Wales RWC 2019 Thread

by Guest Mon 26 Nov 2018, 1:41 am

First topic message reminder :

WALES’ 2019 RWC SQUAD:

Forwards: Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs: Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams.

by Taylorman Fri 19 Jul 2019, 12:30 am

Yeah being together helps, but theyre in no better position than anyone else in that way. Others have similar 'friendlys' for want of a better word, we have the RC which we seem to be treating as friendlys anyway. Everyone wants to get their combinations, moves, game time up across the squad with some good runs with 8 weeks to go. Most of the Maori squad wont be going so they'll have a different agenda, bar one or two individuals.

by **Rugby Fan** Fri 19 Jul 2019, 2:17 am

Posted in the wrong thread (again)

by Pie Fri 19 Jul 2019, 3:31 am

NZers dont let things like eligibility get in their way

by Taylorman Fri 19 Jul 2019, 4:28 am

Rugby Fan wrote:Posted in the wrong thread (again)

Who, me, or the ten posts above on the Fiji game?

by Taylorman Fri 19 Jul 2019, 4:34 am

Pie wrote:NZers dont let things like eligibility get in their way

Correct, anyone can eat Gooseberry pie here, no matter where they're from. thumbsup

by maestegmafia Sat 20 Jul 2019, 11:56 am

Taylorman wrote:Yeah being together helps, but theyre in no better position than anyone else in that way. Others have similar 'friendlys' for want of a better word, we have the RC which we seem to be treating as friendlys anyway. Everyone wants to get their combinations, moves, game time up across the squad with some good runs with 8 weeks to go. Most of the Maori squad wont be going so they'll have a different agenda, bar one or two individuals.

It helps a great deal for the Pacific Islands teams because it is so rare that they ever get time to train together.

by Taylorman Sat 20 Jul 2019, 8:40 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
Taylorman wrote:Yeah being together helps, but theyre in no better position than anyone else in that way. Others have similar 'friendlys' for want of a better word, we have the RC which we seem to be treating as friendlys anyway. Everyone wants to get their combinations, moves, game time up across the squad with some good runs with 8 weeks to go. Most of the Maori squad wont be going so they'll have a different agenda, bar one or two individuals.

It helps a great deal for the Pacific Islands teams because it is so rare that they ever get time to train together.

True, but that only brings them meerely up to par with everyone else, and for a very short time at that.

If that gives them ‘an advantage’ world cup time youve gotta wonder about what the others are doing with the time together theyve had, but agree, iyll help.

by maestegmafia Sat 20 Jul 2019, 9:20 pm

Taylorman wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:
Taylorman wrote:Yeah being together helps, but theyre in no better position than anyone else in that way. Others have similar 'friendlys' for want of a better word, we have the RC which we seem to be treating as friendlys anyway. Everyone wants to get their combinations, moves, game time up across the squad with some good runs with 8 weeks to go. Most of the Maori squad wont be going so they'll have a different agenda, bar one or two individuals.

It helps a great deal for the Pacific Islands teams because it is so rare that they ever get time to train together.

True, but that only brings them meerely up to par with everyone else, and for a very short time at that.

If that gives them ‘an advantage’ world cup time youve gotta wonder about what the others are doing with the time together theyve had, but agree, iyll help.

I see it the other way around. Imagine what the pi teams could do if they had the money and structure that the wealthy nations have

by Taylorman Sat 20 Jul 2019, 9:37 pm

Absolutely, though as individuals many gain their abilities through the NZ system up to half the tongan and samoan sides this year will have been born in NZ, more who arrived as youth. The quality across the board wouldnt ve as high if not for that, and of course that excludes Fiji, who dont have a historical tie with NZ.

Their numbers, isolation etc will always mean theyll binge off others, and likewise others them, Fiji aside, who do have some semblance of homegrown players, mainly in Sevens.

by maestegmafia Sat 20 Jul 2019, 11:05 pm

Moving forward it doesn’t look like Australia had much to give today vs SA

by Taylorman Sat 20 Jul 2019, 11:46 pm

Nope, theyre sunk. No folau, pocock, no xfactor, a worn out coach with no ideas, no one serious coming through. Change of coach is the best thing that can happen, but thats just one fix. Lack of a good defence will hurt them this year, the first thing any side needs to fix thats losing, n7mber one irem on the new coach’s agenda.

by mikey_dragon Sun 21 Jul 2019, 4:23 am

The Aus pack looks pretty strong, it’s surprising how they aren’t too good right now. SA put out a pretty big pack too, starting with 4 lock forwards...

by Taylorman Sun 21 Jul 2019, 9:26 am

SA are looking formidable, especially given their A side is here for the NZ match in Wellington next week. Thats how poor oz were, that was supposed to be their top side available.

by maestegmafia Sun 21 Jul 2019, 5:12 pm

So verdict down south is that the Bazzers aren’t quite ready for this RWC?

