[2015 RWC] Pool A: Australia vs. Wales (10/10/2015)

[AzaMatt]

I'd be wary of underestimating both McMahon and Pocock... McMahon has really impressed in his outings so far, being massively effective over the ball and winning himself MoM awards.

i was about to say this. heard your fans saying Mcmahon is is by no means a poor replacement for hooper. should be a massive battle of the breakdowns on sat. cant wait to see north and roberts trying to bust through the middle of the field.

 

[TheOvalBall]

Would be truly something if Wales manages to pull this off. Both will be playing out of their skins to avoid the Boks.

 

[Wimero]

Wales have done remarkably well when you consider all the injury problems they've had.Great organisation and team spirit.If I was a betting man (which Iam!) I've got a sneaking fancy for them at 11/4 to beat the Aussies in a tight game.

 

[tompaton7]

McMahon is just completely like for like with Hooper, maybe a bit bigger in size. He's strong at the breakdown, good in the lineout and really powerful with ball in hand. If there's one position the Wallabies never lose anything through injury and suspension, it's number 7, there is a ridiculous amount of depth there. If all three of these lads went down, you'd have Liam Gill, Matt Hodgson, Chris Alcock, Colby Fainga'a, Jordy Reid all waiting next in line and they are great players. That was the problem with them previously, this was the only forward position they had depth in. It's changed now though, Cheika has just bread all these superb players and managed to get the best out of them. He knows who he wants in his team and he's made sure they play at all costs (bringing Douglas, Giteau, Mumm and Mitchell back via that new rule). The man is a winner. But so is Gatland.

Can't wait for the game!

 

[dullonien]

Exciting welsh team. The pack is spot on Imo. Jenkins has been a weak point in the scrum, James should sure things up. Lee is also a better scrummager than Francis. I honestly think that Charteris is up there with the best in the world atm, so he'll add a lot to our lineout, maul, defence, and he's his extra weight should also help the scrum. Warbs, Tips and Faletau in the back row is mouth watering. If they can get on top of the Aussies that would be a big statement. That's still a tough challenge, even without Hooper.

I'm glad to see North in at 13. I think this was a game too far for young Tyler Morgan. Getting North more involved in games is a must too, and that should happen now. Disappointed that Cuthberts still starting. Would have preferred to see Matthew Morgan switched to wing, but it's my only real problem with the side. Big test for Anscombe, but he's got all the tools to be a quality international fullback, so hopefully he has a solid game, and can add some nice touches in attack. It could allow us to split our attack with Biggar and Anscombe standing either side of the ruck, as Aus do with Foley and Giteau.

Overall, despite all our injuries, this is still a capable, and excising team. I think we're in with a genuine chance, and am thoroughly looking forward to the game.

 

[wayevs]

I'm living here, in London, and the English rugby fans are not over it, they are deeply disturbed by it, and why wouldn't they be?
One kick and they would still be in the Cup with all hopes resting on aussie doing a demo job on the Dragons... and if Wales lose to Oz, (which they will) and they end up in a situation where had a draw been the result in the Twickers match, and England would have been leading on bonus points... Robshaws decision carries even more pain because now, regardless of the result this weekend, Wales ARE marching on.
Should Wales achieve the unlikely and pull off a victory however, the dust will settle.

On about that bloody kick again!!! What is it they say in Australia..JEEPERS CHRIST SHEILA GET OVER IT!!

- - - Updated - - -

Would be truly something if Wales manages to pull this off. Both will be playing out of their skins to avoid the Boks.

Your talking like it would be a huge shock if Wales win. Well not really both teams are playing well Australia will be alight favourites obviously, Wales have had injury problems but the team they have it is very capable and THERES no excuses if we lose , most are seeing it as a close game

 

[valley commando]

Arrogant ?

I was merely pointing out why I think Wales are being written off, in answer to the statement by Rubber Jay when he wrote "I fail to understand how so many people here can write off us welsh".

Now it's obvious you don't like my reply, but was it really arrogant ?

Maybe I should of added I didn't expect England to beat Oz either to make you feel better.

Uninformed may be a better description as you had obviously forgotten we reached the semis in 2011, what happened to England they got knocked out in the 1/4s and their squad behaved like a an ametuer 2nd team on an end of season **** up/tour. And you can't have forgotten that England were knocked out this time round before even playing the last group game whilst once again some squad members acting like spoilt school boys (Brown interview after Wales, players not available for media after Oz, Haskell selfie stick and twitter row with Back the list goes on and on)

 

[Shaggy]

I think everyone wants the format kept the same until it costs them a place in the quarters . In my opinion it's pretty stupid . The mere fact that so far France and Ireland have both played Italy, Romania and Canada and group A have to play between England, Wales, Australia and Fiji is a complete joke . Next time round we will just put SA, NZ and Australia I. The same group and see if it gets the applause then .......

