Bronze - Match Thread - NEW ZEALAND v WALES - 1/11/19 - K/O 09:00 GMT

[Guest]

Again, making these early for the sake of ease and consistency.

NZ

Team:

1. Joe Moody (44)
2. Dane Coles (68)
3. Nepo Laulala (24)
4. Brodie Retallick (80)
5. Scott Barrett (35)
6. Shannon Frizell (8)
7. Sam Cane (67)
8. Kieran Read - captain (126)
9. Aaron Smith (91)
10. Richie Mo’unga (16)
11. Rieko Ioane (28)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (56)
13. Ryan Crotty (47)
14. Ben Smith (83)
15. Beauden Barrett (82)
16. Liam Coltman (7)
17. Atu Moli (7)
18. Angus Ta'avao (13)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (29)
20. Matt Todd (24)
21. Brad Weber (4)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (41)
23. Jordie Barrett (16)


WALES

Team:

1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (34 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (72 Caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (21 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys) (19 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (133 Caps) (CAPT)
6. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (71 Caps)
7. James Davies (Scarlets) (7 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (40 Caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (15 Caps)
10. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (18 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (20 Caps)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (21 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (80 Caps)
14. Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)
15. Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues) (21 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (27 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (Saracens) (4 Caps)
18. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (21 Caps)
19. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (41 Caps)
20. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (50 Caps)
22. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (78 Caps)
23. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (24 Caps)

Injury update (Players not considered for selection):

Tomas Francis – Subluxation of left shoulder and will require ongoing assessment
George North – Hamstring injury
Aaron Wainwright – Hamstring injury
Leigh Halfpenny – Concussion​
Liam Williams - Ankle Surgery


Venue: Tokyo
Referee:
AR1:
AR2:
TMO:

[Cyril]

Seriously? Please stop clogging up the boards with these threads before they are relevant.

Mods, please do some tidying up. The forum is getting saturated with too many of the same topics.

Give it a rest eh, this board isn’t just for you, miaow.

[BigTrevsbigmac]

Agreed

[Guest]

Yep, too much.

[No 7&1/2]

Yup.

[Guest]

Seriously? Please stop clogging up the boards with these threads before they are relevant.

Mods, please do some tidying up. The forum is getting saturated with too many of the same topics.

Give it a rest eh, this board isn’t just for you, miaow.

Clogging up? What are you on about? You do realise that by commenting it goes to the top of the list - if, as I expected, people just ignore it until the game actually occurs, it gets buried pretty quickly until it matters.

It's easy to make them all at once. Copy and paste the template across. Makes sense to do it at the same time.

Stop being a little tyrant Cyril. That is not an appropriate response. The issue's with you, not a match thread template...

[BigTrevsbigmac]

Mmm chill Miaow.
There is no rush ........

[Guest]

Just ignore it boys. The threads are made pretty late at night, if you stop commenting they'll be way down the list by tomorrow morning. It's not hurting you - it just means there are threads to discuss the games straight away, and with the QFs happening in 48 hours' time, makes sense to make those now, and it saves time as well.

It also means you don't get a WUM making them and then deciding to troll the match thread because it's 'theirs', although I assume some will think that's what I'm doing now...

Salient point: stop commenting and these threads 'go away' very quickly.

[Cyril]

Is it too early to start the RWC 2023 thread?

Asking for a friend.

[Guest]

Don't lie.

There's no way you have friends...

edit You're doing a horrible job if your intention actually was stopping the page/site from being 'cluttered'. Not responding to any more WUMs like the below. Just let it go.

[No 7&1/2]

And yet theres a wum making them. Isnt it ironic.

[BamBam]

Can this thread be updated with the teams please? Just as important to update this one as it is to have a match thread for the final, and we all want to read miaow vs Taylorman so best to keep it to one place

[Guest]

Thank you Officer Bam.

[TightHEAD]

Big game this, does it effect world rankings

[maestegmafia]

Well this is wales big chance for redemption of narrowly not making a final they were so desperately closer to winning.

How hard Rugby can be. Level pegged all the way through the semi final, to then face an opposition we have beaten twice in the last six months.

A win vs the all blacks will make up something of an incredible rwc

[TightHEAD]

Would love to see Wales do it.

