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[2014 EOYT] Wales vs Fiji

Just heard on the radio that the Fiji backline comes in at 700kg?
Damn, this could be a carcrash of a game.
 
My bad mate I'm confusing ruck hits with tackles. The stats I can't find it but it was from sky sports presentor. I watch the game on sky sports.
 
Rich Taff said:
Just heard on the radio that the Fiji backline comes in at 700kg?
Damn, this could be a carcrash of a game.
Click to expand...

Without going through the individual weights I would imagine the Welsh backline would be slightly bigger overall? The only really massive player in the Fijian backline is Nadolo, and I imagine the average weight of the Fijian's is brought down quite a lot by little* Matawalu...

*At least compared to the Phillips!
 
Jbobo said:
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?
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Thats the issue, most people (except the Scarlet-est of Scarlets fans) think he shouldn't be near the national team and should ply week-in-week-out for the region to try and play himself into some sort of form and that booing is really the only way they feel they can voice their thoughts. Hardly ideal for a bloke out of form/confidence. I myself wouldnt boo but I do understand why they are.

Probelm is that with Patchell seemingly always injured when a Wales squad is chosen, Hook isnt playing that well in Glos and has been "utility back" tagged and Anscombe isn't even in the country yet RP is our only viable 2nd choice at 10. I think some forget that.
 
Darwin said:
Without going through the individual weights I would imagine the Welsh backline would be slightly bigger overall? The only really massive player in the Fijian backline is Nadolo, and I imagine the average weight of the Fijian's is brought down quite a lot by little* Matawalu...

*At least compared to the Phillips!
Click to expand...

Yeah, there are going to be some huge collisions in midfield.

As much as I enjoy watching Fiji play, I really hope the ref clamps down immediately on late and high tackles though. I don't know why, but they've been some of the worst for cheap hits the last few times we've played. Whether they're intentional or just overly enthusiastic, some have been just awful.
 
To be honest Wales and other 6 nations teams also seems to dish out the same sort of tackles but it seems only the Pacific Islands teams gets villified for it. If others do it they get praised. Double standards.
 
Flyingdolphins said:
To be honest Wales and other 6 nations teams also seems to dish out the same sort of tackles but it seems only the Pacific Islands teams gets villified for it. If others do it they get praised. Double standards.
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Its not double standards at all. Yes all teams have been guilty of dangerous hits but you go back over the years and the PI nations have committed more late/dangerous hits than most. There was a reason Brian Lima was called "The Chiropractor" and it wasnt do to with his medical skills.
 
TRF_SelimNiai said:
Thats the issue, most people (except the Scarlet-est of Scarlets fans) think he shouldn't be near the national team and should ply week-in-week-out for the region to try and play himself into some sort of form and that booing is really the only way they feel they can voice their thoughts. Hardly ideal for a bloke out of form/confidence. I myself wouldnt boo but I do understand why they are.

Probelm is that with Patchell seemingly always injured when a Wales squad is chosen, Hook isnt playing that well in Glos and has been "utility back" tagged and Anscombe isn't even in the country yet RP is our only viable 2nd choice at 10. I think some forget that.
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What about Owen Williams from Tigers ?
 
TheSaffycen said:
What about Owen Williams from Tigers ?
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Left him out as I just don't think he is anywhere near Gatland's thoughts. Think the move to Leics, whilst good for his club career, has harmed his international chances for the time being. Gatland knows Hook, plus Hook's flexibility, which counts against Williams
 
TRF_SelimNiai said:
Left him out as I just don't think he is anywhere near Gatland's thoughts. Think the move to Leics, whilst good for his club career, has harmed his international chances for the time being. Gatland knows Hook, plus Hook's flexibility, which counts against Williams
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Williams was one of the 10's tipped to go to SA but then got banned in the AP SF.

As said Hook offers a large flexibility off the bench and Gatland does know him so it makes sense in that department.
 