Yes, and Italy almost beat Ireland, which would have meant Ireland would have had to beat France to make the quarter finals; if Australia, England and Wales were ranked 1, 2, and 3 in the world at the time the draw was done, like I suspect NZ, SA, and Australia were, I'd be more than happy with your suggestion that all of those SH sides were grouped together, but they weren't were they? ... I'm actually encouraged that the tier 2 and 3 sides are closing the gaps score wise on the bigger sides, as their should be more pools of death, and it should be harder to predict who goes through ... tougher games makes a better competition IMO

McMahon is just completely like for like with Hooper, maybe a bit bigger in size. He's strong at the breakdown, good in the lineout and really powerful with ball in hand. If there's one position the Wallabies never lose anything through injury and suspension, it's number 7, there is a ridiculous amount of depth there. If all three of these lads went down, you'd have Liam Gill, Matt Hodgson, Chris Alcock, Colby Fainga'a, Jordy Reid all waiting next in line and they are great players. That was the problem with them previously, this was the only forward position they had depth in. It's changed now though, Cheika has just bread all these superb players and managed to get the best out of them. He knows who he wants in his team and he's made sure they play at all costs (bringing Douglas, Giteau, Mumm and Mitchell back via that new rule). The man is a winner. But so is Gatland.

Can't wait for the game!

Well Tipuric and Warburton are pretty good also, aren't they ... I stand by my comment that a team that plays two fetchers (Wales) is better equipped to beat the Wallabies, than a team that doesn't play a fetcher (England). I've seen McMahon play, and I've seen how the ABs countered Pocock, hence my comment on making Pocock do the tackling ... I'm not saying that you can take him completely out of the game, but if you can limit his turn overs, your in with a reasonable chance.

 

[wayevs]

2 reasons WHY Wales must win tomorrow. 1.to get a easier draw in the quarters..and 2. TO SHUT THE JONES BOY UP ABOUT THAT BLOODY KICK!

 

[MattB]

Absolutely can't wait for this game!

No doubt Wales are the underdogs - although I don't expect them to win, if it were to happen it wouldn't be a massive surprise.

Glad that we have Paul James and Samson starting, our scrum has been pretty weak so far and Australia demolished England in that area. Also glad to see Charteris start, as if our scrum is on the back foot (which lets face it is likely) the lineout is going to be an area where we'll need to pull it together. The lineout functions much better with Charteris.

I'm a little gutted that we won't get top see Warbs and Tips test themselves against the best in Hooper and Pocock. Sure in terms of getting a result it's a bonus that Hooper isn't there but I'd have loved to have seen how we'd have gone about handling them both. I'm sure Pocock will prove a massive challenge by himself though!

I'd have had Matthew Morgan on the wing ahead of Cuthbert. He's electric when he gets the ball. OK he's not the biggest guy, but Cuthbert's defence is poor and Morgan offers way more in attack.

Although at the moment North looks like the best option for centre, I'm not sure of him there more generally. He's a big strong guy who can put some big hits in, but when people step back inside him he's liable to fall off the tackle.

Anscombe is not proven yet at this level and I can see Aus shoving high balls down his throat and pressurising him early on to see if they get any gains from it.

Whatever happens I think this is going to be a great game to watch. It'll be high tempo and both teams can express themselves a bit knowing that they are guaranteed a QF place and have the big carrot of an easier route thrugh the rest of the tournament.

 

[Rugby Jay]

Can we please stick to the 2 teams this thread is for England are out if you want to talk about it that much go see a therapist.

If Wales do lose facing SA isn't that terrifying to us because the last time we played SA we won and they will know we could do it in this world cup, my main problem with us playing SA is going into an arm wrestle with them when they are the powerhouse of world rugby and Wales almost always get suckered into a up front battle instead of using our top 2 inches.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I'll be at the match tomorrow. Can't decide who to support yet, even though I'll wear my Lions shirt. Just hope it's a bloody good game and get my money's worth.

 

[Tafftog]

Cant wait,bring it on......Y Mlaen Cymru!

- - - Updated - - -

Also looking forward to how Gareth Anscombe gets on at Full Back,it'll be a big day for the new Welsh/Kiwi kid.

