[2013 EOYT] Wales

[dullonien]

I was quite disappointed with Beck yesterday, didn't think he had as good as a game as I have seen him have in the past.

Yeah, same. But that's how he's been playing for the Ospreys this season as well. Certainly not at the same level he was last year. I was hoping it was due to the Ospreys game plan which seems to ignore the backline most of the time, with forwards taking it on in midfield time after time, even off quick ball, but he was a bit meh again yesterday for Wales.

He doesn't quite fit into the Wales (and Ospreys) game plan which revolves around a big 12 crashing it up in order to create quick ball on the next phase. The Ospreys have tried to use him like that, but that doesn't suit his skill-set all that well. Without Roberts and JD2, Wales will need to vary their attack, or they need to get North running lines down the 10 channel. The problem with using North as the primary bosh man in midfield is that he's then out of the game for the next phase, which is where you really need him to take advantage of any space created.

Hopefully the one silver lining of this Autumn could be that it forces Gats and co. to vary their gameplan in attack. We're going to have a less physical midfield, and we're lacking another of our strike runners in Cuthbert. We need to play with a little more guile to create space, instead of relying on direct running to draw defences. If they can do that, then any one of Beck, Owen Williams or Hook could flourish in midfield.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Thoughts on Gatland's thinking on why Wales keep losing to SH sides?

So what prevents the back-to-back Six Nations champions taking that elusive 'next step' and actually beating one of the top sides in the world?
For Gatland, the issue is not about size, or skill, or power, or fitness. Wales have shown they have those in abundance, particularly against England in this year's Six Nations decider.But that was six months ago. Slipping into top gear - particularly mentally - seems to take time, simply because most Welsh players are not used to finding it outside the Test arena.

"South Africa and the other southern hemisphere teams get to play at that level all the time, whether it is the [Rugby] Championship or Super Rugby," Gatland observed. "We get maybe four or five chances a year to play at that level.

"When you are playing at that tempo and speed of thought, it sometimes takes a little bit of time to adjust and get used to it. For me, that is the big advantage the southern hemisphere has because for us, coming out of club or regional rugby, the difference for the players is just chalk and cheese."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24886598

 

[Big Ewis]

Thoughts on Gatland's thinking on why Wales keep losing to SH sides?



Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24886598

It's a question of mindset, too. Some sides like France notably can forget for one day they're crappy and transgress the virtual laws of the Rugby world. Wales are great against opposition they know well, but constantly seem to fall behind in a game against SH opposition, kind of like, "alright we got them this time, no excuses" and then still manage to fall prey to the SH style. Wales have a hard time "re-inventing" themselves for a day and it seems very real to me that they're stuck in a complex where they feel inferior from the start and have an impending sense of being subjected to the SH game.
Surely at full strength, this Welsh side can (at very least) challenge anyone, especially at home.
France seem to be the exact opposites of Wales these past few years.

The good news for Wales is the All-Blacks aren't coming this year, that's done already, they came last year...and they've got a soft Aussies squad coming to town, and an even more decrepit Argentina coming next week first. Just what Wales could've possibly wanted this year: Argentina, Tonga, then Australia. Utterly perfect to get their confidence back quickly. No need for a crazy 8-match slide.
Good luck, Wales.

 

[dullonien]

So Cory Allen now ruled out of the rest of the AI's, with Scott Williams also injured in the Argentina game. It's uncertain whether Owen Williams is actually fit as well. If Scott is also ruled out, that'll be 4/5 centers out. That will really test our depth.

There's still a possible center partnership of Beck and Hook/North which isn't all too bad considering. Or is there a possible recall for a certain orange one on the cards? Jack Dixon has been impressive this season for the Dragons, but I think he's still injured as well. There's always Bishop too, who certainly won't let us down. Nick Reynlods is a capped player available too, but he's had very little game time for the Scarlets since he got that cap. Am I missing anyone?

 

[Draggs]

Allen had shoulder surgery earlier in the year, think it may be the same one.

 

[SelimNiai]

So Cory Allen now ruled out of the rest of the AI's, with Scott Williams also injured in the Argentina game. It's uncertain whether Owen Williams is actually fit as well. If Scott is also ruled out, that'll be 4/5 centers out. That will really test our depth.

