2014 Six Nations: Wales vs Italy (Round 1)

[TRF_Olyy]

Been very impressed with Allen for Italy.

 

[Jaguares]

Who would have thought before the game that Campagnaro could make 2 tries in Cardiff???!

 

[Amobokoboko]

Really enjoyable game.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Italian 8, 11 and 13 all had very good games. Big improvement by Italy and poor by Wales but Wales are notoriously slow starters.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Only saw the 2nd half but really enjoyed that.
Hope Italy can get a win or two (just not against England ) this tournament, really like them.

 

[Thingimubob]

Fair play to Italy, really gutsy strong game from them. Thought Campagnaro had something special about him from what I've seen of him for Treviso, great game from him. Wish I'd picked him in my fantasy team!

Not a great performance from us, but a win while under a lot of pressure is something positive to take out of it. Priestland had a few good moments, but his kicking was poor and he kept running into trouble when he should kick! We were very lucky to get away with it a number of times.
Phillips wasnt great either, was glad when Webb came on, added some zip. Hope Biggar is back next week

 

[ruggabee]

Only saw the 2nd half but really enjoyed that.
Hope Italy can get a win or two (just not against England ) this tournament, really like them.

Haha I was thinking the same just not against us either! I really like how they started off this competition. From what I saw in the second half it appears they're trying to keep the ball alive.

 

[Big Ewis]

I don't think we can go to the typical "Wales start slow" remark. They didn't start slow, they scored a try in the first 4min. And they didn't slow down at all, they were full on running, Roberts and North energized as fk, even HP of all ppl made a break, defending hard...No, they played well. It's just that Italy met them at that level and managed a fantastic game, *nothing* like what we've seen the past 6 months.
Both teams look good honestly, and it's bad omen for anyone who'll play them next.
Except we don't know what Italy team we'll see next. They manage a big game in Cardiff, in contention for an upset all the way til the whistle blow, and could very well take a pounding in France next week and so on...
I mean last year, they beat France in the best game of Rugby they've played (ever ?) and then go to Murrayfield and get killed by 25 points......never know.

Parisse, what a player. And nice to see Warburton on the field.

 

[McTallshort]

Well played Italy to be honest thought the young lads in the 3/4s played very well, never going to win in Cardiff but think they could do better than in previous years.

 

[Big Ewis]

I guess we could have predicted this...I thought Italy would lose by about 20-25points but now that it's happened it all makes sense. As the pundit on French tv said, Italy came into this with nothing to lose. All the pressure was on Wales, if any. Italy couldn't possibly go anywhere below where they were, and only way was up. With no complexes, no pressure, thy just played Rugby, and played hard. Why not ? What risks ?

I am, though, surprised for sure. Very happy for Italy.............but I hope we put 50 on them next week.

 

[McTallshort]

I hope they crush you like a bug!

 

[SelimNiai]

I was hoping that try just before HT was going to be the one to settle us down and give us confidence but no, if anything we got worse as the game went on. Fair play to Italy they contributed to that by not letting off with their effort, they took their tries well even if you can argue that the first wa.....actually, theres no "can argue" about it, it was a forward pass.

Also nice to see the keyboard warriors who gave Sam stick in the week seem to have not bought tickets for the game. Funny that. Lots to improve on in the week and Warren please, please, PLEASE can Biggar play 10, he's just sooooo much better than Preistland (who wasnt actually that bad compared to previous games, says a lot that).

 

[Bluemoon]

I guess we could have predicted this...I thought Italy would lose by about 20-25points but now that it's happened it all makes sense. As the pundit on French tv said, Italy came into this with nothing to lose. All the pressure was on Wales, if any. Italy couldn't possibly go anywhere below where they were, and only way was up. With no complexes, no pressure, thy just played Rugby, and played hard. Why not ? What risks ?

I am, though, surprised for sure. Very happy for Italy.............but I hope we put 50 on them next week.

I think you will have to concede that it wasn't as easy as you saw in your crystal ball Ewis . Still think the Welsh pack were slow, sloppy and almost looked...tired in the last 20. It was certainly a slow start from the pack and if we'd started with Ire/Eng/Fra we would have had a repeat of last year. I'd start Biggar and Warbs next game.

I'd be surprised if you put 50 on them. If they can get a bit of possession it'll be an interesting game!

