Wales RWC 2019 Thread

[Guest]

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.

[Pie]

Maes how can it when he is allowed to wreck threads ad nauseam every single time??

[maestegmafia]

Pie feel free to pm me.

But please lads, let’s just return the chat to actual rugby not bickering over semantics eh..!

[RiscaGame]

I find next weekend a bit weird, as he has to look at other options who are fringe players for making the 31, but it’s also a home game and he will probably want to sign off his last PS game with Wales with a win too.

[majesticimperialman]

So North's try as promted a rule change before the RWC starts.

I am glad about that. Play should only start when all players on the field should be on the field. and not trotting off for a HIA and the replacement player not take to the field.

Madge we moderators asked politely to move on from the subject earlier in the thread. Please will you do so to...! If you want to discuss this rule change start another thread so we can discuss welsh rugby on here.

[LondonTiger]

As they are in your group:

Australia's 2019 Rugby World Cup squad:
Forwards (17)


Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga'a, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese
Backs (14)


Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White

[RiscaGame]

Looks weak

[maestegmafia]

Thats a strong squad, we have seen what they can do. Though very impressive in one match they can capitulate in the next. Certainly going to be interesting to see whether they can build steam before the big clash with Wales

[maestegmafia]

Jordan Petaia has been around the squad all summer. First super rugby try aged 18 for the reds. Very solid looking player, quick, great feet smart passing and savage defender

https://youtu.be/uQI_THfkcZM

[robbo277]

I've seen the Australia squad likened to an Ikea wardrobe on twitter today. All the pieces are there, but there is no guarantee the coach will be able to put them all together in the right places.

[LordDowlais]

As they are in your group:

Australia's 2019 Rugby World Cup squad:
Forwards (17)


Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga'a, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese
Backs (14)


Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White

Christ, half of that squad are not even Australian.

How many of those players are from Fiji/Samoa/Tonga ?

Is Austrian rugby really struggling this much ?

[maestegmafia]

I've seen the Australia squad likened to an Ikea wardrobe on twitter today. All the pieces are there, but there is no guarantee the coach will be able to put them all together in the right places.

He’s not got long to do it either. Only one warm up vs Samoa left.!

[TightHEAD]

As they are in your group:

Australia's 2019 Rugby World Cup squad:
Forwards (17)


Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga'a, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese
Backs (14)


Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White

Christ, half of that squad are not even Australian.

How many of those players are from Fiji/Samoa/Tonga ?

Is Austrian rugby really struggling this much ?

I bet they feel Australian. What/who is a Australian anyway?
Aus/France/Argentina/England/SA are all teams that blow hot and cold as we just witnessed, this World cup is there for Wales to grab hold of.

[Guest]

Wales are ranked #1 so it’s there for the taking. Or maybe Ireland will. Two very highly ranked teams with pedigree.

[Collapse2005]

Wales are ranked #1 so it’s there for the taking. Or maybe Ireland will. Two very highly ranked teams with pedigree.

NZ are ranked number 2 and pretending to not be as good as they really are, maybe it will be them again?

[Guest]

I've seen the Australia squad likened to an Ikea wardrobe on twitter today. All the pieces are there, but there is no guarantee the coach will be able to put them all together in the right places.

Cheika pulled a team together in 2015 and made the RWC final. He also got them pretty much playing a perfect game against the ABs in Perth recently. Australia know how to peak more than most teams. Compare their RWC record with every single NH team and it’s chalk/cheese, especially the perennial NH chokers that I don’t need to state for obvious reasons.

[Collapse2005]

I dont think Australia have a good enough pack to win the RWC. Cheika is a good enough coach in my view. Ireland, England, Wales and SA would all maul them in the forwards.

[Guest]

That’s a fairly vacuous statement Guns

[Collapse2005]

That’s a fairly vacuous statement Guns

Ill take your word for it.

To me their weak pack explains their very inconsistent form. Since the start of 2018 their win rate is 35.29%. The old mantra forwards win games backs decide by how much applies here. Australia have backs that are so good they can pull off great results on occasion but their pack isn't consistently good enough to give them the platform they need to do it all the time.

Frank Bunce said something similar himself in a recent episode of the front row in New Zealand.

[Guest]

Their pack is probably stronger than it’s been for a long time so not sure what you’re on about. Frank Bunce, great AB, not a pundit.

[Collapse2005]

Their pack is probably stronger than it’s been for a long time so not sure what you’re on about

That's doesn't mean its good enough or better that the packs of the teams I mentioned. Its definitely not. By having a stronger forward pack alone they would have a better win ration than 35% which is dreadful.

