside player and the same to the receiving player and in a straight line there has to be 10 metres at no time was he anywhere near 10 metres away, the 2 small steps are irrelevant to this part of the law, let me also add that doesn't excuse the idiotic pass by Sam Davies, he should have either passed to the player next to him or ran and drawn Pyle and then passed. Why the need to keep on slinging long passes all game when the draw and pass option would have been all that would have been needed. As a few have already stated how that winger was allowed to come back on after 10 minutes was ludicrous, it should have been a straight red.

Jack you say in an earlier post that Sam Davies will never make a 15, apart from the brainfart already mentioned, what did you think was so terrible about his performance, because I thought his overall play was very good, the only facet that he wasn't as good as Dan Evans has been all season was his positioning, and as he was coming into the line much more than Dan usually does, I presume that was the team orders, to me it is an option that needs to be used, not every game. Sam and Biggar need to be on the field at the same time IMO, it gives us so many options, according to where Sam comes into the line. Perhaps what you say about him playing in the 12 channel with Matavesi leaving, could be utilised next season, but with the likes of Beck and Hook available who knows?

It was also unfortunate that Sam Parry got injured in the warm up, because of the recent performances of Baldwin he would surely have been taken off earlier, his arrows have been very inconsistent for a few matches recently whether with Wales or us.

Have to say the atmosphere yesterday with a 12000 plus crowd was excellent, apart from the result a good day.  

Wayne,apologies in advance for this essay.

Firstly,i was pleased for my Parisian friends who came to the game with me yesterday.Their team has gone from one with an average gate of 30,000+ in 2010 to one of 9000+ in 2017.The SF pack was very good yesterday and their second rowers were excellent.

On the O's,i saw the WOL player ratings and I can only assume that the W stands for a word rhyming with bankers.There were 4 key moments for me:the decision not to go for goal at 3-0;the missed penalty on the stroke of half-time;and the failures of a Fijian international centre and Welsh international 10 to execute clear overlaps to score tries.As for Sam D I remain of the view that he is the nearest thing I've seen to Stephen Larkham.He is a born 10 there to run and distribute quick ball and kick tactically when necessary.He is wasted at 15 because too much of the game he can't influence.As for Dan B yesterday other than the mistakes above I thought he had a good game with a heavy emphasis on distribution rather than aimless kicking.I was also pleased to note Webb gave up box kicking for distribution but I do wonder if he is developing the Phillips one step before passing.I do see Biggar as a 12 in future.

On Tandy,yesterday showed up his weaknesses in selection particularly starting Smith in preference to James,Ashley,Underhill(never a 6),and the Evans/Davies switch.To be fair to Tandy,he is not to blame for a game transferred from the Liberty,the loss of AWJ,B3D and Beard,the relative inexperience of Giles and the unavailability of Hassler,Dirksen and Lydiate(ideal for a grunt and shunt game against a Top 14 side).I thought Thornton did very well yesterday against serious heavyweight second rowers(and they could bring Pape on!).Our front row was under pressure but looking at the weight coming through from their forwards back 5 to their technically accomplished front 3 I thought our boys did OK.Australia survived for decades with a shaky scrum.

On the day itself,we had a great time although disappointed.We met Eddie Jones,a charming man and class itself.He told us Tipuric would be his Lions 7,Warburton a probable 6 but not Captain.We asked him if he had time to mentor Tandy but,regrettably,he is just too busy.We thought the O's supporters were just great.

For the future,it really must be the case that Tandy is given some top end coaching mentoring because I think he's stuck in a mindset that is preventing the O's from attaining competition winning standards.Sometimes in life those who need most help are the most resistant to it.

I'm away on business for a couple of weeks so best wishes for Leinster and Judgement Day.On with the motley!

[wayne]

He did move back before the Os took the ball... Admittedly, he only took 2 steps and small ones at that, but that did constitute moving back and then when the Os played the ball he was back on side.

It was right in front of me at the ground, so have just checked the video clip on YouTube, and although Shane Williams and the other commentators say he was offside and made no attempt to move back, check it, you can see him walk 2 steps back, which in the spirit of things isn't right, but to the letter of the law is.

Sorry No 9, but as Jack has stated you need to go and have a look at Law 11 and to understand it, Law 11.4 states that there is a straight line from touchline to touchline through the offside player and the same to the receiving player and in a straight line there has to be 10 metres at no time was he anywhere near 10 metres away, the 2 small steps are irrelevant to this part of the law, let me also add that doesn't excuse the idiotic pass by Sam Davies, he should have either passed to the player next to him or ran and drawn Pyle and then passed. Why the need to keep on slinging long passes all game when the draw and pass option would have been all that would have been needed. As a few have already stated how that winger was allowed to come back on after 10 minutes was ludicrous, it should have been a straight red.

