[2014 Mid-Year Tests] Wales

[TRF_stormer2010]

why is he such an ass ??
I know he's got a chicken farm...in no relation to being an ass, just sayin...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCHeIQmqcwU

This is ages ago (relative to a rugby player's carreer) but sticks out and is just 1 example of a string of stupid off-the-ball stuff and just generally a ****ty attitude that earned him a reputation. I'm not saying a man can't change but he really hurt his chances of playing for SA and while supposedly playing very well now, it's not in the 'SA eye'. The foreign based players we use are guys who have for the most part been test players before moving off. Not that we don't need quality depth at 9 right now with the pantry bare beyond an only half-available FdP in slow regress.

 

[Big Ewis]

heh, forgot I'd even asked about that...uh yeah OK, I see. He seems like he's really changed then, I don't recognize Kockott on this vid after seeing him only play for Castres. He's obviously matured a lot since then. That other a$shole does slam him well to the ground though, but who cares that's just one e.g. as you said.

South Africa swarms with quality players, to my knowledge in most if not all positions. But they *might* live to regret not picking Kockott, just saying, it's a possibility. How many SH's are this good, in the world, right now ?? I'm asking straight up, not a figure of speech.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

heh, forgot I'd even asked about that...uh yeah OK, I see. He seems like he's really changed then, I don't recognize Kockott on this vid after seeing him only play for Castres. He's obviously matured a lot since then. That other a$shole does slam him well to the ground though, but who cares that's just one e.g. as you said.

South Africa swarms with quality players, to my knowledge in most if not all positions. But they *might* live to regret not picking Kockott, just saying, it's a possibility. How many SH's are this good, in the world, right now ?? I'm asking straight up, not a figure of speech.

I've only seen 1 and a half game of him for Biarritz and I try to watch rugby as often as I can. I have to admit he looked very assured from the little I saw and we are indeed somewhat desperate for some assurance in the halves. If it were up to me I'd check him an option with FdP only half there, Pienaar goes to **** when he puts on a green jersey and Hougaard just has been going backwards for 2 years but sadly it's not up to me- it should be, but its not.

But, erm, Wales. How about Wales..

 

[Big Ewis]

I've only seen 1 and a half game of him for Biarritz and I try to watch rugby as often as I can. I have to admit he looked very assured from the little I saw and we are indeed somewhat desperate for some assurance in the halves. If it were up to me I'd check him an option with FdP only half there, Pienaar goes to **** when he puts on a green jersey and Hougaard just has been going backwards for 2 years but sadly it's not up to me- it should be, but its not.

But, erm, Wales. How about Wales..

What subtle humility...-_-
Yeaaaah, Hougaard...forgot about him, he was really good during those, what, 2008-2010 days. A bit similar in style to Kockott in fact, gritty, crafty, sneaky sort of wit. Quick but strong, strong forearms...but Kockott has developed a more polished game now.

Wales ? eh, what about em. They'll be rocked one test and then come close the next but still lose. Two defeats, go back to Wales wait for the November tests and then it's...summore suspense against SH opposition !!

 

[TheSaffycen]

Wales will do the usual thing by being 6 points clear with 10 seconds to go, with the ball in hand and somehow still lose. They will be without Warburton and Halfpenny who are two of their most influential players and leaders. Wyn-Jones and Biggar are going to have bring some big performances with them because the Boks are the team with the biggest momentum after last year and will want to show why they be the winners of the world cup. In my honest opinion they will be the winners in 2015 and I can't wait for their game at Twickenham this year.

 

[Big Ewis]

oh damn, that's right ! Forgot about England's crazy EOYT this year, and this right after 3 tests in Hell during the summer...boy oh boy will they be tested this year, in hindsight.
They host the Blacks, Boks, Samoans and then casually welcome the Aussies to finish off the tour in Nov. Couldn't possibly be a harder tour.

I don't know what to expect from these two Boks Wales tests though...Warburton out is a ridiculous loss for the dudes in red after the form he was in this 6N, and we all understand the importance of HP as a FB and goal kicker for Wales...
I don't think it'll be very exciting really, but still interesting to watch though.

 

[Draggs]

Apparently Gatland is considering a probables v possibles match before the SA tour. What sides would people like to see?

Mine would be (probables in bold):

01 Paul James v Rob Evans
02 Richard Hibbard v Ken Owens
03 Rhodri Jones v Samson Lee
04 Alun-Wyn Jones v Jake Ball
05 Luke Charteris v Ian Evans
06 Dan Lydiate v Aaron Shingler
07 Justin Tipuric v Sam Lewis
08 Toby Faletau v Dan Baker

09 Mike Phillips v Rhys Webb/Rhodri Williams/Gareth Davies
10 Dan Biggar v Owen Williams/ James Hook
11 George North v Eli Walker
12 Jamie Roberts v Ashley Beck
13 Jon Davies v Cory Allen
14 Alex Cuthbert v Hallam Amos/Hanno Dirksen
15 Liam Williams v Jordan Williams

I think I've decided that the two players that should be rested for the tour is Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones. Both are the oldest members of the squad, and need nurturing through till the WC if we want them at their very best. Gethin has had so many ****ling injuries over the past 3-4 years, and could do with a chance to get fully fit. Adam has simply played a lot of rugby, and needs some conditioning over the summer. The other members of the squad who have also played a lot of rugby with the Lions tour last year, such as Hibbard, AWJ, Faletau, Phillips, North and Cuthbert, should be young enough to recover after the tour, although I wouldn't be against Hibbard and AWJ being rested.