[Guest]

Even beating the ABs would be tainted in my opinion. Unless it's a humdinger and they pick the first team, it'll feel 'devalued'.

[TightHEAD]

What's not to like, its an international game Vs the All Blacks

[mikey_dragon]

I struggle to see us getting up for this game, where-as NZ are raring to go. If we are up for it then it should be a good contest; if not then a 50 pointer in favour of NZ. It might be time to try something a little different now; front row Dillon Lewis continues to do himself little favour and Francis is out, I guess Wyn Jones could start at TH. Biggar has been getting worse over the last 3 or 4 games, and his pathetic tackle attempts today look like a game of tag; Patchell could start at 10 or 15 as it’s something different. Perhaps Lane to start on the other wing.

[majesticimperialman]

Well this is wales big chance for redemption of narrowly not making a final they were so desperately closer to winning.

How hard Rugby can be. Level pegged all the way through the semi final, to then face an opposition we have beaten twice in the last six months.

A win vs the all blacks will make up something of an incredible rwcI do believe that Wales have beaten NZ

I do believe that Wales have not beaten NZ in about 50 years or so.

I guess it will depend on who is fit enough for Wales to play against NZ.

Although i would love to see Wales win this game. But in honesty i just cannot see it happening. NZ will be hurting and will be wanting to make amends for losing against England.

[Guest]

Weird take on Biggar. Sleep it off, mikey. It's disappointing Wales lost, we know. But not the time for throwing players under the bus - even if it is just on 606. Biggar played decently but he's hardly ever been Wilkinson. It's just SA were battering all our players and our pack couldn't do the protecting job they do on Biggar by gang tackling as soon as contact is made, so instead he got driven back. If you remember Biggar in the early years at the Ospreys he was a revolving door, it's never been a strength and he's worked hard to mitigate and improve it.

I think they'll be a gentleman's agreement either way - and it'll likely mean both teams go fullish strength. Only a few changes here and there to pretend they don't really care.

You can guarantee Hansen won't want anything but a pasting to be handed out to Gats.

[Poorfour]

If there’s one thing that New Zealand hate more than losing, it’s losing twice in a row.

If there’s one thing Wales will want to do, it’s give Gatland a winning send off and a notable scalp to take back to the land of the long white cloud (where, presumably, he will attempt to superglue it back on). 

I think this will be an unusually spicy 3rd v 4th match.

[mikey_dragon]

miaow I see you’re being daft again, right before you throw a tantrum because people don’t agree with every little thing that you type, so don’t tell anyone else to sleep it off! #awkward

[Guest]

I agree with Mikey. NZ will be well up for this. Hansen will be up for it. Gatland will be well up for it. But I think the Welsh players, with less fallout if they lose than NZ (think home coming, media, etc.), will have one foot on the plane and won’t go all out for the win sadly. It’s a nothing game this 3rd/4th place playoff. But NZ will be smarting and will what to avenge the loss whereas Wales will probably be relatively happy with getting to the semi and don’t see getting 3rd place as much of a prize. The WC is over...... this game is an afterthought.

[Guest]

The idea you can accuse literally anyone on this site of being tantrum-prone - including those who do have tantrums - is ludicrous mikey. Just calm down. Biggar wasn't poor. Your reading of the game is pretty shocking tbf - any player misses a tackle and they're the worst thing in the world. Thought you would have learnt your lesson after calling for Josh Adams to be taken off...only for him to score a hat trick. I mean...have some humility, you can't get much worse a take on the game than that...

[Guest]

Agree it's a nothing game though. Gatland era is over, WC is over, going out with the top prize for AWJ, JD2 etc. is over. Proper end of an era and probably a 'fair enough' way to go out - maybe easier to take than the grievances of 8 years ago. And hopefully we have a good hard look at what really needs sorting out in Welsh rugby - as Gatland has helped paper over the cracks, there's no doubt about that.

[Guest]

Let’s spare a thought for Wayne Pivac - he has a lot to live up to! What boots he has to fill!