On a dry pitch their backs were good enough to embarrass the ABs. Bring in wet weather into the equation and it became pretty obvious that they didn't have the forward pack to win big games where they couldn't rely on their backs.

[Guest]

Maybe you’re not reading the tea leaves properly Guns. Cheika knows how to make a RWC final. Few coaches do.

[Collapse2005]

Maybe you’re not reading the tea leaves properly Guns

You think the Aussies have a better pack than England, Ireland, Wales and SA?

[Guest]

England, Ireland, Wales and SA all flopped in the last RWC with more fancied packs Guns, can you explain why Australia made the final and these teams didn’t? Your superior pack logic won’t win a RWC.

[Collapse2005]

England, Ireland, Wales and SA all flopped in the last RWC with more fancied packs Guns, can you explain why Australia made the final and these teams didn’t?

Its a fair point but I don't recall the gap being quite as big as it is now nor was Australia's form as terrible as it is now. Hadn't they just won the rugby championship in 2015 winning all three games? Back then they had a decent recent record over SA, Ire, Wal and Eng and good overall win ration. They don't now.

They also probably over achieved a bit in that RWC, they were pretty lucky to over come Scotland in the quarters. Australia were ranked 2nd in the world in August 2015 reflecting fairly good form so probably were a good enough bet to do well back then. They are ranked 6th now (Aug 2019) which reflects comparatively much weaker form.

[Guest]

Australia have formidable locks, their props are very good, Hooper is a dynamo, Pocock has been rested, they’re a good pack so not sure what you’re on about in insinuating they’re somehow weak in that area. They’ll match any team. And in crunch time they’ll stand up unlike some teams like Ireland and Wales and even England that choke when it matters.

[Collapse2005]

Australia have formidable locks, their props are very good, Hooper is a dynamo, Pocock has been rested, they’re a good pack so not sure what you’re on about in insinuating they’re somehow weak in that area. They’ll match any team. And in crunch time they’ll stand up unlike some teams like Ireland and Wales and even England that choke when it matters.

Their locks and props are fine, they aren't going to dominate anyone. Pocock is a great player but their backrow as a whole is no better than anyone else's. As a whole, their pack and pack depth lags behind the top teams and that's the source of their terrible patchy form unless you consider a 35% win rate in the last 2 years good?

[LondonTiger]

The locks are so good that Cheika has been desperately trying to get Will Skelton to return.

Australia have won just 19 matches form 49 games since the last world cup. They have had just one decent performance in the last year. They have lost their last 6 matches against England, have not held teh Ranfurley shield since Tom Curry was in nappies and no longer have the voodoo over Wales.

Now none of this means they will continue to perform so badly, but it would be a shock if they did suddenly turn their form around. All being equal I would have Wales as clear favourites when they meet in the world cup. However Australia will have had two days more rest which will make a difference.

[Collapse2005]

The locks are so good that Cheika has been desperately trying to get Will Skelton to return.

Australia have won just 19 matches form 49 games since the last world cup. They have had just one decent performance in the last year. They have lost their last 6 matches against England, have not held teh Ranfurley shield since Tom Curry was in nappies and no longer have the voodoo over Wales.

Now none of this means they will continue to perform so badly, but it would be a shock if they did suddenly turn their form around. All being equal I would have Wales as clear favourites when they meet in the world cup. However Australia will have had two days more rest which will make a difference.

Australia desperately miss Fardy.

[Guest]

Ranfurley shield, lol

[Guest]

Australia have formidable locks, their props are very good, Hooper is a dynamo, Pocock has been rested, they’re a good pack so not sure what you’re on about in insinuating they’re somehow weak in that area. They’ll match any team. And in crunch time they’ll stand up unlike some teams like Ireland and Wales and even England that choke when it matters.

Their locks and props are fine, they aren't going to dominate anyone. Pocock is a great player but their backrow as a whole is no better than anyone else's. As a whole, their pack and pack depth lags behind the top teams and that's the source of their terrible patchy form unless you consider a 35% win rate in the last 2 years good?

Are you worried about Ireland’s depth? Been a few injuries and scratchings haven’t there Guns?

[Guest]

The locks are so good that Cheika has been desperately trying to get Will Skelton to return.

Australia have won just 19 matches form 49 games since the last world cup. They have had just one decent performance in the last year. They have lost their last 6 matches against England, have not held teh Ranfurley shield since Tom Curry was in nappies and no longer have the voodoo over Wales.