Jack you say in an earlier post that Sam Davies will never make a 15, apart from the brainfart already mentioned, what did you think was so terrible about his performance, because I thought his overall play was very good, the only facet that he wasn't as good as Dan Evans has been all season was his positioning, and as he was coming into the line much more than Dan usually does, I presume that was the team orders, to me it is an option that needs to be used, not every game. Sam and Biggar need to be on the field at the same time IMO, it gives us so many options, according to where Sam comes into the line. Perhaps what you say about him playing in the 12 channel with Matavesi leaving, could be utilised next season, but with the likes of Beck and Hook available who knows?

It was also unfortunate that Sam Parry got injured in the warm up, because of the recent performances of Baldwin he would surely have been taken off earlier, his arrows have been very inconsistent for a few matches recently whether with Wales or us.

Have to say the atmosphere yesterday with a 12000 plus crowd was excellent, apart from the result a good day.  

Wayne,apologies in advance for this essay.

Firstly,i was pleased for my Parisian friends who came to the game with me yesterday.Their team has gone from one with an average gate of 30,000+ in 2010 to one of 9000+ in 2017.The SF pack was very good yesterday and their second rowers were excellent.

On the O's,i saw the WOL player ratings and I can only assume that the W stands for a word rhyming with bankers.There were 4 key moments for me:the decision not to go for goal at 3-0;the missed penalty on the stroke of half-time;and the failures of a Fijian international centre and Welsh international 10 to execute clear overlaps to score tries.As for Sam D I remain of the view that he is the nearest thing I've seen to Stephen Larkham.He is a born 10 there to run and distribute quick ball and kick tactically when necessary.He is wasted at 15 because too much of the game he can't influence.As for Dan B yesterday other than the mistakes above I thought he had a good game with a heavy emphasis on distribution rather than aimless kicking.I was also pleased to note Webb gave up box kicking for distribution but I do wonder if he is developing the Phillips one step before passing.I do see Biggar as a 12 in future.

On Tandy,yesterday showed up his weaknesses in selection particularly starting Smith in preference to James,Ashley,Underhill(never a 6),and the Evans/Davies switch.To be fair to Tandy,he is not to blame for a game transferred from the Liberty,the loss of AWJ,B3D and Beard,the relative inexperience of Giles and the unavailability of Hassler,Dirksen and Lydiate(ideal for a grunt and shunt game against a Top 14 side).I thought Thornton did very well yesterday against serious heavyweight second rowers(and they could bring Pape on!).Our front row was under pressure but looking at the weight coming through from their forwards back 5 to their technically accomplished front 3 I thought our boys did OK.Australia survived for decades with a shaky scrum.

On the day itself,we had a great time although disappointed.We met Eddie Jones,a charming man and class itself.He told us Tipuric would be his Lions 7,Warburton a probable 6 but not Captain.We asked him if he had time to mentor Tandy but,regrettably,he is just too busy.We thought the O's supporters were just great.

For the future,it really must be the case that Tandy is given some top end coaching mentoring because I think he's stuck in a mindset that is preventing the O's from attaining competition winning standards.Sometimes in life those who need most help are the most resistant to it.

I'm away on business for a couple of weeks so best wishes for Leinster and Judgement Day.On with the motley!

Jack, if you look at the team I wanted selected before the game, I had James starting with Nicky to come on, Ardron starting Ashley to come on and Cracknell starting with Underhill to come on. James is still a better technical scrummager than Nicky, Tyler is a better lineout option than Lloyd (who isn't) and Cracknell is a natural 6, whereas Underhill is a 7 and nothing else.

You are so right about the ballast coming through, for us to lose 3 lumps like AWJ, BBBD and Beard is so unfortunate, but then again Tandy would select Ashley over Beard, as I've said before I would always select 3 lineout options and the best technical scrummaging props, from interviews Daimitri should be available very soon, and then will he be back as good as he was straight away? Unlikely, what McGrath and Healy will do to Mujati and Fia is not worth thinking about, hope they are prepared to rest at least one of them.