[Taylorman]

Can this thread be updated with the teams please? Just as important to update this one as it is to have a match thread for the final, and we all want to read miaow vs Taylorman so best to keep it to one place

In a 3 vs 4? Don’t see the point in playing it. Every side gets to go home to their loved ones after their out of the tournament proper except the losing semi finalists.

Waste of time. It’s just a money grabbing match for the hosts. Instead they should hold a plate for the non qualifiers.

[Taylorman]

If there’s one thing that New Zealand hate more than losing, it’s losing twice in a row.

If there’s one thing Wales will want to do, it’s give Gatland a winning send off and a notable scalp to take back to the land of the long white cloud (where, presumably, he will attempt to superglue it back on). 

I think this will be an unusually spicy 3rd v 4th match.

ABs will respect the tournament but they’ll certainly put those guys leaving the AB club forever as a priority. Read, Ben Smith etc.

[Guest]

Let’s spare a thought for Wayne Pivac - he has a lot to live up to! What boots he has to fill!

Agreed.

[Guest]

Can this thread be updated with the teams please? Just as important to update this one as it is to have a match thread for the final, and we all want to read miaow vs Taylorman so best to keep it to one place

In a 3 vs 4? Don’t see the point in playing it. Every side gets to go home to their loved ones after their out of the tournament proper except the losing semi finalists.

Waste of time. It’s just a money grabbing match for the hosts. Instead they should hold a plate for the non qualifiers.

It's the ultimate corporate game. No one really cares, so sell it out to those who arent big enough names to make the final, hold your after dinner stuff, your corporate boxes, have it as a showpiece event without any of the tension. Don't really consider it dreadful all things considered - it's an extra game of rugby after all - but it does tend to punish the loser, particularly with ranking points. 2 losses on the bounce with double points...

[Taylorman]

I struggle to see us getting up for this game, where-as NZ are raring to go. If we are up for it then it should be a good contest; if not then a 50 pointer in favour of NZ. It might be time to try something a little different now; front row Dillon Lewis continues to do himself little favour and Francis is out, I guess Wyn Jones could start at TH. Biggar has been getting worse over the last 3 or 4 games, and his pathetic tackle attempts today look like a game of tag; Patchell could start at 10 or 15 as it’s something different. Perhaps Lane to start on the other wing.

Who says NZs raring to go? We couldn’t give a toss about this game, but they’ll respect it. Holds no value whatsoever.

[Taylorman]

Let’s spare a thought for Wayne Pivac - he has a lot to live up to! What boots he has to fill!

True, be tough to produce a team to match the spectacular heights of that match. What an embarrassing match, neither side trying to win.

[mikey_dragon]

The idea you can accuse literally anyone on this site of being tantrum-prone - including those who do have tantrums - is ludicrous mikey. Just calm down. Biggar wasn't poor. Your reading of the game is pretty shocking tbf - any player misses a tackle and they're the worst thing in the world. Thought you would have learnt your lesson after calling for Josh Adams to be taken off...only for him to score a hat trick. I mean...have some humility, you can't get much worse a take on the game than that...

Given his high standards he was poor though, defence especially where he was tackling too high or playing tag and then he was hooked. You’re literally a joke. Trying to get all personal again because someone disagrees with you, which I’m sure you aren’t in person and you wouldn’t be with me that’s for sure. If you want it that way then okay. The audacity of you is unreal; your tantrums and erratic behaviour is well documented on here by a few posters and that you’d tell me to “calm down” over telling you truth about it (like the other week) is just childish. Literally numerous people called out Josh Adams on his mistakes, and then went on to call you out whilst you sat there in your FT safety net typing away at people over their democratic right to call out Adams’ poor play. You’re still going on about it so it must really bother you, quite unbelievable, and pathetic but it’s what everyone now expects of you. Nobody cares so tell it to someone who’s paid to listen.