Now none of this means they will continue to perform so badly, but it would be a shock if they did suddenly turn their form around. All being equal I would have Wales as clear favourites when they meet in the world cup. However Australia will have had two days more rest which will make a difference.

Wales like all NH teams play most of their rugby in the comfort of their European ‘comfort’ blanket. Take these teams away from their little comfort blanket and what happens? When NH teams tour away from their usual 6N stadiums how do they go? Poorly. When they do succeed they talk it up like it’s some kind of miraculous achievement. SH teams go north every year and win without fanfare. NH teams going to japan will poop the bed because they’re homesick like they always do when they travel outside the home comforts.

[bluestonevedder]

The locks are so good that Cheika has been desperately trying to get Will Skelton to return.

Australia have won just 19 matches form 49 games since the last world cup. They have had just one decent performance in the last year. They have lost their last 6 matches against England, have not held teh Ranfurley shield since Tom Curry was in nappies and no longer have the voodoo over Wales.

Now none of this means they will continue to perform so badly, but it would be a shock if they did suddenly turn their form around. All being equal I would have Wales as clear favourites when they meet in the world cup. However Australia will have had two days more rest which will make a difference.

Australia desperately miss Fardy.

What ever happened to Higgenbotham? He was a great, abrasive and aggressive backrow similar to Fardy. I just get the impression that for all their excellent ball-playing forwards, they are missing that edge.

[Collapse2005]

Australia have formidable locks, their props are very good, Hooper is a dynamo, Pocock has been rested, they’re a good pack so not sure what you’re on about in insinuating they’re somehow weak in that area. They’ll match any team. And in crunch time they’ll stand up unlike some teams like Ireland and Wales and even England that choke when it matters.

Their locks and props are fine, they aren't going to dominate anyone. Pocock is a great player but their backrow as a whole is no better than anyone else's. As a whole, their pack and pack depth lags behind the top teams and that's the source of their terrible patchy form unless you consider a 35% win rate in the last 2 years good?

Are you worried about Ireland’s depth? Been a few injuries and scratchings haven’t there Guns?

Im disappointed how the 7 position has panned out over the last couple of years. We used to have the best depth at 7 in world rugby but with SOB going completely off the boil and then retiring after urinating on someone and Leavy out of the RWC 7 is now a bit of a concern re depth. However, VdF is still a great player and has 2 wins in 2 starts v the ABs so we know he is good enough.

Aside from that there are no major depth issues anywhere else. All teams have some depth issues, we haven't had to draft in any wingers with dubious criminal charges on the wing, draft in a load of islanders or recall any overseas players yet ala New Zealand. We also aren't facing a crisis at lock due to discipline issues and injury so I think the depth chart is marginally better than NZ's right now albeit not perfect at all.

[Pie]

The locks are so good that Cheika has been desperately trying to get Will Skelton to return.

Australia have won just 19 matches form 49 games since the last world cup. They have had just one decent performance in the last year. They have lost their last 6 matches against England, have not held teh Ranfurley shield since Tom Curry was in nappies and no longer have the voodoo over Wales.

Now none of this means they will continue to perform so badly, but it would be a shock if they did suddenly turn their form around. All being equal I would have Wales as clear favourites when they meet in the world cup. However Australia will have had two days more rest which will make a difference.

Wales like all NH teams play most of their rugby in the comfort of their European ‘comfort’ blanket. Take these teams away from their little comfort blanket and what happens? When NH teams tour away from their usual 6N stadiums how do they go? Poorly. When they do succeed they talk it up like it’s some kind of miraculous achievement. SH teams go north every year and win without fanfare. NH teams going to japan will poop the bed because they’re homesick like they always do when they travel outside the home comforts.

Sure they do, Wales last tour was an absolute disaster at 3-0

[Collapse2005]

Ireland have won their last three summer tours v Argentina, Australia and Japan and lost the one before that very marginally to SA.

[maestegmafia]

England have done pretty well on their tours too didn’t they beat the Aussies three nil a year ago?

[Taylorman]

England have done pretty well on their tours too didn’t they beat the Aussies three nil a year ago?

yes that was the first - and only impressive- win since the three test June series started in 2012. Ireland followed with a squeaky win as well. The rest, mostly 3 nillers so theres a lot of making up to do.

[Pie]

Whatever the preconceived biases our SH colleagues still insist on believing in, the stats say the tide has turned.

Taking the first 6 teams in the IRB World Rankings on aggregate the NH is producing better results than the SH so whatever you THINK you know about how much better the SH is, the facts are saying something quite different.

