[2015 RWC] Pool A: Wales vs. Fiji (01/10/2015)

[Leonormous Boozer]

Positives of England going out:
No more Mike Brown
No more Sweet Chariot at random games
Ticket touts get ****ed

Negatives of England going out:
Atmosphere around games will die substantially
TRF discusses what went wrong and what England need to do for the 6nations for the second month of the competition.

I'm indifferent to either result!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No more Sweet Chariot at random games

You bloody wish

 

[HaydnH]

God, I do t usually sing about shoving chariots in places but couldn't resist at England Wales... Every 2 minutes!!! Doesn't anyone at the world cup know any other songs?? God save the queen would've at least given me a break.

 

[ncurd]

TRF discusses what went wrong and what England need to do for the 6nations for the second month of the competition.

It's only 1 week old and we're already there; )

 

[AzaMatt]

we might be going slightly off topic! lol. if wales win this match then it shall be a massive massive game on saturday. but i think this will be a tough match, the bonus point will be a struggle. Although it wil be another change in our midfield that could be the game changer, tyler morgan has some silky touches. or even if hooky/anscombe play at centre it will be exciting, biggar roberts and hook playing together might be a stroke of genius. providing he doesnt do something silly, which he is prone to doing

 

[OneFansOpinion]

Really excited that Hook is in. IMO he should have been in from the start. The guys been an absolute hero of Welsh rugby and practically carried the team for a good few years. The way Gatland has treated him has been terrible. Welcome back!!

 

[Ospreylian]

Really excited that Hook is in. IMO he should have been in from the start. The guys been an absolute hero of Welsh rugby and practically carried the team for a good few years. The way Gatland has treated him has been terrible. Welcome back!!

Tbh Hook's tag as a utility back is what put a halt to his international career. He never really put in consistent performances in one particular position, and then naturally specialist players moved into those positions and forced him out. So I don't entirely blame Gatland for his lack of recent international game time. Having said that, Gatland has sometimes shown way too much faith in players like Priestland when Hook was knocking at the door.

 

[wayevs]

And do you think for a second that England care about Wales going through , they will be cheering on a Fiji win like I'll be cheering on an Aussie win this Saturday , this is the world cup cut the sentiments and get a grip.

 

[AzaMatt]

Really excited that Hook is in. IMO he should have been in from the start. The guys been an absolute hero of Welsh rugby and practically carried the team for a good few years. The way Gatland has treated him has been terrible. Welcome back!!

i wouldnt get too excited about him getting called up. its very likely we'll see Anscombe at fullback and Tyler morgan at centre, with hook on the bench covering both positions. he may get 20 mins at the end but thats about it. its very unlikely he will play in the Austrailia game unless he completely outclasses either of them when he comes on lol

 

[valley commando]

And do you think for a second that England care about Wales going through , they will be cheering on a Fiji win like I'll be cheering on an Aussie win this Saturday , this is the world cup cut the sentiments and get a grip.

Bang on there mate.

 

[AzaMatt]

And do you think for a second that England care about Wales going through , they will be cheering on a Fiji win like I'll be cheering on an Aussie win this Saturday , this is the world cup cut the sentiments and get a grip.

thats just my opinion, they are entitled to theirs

 

[Ospreylian]

Ok, so some brief talking points from the press conference with Howley today. Here's some of the things he said:

- Liam Williams looking like he will be fit in time for Australia
- George North will not play at centre against Fiji
- They have looked at Dan Biggar at fullback, like he did at the end of the England game (I personally really hope this doesn't happen, he is one of our best attacking play makers and needs to be controlling the game from 10)
- The "best side available" will be picked to face Fiji (so this puts to bed the arguments of whether Ball, Moriarty etc. will start or not)
- Management have had a discussion with all the backs telling them for the rest of the tournament they may be required to play in positions they are not familiar with due to the injury situation

 

[AzaMatt]