Flyingdolphins said:
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.
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To a large extent, fans are able to look past the razzle dazzle too. The only difference is that we don't have high tech and, more importantly, reliable stats to see the whole picture which was my point about behind the scenes and us being mere punters ultimately. However if we go by the basis that coaches go by stats in defence/assists/metres made/conversions/unforced errors etc - then it's difficult to explain why Biggar - who has been superior in all those catagories, at least to a common observer, but who has less 'razzle dazzle' was overlooked for so long compared to Priestland.

TRF_SelimNiai said:
Thats the issue, most people (except the Scarlet-est of Scarlets fans) think he shouldn't be near the national team and should ply week-in-week-out for the region to try and play himself into some sort of form and that booing is really the only way they feel they can voice their thoughts. Hardly ideal for a bloke out of form/confidence. I myself wouldnt boo but I do understand why they are.

Probelm is that with Patchell seemingly always injured when a Wales squad is chosen, Hook isnt playing that well in Glos and has been "utility back" tagged and Anscombe isn't even in the country yet RP is our only viable 2nd choice at 10. I think some forget that.
Click to expand...

Yeah i agree with most of that. Likewise i can understand why there would be booing, but it really shouldn't be part of the sport. I didn't really notice it during the game, but maybe that's because i was drowning out the sound of the entire game with my 'enthusiasm' :rolleyes:

The adage of Priestland being a 'confidence' player is getting old though. Pretty much every player is a confidence player. Some deal with a patch of bad form better than others, and that is generally the better players. I mean, i can throw a wonder pass or skin the best full back in the world once if i am given 1000 attempts at it, but to be able to do it consistently - That is what makes a great player. You get my drift. Not that i wouldn't love to see Priestland back to his 2011 best, it's just that as you say, he needs to do it for the Scarlets first as he has had enough chances with Wales for the moment.

I see your point on the lack of options and Patchell's perpetual bad timing with injuries, but as someone mentioned above we have Williams who has proved himself at regional level. Hook may not be playing great for Gloust, but then again is Priestland playing any better? I'd argue Hook offers more than Priestland in pretty much every catagory, whilst also being a better proven player for Wales. We also have players like Henson, who some like myself feel would offer a lot to the Welsh setup (maybe more at centre). If Morgan wasn't injured, he'd also be my choice. I have a feeling that notwithstanding these injuries, Gatland would still pick Priestaland over the lot.

TRF_SelimNiai said:
Left him out as I just don't think he is anywhere near Gatland's thoughts. Think the move to Leics, whilst good for his club career, has harmed his international chances for the time being. Gatland knows Hook, plus Hook's flexibility, which counts against Williams
Click to expand...

And against Hook himself, unfortunately.
 
Last edited:
The reason I would rather have Preistland as a backup 10 than Hook is that I truly believe, and always have, that 13 is Hooks best position.
 
TRF_SelimNiai said:
The reason I would rather have Preistland as a backup 10 than Hook is that I truly believe, and always have, that 13 is Hooks best position.
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Nah i agree, Hook would be better utilised at 12 or 13. He's still a better 10 than Priestland though i reckon.
 
On the flipside, tomorrow is a pefect chance for Preistland. A game on a new pitch against a side that, with respect to Fiji, we should beat. Its a game he should look to start on the front foot and lead the side. I hope he does because, whilst ideally I'd not prefer him playing, I do like him and remember how he can play, we just need him to find that player
 
Yeah absolutely! fingers crossed he can use this as a catalyst to find that spark. It is in there somewhere.
 
TRF_SelimNiai said:
Thats the issue, most people (except the Scarlet-est of Scarlets fans) think he shouldn't be near the national team and should ply week-in-week-out for the region to try and play himself into some sort of form and that booing is really the only way they feel they can voice their thoughts. Hardly ideal for a bloke out of form/confidence. I myself wouldnt boo but I do understand why they are.

Probelm is that with Patchell seemingly always injured when a Wales squad is chosen, Hook isnt playing that well in Glos and has been "utility back" tagged and Anscombe isn't even in the country yet RP is our only viable 2nd choice at 10. I think some forget that.
Click to expand...

Anscombe arrived earlier this week, talks of him being fast tracked if Biggar isn't fit for South Africa.
 

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