Out at the pool stage?

by mikey_dragon Sun 21 Jul 2019, 6:29 pm

Foolish to write them off now. They still have some good players and should click for a few games at least, first or second in the World Cup pool (hopefully second). Foley isn’t their best 10 either, it has to be Christian.

by mikey_dragon Sun 21 Jul 2019, 6:30 pm

Taylorman wrote:SA are looking formidable, especially given their A side is here for the NZ match in Wellington next week. Thats how poor oz were, that was supposed to be their top side available.

Yep and they have a few guys missing too. They produce class players every year it was only a matter of time before they came good again.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 21 Jul 2019, 8:17 pm

Loving reading the stuff on Wales’ training camps today. Find it fascinating. Was funny reading about how much Huw Bennett is loving beasting them too. It was also great to see our pro teams receive praise for keeping them fitter than they have normally been.

Some of the players (like Foxy) look in great nick and it’s great to see Faletau on his way back. Hopefully we see the benefits of these camps.

by maestegmafia Sun 21 Jul 2019, 9:01 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Loving reading the stuff on Wales’ training camps today. Find it fascinating. Was funny reading about how much Huw Bennett is loving beasting them too. It was also great to see our pro teams receive praise for keeping them fitter than they have normally been.

Some of the players (like Foxy) look in great nick and it’s great to see Faletau on his way back. Hopefully we see the benefits of these camps.

I agree there has been some interesting stuff coming out of the camp, even in WOL

by **RiscaGame** Sun 21 Jul 2019, 10:12 pm

Yes, Southcombe’s article today was good, to be fair.

by maestegmafia Mon 22 Jul 2019, 7:38 am

And today too with positive updates in his piece on wales world class walking wounded.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 22 Jul 2019, 8:39 am

Few niggles on there, I wasn't aware of.

by maestegmafia Mon 22 Jul 2019, 8:55 am

The other positive coming out of the camp is the apparently impressive form of young Rhys Carre. Apparently he might be overtaking Wyn Jones in the squad..? I hope that Lewis and Brown are putting ample pressure on the tight heads too.

by LordDowlais Mon 22 Jul 2019, 1:30 pm

Tomas Francis is looking a lot trimmer in this short interview:-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/49053938

by **RiscaGame** Mon 22 Jul 2019, 1:47 pm

Good to see.

by maestegmafia Mon 22 Jul 2019, 3:51 pm

He had a bit to lose for sure. He was weighing in at 135kg prior to the last RWC. Apparently lost ten kg before the tournament started.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 22 Jul 2019, 4:21 pm

Good for us, if he is more mobile as a result. Our tightheads either seem to be considered mobile and not great scrummagers, or a good scrummager and not very noticeable in the loose.

by maestegmafia Mon 22 Jul 2019, 6:11 pm

Francis was pretty useful around the park in the spring.

by mikey_dragon Mon 22 Jul 2019, 7:35 pm

I think it’s the Wales team that worked on his conditioning, and it did take him a while. It really wasn’t up to scratch when he first joined. Surprised that Exeter thought it was okay, then again they were happy to just rotate.

by mikey_dragon Mon 22 Jul 2019, 7:37 pm

maestegmafia wrote:The other positive coming out of the camp is the apparently impressive form of young Rhys Carre. Apparently he might be overtaking Wyn Jones in the squad..? I hope that Lewis and Brown are putting ample pressure on the tight heads too.

Could just be hot air so we can justify his inclusion and upcoming caps. We’ll see, but the inexperience was obvious during his outings for Cardiff.

by maestegmafia Mon 22 Jul 2019, 10:29 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:The other positive coming out of the camp is the apparently impressive form of young Rhys Carre. Apparently he might be overtaking Wyn Jones in the squad..? I hope that Lewis and Brown are putting ample pressure on the tight heads too.

Could just be hot air so we can justify his inclusion and upcoming caps. We’ll see, but the inexperience was obvious during his outings for Cardiff.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Let’s hope he’s the real deal

by maestegmafia Tue 23 Jul 2019, 10:45 pm

warren gatland wrote:We have been looking back on some of the figures and numbers from 2015 and we feel we are ahead of where we were then in terms of the training volume, the intensity of training and high-speed metreage.

“So there’s a lot of statistical data and we’ve probably been doing a bit more rugby than we did four years ago.

“Things don’t stay the same. They keep moving and getting harder and more competitive and challenging every year.

“We feel we have moved on from the last World Cup and we are really happy where we are.”

by **RiscaGame** Wed 24 Jul 2019, 9:34 am

That’s good if they’re doing more rugby stuff than normal. I think that’s why we are slow starters sometimes, is because we had to concentrate on the fitness usually.

by Pie Wed 24 Jul 2019, 4:04 pm

Interesting they are concerned about maintaining the win record. That could be an issue as I expect it may determine marginal selections. But if Wales can go into RWC with 4/4 from the warm ups the momentum will be massoooove

by maestegmafia Thu 25 Jul 2019, 8:40 am

Pie wrote:Interesting they are concerned about maintaining the win record. That could be an issue as I expect it may determine marginal selections. But if Wales can go into RWC with 4/4 from the warm ups the momentum will be massoooove

I agree it’s a rather surprising point. But one that if they achieve I will be very happy to see as it bodes well for Japan.