Totally agree about Tips, the only outstanding player for us yesterday, that was a classic moment when Eddie was put on the screen, and the crowd started booing, his reaction was classic. There is a topic on our forum (END OF AN ERA) wanting Tandy to be sacked, some of our fans are so fickle.
Sorry hope you have a decent trip.

[wayne]

Fijian wing Josaia Raisuge has been cited for the stamp to the face of Keelan Giles in Sundays game against the Ospreys. He should have been red carded on the spot, whether we would have been able to do anything when he was off is another thing.

[wayne]

Just read in the Fail (Walesonline) that if selected, and I can not see any chance of him not, Dan Biggar will join an exclusive band of Ospreylians to make 200 appearances for us, there were 4 before Dan, Duncan Jones, Paul James, AWJ and Andrew Bishop, what is remarkable about Dans achievement is that Duncan was 33, Paul 34, AWJ 31 and Andrew 29 when they reached that milestone, whereas Dan is only 27.

He does split opinion, there are not many that sit on the fence when it comes to how he is rated, even at his Region, a lot still would have preferred James Hook even Mathew Morgan's has his supporters over Dan. There is a new kid on the block challenging him (Sam Davies) and I reckon in a season or 2, he will take over from Dan. Hopefully we can utilise the 2 of them for the betterment of Osprey and Team Wales.

[wayne]

Fijian wing Josaia Raisuge has been cited for the stamp to the face of Keelan Giles in Sundays game against the Ospreys. He should have been red carded on the spot, whether we would have been able to do anything when he was off is another thing.

Raisuge banned for 10 weeks, just shows how incompetent that ENGLISH Referee was, and to think that there are a number on here think all the Guinness League problems is down to the Irish Referees.

[wayne]

Osprey team to play Leinster tomorrow
Sam Davies, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Josh Matavesi, Dan Evans, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb (C) Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, Lloyd Ashley, Rory Thornton, Olly Cracknell, Justin Tipuric and Dan Baker with Scott Otten, Paul James, Ma'afu Fia, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Tom Habberfield and Jonathan Spratt on the bench.

[mikey_dragon]

Are you lacking in the back 3? I can't see why Sam Davies is playing full-back again, and against Leinster in Dublin he looked well out of depth in that role.

[wayne]

Are you lacking in the back 3? I can't see why Sam Davies is playing full-back again, and against Leinster in Dublin he looked well out of depth in that role.

No Mikey, the idea is to have both Sam and Dan on the field at the same time, I must admit I would rather have Dan at 12 and Sam at 10, but this is the route that the Coaches want to go down.

[mikey_dragon]

Is there any reason for that? Davies at 10 and Biggar at 12 as far more logical, but I don't think there is any need for that with Matavesi at 12. Hook will be an option at 12 next season too.

[wayne]

Is there any reason for that? Davies at 10 and Biggar at 12 as far more logical, but I don't think there is any need for that with Matavesi at 12. Hook will be an option at 12 next season too.

Mikey the general idea, is that Sam can place himself anywhere in the backline or either side if the ruck, maul or scrum is more or less in the centre of the field, whereas with the 12 he is slightly restricted. I don't see Hooky as anything but a filler or a rotating option for when TW will be taking both our 10s.

[wayne]

Sorry double post.

[Cardiff Dave]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

[wayne]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

Stay on your own site Dave, your not wanted or needed on here.

[Stone Motif]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

[mikey_dragon]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

Party time! Excellent!

[Stone Motif]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

Party time! Excellent!

If Wayne were an ice cream flavor, he'd be pralines and d1ck

[wayne]

Trailer on our website, giving small details which will be fully expanded on Tuesday, of the full benefits and prices for ST next season. Probably the best prices for watching any of the Regions again next season.

I'll probably be renewing early birds.

[wayne]

God only knows how we lost that today, Dan (Biggar) missing 3 kicks that he normally puts over, and apparently he knew nothing about the last 10 minutes of today's game. Why after not looking anything but dazed did Rhys Webb allow him to take that kick, Sam would have kicked that in his sleep. Will not comment on the game until I watch it back, because on the evidence I watched, it was officiated diabolically. The one truly brilliant part of that game was the performance of Justin Tipuric, a truly remarkable game.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

You're right about the officiating. Lacey was completely biased to the ospreys.

[Guest]

Surprise, surprise.