Whilst on the subject of digging up old s|i*, do you remember your tantrums over Cubby and Navidi? I do, and I remember the lies you came out with about my advocation of Navidi. Looks like I was right on both, and looks like you’re still pathetic. Take another hiatus before the mods do it for you. Myself and others are fed up of you trying to dominate the forum.
Oh and don’t forget recently where you were the only one saying Priestland should be called up, and then complained to the mods about my comment saying he wasn’t in contention. Now that’s pretty shocking

[mikey_dragon]

I struggle to see us getting up for this game, where-as NZ are raring to go. If we are up for it then it should be a good contest; if not then a 50 pointer in favour of NZ. It might be time to try something a little different now; front row Dillon Lewis continues to do himself little favour and Francis is out, I guess Wyn Jones could start at TH. Biggar has been getting worse over the last 3 or 4 games, and his pathetic tackle attempts today look like a game of tag; Patchell could start at 10 or 15 as it’s something different. Perhaps Lane to start on the other wing.

Who says NZs raring to go? We couldn’t give a toss about this game, but they’ll respect it. Holds no value whatsoever.

That’s just my impression of NZ rugby, and anyone pulling on the All Black jersey. They play rugby like no other. Unless of course, you agree with that journalist and NZ struggle to get up for it? Just kidding... too soon?

[Guest]

Whilst on the subject of digging up old s|i*, do you remember your tantrums over Cubby and Navidi?

Nope. I remember you arguing Navidi was a better player than Tipuric - which is classic. And talking of 'old' - 4 weeks v 4 years? Eesh...yeah...

[TightHEAD]

They didn't seem hungry.

[Taylorman]

I struggle to see us getting up for this game, where-as NZ are raring to go. If we are up for it then it should be a good contest; if not then a 50 pointer in favour of NZ. It might be time to try something a little different now; front row Dillon Lewis continues to do himself little favour and Francis is out, I guess Wyn Jones could start at TH. Biggar has been getting worse over the last 3 or 4 games, and his pathetic tackle attempts today look like a game of tag; Patchell could start at 10 or 15 as it’s something different. Perhaps Lane to start on the other wing.

Who says NZs raring to go? We couldn’t give a toss about this game, but they’ll respect it. Holds no value whatsoever.

That’s just my impression of NZ rugby, and anyone pulling on the All Black jersey. They play rugby like no other. Unless of course, you agree with that journalist and NZ struggle to get up for it? Just kidding... too soon?

Nah, it’s a position I, we, have always held since the very first one. It serves no purpose other than to be a thorn of a match that has no relevance. No one talks about coming third or forth. You’re either quarters, semis, finalist, or winner.

Might mean a lot for Welsh supporters if they win, but frankly getting rid of those thousand year records would be better overall. Wales are a better side than not having beaten us for that long, so if there’s any good to come out of this let’s get a Wales over the line as part of Gatlands Legacy, if anything. They’ll certainly value the win rather than we will a 31st straight or whatever it is.

[Guest]

Agree with that. The mitigating circumstance for Wales losing is that, all things considered, injuries etc., it's doubtful we'd beat England - no different losing in the SF to the final, really. We don't glean any professional pride or success that the players might in time. You either win or you don't. Wales had a great chance this year - maybe the best we'll ever have - but just too many injuries, too much sh1t with the regions and Howley - contributed to scupper what was always an outside chance.

[TightHEAD]

2011 was your best chance, NZ were awful. Relying on Donald to kick them to victory!

[Taylorman]

They dont give medals out for best chances from memory. England were terrible on 03, needing extra time. Oz threw that one away as well.

Not sure who the drop kick is here, beaver or you. Beaver kicked a penalty. It was wilko that dropped a kick to win.

Englands best team of all time straggling the win in extra time against an Oz side that was average.

[mikey_dragon]

Whilst on the subject of digging up old s|i*, do you remember your tantrums over Cubby and Navidi?

Nope. I remember you arguing Navidi was a better player than Tipuric - which is classic. And talking of 'old' - 4 weeks v 4 years? Eesh...yeah...

Still my opinion that he is better than Tips through being way more consistent. Was Tips even playing today? I really didn’t notice him much but it goes back to earlier points I made; Tipuric seems to give a MOTM one weekend, and then be somewhat anonymous the next. Jiffy and Marty Williams seem to make a novelty of MOTM. They’d give it to Tips every week even though he’s not always deserving - there are certainly a few fans who buy into that. 
I can think of one Welsh open-side who is the best on the pitch every time he plays. No, it isn’t Navidi or Tips.

