Same Tim Cymru v J'ai une tour Eiffel dans mon pantalon

First topic message reminder :

Welsh squad remains the same for the showdown in Paris.

Would have swapped over Halfpenny and Williams personally

Halfpenny, North, Davies, S William, L Williams; Biggar, Webb; Evans, Owens, Francis, Ball, AW Jones (capt), Warburton, Tipuric, Moriarty.

Replacements: Baldwin, Smith, Lee, Charteris, Faletau, G Davies, S Davies, Roberts.


French team announced

Dulin - Nakaitaci, Fickou, Lamerat, Vakatawa - Lopez, Serin - Gourdon, Picamoles, Sanconnie - Maestri, Vahaamahina - Slimani, Guirado, Baille.

Les remplaçants : Chat, Atonio, Ben Arous, Le Devedec, Chouly, Trinh-Duc, Dupont, Huget

Apart from the first ten minutes this was clearly not a good game by France. I take the win despite the shambolic finish but will try to forget this game like I did it for the 2011 RWC semi final...

nathan wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Congrats, France

Barnes ruined the game, although plenty of talking points!

I think he was helped by both teams in ruining that game!

If a decent ref had reffed the game, I think it would have been more entertaining. Barnes display just sucked the enthusiasm and confidence out of the French.

Total shambles of a game.  Can't blame the ref, Wales did everything they could to hold out there.

Cack season from Wales though, we need to look at things with these players.

Not the only reason we lost, but the bringing in of Slimani doesn't sit easily with me. Mind you, the decision came from a man who once did this.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LrWDOZmhqmg

Well played France however, especially in the first 15 minutes.

Also have my doubts on Atonio injury which was in a way convenient.

Whocares, why do you think France changed to kick so much after dominating so early on with ball in hand? A lack of confidence?

In terms of the overall game, for the first fifteen France definitely deserved that. We did well to only go in at HT 10-9.

Is Rob Howley still the messiah or not though? Probable fifth place finish here mind.

chris_501 wrote:Whocares, why do you think France changed to kick so much after dominating so early on with ball in hand? A lack of confidence?

After the YC the momentum changed to Wales (also think Wales defence got better).

France has been playing too much rugby in their own 22 and Wales didn't always return the ball very well. Was probably wise to kick more since Wales defence was getting tighter anyway. Only the execution was poor.

whocares wrote:

chris_501 wrote:Whocares, why do you think France changed to kick so much after dominating so early on with ball in hand? A lack of confidence?

After the YC the momentum changed to Wales (also think Wales defence got better).

France has been playing too much rugby in their own 22 and Wales didn't always return the ball very well. Was probably wise to kick more since Wales defence was getting tighter anyway. Only the execution was poor.

You did win the aerial battle. I thought Dulin was excellent.

Yes Dulin had his moment in the 2Nd half and saved us from very dangerous position twice but he made a couple of very bad kicks in the 1st half I think.

Just put it behind us. We have won loads of games against France recently, they were due a win and they did beat us 2 tries to nil in all fairness.

I'm not too dispirited about this 6N, I can remember the days where going to Paris or Twickenham and getting to within 20 points was a result.

Are you not dispirited? We have zero depth and have just finished fifth. Pretty much every team above us has probably developed more.

It finally happened. A game was played on until the desired outcome was achieved.

Gwlad. How do you feel  now? FiFth in this years touenament.

majesticimperialman wrote:Gwlad. How do you feel  now? FiFth in this years touenament.

Better than i would if i had choked on the big day like England

Gwlad wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Gwlad. How do you feel  now? FiFth in this years touenament.

Better than i would if i had choked on the big day like England

Yeah your not fooling anyone but yourself.

nathan wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Gwlad. How do you feel  now? FiFth in this years touenament.

Better than i would if i had choked on the big day like England

Yeah your not fooling anyone but yourself.

I would rather not win the 6 Nations the way England just did, with a biiiiig let down that leaves more questions than supplies answers. Hope thats okay with you. Wales have won it countless times so I appreciate its a big deal for England but rugby has cycles, we are in a different phase to England and if anyone is fooling themselves its England whose World Class hubris is overtaking their actual ability to perform on the big day under pressure, again. Appreciate you won't want to hear this but hey ho thats life

majesticimperialman wrote:Gwlad. How do you feel  now? FiFth in this years touenament.

In old money Wales won the wooden spoon. Well at least we won something.

Strange end to the game. Barnes just didn't have the bottle to award a penalty try to France.

Shifty wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Gwlad. How do you feel  now? FiFth in this years touenament.

In old money Wales won the wooden spoon.  Well at least we won something.

No you lost

and thats 2 desperately poor performances from England in one day

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Strange end to the game. Barnes just didn't have the bottle to award a penalty try to France.