Just so you know what you're talking about

[maestegmafia]

England have done pretty well on their tours too didn’t they beat the Aussies three nil a year ago?

yes that was the first - and only impressive- win since the three test June series started in 2012. Ireland followed with a squeaky win as well. The rest, mostly 3 nillers so theres a lot of making up to do.

We can look at results over the last ten years. SH teams were winning all summer tours and most Autumn internationals when they toured the NH

Now they are not winning all the summer tours and, bar the All Blacks, are hardly winning a game in the Autumn.

The RWC is a different entity and all one off matches. Put it this way I have been more and more confident in Wales ability to top a group with SA or Australia in it every four years since 2007.

[Taylorman]

Yes the player drain is hitting all three teams now, you dont actually think its actually because youre actually getting any better, do you?

After this world cup, you name it, theyre leaving. Who's leaving from the northern sides to play elsewhere?

[Guest]

Yes the player drain is hitting all three teams now, you dont actually think its actually because youre actually getting any better, do you?

After this world cup, you name it, theyre leaving. Who's leaving from the northern sides to play elsewhere?

And the years when the SH was much more dominant, you don’t actually think that was because the tri nations teams were really good do you? It was because we were all rubbish.

It works both ways.

[Taylorman]

Yes the player drain is hitting all three teams now, you dont actually think its actually because youre actually getting any better, do you?

After this world cup, you name it, theyre leaving. Who's leaving from the northern sides to play elsewhere?

And the years when the SH was much more dominant, you don’t actually think that was because the tri nations teams were really good do you? It was because we were all rubbish.

It works both ways.

True, except three years is a lot less than 110.

[SecretFly]

Oh quit nit picking you lot.  It'll be a Wales v New Zealand World Cup final.  Then you can decide who's got the bragging rights!

Until then, stop pretendin' you have got prawblums to fight over....

[SecretFly]

True, except three years is a lot less than 110.

Someone binges on Sesame Street Box Sets.

[maestegmafia]

Yes the player drain is hitting all three teams now, you dont actually think its actually because youre actually getting any better, do you?

After this world cup, you name it, theyre leaving. Who's leaving from the northern sides to play elsewhere?

Loads of players leave our countries to play in England and France too. Nothing we can do about it and there’s nothing France England or Japans clubs are going to do about it either.

Rugby as we knew it is lost to its financiers.

[Taylorman]

Yes the player drain is hitting all three teams now, you dont actually think its actually because youre actually getting any better, do you?

After this world cup, you name it, theyre leaving. Who's leaving from the northern sides to play elsewhere?

Loads of players leave our countries to play in England and France too. Nothing we can do about it and there’s nothing France England or Japans clubs are going to do about it either.

Rugby as we knew it is lost to its financiers.

Yes thats why its important neither England nor France don't win it. Besides hoarding everyone elses players they take the main event? Nah. Encouraging that would ruin the tournament, given the obvious pressures clubs are placing on overseas players not to play for their country.

[Taylorman]

Oh quit nit picking you lot.  It'll be a Wales v New Zealand World Cup final.  Then you can decide who's got the bragging rights!

Until then, stop pretendin' you have got prawblums to fight over....

Hadnt thought of that possibility. Would be great if it was. winner gets the crown, the no.1 ...AND the bragging rights... kewel!

We'll know in 9 weeks. geez its close...

[maestegmafia]

Yes the player drain is hitting all three teams now, you dont actually think its actually because youre actually getting any better, do you?

After this world cup, you name it, theyre leaving. Who's leaving from the northern sides to play elsewhere?

Loads of players leave our countries to play in England and France too. Nothing we can do about it and there’s nothing France England or Japans clubs are going to do about it either.

Rugby as we knew it is lost to its financiers.

Yes thats why its important neither England nor France don't win it. Besides hoarding everyone elses players they take the main event? Nah. Encouraging that would ruin the tournament, given the obvious pressures clubs are placing on overseas players not to play for their country.

Feel free to start a thread on the subject Taylor, it is an interesting point worthy of discussion

But let’s return this thread to pre RWC welsh Rugby.

How’s it being number 2 in the rankings? We really enjoyed it, until we became number one.

What’s your thoughts ya ha ha

[majesticimperialman]

Just thinking what team Wales will put out against Ireland.

Will it be a full strength team or will it be a mix and max? Give some fringe players a chance to step up? 

Wales must be feeling confident being no 1 team on the world against an Ireland team that got smashed by England.

[Guest]

Wales v Ireland at the 2011 World Cup has just started on S4C! Nice evening entertainment!

[Sponsored content]