[Allty]

[quote="wayne"]God only knows how we lost that today, Dan (Biggar) missing 3 kicks that he normally puts over, and apparently he knew nothing about the last 10 minutes of today's game. Why after not looking anything but dazed did Rhys Webb allow him to take that kick, Sam would have kicked that in his sleep. Will not comment on the game until I watch it back, because on the evidence I watched, it was officiated diabolically. The one truly brilliant part of that game was the performance of Justin Tipuric, a truly remarkable game. [/quote]


Bigger looked dazed as he lined up his kick.

He should not have been on the field.

The O's tactics/plans are hard to see

[wayne]

God only knows how we lost that today, Dan (Biggar) missing 3 kicks that he normally puts over, and apparently he knew nothing about the last 10 minutes of today's game. Why after not looking anything but dazed did Rhys Webb allow him to take that kick, Sam would have kicked that in his sleep. Will not comment on the game until I watch it back, because on the evidence I watched, it was officiated diabolically. The one truly brilliant part of that game was the performance of Justin Tipuric, a truly remarkable game.

Bigger looked dazed as he lined up his kick.

He should not have been on the field.

The O's tactics/plans are hard to see

Allty he passed his HIA, to be allowed back on the pitch, so please don't question our medical staff. I'm only going what was reported on the BBC site.
Finally our tactics/plans were fine it was only small execution mistakes that cost us that game.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Surprise, surprise.

Lacey is a good Munster man

[Guest]

Surprise, surprise.

Lacey is a good Munster man

And you whinge about the ref every game.

[Allty]

[quote="wayne"][quote="Allty"][quote="wayne"]God only knows how we lost that today, Dan (Biggar) missing 3 kicks that he normally puts over, and apparently he knew nothing about the last 10 minutes of today's game. Why after not looking anything but dazed did Rhys Webb allow him to take that kick, Sam would have kicked that in his sleep. Will not comment on the game until I watch it back, because on the evidence I watched, it was officiated diabolically. The one truly brilliant part of that game was the performance of Justin Tipuric, a truly remarkable game. [/quote]


Bigger looked dazed as he lined up his kick.

He should not have been on the field.

The O's tactics/plans are hard to see[/quote]

Allty he passed his HIA, to be allowed back on the pitch, so please don't question our medical staff. I'm only going what was reported on the BBC site.
Finally our tactics/plans were fine it was only small execution mistakes that cost us that game. [/quote]


Wayne I am only saying what I saw.

Sadly I couldn't see a strong organised tactical plan

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Surprise, surprise.

Lacey is a good Munster man

And you whinge about the ref every game.

Just copying the welsh

[Guest]

Surprise, surprise.

Lacey is a good Munster man

And you whinge about the ref every game.

Just copying the welsh

The Irish have long since surpassed the Welsh on that one.

[Cardiff Dave]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

Stay on your own site Dave, your not wanted or needed on here.

How very reejunal of you, if I may say so. Didn't realise those mythical boundaries existed on here as well.

[wayne]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

Stay on your own site Dave, your not wanted or needed on here.

How very reejunal of you, if I may say so. Didn't realise those mythical boundaries existed on here as well.

When you can come on here with something original or sensible you'll be more than welcome, until that happens you and the monkey need to stay away.

[wayne]

Just to add, talking with Stuart Barnes pre match yesterday and mentioning what Eddie Jones said last week about if he was selecting a Lions team now, that he would select Justin Tipuric as the open side, Barnes told me you know that wouldn't happen because Sam would be selected,
he went on to say that not only is Justin a better player now, but he always has been. Sam has been very fortunate to have had Gatland as the HC of TW, anybody else and it would be Justin with the majority of first choice caps, and furthermore he reinforced it with a magnificent performance yesterday.

[Cardiff Dave]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

Stay on your own site Dave, your not wanted or needed on here.

How very reejunal of you, if I may say so. Didn't realise those mythical boundaries existed on here as well.

When you can come on here with something original or sensible you'll be more than welcome, until that happens you and the monkey need to stay away.

Thanks for the invite and i'm not so shewer that word goes with Welsh rugby does it?
Who's the other monkey btw?

[wayne]

Should rename this thread, "Wayne's World".

Stay on your own site Dave, your not wanted or needed on here.

How very reejunal of you, if I may say so. Didn't realise those mythical boundaries existed on here as well.

When you can come on here with something original or sensible you'll be more than welcome, until that happens you and the monkey need to stay away.

Thanks for the invite and i'm not so shewer that word goes with Welsh rugby does it?
Who's the other monkey btw?

If you cannot work that out, your not Dumb to his Dumber, place them the other way around.