 

[wayevs]

Just hoping Australia have one eye on the semi final and they take Wales lightly given that they have won 10 straight games against us they might just seen this as "in the bag" whereas Wales need to be playing for their lives

- - - Updated - - -

I'm not convinced that anscombe is the right choice as FB, its a pressure position and considering he hasn't played yet , what a game to put him into, perhaps we should have stuck Liam as FB as we know he can perform under pressure

 

[Rugby Jay]

I'm not convinced that anscombe is the right choice as FB, its a pressure position and considering he hasn't played yet , what a game to put him into, perhaps we should have stuck Liam as FB as we know he can perform under pressure

I like Liam Williams on the wing and I can see why Gatland has done that, but I think James Hook or Matthew Morgan would have been a better choice for full back as they have played there for Wales recently and in the past.

 

[Tafftog]

I'd prefer to see Liam williams at FB,having said that he's great on the wing.Reading some of gatts comments on Walesonline he seems to think highly of Anscombe,lets just hope he's right in choosing him,as for Mathew Morgan I have been well impressed with his performances so far.

 

[wayevs]

Wouldn't say I was well impressed with Morgan , he had a decent game against Fiji , not convinced hes the man I want defending our tryline he's a bit too lightweight, would stick him on the wing over Cuthbert tho anyday

- - - Updated - - -

I'll be at the match tomorrow. Can't decide who to support yet, even though I'll wear my Lions shirt. Just hope it's a bloody good game and get my money's worth.

Well if your wearing that top , your showing support for Wales there .

 

[Tafftog]

Wouldn't say I was well impressed with Morgan , he had a decent game against Fiji , not convinced hes the man I want defending our tryline he's a bit too lightweight, would stick him on the wing over Cuthbert tho anyday

- - - Updated - - -



Well if your wearing that top , your showing support for Wales there .

Your right there.Just read that 1000's of Englsish fans said they will be cheering for Wales at Twickenham,we are going to need the 16th man for sure come Saturday.

 

[Ospreylian]

I'm glad to see North in at 13. I think this was a game too far for young Tyler Morgan. Getting North more involved in games is a must too, and that should happen now. Disappointed that Cuthberts still starting. Would have preferred to see Matthew Morgan switched to wing, but it's my only real problem with the side. Big test for Anscombe, but he's got all the tools to be a quality international fullback, so hopefully he has a solid game, and can add some nice touches in attack. It could allow us to split our attack with Biggar and Anscombe standing either side of the ruck, as Aus do with Foley and Giteau.

I think once the World Cup is done it would be well worth Matthew Morgan's time to consider making a permanent switch to wing. He would stand a far better chance at securing a starting spot in the Wales team. At fly half over the next 4 years he has to compete with Biggar, Priestland, Anscombe, Hook (depending how long he plays on for), Patchell, Sam Davies, Owen Williams, Steven Shingler. At fullback he's contesting with Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Anscombe, Amos, Hook, Patchell, Dan Evans, Gareth Owen, Dan Fish, Jason Tovey. On the wings we have far fewer obvious choices after North, Liam Williams, Cuthbert (unfortunately), Amos, Eli Wales. I would love to see him develop into another Shane, he would offer something completely different to North on the opposite wing. I think his raw talent in attack is too promising to go to waste, I would hate a situation where 10 years down the line he still had very few caps for Wales.

 

[AzaMatt]

I think once the World Cup is done it would be well worth Matthew Morgan's time to consider making a permanent switch to wing. He would stand a far better chance at securing a starting spot in the Wales team. At fly half over the next 4 years he has to compete with Biggar, Priestland, Anscombe, Hook (depending how long he plays on for), Patchell, Sam Davies, Owen Williams, Steven Shingler. At fullback he's contesting with Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Anscombe, Amos, Hook, Patchell, Dan Evans, Gareth Owen, Dan Fish, Jason Tovey. On the wings we have far fewer obvious choices after North, Liam Williams, Cuthbert (unfortunately), Amos, Eli Wales. I would love to see him develop into another Shane, he would offer something completely different to North on the opposite wing. I think his raw talent in attack is too promising to go to waste, I would hate a situation where 10 years down the line he still had very few caps for Wales.

the trouble with that would be that then he returns to club rugby at 10/15. mainly 10. or if he perminantly switched to wing he would be wasting all his talents at 10, although not good enough to be an international 10 (IMO) at the moment, he could certainly be a top club number 10 very soon though.

does anyone know if there any fly-halfs that also cover wing internationally at the moment?