Ok, so some brief talking points from the press conference with Howley today. Here's some of the things he said:

- Liam Williams looking like he will be fit in time for Australia
- George North will not play at centre against Fiji
- They have looked at Dan Biggar at fullback, like he did at the end of the England game (I personally really hope this doesn't happen, he is one of our best attacking play makers and needs to be controlling the game from 10)
- The "best side available" will be picked to face Fiji (so this puts to bed the arguments of whether Ball, Moriarty etc. will start or not)
- Management have had a discussion with all the backs telling them for the rest of the tournament they may be required to play in positions they are not familiar with due to the injury situation

although biggar is our best attacking player, he would be far more reliable at full back than priestland. although now we have anscombe and hook who can play there. it would be insane to shift biggar when is completely owning the 10 shirt

 

[Muzzy]

edit

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Swing loooooowwwww sweeeeet chariot.......

 

[smartcooky]

I haven't looked back through this thread, but if my maths serves me correctly it is really important for Wales to not only win this match but to win with a four try bonus point. This would put them on 14 points and in a position where, if England Lost to Australia and didn't get a loser's bonus, then Australia would need to beat Wales with a four try bonus to knock them out.

As I see it, Australia could pay very dearly for not picking up a fourth try against Fiji

 

[RoosTah]

I haven't looked back through this thread, but if my maths serves me correctly it is really important for Wales to not only win this match but to win with a four try bonus point. This would put them on 14 points and in a position where, if England Lost to Australia and didn't get a loser's bonus, then Australia would need to beat Wales with a four try bonus to knock them out.

As I see it, Australia could pay very dearly for not picking up a fourth try against Fiji

Maybe, but Fiji could be tougher for Wales given their injuries and that statement effectively assumes that if Australia lose then Wales will definitely trounce Fiji with a 4 try bonus point. I think all of that is no where near being a fait accompli.

The England v Australia game is a hard one to pick. England are justifiably favourites, but the pressure on them will be very oppressive this week; lose and they will be hammered by the media for weeks, but if Australia lose, the media will barely report on it here as they'll be too busy with the Grand Finals of the NRL and AFL.

 

[smartcooky]

Maybe, but Fiji could be tougher for Wales given their injuries and that statement effectively assumes that if Australia lose then Wales will definitely trounce Fiji with a 4 try bonus point. I think all of that is no where near being a fait accompli

Firstly, Nadolo is out for Fiji. He's been suspended for one match for a dangerous tackle. That is a huge blow for Fiji.

Secondly, the Wales v Fiji match is before the Australia v England match, so both teams will know the implications of losing.

 

[RoosTah]

Firstly, Nadolo is out for Fiji. He's been suspended for one match for a dangerous tackle. That is a huge blow for Fiji.

Secondly, the Wales v Fiji match is before the Australia v England match, so both teams will know the implications of losing.

On your first point, Nadolo is a winger, and as devastating as wingers can be, they're bit players. On injuries though, how many players are out for Wales now after their win over England? I've honestly lost count...

As for the timing of the match, sure it is, but so what? Your statement is what I was replying to, and your statement assumes an easy Wales 4 try bonus point that has yet to happen.

 

[ABs2011]

I haven't looked back through this thread, but if my maths serves me correctly it is really important for Wales to not only win this match but to win with a four try bonus point. This would put them on 14 points and in a position where, if England Lost to Australia and didn't get a loser's bonus, then Australia would need to beat Wales with a four try bonus to knock them out.

As I see it, Australia could pay very dearly for not picking up a fourth try against Fiji

Mathematically you are correct, but I highly doubt anything but a win is the first thing in the minds of the Welsh. If the game is locked up and they have a chance for the bonus point at the end then by all means they will have a crack. Anything else would be a risk IMO.

Winning vs Fiji (without the bonus point) gives them two good chances to qualify.
1) if OZ beat Eng and/or
2) If Wales beat OZ