[Allty]

Maybe I had a point Wayne. Bigger having new HIA

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39541820

[Stone Motif]

Maybe I had a point Wayne.   Bigger having new HIA

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39541820

Oh dear. Proving Wayne wrong - that'll be you on ignore then

[wayne]

Maybe I had a point Wayne.   Bigger having new HIA

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39541820

Allty, he is not having a new HIA, it is an ongoing process that started during the game yesterday.

Why don't you read the statement put out by Ospreys Rugby and concentrate on the 4th paragraph. HIA and continue.

Finally to add, the BEEB headline put the word FRESH, in the article if you bothered to read down the Ospreys statement with the above is printed.

[Allty]

Wayne he is having a new/another/a second assessment.

As I said he did not look well on his return and he has said he was dizzy and could not recall the incident.

Maybe the O's medical team missed something..........

[wayne]

Wayne  he is having a new/another/a second assessment.

As I said he did not look well on his return and he has said he was dizzy and could not recall the incident.

Maybe the O's medical team missed something..........

Allty, I've sent you a PM, please read and try to comprehend.

[wayne]

Wayne  he is having a new/another/a second assessment.

As I said he did not look well on his return and he has said he was dizzy and could not recall the incident.

Maybe the O's medical team missed something..........

Allty, I've sent you a PM, please read and try to comprehend.

Having been told by an outside source to take a look at ScrumV and to take particular notice of what Dr Gwyn Jones had to say on the matter, it again fully vindicates my stance.

[wayne]

Previous to a fortnight ago, we had won all our matches (I think about 6) at the PS or as it was the MS. That defeat and the other 2 that accompanied it, against Treviso and Leinster, together with the Blues display against Ulster last week, leads me to believe we could very well lose this next one as well.
Brad Davis (Defence Coach) in our pre match Press Conference yesterday, said it is very unlikely that we'll have any of the long term injured back for this game, added to the fact Dan Biggar is still going through the HIA protocols and they wouldn't know until Thursday if he will be available for this game, in a way it might be better if they new even earlier that he wouldn't make it. That way we could revert to our normal system with Dan Evans at 15 and Sam Davies at 10 and pick 2 proper wingers in their traditional positions.
Also hope they start this game with BBBD and Thornton starting and at best Ashley on the bench, also going with the way Fia left the field last weekend, I think we are back to Rhodri as replacement tight head
So not overly optimistic, at least I'll be there giving my lungs a bit of exercise, whether that will be enough is open to question.

[wayne]

The next 2 matches could determine the 5 year Coaching career of Steve Tandy at the Ospreys, 2 defeats could see it ending. A win on Saturday could extend it for at least a few weeks, even 2 wins in the regular season might not be enough to totally save him, if he qualifies for a Semi Final and we take a drubbing there it might not be enough. I think only 4 wins will keep the doom mongers away from the door, and really can't see that happening.

There could be a number of changes from Judgement Day for the visit of Ulster and rightly so, can see Matavesi, Baldwin, King and Baker missing out with the likes of Fonotia, Parry if fit or Otten if not, Ardron and Underhill coming into the team, also really hope that AWJ is at least on the bench, with Ashley dropping out of the 23 totally, and the time of the Davies Biggar on the field together experiment left for another time or if we are guaranteed a win early enough then have them together but in the 10 12 axis. Not the 10 15 positions as I don't think it has really worked. Could Daimitri make a belated entry back in the squad? It really would be a big help.

A team of Evans, Giles, Fonotia, Beck, Howells, Biggar, Webb, Smith, Parry, Mujati, BBBD, Thornton, Underhill, Tipuric and Ardron, with Otten, James, Arhip, AWJ, Cracknell or Baker, Habberfield, Davies and Matavesi on the bench. I think something like that could be enough to get us 4 points, if we have to have Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Josh Matavesi and Jonathon Spratt in the squad I think we could be in trouble, as this is probably our last home game of the season I just hope both the team and the supporters are in fine form.

[wayne]

Ospreys team announced for the visit off Ulster Rugby to the Liberty Stadium, for the must win game for both teams really on Saturday, if they want to qualify for the Semi Finals of the Guinness League.

Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies and Josh Matavesi on the bench.

Really surprised Habbers is starting, Howells is not down as injured, him and Giles don't inspire me with confidence defensively against Trimble and Piatau, they'll give their all but are they really big and strong enough to nullify them 2. Surprised Thornton is not in the 23, would have been a better option than Ashley.

Finally 4 players, Dmitri Arhip, Ma'afu Fia, Sam Parry and Ben John are ruled out for the rest of this season, they should be ok to report for preseason training.