I appreciate it was a very weird ending, and the Welsh offenses varied from minute to minute but yeah he should have given a clear warning after the 2nd or 3rd penalty then penalty try after that. All very shoddy.

And then there was all the crap about first Silmani coming back on for France then Wales winding down the yellow card clock....

The finish of that game needs to  be looked at again by the lawmakers, to have a situation where players are playing nearly a quarter of a  game more than other players in other teams playing in the same competition is too much of a disparity.

 At the 85 minute mark the hooter should just go and if the ball is not in play the ref just blows for full time or if the ball is in play, then the ref blows full time at the next tackle.

aucklandlaurie wrote:The finish of that game needs to  be looked at again by the lawmakers, to have a situation where players are playing nearly a quarter of a  game more than other players in other teams playing in the same competition is too much of a disparity.

 At the 85 minute mark the hooter should just go and if the ball is not in play the ref just blows for full time or if the ball is in play, then the ref blows full time at the next tackle.

I don't know it was such an unusual situation. And you don't want to encourage or reward time wasting.

France had every right to keep on going for the scrum and to be given the chance to complete it. What should of happened is the warning/penalty try route

lostinwales wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:The finish of that game needs to  be looked at again by the lawmakers, to have a situation where players are playing nearly a quarter of a  game more than other players in other teams playing in the same competition is too much of a disparity.

 At the 85 minute mark the hooter should just go and if the ball is not in play the ref just blows for full time or if the ball is in play, then the ref blows full time at the next tackle.

I don't know it was such an unusual situation. And you don't want to encourage or reward time wasting.

France had every right to keep on going for the scrum and to be given the chance to complete it. What should of happened is the warning/penalty try route

 How often have you seen a Competition rugby game go for 100 minutes?

aucklandlaurie wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:The finish of that game needs to  be looked at again by the lawmakers, to have a situation where players are playing nearly a quarter of a  game more than other players in other teams playing in the same competition is too much of a disparity.

 At the 85 minute mark the hooter should just go and if the ball is not in play the ref just blows for full time or if the ball is in play, then the ref blows full time at the next tackle.

I don't know it was such an unusual situation. And you don't want to encourage or reward time wasting.

France had every right to keep on going for the scrum and to be given the chance to complete it. What should of happened is the warning/penalty try route

 How often have you seen a Competition rugby game go for 100 minutes?

Never? So whats the point of trying to legislate against something that may never happen again.

As said I think there was enough scope in the rules of the game to have found a way to finish it earlier through a penalty try. It only lasted as long as it did because of persistent offending, plus all those talks and injury breaks when the clock was not stopped.

Why didn't Barnes just give a penalty try? The Welsh scrum was paying out penalties like a broken bandit.

Maestri was asking Barnes that after every scrum and the response seemed to be you're not moving forward which was only because the Welsh kept collapsing, pushing early or any other trick they could try.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Maestri was asking Barnes that after every scrum and the response seemed to be you're not moving forward which was only because the Welsh kept collapsing, pushing early or any other trick they could try.

I held Barnes in high regard untill the last 20 minutes of this game. The fact Wales kept collapsing the scrum was evidence enough for just about everyone that they were getting dicked.

His failure to award the penalty try has damaged his reputation for me.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Maestri was asking Barnes that after every scrum and the response seemed to be you're not moving forward which was only because the Welsh kept collapsing, pushing early or any other trick they could try.

I held Barnes in high regard untill the last 20 minutes of this game. The fact Wales kept collapsing the scrum was evidence enough for just about everyone that they were getting dicked.

His failure to award the penalty try has damaged his reputation for me.

Jesus finally people are waking up to Barnes' dire refereeing. Worst ref in world rugby by a long shot.

He should not be allowed ref Wales games full stop.

Are people only realizing he is a desperately biased and inconsistent ref now?

Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can. It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

I thought he concussed himself when that scrum went down, and he was being a typical rugby player pretending not to be injured

True Raven wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can.  It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

I would prefer they reviewed Barnes' refereeing.

Really?? Of all refs you think he's bad? You should look at all the sh!te refs the Irish serve up in the pro12

True Raven wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can.  It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

Don't want to be cynical but good luck In proving it.

True Raven wrote:Really?? Of all refs you think he's bad?  You should look at all the sh!te refs the Irish serve up in the pro12

This isnt the pro 12 though. Barnes is actually on the WR elite panel. Its like as if a con man acting as a referee ended up on the panel and no one ever noticed.

whocares wrote:

True Raven wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can.  It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

Don't want to be cynical but good luck In proving it.

whocares, for someone who was taken off for a HIA and allowed to walk down the tunnel with no one in sight, it really proves the point you cheated and got away with it.