 

[The Jones Boy]

Congratulations to the Welsh contingent.
First up games going in cold are always a tough ask and the pressure of playing at home is often a factor not talked about enough particularly when playing a team that are clearly underdogs.
Italy are a good side and I would love to see them lift a gear in the backs so they could really pressure the top tier sides on a regular game by game basis.
A win will do the Dragons confidence a world of good and how refreshing to see Jamie Roberts on the charge again, glorious.
Kudos to Italy for showing they are still maturing and they have real fighting spirit.
They could roll France next week if the French are not careful.

 

[Big Ewis]

I'd be surprised if you put 50 on them. If they can get a bit of possession it'll be an interesting game!

well, last team to have done that is Australia, and we're no Australia on attack...but I can see a blowout in the making. France REALLY needed to start 2014 off with a victory, and it's a done thing now.

Anyways, Italy must look back at that silly silly silly mistake at 4' and hate themselves at the moment, seeing how close the match ended up being after the last whistle blow...and not to seem sour, but that Parisse "knock-on" which was really a try (90% probability).......mmmm, gotta hate those objective mistakes, without which the game could have possibly changed in complexion...not saying Italy would've won, but a possibility, certainly. They had the level to win this in Cardiff.......now it's just a 23-15 win for Wales though, all dissolving in the wind and nobody will remember.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

well, last team to have done that is Australia, and we're no Australia on attack...but I can see a blowout in the making. France REALLY needed to start 2014 off with a victory, and it's a done thing now.

Anyways, Italy must look back at that silly silly silly mistake at 4' and hate themselves at the moment, seeing how close the match ended up being after the last whistle blow...and not to seem sour, but that Parisse "knock-on" which was really a try (90% probability).......mmmm, gotta hate those objective mistakes, without which the game could have possibly changed in complexion...not saying Italy would've won, but a possibility, certainly. They had the level to win this in Cardiff.......now it's just a 23-15 win for Wales though, all dissolving in the wind and nobody will remember.

Take out the Wales mistakes then the scoreline would have been different, probably a greater scoreline for Wales. All ifs, buts and coconuts.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Next week Wales will be a lot tougher.

 

[Rich Taff]

Think this game showed why Warburton is picked ahead of Tipuric. Tips was almost non-existant at the breakdown, whereas Warbs would have been straight in there, doing the dirty work.

Tips is a better link player, but he's got nothing on Warbs when it comes to the breakdown. Probably why he looks so impressive when he comes on late in a game, with tired players, allowing his dynamism to shine.

Nice to see Jamie Roberts back to something of his best, demolishing the 1st/2nd tackler and dragging defenders away from the equally demolishy wings.

Also, thought Priestland had a decent game. He's far more dangerous with ball in hand than Biggar, but not as astute at kicking. (I really hate the 'kick aimlessly upfield' tactic btw. It works in the NH, but teams like NZ will destroy us if we can't put some sort of 'aim' into the kicks)

Oh, and the people saying it wasn't a knock on from Parisse reeeeeeally need to watch the game again. I thought it was a day early for the superbowl, and even Parisse looked a bit sheepish touching it down, and didn't for one second claim it was a try.

 

[dullonien]

If we're talking about the knock-on from Parisse when North fumbled it in the air, clear knock-on. However I missed the first 20min so might have missed a different incident.

Regarding Tips. Not one of his best games for the first 60min. I think he's actually very good in the breakdown, usually because he's so quick getting there, but he certainly didn't get that part of his game going today. Started to come into things in the final 20-30, especially his support play.

Still not convinced with Priestland. He showed what he can do with that very nice break which could have led to a try if there was a support player on hand. However I think he over-uses the boot in attack, with cross-field kicks etc. which don't seem to be working. His grubber through did lead to a try for Cuthbert, but that was only because the Italian player made a complete hash of it. I was impressed with the distance he got from penalties though.

A few words on our back-three, very mixed game from them today. Halfpenny did a lot of good, but gave away a try. North really struggled under the high ball, a usual strength of his, almost cost us a try or two. Cuthbert was the best of the three, working hard and making ground, but I have bigger expectations of him as well.

Good to see Roberts, AWJ, Hibbard and Faletau having strong games (although a little more carrying would be nice from Faletau).

Overall, plenty to improve before Ireland next week, but good to get a W on the board and no apparent injuries to worry about.

 

[Lydiate+Warburton]

Would say the early try was actually a disadvantage to Wales. After that they forgot the basics and tried to go wide before making the hard yards. Fair play to Italy, they look better and better every year. Hope they match this performance again. Positives for Wales were the performances of Rhys Priestland who, minus a few wasted kicks, looked good and brought Jamie Roberts into the game well who also had a good game. Was good to see Dan Lydiate back to his chop tackling best and he actually offered something in attack with his ball carrying. Roll on next week