[mikey_dragon]

I struggle to see us getting up for this game, where-as NZ are raring to go. If we are up for it then it should be a good contest; if not then a 50 pointer in favour of NZ. It might be time to try something a little different now; front row Dillon Lewis continues to do himself little favour and Francis is out, I guess Wyn Jones could start at TH. Biggar has been getting worse over the last 3 or 4 games, and his pathetic tackle attempts today look like a game of tag; Patchell could start at 10 or 15 as it’s something different. Perhaps Lane to start on the other wing.

Who says NZs raring to go? We couldn’t give a toss about this game, but they’ll respect it. Holds no value whatsoever.

That’s just my impression of NZ rugby, and anyone pulling on the All Black jersey. They play rugby like no other. Unless of course, you agree with that journalist and NZ struggle to get up for it? Just kidding... too soon?

Nah, it’s a position I, we, have always held since the very first one. It serves no purpose other than to be a thorn of a match that has no relevance. No one talks about coming third or forth. You’re either quarters, semis, finalist, or winner.

Might mean a lot for Welsh supporters if they win, but frankly getting rid of those thousand year records would be better overall. Wales are a better side than not having beaten us for that long, so if there’s any good to come out of this let’s get a Wales over the line as part of Gatlands Legacy, if anything. They’ll certainly value the win rather than we will a 31st straight or whatever it is.

Tman I’m really not feeling it for this third place play off. Things have been going from bad to worse for us in this World Cup (injuries and form). I can just picture Wales getting a good beating. Having said that I don’t speak for the players so hopefully they’ll be well up for it. It is a chance to beat NZ and if that’s not motivation enough then what is?

[TightHEAD]

England weren't terrible from memory.

Who was the world number 1 back in 2003 going into the RWC?

[Guest]

Yeah, but difference between 2003 and 2011 was...well...actually, no difference. The ref was ridiculously biased to the home team in both instances - though much more pronounced in 2011. Though Andre Watson is despised by that 03 team for good reason - some of the scrum calls were shocking.

[Guest]

Whilst on the subject of digging up old s|i*, do you remember your tantrums over Cubby and Navidi?

Nope. I remember you arguing Navidi was a better player than Tipuric - which is classic. And talking of 'old' - 4 weeks v 4 years? Eesh...yeah...

Still my opinion that he is better than Tips through being way more consistent. Was Tips even playing today? I really didn’t notice him much but it goes back to earlier points I made; Tipuric seems to give a MOTM one weekend, and then be somewhat anonymous the next. Jiffy and Marty Williams seem to make a novelty of MOTM. They’d give it to Tips every week even though he’s not always deserving - there are certainly a few fans who buy into that. 
I can think of one Welsh open-side who is the best on the pitch every time he plays. No, it isn’t Navidi or Tips.

No surprise. You don't really seem to understand much of the game. Your calls are about on par with the daff hat wearing casual fan tbh - just pick whoever does the flashy things as impressive, or rip in to whoever misses a tackle.

[TightHEAD]

Feel sorry for Gatland that this will be his last game..

[Guest]

Doubt it'll be his last game in test rugby somehow. He's got the BaBas to coach later this year, then the Lions...and then...if not the ABs, which I honestly think he will get in 4 years' time, I imagine he might be back up north for a swansong.

[Old Man]

2011 was your best chance, NZ were awful. Relying on Donald to kick them to victory!

Yeah, only thing The record books remember is the score and the trophy only shows the winner, nothing else.

[Guest]

2011 was your best chance, NZ were awful. Relying on Donald to kick them to victory!

Yeah, only thing The record books remember is the score and the trophy only shows the winner, nothing else.

And of course, eventually, no one will remember everything.

Humanity will move on. All rugby and its winners will be but a footnote of a sub folder in the great digital record that was human existence.

And then our sun will expire, ending its self-fuelling existence and providing a weather event that makes Hagibis look miniscule in comparison.

Then eventually, energy itself will become disparate, with galaxies colliding and consuming themselves; big, dark, all black holes consuming everything, all matter, pulling it down on the wrong side of the event horizon, killing all life and all potential future life as we know it.

And after that, when our oval shaped World goes spiralling in to touch on the full, and the Universe is just one big, atroophy filled expanse of blackness...






...no one will be there to remember anything.

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