[2013 EOYT] Wales

[Draggs]

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Jamie Roberts has suffered an ankle injury while playing for Racing Metro. Unknown how long he will be out for.
Who would be the best option to replace him? In the past we have gone with Scott Williams, but he is a very different player than Jamie. Ashley Beck is well regarded on here, but he too plays in a different style than what we tend to have at inside centre. Could Gavin Henson be in consideration? When fit, he is almost always a member of the squad. A few good performances for Bath could see him in, especially with Kyle Eastmond injured. Perhaps Steven Shingler could get some gametime, after being overlooked for the Japan tour in favour of Jonathan Spratt. Shingler has already taken over the kicking duties for the Scarlets with good success.

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09/11/2013

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16/11/2013

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22/11/2013

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30/11/2013
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[Big Ewis]

how DARE you plagiarize my world famous "2013 EOYT" threads ?!!
You haven't seen the last of me, let me tell you that !

 

[RWC2011Fan]

Sigh, they're playing the Wallabies AGAIN?!

 

[Draggs]

Sigh, they're playing the Wallabies AGAIN?!

Best out of 20 series.

 

[Big Ewis]

Sigh, they're playing the Wallabies AGAIN?!

and it's the very last match of the year for both teams too. Something may have to give...it may go terribly wrong for either side, but I'd imagine the Wallabies may take a bashing in Cardiff being totally used up from matches all year long consistently where their heads were barely over water level struggling for air.

They'll be looking to exact vengeance on the Pumas too...the Tonga match should be interesting.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Wales could prove tricky for SA but one would probably have to consider us as favorites even if away from home. Good news for Wales is they have some really winnable matches this year after the terrible EOYT they faced last year (mainly because of underperforming to expectations) and they should be on a bit of a high taking into account they managed to retain the 6N ***le and had success as the backbone of the B&I Lions touring in Oz. They could very easily win all 4 matches but I would also not be surprised if they lost 3 of them TBH. Very hard to predict.

 

[psychic duck]

Best out of 20 series.

Not really looking forward to the Australia match at all.

South Africa aren't all that great and are very beatable at home. Wales should have won that 2011 RWC up match, and I think there is a great chance should certain key players stay fit. There are going to be some injuries to the first team as there always is, but there just needs to be luck that the first choice players aren't the key ones, jersey #3 in particular.

Argentina I think may be entering another transition phase this November, they look like they may be having a new coach with a few new youngsters transitioning into the side over the next year or so as well. Will be interesting to see if a new coach could give them a new lease of life, but at home, Wales should really win that.

Tonga is another game that should be won, but there are similar problems to the Samoa match last year. The Tongans have been getting a good enough side now to have to put out a full side to face them. Having said that though, the Samoan game last year was a brutal carnage of a game that wrecked certain team's Heineken Cup chances. So I would give a game to second string players who can still be a decent level and rest some key first choice players, Ken Owens, Samson Lee, Bradley Davies and Rhys Priestland can all start this.

As for the Australia game, it will probably be like the game last year. Wales will not have access to even more players this time than before, whilst also run the risk of some players being beaten up the week prior. Australia aren't firing currently either, so I think this will be the same low standard pointless game that it was last year. It shows that some on this thread clearly know **** all about the circumstances of the game if they think that Wales can batter the Wallabies. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some of the gems from the Japan tour in this game if injuries stack up on top of the missing players.

 

[Big Ewis]

It shows that some on this thread clearly know **** all about the circumstances of the game if they think that Wales can batter the Wallabies. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some of the gems from the Japan tour in this game if injuries stack up on top of the missing players.

loving the totally random (and implicit - WARNING highly passive-aggressive content) aggression
You're a bit of a sad little fella, aren't ya duck ? attacking ppl online for no reason :lol: this is downright comical.

- hey man, I think Wales can easily beat the Wallabies
- YEAH ?!! WELL FFFFUUCK YOUUU !!

:lol:

well I dunno about the circumstances though, but the Wales I know and the Wallabies I know (i.e. past year), Wales have a good chance of punishing the Wallabies good at home this time around.

 

[Draggs]

Assuming no injuries, what 23 could we out out against the Wobblies?
Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Davies, Beck/Williams, Robinson/Walker, Biggar, Williams/?; Jenkins, Hibbard, JonesAR, JonesAW, Evans, JonesR, Warburton, Faletau; Owens, Bevington, Andrews, Davies, Tipuric, ??, Priestland, Williams/Beck.

