[2014 EOYT] Wales vs Fiji

[SelimNiai]

Has Matesvesi played 10 at all for the ospreys? Can't say I've seen it, definitely doesn't look like a 10 to me anymore anyway!

Not that I've noticed, can't recall him seeing there for Worcs when he was there either.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He was a 10 all through age grade (Pirates or Exeter? Can't remember which), pretty sure he's played there for Fiji, before, too.
He only really moved away from 10 because Wuss had so many 10s coming through the academy.

 

[welshglory]

I remember when he first came on the scene for Exeter and Fiji. He was a much leaner, skillful type of player. Although again he was more a 12/15

 

[Big Ewis]

Fiji by 1

heh...hhhyeaaah....this isn't the World Cup !....

(Oh God, I've exposed myself to Tonga beating France taunting...better change the subject quickly befo..SO honestly I've seen both teams play last weekend...I'm gonna go with Wales by 30, and putting about 40pts past Fiji. France managed 40 through flair and some very inspired back play, but Wales are more structured, have a much more in-sync pack and will dominate the Fijians oop froont...I think they'll put about 40 on them, I can see more as well. France, as usual under PSA, only really played in spurts. Only one try in the first half...

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Fiji love playing in Cardiff. Hope they throw the kitchen sink and play like they're on the beach. Bring it on!!!

 

[TommiG88]

Wales by 25.

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Fiji by a scrum penalty try

 

[TommiG88]

I just can't see Fiji winning or contesting but I'm hoping for a closer game. Never know with Wales!

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Gosh you guys lost to Australia and seems to think that because France beat us you will easily do so too. During the French game Fiji was trailing only 14 to 8 and nearly had another try. So by the 60 th mins Fiji was there. And France bamboozled our right winger with high kicks and add his running out of defence alignment France then had a couple of easy try through this. It was his first cap so in time he'll learn. What was clear is that when he got replaced by Nagusa the French weren't able to exploit that side defensive weakness again and instead Fiji scored a 100m try from that side by Nagusa. Our forwards on the other hand was impressive they held the scrum, competed and won lineouts. This week with Nayacalevu on that right hand side of the wing its more solid now as he has proven in past games as well as with his club stade france that he's solid under high balls and defence. Include the addition of Goneva at outside centre with Nadolo on inside its a solid backline. Also last week we had a local based at flyhalf so he's not really up to standards perhaps with time and experience he will improve. This week though he's been replaced by Matavesi whom eventhough may not play there for club but he has for Fiji before and is a better standard to our Flyhal who played there for France. And then add the improvements in scrums and lineouts overall better set pieces and front foot ball for the backs I'm sensing a Fiji win. And this is a better Fiji side than the one that beat Wales in 07 world cup. Last 3 games between Wales and Fiji is 1 win each, 1 loss and 1 draw so again all these saying a Wales easy win are underestimating all this analysis.

 

[Big Ewis]

^ okay so what score are you predicting, give us an approximation to back up your claims and be clear.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Goneva to score 4 tries in a Fiji 46 - Wales 20 win

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Couple of points. If Fiji's forwards play as they did against France, Matavesi plays territorial from own half as he's good at this, Defence alignment solid especially with Goneva marshalling the backs, Fiji score first and get the confidence and if by the 60th mins they're leading or remain within a score I'm calling a 3 to 12 poinst win.

Goneva to score 4 tries in a Fiji 46 - Wales 20 win

Good boy, we'll give you another winger for your support

Just want to point out to the admin that I'm not double posting intentionally. I am still figuring out how to add a post I want to reply to with one I'm posting so it's one post altogether so please bear with me especially when I'm excited about the game and want to post a reply as well as post a message.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Good boy, we'll give you another winger for your support
.

We'll trade you for another flyhalf

 

[Flyingdolphins]

We'll trade you for another flyhalf

It's a deal.

 

[Jbobo]

Any opinions on Gatlands' and Edwards' comments regarding the booing of Priestland? I'm interested to see what the general consensus is regarding his persistent inclusion in the Welsh setup. I mean, generally i think he hasn't performed to an even acceptable standard since early 2012, and even then it is debatable. His form for the Scarlets has been shaky (especially his goal kicking), yet he keeps on getting the nod at international level when he's fit.

I can usually empathise with the coaches to some extent, but realistically we mere fanboys cannot ultimately know what happens behind the scenes, but this just makes me worry that Gatland's main weakness going forward is his loyalty. As we have seen, he has some good hands on him and is a good creative 10 on a good day (rare), but surely some kind of consistency is the benchmark for international standard in any position?

Biggar is injured, supporters emphatically call for 'anyone but Priestland', coaches pick him anyway and we all knew they would. What do?

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Checkout Priestland's stats on performance. His tackling, line breaks, metres gained etc etc and then compare it to other players. Rokoduguni for example against the All Blacks seems quiet watching the game until you see the stats that he hit the most rucks and was second only to Robshaw in tackles made. Sometimes the eyes can deceive.

 

[Darwin]

Checkout Priestland's stats on performance. His tackling, line breaks, metres gained etc etc and then compare it to other players. Rokoduguni for example against the All Blacks seems quiet watching the game until you see the stats that he hit the most rucks and was second only to Robshaw in tackles made. Sometimes the eyes can deceive.

Where do you get your stats from? I have yet to find a reliable source for breakdown arrivals, and according to these stats Rokodugani was nowhere near 2nd in the tackle count - indeed he made the least tackles (4) of any of the stating players (apart from Lawes who only played 20 minutes..).

I had a quick look through Priestland's stats during the 6 Nations and they didn't really impress me. 2 linebreaks, 8 errors, generally solid defense. Nothing spectacular. In any case stats alone don't always paint a true picture of players performances - this is particularly true for 9's, 10's and props in my opinion...

Anyways..... this could be an interesting match. If Wales play a structured game I think they will win comfortably (10-15 points), but if they try to match Fiji's expansive game they could be in trouble, as Fiji has some serious attacking talent in that backline....

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Rokoduguni stats was from sky sports mate. I think the 4 you meant was the metres he gained. If you think he made 4 tackles then you definitely was watching a different game. Another player who impressed in that game was their replacement lock.

Anyways my point is that fans judge players based on mainly their razzle dazzle but coach base it on stats like defence, assist etc. Anyways if the Wales fans don't like Priestland then that's a shame because I think he's one hell of a player.

 

[TheSaffycen]

He made 4 tackles missed 2
http://www.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/203137.html

 

[Darwin]

Rokoduguni stats was from sky sports mate. I think the 4 you meant was the metres he gained. If you think he made 4 tackles then you definitely was watching a different game. Another player who impressed in that game was their replacement lock.

Anyways my point is that fans judge players based on mainly their razzle dazzle but coach base it on stats like defence, assist etc. Anyways if the Wales fans don't like Priestland then that's a shame because I think he's one hell of a player.

Would you be kind enough to provide a link to these stats?

Personally I wasn't counting the number of tackles Rokoduguni made during the match, but I think 4 tackles* sounds about right to me. The AB's struggled to get the ball wide all match - Savea touched the ball once in the 1st half if I recall correctly - so Rokoduguni wouldn't have had much of a chance to make many tackles standing out on the wing....

I don't think it is fair to suggest that all fans judge players on 'razzle dazzle'. Some fans do, but knowledgeable fans (and there are a few of these on this forum) will take far more than that into account when judging players. They may not judge players on exactly the same criteria as coaches, but I think most rugby posters on this forum are smart enough to take things like defensive ability and distribution into account when judging players...


* The number counted by Opta stats - an independent agency who provides detailed match stats on rugby matches.....