I do worry whether we can win all four games whilst trialing so many players against teams of such quality.

by Pie Thu 25 Jul 2019, 7:48 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
Pie wrote:Interesting they are concerned about maintaining the win record. That could be an issue as I expect it may determine marginal selections. But if Wales can go into RWC with 4/4 from the warm ups the momentum will be massoooove

I agree it’s a rather surprising point. But one that if they achieve I will be very happy to see as it bodes well for Japan.

I do worry whether we can win all four games whilst trialing so many players against teams of such quality.

I think that it is a mistake to publicize it tbh. Of course they want it but its likely trying combinations that we lose one game, then the story becomes about how we've failed before we even started. The unbeaten run means jack now....its all about RWC. Then being unbeaten will become the objective clearly

by mikey_dragon Fri 26 Jul 2019, 4:42 am

They need to give Watkin more game time. He hasn’t had nearly enough and could be required to step in.

by maestegmafia Fri 26 Jul 2019, 8:03 am

The centres are a close battle if we go with only three. Not sure who I would want to miss out so in that respect I think all three need gametime.

JD2 is a nailed on starter. Parkes had a great six nations.

by maestegmafia Fri 26 Jul 2019, 10:12 am

That said there isn’t an easy decision anywhere in this squad.

Ken Owens, AWJ, Tipuric and JD2 are the only nailed on starters for big games in my opinion.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 26 Jul 2019, 10:15 am

The three players we can't afford to lose to injury (IMHO) are Alun Wyn, Jonathan Davies and Dan Biggar. The first two are obvious, but Biggar is a hugely reassuring presence on the bench.

by maestegmafia Fri 26 Jul 2019, 1:02 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:The three players we can't afford to lose to injury (IMHO) are Alun Wyn, Jonathan Davies and Dan Biggar. The first two are obvious, but Biggar is a hugely reassuring presence on the bench.

If Biggar was injured I guess Evans or Patchell would cover but that’s a massive drop in experience. If we lost two flyhalfs we could be looking very thin on the ground. Certainly Experience wise.

Even though Anscombe is the incumbent at the moment he hasn’t got many caps as the main man, more often he was second fiddle or a fullback.

After Patchell and Evans I’m not sure where we would look next.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 26 Jul 2019, 2:27 pm

Not just a drop in experience but in composure. He was superb off the bench this Six Nations.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 26 Jul 2019, 2:39 pm

Definitely. Not intending to come across as criticising Anscombe at all, but I do like having Biggar to steer us home if we need it. I don't think I'd have that confidence with any other ten doing it, unless Tovey got a miraculous call up Wink

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 26 Jul 2019, 2:55 pm

You got the sense the players were reassured when he came on too - not that they were on edge while Anscombe was there, but they trusted Biggar to close out the game.

by Pie Fri 26 Jul 2019, 3:49 pm

Agreed when Biggar comes on I actually think we'll win

by Guest Fri 26 Jul 2019, 4:40 pm

It’s great to have 2 fly halves of different style. Gives us many options. And like others have said, if Biggar is injured it limits the subs. But also It limits our ability to switch up the style of play if needed. Sometimes that means just closing the game out but at other times, like against England in the 6N, it was more about taking the game by the scruff of the neck and dictating things more from 10 which he did superbly. Other times when things go our way we can let the 10 just distribute rather than be the focal point, but Biggar is great at controlling the game when needed. And I think the bench role works well for Wales as he seems to perform well when he has something to prove.

by maestegmafia Sat 27 Jul 2019, 7:30 am

I’m hoping Patchell and Evans get some game time in the warm up games.

Likewise a few others, like james Davies and Rhys carre.

by Pie Sat 27 Jul 2019, 6:15 pm

Bolter? Has to be Wainwright.

by maestegmafia Sat 27 Jul 2019, 9:51 pm

Pie wrote:Bolter? Has to be Wainwright.

Hhhmmmmm.! Maybe, but I have a feeling James Davies might make the cut..! That would be a surprise but I hear good things are being said about him in camp.

by Pie Sun 28 Jul 2019, 4:25 am

Why thought? Tipuric and Navidi cover 7. I guess if Nav isn't going to make it.....

by maestegmafia Sun 28 Jul 2019, 7:02 am

I have a hunch that he’ll take six backrowers with the knowledge that several of them can cover other positions.

James Davies being the exception, apart from a few substitution situations moving him on the wing he is an out and out 7. But an exceptionally good one.

I have heard he has been very impressive in camp, despite having lost much of the season to injury.

Davies
Tipuric
Shingler
Nalvidi
Moriarty
Faletau

Wainwright as cover.

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