Our last few Springbok test could have gone our way. Test 2 in the 2008 series, followed by the one at Millennium that November. Should have had them in both 2010 tests and as you said, RWC2011.

 

[Draggs]

What's this, free time???

Not sure what to do with it, so I'll just ramble about the upcoming series.
Can't even bear to think about losing to Aus right now. They are fragile, and will come to Millennium on the back of a poor winter/spring. We NEED to put them away. Put them away properly. Can we? Hypothetically I'd say certainly, but we know that isn't the case. I have a tough time saying which Aussies I'd go out of my way for in the Welsh team, and I have come up with none. Genia is horrendously off form, while I don't rate any of their other inside backs above ours. Their best is playing in France and second best Japan (Giteau and Barnes respectively).

I like Leali'ifano but couldn't justify dropping Biggar to put him at standoff, nor Roberts for inside centre. AAC doesn't look outstanding, Davies really impressed me in Australia, certainly the best centre who toured, based upon form in the matches. If JoC was kept out wide after 2011 instead of mucking around in the inside backs I think he would have been an excellent asset for the Wallabies, but there are obviously a multitude of issues there. Folau is turning into a solid threat, but again, I can't justify dropping North/Halfpenny/Cuthbert for him.

A year ago I'd have asked for Moore, but Owens and Hibbard will fight it out in the 23. AWJ was tremendous on tour, turning into the player we had always hoped. Ian Evans is underrated, and should have been on the bench over Gray (and would have, had Gray not been Scottish). No chance in hell I'd take Palu/Mowen/Higginbotham over Toby. Both Sam and Justin over Hooper and Gill.

Springboks will really test us. They appear to be forming a solid team for the first time in a while. The worst thing Meyer could do is chase oldies like Botha/Fourie/Rossouw at the expense of what he has. The position they really need to focus on is scrum half. Pienaar hasn't rally looked up for it since his move north, while FdP is a stopgap right now. Vermaak is OK but as of right now, not someone I can see starting full time. Groom, Reinach, and van Zyl are the best prospects right now, and further down the line Venter, Ungerer, et al.

Squad time-
Loosehead Prop:
Bevington
Gill
James
Jenkins

Still waiting for Bevington to kick on. Not Gills biggest fan, but willing to give him a shot to get some depth.

Tighthead prop:
Andrews
Jones
Lee
Mitchell

Scott has been decent during the last few tests. Give Lee a shot even if it is off the bench on one test.

Second row:
Coombs
Davies
Evans
Jones
King

Not Lou Reed. Want to see Peers involved soon.

Blindside flank:
Jones
Lydiate
Shingler

No McCusker/Turnbull. Pretorius wasn't impressive in Japan

Openside flank:
Navidi
Tipuric
Warburton

Same debate as we have had for the last few months.

Scrum half:
???
Phillips
Williams

Really need another SH. I'd put Jonathan Evans ahead of the Turk options and well before Webb. Maybe Rees, but the coaching staff don't seem to rate him.

Standoff:
Biggar
Patchell
Priestland

Still think it is too early for Patchell, but he is new new Matthew Morgan. Can't see Hook having much involvement.

Centre:
Beck
Davies
Roberts (if fit)
Williams (Owen)
Williams (Scott)

I like Owen Williams, could be our best outside centre backup for Davies.

Wing:
Cuthbert
North
Robinson
Walker

Want to see Eli Walker involved. Robinson looked decent against Japan, I'd put him ahead of Prydie, and Howells is too inexperienced to be involved right now.

Fullback:
Halfpenny
Williams (Liam)

Not sure who else I'd bring in. I can't see the staff selecting Fussell.

 

[j'nuh]

Has Phillips announced yet whether he's gonna retire from international rugby?

He could make the decision post-6N, retire from international rugby, and then sign his next Bayonne contract. But if I were the Welsh management, I'd probably push him for a decision sooner. No good building a team around Phillips for the next year, if he isn't going to be there for the WC...

The Welsh management should drop him for the AIs, and give Williams/Knoyle/Davies serious game time. If no one impresses, Phillips could come back for the 6N to give Wales a better chance of winning it.

BTW, you're missing hookers and 8s in your 36-man squad.

 

[Draggs]

Has Phillips announced yet whether he's gonna retire from international rugby?

He could make the decision post-6N, retire from international rugby, and then sign his next Bayonne contract. But if I were the Welsh management, I'd probably push him for a decision sooner. No good building a team around Phillips for the next year, if he isn't going to be there for the WC...