[wayne]

Ospreys team announced for the visit off Ulster Rugby to the Liberty Stadium, for the must win game for both teams really on Saturday, if they want to qualify for the Semi Finals of the Guinness League.

Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies and Josh Matavesi on the bench.

Really surprised Habbers is starting, Howells is not down as injured, him and Giles don't inspire me with confidence defensively against Trimble and Piatau, they'll give their all but are they really big and strong enough to nullify them 2. Surprised Thornton is not in the 23, would have been a better option than Ashley.

Finally 4 players, Dmitri Arhip, Ma'afu Fia, Sam Parry and Ben John are ruled out for the rest of this season, they should be ok to report for preseason training.

The quote about the worries of Habberfield and Giles against Trimble and Piatau were a total overreaction on my part, it was only when Stockdale came on, that we were exposed out there. In actual fact I thought Keelan's tackling technique was mainly exemplary, I thought Dan Evans had another superb game very underrated not only this board even on ours, one of the best signings from outside our Region. Considering Kieron Fonotia has played continuous Rugby except for a couple of very small periods of well over a year, he has battled very well I think next year he will prove what a good acquisition he is with a couple of months off, with the likes of Watkin, Allen, Hook, Beck, John and a couple of youngsters like Joe Thomas and Kieron Williams coming through, things are looking very well. Thought both Biggar and Webb controlled the game very well, Rhys needed a good game after a couple of indifferent performances and IMO he duly obliged.

I thought the scrum was pretty even, and that is a massive improvement on most recent displays, the lineout was very good I think one went AWOL and we took a number on Ulsters throw in, Best unless he dramatically improves in that department ( he not only had a few pinched but threw over the top at least once) he could be a side show for the Lions, let me just say Tyler Ardron was superb today would have been my MOTM. BBBD on one lineout in particular when we pressing in the first half Ulster kicked long and apart from Webb he was the next player in position really put himself about, both King and Tipuric were used as targets and what a signing Underhill has been, Bath and England are going to reap rich dividends for his time learning from the Master.

We should have been out of sight by just after half time, a little less adrenaline could have reaped rich dividends, but fair play Ulster came charging back and could have at least equalised if certain players had noticed and passed to players in far better positions, even players like Ashley and Rhodri Jones didn't let us down.

[wayne]

Ospreys team announced for the visit off Ulster Rugby to the Liberty Stadium, for the must win game for both teams really on Saturday, if they want to qualify for the Semi Finals of the Guinness League.

Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies and Josh Matavesi on the bench.

Really surprised Habbers is starting, Howells is not down as injured, him and Giles don't inspire me with confidence defensively against Trimble and Piatau, they'll give their all but are they really big and strong enough to nullify them 2. Surprised Thornton is not in the 23, would have been a better option than Ashley.

Finally 4 players, Dmitri Arhip, Ma'afu Fia, Sam Parry and Ben John are ruled out for the rest of this season, they should be ok to report for preseason training.

The quote about the worries of Habberfield and Giles against Trimble and Piatau were a total overreaction on my part, it was only when Stockdale came on, that we were exposed out there. In actual fact I thought Keelan's  tackling technique was mainly exemplary, I thought Dan Evans had another superb game very underrated not only this board even on ours, one of the best signings from outside our Region. Considering Kieron Fonotia has played continuous Rugby except for a couple of very small periods of well over a year, he has battled very well I think next year he will prove what a good acquisition he is with a couple of months off, with the likes of Watkin, Allen, Hook, Beck, John and a couple of youngsters like Joe Thomas and Kieron Williams coming through, things are looking very well. Thought both Biggar and Webb controlled the game very well, Rhys needed a good game after a couple of indifferent performances and IMO he duly obliged.

I thought the scrum was pretty even, and that is a massive improvement on most recent displays, the lineout was very good I think one went AWOL and we took a number on Ulsters throw in, Best unless he dramatically improves in that department ( he not only had a few pinched but threw over the top at least once) he could be a side show for the Lions, let me just say Tyler Ardron was superb today would have been my MOTM. BBBD on one lineout in particular when we pressing in the first half Ulster kicked long and apart from Webb he was the next player in position really put himself about, both King and Tipuric were used as targets and what a signing Underhill has been, Bath and England are going to reap rich dividends for his time learning from the Master.