There's still a possible center partnership of Beck and Hook/North which isn't all too bad considering. Or is there a possible recall for a certain orange one on the cards? Jack Dixon has been impressive this season for the Dragons, but I think he's still injured as well.

This cant be just bad luck and coincidence, there has to be something the players do that makes them "structurally weak". We must have the worst injury record of all teams, I'm actually a bit surprised the regions haven't started to get a bit miffed of seeing their players come back from Wales out injured, take the Scarlets backs. JD2 is definitely out, Scott W looks to be injured and Liam W has had a recent concussion and theyre the 3 players that have shone for the Scarlets

In order for North to stay in his best position I cant see past a Henson recall. Not something I'm enjoying but after all the injuries he's the best/only option to act as cover.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nick Macleod got a good 30minutes at 12 vs Quins 'A' side on last night.

 

[Draggs]

We move closer to another Lou Reed cap, Davies out of series and Coombes missed training today with a sore back, not to mention Charteris not being available for the last test.

 

[Thingimubob]

We move closer to another Lou Reed cap, Davies out of series and Coombes missed training today with a sore back, not to mention Charteris not being available for the last test.

Didnt Charteris get an agreement like North saying he'd be available for all Welsh games and camps? Swear I read something like that when he went off to France? Well let's pray that if another lock is needed, it'll be one of the young guns, rather than Reed...

 

[Draggs]

Didnt Charteris get an agreement like North saying he'd be available for all Welsh games and camps? Swear I read something like that when he went off to France? Well let's pray that if another lock is needed, it'll be one of the young guns, rather than Reed...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-lock-luke-charteris-miss-6322182

Seems like these agreements mean nothing when it comes down to it, with IRB or regional laws overruling it.

 

[Thingimubob]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-lock-luke-charteris-miss-6322182

Seems like these agreements mean nothing when it comes down to it, with IRB or regional laws overruling it.

WRU are insisting North will be available, nothing's been said about Charteris though
Hate this bureaucratic ******** that comes with all this

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Will be interesting to see how the North situation plays out.
I understand his contract with Saints explicitly says he is to be released for Wales, but then the PRL will definitely be against it (as they have been with Paul James, and as they were with Peel a few years back).
If he goes without PRLs blessing they could turn around and ban him from playing in the Aviva.

 

[Draggs]

Between this and the Euro row, PRL are making many friends

 

[dullonien]

I hate the PRL.

I feel that they have little empathy for the game outside of their own interests. I lost all respect for them when they didn't allow a player (Peel it may have been) to play in a Wales game even though the regular season had ended and the players' club was fine with it. It was a couple of years ago and I can't remember all the details, but I remember being disgusted with their stance.

This is part of the reason I am so against the new European proposal, with the PRL having such a central role. But that's off topic in here.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Whilst I agree with you, Dull, on the PRL being *rseholes, I don't understand why Wales decided to organise a game outside the international window in the first place. They knew, from previous experiences, that the PRL wouldn't play ball. This is their fourth game, and there are four weeks within the Int. Window, so I don't get why they didn't just sort their schedule around that, rather than have the first week off and then go one outside it on the end.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Was England's first game not outside of the window?

In reality some I have talked to about this feel this is a conspiracy theory by the PRL acting on behalf of the RFU to disjoint Wales preparation for the 6 Nations.

Dull you are right. It was Peel.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

In reality some it have talked to about this feel this is a conspiracy theory by the PRL acting on behalf of the RFU to disjoint Wales preparation for the 6 Nations.

That's hilarious!

 

[dullonien]

So the next mini crisis in the lead up to the Aus game is at lock. With Bradley Davies out injured, Charteris back in France and the uncertainty surrounding Coombs after missing the Tonga game, it leaves us a little short. Luckily Ian Evans came through his return unscathed, and Alun-Wyn is good to go, but we won't have a specialist on the bench. Most likely Ryan Jones will cover the second row from the bench if Coombs is ruled out as well.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

James King has been called up.

Alex Cuthbert is training and if the medical staff are happy could well play Saturday.

 

[dullonien]

James King has been called up.

Alex Cuthbert is training and if the medical staff are happy could well play Saturday.

Cuthbert would be a big boost if he's deemed fit to play. Liam Williams has played well, but Cuthbert is one of the finest finishers in world rugby. With Hook not available, it would also give us more option from the bench with Liam covering the back 3.