The Welsh management should drop him for the AIs, and give Williams/Knoyle/Davies serious game time. If no one impresses, Phillips could come back for the 6N to give Wales a better chance of winning it.

BTW, you're missing hookers and 8s in your 36-man squad.

Phillips will stay. Don't forget Jonathan Evans, best regional SH last year.
Don't like hooker or 8s, so they can bog off.
Been tired...

Hooker:
Scott Baldwin
Richard Hibbard
Ken Owens.

Can't see Rees going, and Phillips shouldn't be near the squad.

Eight:
Toby Faletau.

Who else is there? Maybe add King to blindside.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I agree on the whole with Draggs, but I'd have Steve Shingler in the squad too, possibly covering fullback as well as 12 (And 10). I wouldn't disagree with seeing Jordan Williams in the squad as well so the management can get a proper look at him for time to come, maybe give him a cap against Tonga, but at the same time, I'm not sure what the best way to manage him is. Again, I'd love to see Fussell get the call.

At 8, I like the look of Morgan Allen, and expect him to overtake Bearman during this season, but I question whether he'll be ready for the autumn. Either way, he should have gone to Japan. I agree there are issues, and we're better off shifting Ryan (Or even Sam) over if (Heaven forbid) Toby gets injured.

By all accounts Tav has started well at Gloucester, and I'd love to see him get involved, but I do feel Jonathan Evans has been the form scrum half in Wales for the last year, even if he's stuck on the bench behind Richie Rees right now. Gareth Davies is also playing undeniably well. We've got lots of options at 9, just no depth.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I feel Wales have a chance against Aus. The losing streak was broken, even if it was in a Lions team. I'd put Wales to beat Tonga and Argentina without too much trouble so the big one will be the first game.

 

[Big Ewis]

I feel Wales have a chance against Aus. The losing streak was broken, even if it was in a Lions team. I'd put Wales to beat Tonga and Argentina without too much trouble so the big one will be the first game.

they really 'should' make this a 3 out of 4 at least. I do believe the Boks will beat them, but for the other 3 teams, Wales has what it takes to take the advantage without great difficulty, and are at home.
I think Argentina will match up better than the Wallabies will against Wales specifically, but after a hard fought battle to come against the Boks, they'll be all wound up and prepared for the next 3.

According to the current form sides are on (if Wales can keep their 6N form going), I'd say they would lose by a narrow margin the Boks match, beat Argentina by a humble handful (5pts), beat Tonga rather easily but not as huge as we'd think, and then beat the Wallabies by a good 8points.

* Wales' attack is pretty bad, but they've got the most colossal backs in...the world ? I mean they're all 110KG monsters and they just will break eventually. Tries will be scored.
* They've got a scrum (huge advantage against Tonga, Wallabies). No way Tonga can beat Wales at home and with that scrum alone.
* Good defense, but in all honesty hasn't been tested this past 6N. France and England were without imagination against Wales, and Scotland and Italy even more so, while Ireland punished them in the opener. We'll see how much they can contain the Boks at home, while Tonga and Australia will also test that Welsh defense.
* HP at the boot, and breakdown: Wales can dominate at the breakdown, and though they rarely show that form, they've got the tools for that to be done. Will be interesting. They'll collect penalties, and they'll make them.
* Discipline: they've shown fine discipline at times during the last 6N, great even for certain matches.

 

[Draggs]

I agree on the whole with Draggs, but I'd have Steve Shingler in the squad too, possibly covering fullback as well as 12 (And 10). I wouldn't disagree with seeing Jordan Williams in the squad as well so the management can get a proper look at him for time to come, maybe give him a cap against Tonga, but at the same time, I'm not sure what the best way to manage him is. Again, I'd love to see Fussell get the call.

At 8, I like the look of Morgan Allen, and expect him to overtake Bearman during this season, but I question whether he'll be ready for the autumn. Either way, he should have gone to Japan. I agree there are issues, and we're better off shifting Ryan (Or even Sam) over if (Heaven forbid) Toby gets injured.

By all accounts Tav has started well at Gloucester, and I'd love to see him get involved, but I do feel Jonathan Evans has been the form scrum half in Wales for the last year, even if he's stuck on the bench behind Richie Rees right now. Gareth Davies is also playing undeniably well. We've got lots of options at 9, just no depth.