We should have been out of sight by just after half time, a little less adrenaline could have reaped rich dividends, but fair play Ulster came charging back and could have at least equalised if certain players had noticed and passed to players in far better positions, even players like Ashley and Rhodri Jones didn't let us down.      

Sorry have to add when Rhys Webb passed the ball along the floor to Ashley Beck and 2 Ulster players converged on Beck he put in a bit of class to put in Habberfield for our first try, it showed a touch of skill that Wales have been crying out for years, it really is such a great pity that he is so fragile, it also shows up the ineptitude of the Ulster defence. Sublime skillset.

[exile jack]

Ospreys team announced for the visit off Ulster Rugby to the Liberty Stadium, for the must win game for both teams really on Saturday, if they want to qualify for the Semi Finals of the Guinness League.

Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies and Josh Matavesi on the bench.

Really surprised Habbers is starting, Howells is not down as injured, him and Giles don't inspire me with confidence defensively against Trimble and Piatau, they'll give their all but are they really big and strong enough to nullify them 2. Surprised Thornton is not in the 23, would have been a better option than Ashley.

Finally 4 players, Dmitri Arhip, Ma'afu Fia, Sam Parry and Ben John are ruled out for the rest of this season, they should be ok to report for preseason training.

The quote about the worries of Habberfield and Giles against Trimble and Piatau were a total overreaction on my part, it was only when Stockdale came on, that we were exposed out there. In actual fact I thought Keelan's  tackling technique was mainly exemplary, I thought Dan Evans had another superb game very underrated not only this board even on ours, one of the best signings from outside our Region. Considering Kieron Fonotia has played continuous Rugby except for a couple of very small periods of well over a year, he has battled very well I think next year he will prove what a good acquisition he is with a couple of months off, with the likes of Watkin, Allen, Hook, Beck, John and a couple of youngsters like Joe Thomas and Kieron Williams coming through, things are looking very well. Thought both Biggar and Webb controlled the game very well, Rhys needed a good game after a couple of indifferent performances and IMO he duly obliged.

I thought the scrum was pretty even, and that is a massive improvement on most recent displays, the lineout was very good I think one went AWOL and we took a number on Ulsters throw in, Best unless he dramatically improves in that department ( he not only had a few pinched but threw over the top at least once) he could be a side show for the Lions, let me just say Tyler Ardron was superb today would have been my MOTM. BBBD on one lineout in particular when we pressing in the first half Ulster kicked long and apart from Webb he was the next player in position really put himself about, both King and Tipuric were used as targets and what a signing Underhill has been, Bath and England are going to reap rich dividends for his time learning from the Master.

We should have been out of sight by just after half time, a little less adrenaline could have reaped rich dividends, but fair play Ulster came charging back and could have at least equalised if certain players had noticed and passed to players in far better positions, even players like Ashley and Rhodri Jones didn't let us down.      

Sorry have to add when Rhys Webb passed the ball along the floor to Ashley Beck and 2 Ulster players converged on Beck he put in a bit of class to put in Habberfield for our first try, it showed a touch of skill that Wales have been crying out for years, it really is such a great pity that he is so fragile, it also shows up the ineptitude of the Ulster defence. Sublime skillset.

Wayne,i'm pleased for you with the result.Only saw the game on BBC NI(very unbiased) but one of my mates at the game.Thought Ardron and B3D along with Evans were very good and almost as good as Tipuric.Scrum and lineout went much better.Thought Webb had a shocker with his kicking and he must quicken up his service from the base of the scrum.Of greatest concern is the O's desire to send forwards one up into the opposition and the reluctance of the backs to execute overlaps.Also don't understand why the O's don't double bank their backs occasionally to prevent the centres being lined up by their opposite numbers.Should mention a much improved performance from Baldwin and fine efforts from Giles and Habberfield.

Btw what's happened to Cracknell? Is he injured or on the naughty step?

[wayne]

Ospreys team announced for the visit off Ulster Rugby to the Liberty Stadium, for the must win game for both teams really on Saturday, if they want to qualify for the Semi Finals of the Guinness League.

Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies and Josh Matavesi on the bench.

Really surprised Habbers is starting, Howells is not down as injured, him and Giles don't inspire me with confidence defensively against Trimble and Piatau, they'll give their all but are they really big and strong enough to nullify them 2. Surprised Thornton is not in the 23, would have been a better option than Ashley.

Finally 4 players, Dmitri Arhip, Ma'afu Fia, Sam Parry and Ben John are ruled out for the rest of this season, they should be ok to report for preseason training.