I don't like blaming the ref for a team losing. But i do think that Barnes had it for France. 

Wales through JD deliberately knock on and it is a penalty only.

France do the same type of knock on 5 minutes later and it is a yellow card.

Clearly in Wales favour. 

Although Wales did not look like scoring any tries at all. 

It still does not alter the fact 2 same offences 2 different out comes.

wayne wrote:

whocares wrote:

True Raven wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can.  It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

Don't want to be cynical but good luck In proving it.

whocares, for someone who was taken off for a HIA and allowed to walk down the tunnel with no one in sight, it really proves the point you cheated and got away with it.

 But then again was it not just smart? perhaps the Welsh prop should have limped on and then Barnes could only put down a Golden Oldies scrum. The French election to put down a scrum would have been negated.

What has happened to the Welsh attack, it's practically the same players as a couple of years ago but they can't seem to attack at all.

Halfpenny has completely lost his edge, 3 years ago, one of the best full backs in the world, nowadays one of the poorest international fullbacks in the NH.

Jared Payne did more in his 80 mins against England than halfpenny has done all tournament.

I like to see Wales do well but they seem to be regressing really badly at the moment. Barnes did everything he could to help you today in that farcical last 20 minutes and Wales still lost.

aucklandlaurie wrote:

wayne wrote:

whocares wrote:

True Raven wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can.  It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

Don't want to be cynical but good luck In proving it.

whocares, for someone who was taken off for a HIA and allowed to walk down the tunnel with no one in sight, it really proves the point you cheated and got away with it.

 But then again was it not just smart? perhaps the Welsh prop should have limped on and then Barnes could only put down a Golden Oldies scrum. The French election to put down a scrum would have been negated.

Of course it was smart Laurie, they got away with cheating, apart from the fact that all HIAs that I've seen has seen the player to be assessed has been accompanied Antonio wasn't.

wayne wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

wayne wrote:

whocares wrote:

True Raven wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can.  It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

Don't want to be cynical but good luck In proving it.

whocares, for someone who was taken off for a HIA and allowed to walk down the tunnel with no one in sight, it really proves the point you cheated and got away with it.

 But then again was it not just smart? perhaps the Welsh prop should have limped on and then Barnes could only put down a Golden Oldies scrum. The French election to put down a scrum would have been negated.

Of course it was smart Laurie, they got away with cheating, apart from the fact that all HIAs that I've seen has seen the player to be assessed  has been accompanied Antonio wasn't.

 I must admit he did look like he was heading back to the sheds to take a pizz.

Was Howley right to stick with the same team all through the tournament?

Did he get his team selection " RIGHT " Or is their cause for concern long term for Wales?

True Raven wrote:Really?? Of all refs you think he's bad?  You should look at all the sh!te refs the Irish serve up in the pro12

None have come close to that poor performance by Barnes, this evening, Raven. I haven't seen such a poor display from any ref, in a long time. He is often inconsistent, but not as bad as was in that game. Probably his worse.

True Raven wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned the blatant cheating that took place by removing Antonio who can't scrummage for slimani who can.  It's worse than bloodgate under dean richards at harlequins

Better team won but I hope World Rugby looks at France for that cheating.

They played cute, no doubt, but the outcome was justified. Barnes should have dished out one or two extra yellow's to the Welsh, for repeated infringements, and he should have awarded a penalty try before the French got up to their tricks.

Munchkin wrote:

True Raven wrote:Really?? Of all refs you think he's bad?  You should look at all the sh!te refs the Irish serve up in the pro12

None have come close to that poor performance by Barnes, this evening, Raven. I haven't seen such a poor display from any ref, in a long time. He is often inconsistent, but not as bad as was in that game. Probably his worse.

 When you say "That game" you do mean "That game"?

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

True Raven wrote:Really?? Of all refs you think he's bad?  You should look at all the sh!te refs the Irish serve up in the pro12

None have come close to that poor performance by Barnes, this evening, Raven. I haven't seen such a poor display from any ref, in a long time. He is often inconsistent, but not as bad as was in that game. Probably his worse.

 When you say "That game" you do mean "That game"?

Yes, I mean that game

I think

Munchkin wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

True Raven wrote:Really?? Of all refs you think he's bad?  You should look at all the sh!te refs the Irish serve up in the pro12

None have come close to that poor performance by Barnes, this evening, Raven. I haven't seen such a poor display from any ref, in a long time. He is often inconsistent, but not as bad as was in that game. Probably his worse.

 When you say "That game" you do mean "That game"?

Yes, I mean that game

 The game that put Barnes on the International Rugby stage. in all the years since Barnes has never been that inconsistant. In fact I think hes improved a thousand per cent.

I disagree. Watch any Ireland Wales game of the last 10 years that he has reffed.