Yep, forgot Shingler. Certainly should be involved.

 

[psychic duck]

What's this, free time???

Not sure what to do with it, so I'll just ramble about the upcoming series.
Can't even bear to think about losing to Aus right now. They are fragile, and will come to Millennium on the back of a poor winter/spring. We NEED to put them away. Put them away properly. Can we? Hypothetically I'd say certainly, but we know that isn't the case. I have a tough time saying which Aussies I'd go out of my way for in the Welsh team, and I have come up with none. Genia is horrendously off form, while I don't rate any of their other inside backs above ours. Their best is playing in France and second best Japan (Giteau and Barnes respectively).

I like Leali'ifano but couldn't justify dropping Biggar to put him at standoff, nor Roberts for inside centre. AAC doesn't look outstanding, Davies really impressed me in Australia, certainly the best centre who toured, based upon form in the matches. If JoC was kept out wide after 2011 instead of mucking around in the inside backs I think he would have been an excellent asset for the Wallabies, but there are obviously a multitude of issues there. Folau is turning into a solid threat, but again, I can't justify dropping North/Halfpenny/Cuthbert for him.

A year ago I'd have asked for Moore, but Owens and Hibbard will fight it out in the 23. AWJ was tremendous on tour, turning into the player we had always hoped. Ian Evans is underrated, and should have been on the bench over Gray (and would have, had Gray not been Scottish). No chance in hell I'd take Palu/Mowen/Higginbotham over Toby. Both Sam and Justin over Hooper and Gill.

Draggs I think you're missing a key point. In the past few Australia games, players such as Scott Andrews, Lou Reed, Aaron Shingler, Liam Williams, Lloyd Williams, Scott Williams, Andrew Bishop and Will Harries have started. None of whom are anywhere near the standard of first choice. It's bad enough holding your breath over October Heineken Cup rounds as to which players get injured (last year it was Adam unfortunately), but in this case it is the 4th match of the series with physical South Africa, Argentina and Tonga game beforehand and with a large amount of the first choice team having gone through a longer than usual summer tour. And then on top of that you take away several options from England and France.

Surely you remember the 2012 debacle that tossed us into the group of death, or the unprecedented injury ridden 2005/06 season? The odds are even less in our favour now with more players abroad, more Lions and 3 tough matches beforehand. Australia aren't in great shape themselves (although it should be noted one of their worst ever sides did nearly beat Cementball but for a Beale slip against 3 nations best players) hence why I predicted the game to be the same low standard dire affair it was last year. It's a match too many.

WRU allowed a situation where our RWC chances went into the hands of players like Lou Reed last year. They didn't get enough criticism for that, if that match wasn't played we wouldn't be in the pool of death.

well I dunno about the circumstances though, but the Wales I know and the Wallabies I know (i.e. past year), Wales have a good chance of punishing the Wallabies good at home this time around.

Yes but as we've already established. You don't know very much.

 

[Draggs]

Hey, leave Little Will alone.
Mate, I fully agree here. WRU have twiddled their thumbs instead of trying to work for a solution.

I really wish it was a three match November series. I really can't care about playing Aus again. Makes a change for seeing them a handful of times over a few decades.

 

[Draggs]

Lewis Evans please.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Go on then, my squad-

Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Ryan Bevington
Richard Hibbard, Ken Owens, Mathew Rees/T Rhys Thomas (At the moment I think TRT is ahead, but I've learnt not to bet against Matthew Rees)
Adam Jones, Craig Mitchell, Samson Lee
Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Andrew Coombs, Bradley Davies
Ryan Jones, James King
Dan Lydiate, Aaron Shingler
Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi, Sam Warburton? (Tempted to rest him up, but I'd rather beat the big teams, if we're confident he's 100%)
Toby Faletau (Morgan Allen can squeeze his way in here with a few good performances in the next few weeks)

Mike Phillips, Richie Rees, Lloyd Williams
Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Rhys Patchell
Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Ashley Beck, Scott Williams, Owen Williams
George North, Alex Cuthbert, Eli Walker
Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams
James Hook, Steven Shingler

A few players I was tempted to leave out (Hook, Sanjay) and a few more I was tempted to include (Jordan Williams, FUSSELL), even if just for development reasons. I've picked it largely in choice order. If Jamie Roberts isn't fit, I think I'd probably just leave it and have Hook & Shingler act as centre cover (Plus possibly George). However, Jack Dixon is beginning to impress me and may be worth a look.