The quote about the worries of Habberfield and Giles against Trimble and Piatau were a total overreaction on my part, it was only when Stockdale came on, that we were exposed out there. In actual fact I thought Keelan's  tackling technique was mainly exemplary, I thought Dan Evans had another superb game very underrated not only this board even on ours, one of the best signings from outside our Region. Considering Kieron Fonotia has played continuous Rugby except for a couple of very small periods of well over a year, he has battled very well I think next year he will prove what a good acquisition he is with a couple of months off, with the likes of Watkin, Allen, Hook, Beck, John and a couple of youngsters like Joe Thomas and Kieron Williams coming through, things are looking very well. Thought both Biggar and Webb controlled the game very well, Rhys needed a good game after a couple of indifferent performances and IMO he duly obliged.

I thought the scrum was pretty even, and that is a massive improvement on most recent displays, the lineout was very good I think one went AWOL and we took a number on Ulsters throw in, Best unless he dramatically improves in that department ( he not only had a few pinched but threw over the top at least once) he could be a side show for the Lions, let me just say Tyler Ardron was superb today would have been my MOTM. BBBD on one lineout in particular when we pressing in the first half Ulster kicked long and apart from Webb he was the next player in position really put himself about, both King and Tipuric were used as targets and what a signing Underhill has been, Bath and England are going to reap rich dividends for his time learning from the Master.

We should have been out of sight by just after half time, a little less adrenaline could have reaped rich dividends, but fair play Ulster came charging back and could have at least equalised if certain players had noticed and passed to players in far better positions, even players like Ashley and Rhodri Jones didn't let us down.      

Sorry have to add when Rhys Webb passed the ball along the floor to Ashley Beck and 2 Ulster players converged on Beck he put in a bit of class to put in Habberfield for our first try, it showed a touch of skill that Wales have been crying out for years, it really is such a great pity that he is so fragile, it also shows up the ineptitude of the Ulster defence. Sublime skillset.

Wayne,i'm pleased for you with the result.Only saw the game on BBC NI(very unbiased) but one of my mates at the game.Thought Ardron and B3D along with Evans were very good and almost as good as Tipuric.Scrum and lineout went much better.Thought Webb had a shocker with his kicking and he must quicken up his service from the base of the scrum.Of greatest concern is the O's desire to send forwards one up into the opposition and the reluctance of the backs to execute overlaps.Also don't understand why the O's don't double bank their backs occasionally to prevent the centres being lined up by their opposite numbers.Should mention a much improved performance from Baldwin and fine efforts from Giles and Habberfield.

Btw what's happened to Cracknell? Is he injured or on the naughty step?

Jack I'll start from the bottom, as much as I like Cracknell, I think Underhill is much better, Bath are getting a gem, I've also alluded to in the past in that I like at least a 3 man lineout group, yesterday it was 4 and even Dan Baker was used which is at least very rare, if not unique for us, it has been mentioned in the last couple of weeks about the conditions of some of our youngsters because of their very heavy workload, I would say both Cracknell and Thornton come into that category, they will be better for the rest.

Personally I would have given MOTM to Tyler, is lineout work was excellent and was also prominent in the loose, there are worrying rumours around the Liberty that this is the final year of his present contract, and there is no news of a renewal, it will be a sad indictment of this regime if he is allowed to go, superb player. Perhaps Webby wasn't top level yesterday, but I thought he was much better than of late, and the kick without a flat out chase is our preferred option with the team coming up in a concerted line. I've mentioned in the past about the one up option and Baldwin is the one that gets the flak, when IMO it is down to the person giving him the ball, then again our ball retention was better than of late.

[wayne]

Increase in average attendance for Guinness League matches for the 3rd successive season
10/11  8105
11/12  7686
12/13  9273
13/14  7935
14/15  8398
15/16  8605
16/17  9026

In a way these figures are more impressive than they appear, from 14/15 IIRC entry to the Liberty Stadium is controlled by Season Ticket Bar Code and the same on Individual Tickets Sold Bar Code, previous to them years the figures were Season Tickets Sold + Match Day Tickets sold, whether a ST Holder was present or not they were included in the Match Day Figures.

To me, those figures are terrible for a supposedly Rugby mad Region and Country, and the quality of Rugby on view for the vast majority of this season, but at least they are on the up.

I can remember when I started going to the Liberty, that the break even figure for our Region was put at 10000, Not really sure if we ever reached that figure. We are heading that way, it would be nice to see us reach that figure in the next season or 2.

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