What do we have is we take out France and England-based players? I'll assume all are unavailable, although players like Hook, Charteris, Roberts, Lydiate, Phillips could feature with their teams unlikely to contest the final.

I'll also rest a few players: Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau.

15 Liam Williams - Jordan Williams
14 Alex Cuthbert - Hallam Amos
13 Jonathan Davies - Owen Williams
12 Ashley Beck - Cory Allen
11 Eli Walker - Hanno Dirksen
10 Dan Biggar - Rhys Priestland (want to see them head-to-head, but with better sides around them)
09 Rhodri Williams - Gareth Davies
01 Ryan Bevington... - Rob Evans
02 Richard Hibbard - Ken Owens
03 Rhodri Jones - Samson Lee
04 Jake Ball - Bradley Davies
05 Ian Evans - Andrew Coombs
06 Ryan Jones - Aaron Shingler
07 Justin Tipuric - Josh Navidi
08 Dan Baker - Morgan Allen

I'd really like to see all players available, and less of a Probables v Possibles, but just two balanced XVs playing. I'd include Daniel Evans, Lewis Evans, Richie Rees from the NGD. Kristian Dacey could be a good option for hooker, as could Sam Parry.

 

[Big Ewis]

shiit, I'd forgotten we'd made those mid-year threads, I thought this was brand new !!!

...

will be interesting to see how Wales plays top opposition without Halfpenny.
Last time Wales and SA met, there was so much happening in terms of injuries and all that upheaval it wasn't really a fair fight or at least what we all wanted...this should be an enormous clash. A whole lot of MEAT on both ends.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What's depth like at Hooker for Wales atm?
Marc Jones has been playing out of his skin for us recently, think he's got MOTM 3 or 4 times in a row now.

 

[Draggs]

Ehh, not as bad as it has been previously.
Hibbs not as good as last two years, Owens very good.
Behind them, Dacey lively first half of season, Blues have been dire. Parry was good for us, but we have been preferring TRT and Dee since his announced departure. Emyr Phillips also been good for Scarlets in the absence of Owens. Baldwin disappointing, no physicality for such a huge specimen. Can't see us looking outside of Wales at the moment, given the fact that we would have reduced time with them with the PRL-WRU (lack of) agreement, and also that Jones has never been involved in a Welsh squad before.

Huge change from when it was Matthew Rees, with Huw Bennett (post-2008, pre-2011 version) and Gareth Williams waiting in the wings.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fair play.
Like you say: I can't see Gatland looking outside Wales for a new cap if there's plenty in Wales he can get to easier.
Shame for Jones, though - hopefully doesn't make him move back to Wales hoping for international honours (was linked with Blues last year/year before, but then signed on with us again).

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Interesting that Owen Williams was the only Welshman to play in a Heinken Cup 1/4 game this year.

Don't think he will tour though. which would be a shame.

 

[Draggs]

Interesting that Owen Williams was the only Welshman to play in a Heinken Cup 1/4 game this year.

Don't think he will tour though. which would be a shame.

Yeah, Byrne is injured, right?
Hope he tours, but the fact that he will only be available right before we depart doesn't help.
Henson also wants to tour, thoughts? Wish he was available for the Probs v Poss match, would be great to see him in the mix, same with Williams.

I wasn't entirely sold on Owen earlier this year, he was a bit mixed, but recently (even before the QF) he has really stepped up and matured. Tough to see Burns overtaking him at the moment. A few months back, most thought he would be third, after Flood and Lamb.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Henson also wants to tour, thoughts? Wish he was available for the Probs v Poss match, would be great to see him in the mix, same with Williams

Great player who has now stuck to a club after the first season, for the first time in ages. But at 32 I don't think it's really worth it, maybe in a mentoring capacity but not as a player, but then again when he is on form he would be great at 10/12/13/15. Would like to see Biggar-Henson-Davies just to see what sort of rugby Wales can play. We all know Gatland will pick Roberts as Wales style of play just don't work without him, though they should look too expand on that it has brought them a lot of success.

 

[flashash2k9]

Marc Jones will probably get called up imo

 

[Thingimubob]

Looks like Tipuric is out

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27064168

Not sure I like the idea of a 6.Bradley Davies 7.Dan Lydiate 8.Toby Faletau back row...

 

[Draggs]

Looks like Tipuric is out

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27064168

Not sure I like the idea of a 6.Bradley Davies 7.Dan Lydiate 8.Toby Faletau back row...

********. Sam Lewis?

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Sam Lewis and Navidi are going to feel very hard done by this summer. Even Nic Cudd's worth a punt. Bradley may well prove me wrong and be a world class 6, but I'd rather we didn't go there, especially against the Boks.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Would Shingler be a possibility ? Watts-Jones ?

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

You'd've thought. Not sold on Watts-Jones as an international players yet, but he could well prove me wrong. Dan Baker is on such form that we could see Toby shifted over to the flank. It would make more sense than moving Bradley about. After all, after Sam's ban in RWC11, we moved Faletau to 7 and brought Ryan in at 8 (Who is eternally an option).