[2015 Six Nations] Wales vs Ireland (Round 4)

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

. General consensus would probably have been that Davies had outplayed him during in the first 2 tests . Seems to me like this bloke had an axe to grind against Gatland over the lions and strangely chose now to do it[/QUOTE]

That was where the controversy lay, though - Davies had been fairly poor and didn't deserve it above BOD

 

[big ginger 8]

I reckon this Welsh team is best placed in order to counter the game that this Irish have been playing so far in this championship. Williams despite being a prick has been playing very well and gives their back 3 extras ariel expertise which is a good way to counter the Sexton-Muarry kicking game. Centres and North are also scary- I think Robbie and Payne will be able to chop them down but not before Roberts gets a head of steam and the Welsh get quick ball. I think Ireland have the edge upfront but not by a whole lot and Wales may just pip us in the backs if they fire.

Predicting a really tight exciting game.

Like they countered the kicking game last year....

It won't be as many high balls but we'll probably kick in behind a lot. Although that wasn't really something that had been analysed last year, just something Sexton spotted.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

After posting the composite side yesterday we have the preview for the game up here now: Wales vs Ireland - Preview http://fourballsblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/wales-vs-ireland-preview.html

This is the conclusion:

But maybe the Irish won't need to use their backs, their pack was dominant against the English, who themselves were better than the Welsh. We could be in for a very physical, hard, gritty match, and it might just be one slip, one mistake, one moment of magic, one stroke of genius that seals the game. We think that Ireland's 10 match unbeaten streak makes them favourites, of course it does, but it is going to be a mighty close game.

Verdict: Ireland by 3.

 

[goodNumber10]

You got a link for this ?

It's in the article linked above...

Also on the nepotism row ... I'm not so sure it was that now . I think in the second test we performed fairly poorly and Gatland went back to his tried and tested partnerships. To be fair BOD had hardly set the world on fire during the first 2 tests . General consensus would probably have been that Davies had outplayed him during in the first 2 tests . Seems to me like this bloke had an axe to grind against Gatland over the lions and strangely chose now to do it

I thought that Davies had been one of the standouts on the tour, and whilst BOD was still the better player i think it was more about combinations...

I can't believe 2 years later......

 

[big ginger 8]

Neil Francis is a gob****e. He's really just a troll. He was the first one to call Leinster ladyboys despite him essentially being the personification of what he meant in his own career.

 

[bw245]

Yeah lads I'd like to apologise on behalf of irish people for Neil Francis. Doesn't have a filter.

 

[munstermuffin]

Like they countered the kicking game last year....

It won't be as many high balls but we'll probably kick in behind a lot. Although that wasn't really something that had been analysed last year, just something Sexton spotted.

Only difference BG8 is the Welsh team are a lot fresher and better this year. Add in they are at home. I think we will play a kicking game with Murray putting a lot of box kicks in and Zebo and Bowe spending 70% of their roles trying to win or contest those challenges. Schmidt is smart and I think he know they have the better foundation in centre so we wont be going near there much.
I think the fact North has had his concussion issues, Williams is in and out and Halfpenny isn't the star he was last year that we will really target their back 3 with the attempt to keep kicking behind them and turning them.

 

[Jbobo]

. General consensus would probably have been that Davies had outplayed him during in the first 2 tests . Seems to me like this bloke had an axe to grind against Gatland over the lions and strangely chose now to do it[/QUOTE]

That was where the controversy lay, though - Davies had been fairly poor and didn't deserve it above BOD

Total rubbish. The controversy was all about not picking BOD, because he is BOD. It was also a result of the burning anger at Gatland having the nerve to pick so many Welsh players. It was clear to many that Davies was the form centre, add that with the fact that BOD had a very quiet performance in the first match and then let's be honest, had a very uncharacteristic yet very poor game in the second test. Davies came in and proved that he was the man for the job.

You're just outright making up that Davies was in poor form and ignoring the counter argument to your views as is the case with every post.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Total rubbish.

Oh not you again.

Look, neither Davies or BOD were tearing it up. Gatland went with what he knew in the third test.
I suspect most people on here, if you go back to the lions tour threads of the time, were saying that Davies hadn't had such a good tour despite a great campaign for Wales.

I won't deny that much of the reaction was from BOD-worshipers who couldn't see how he could ever be dropped, but from many neutral fans this was part of a wider trend of Gatland going back to how he knew he wanted to play. This wasn't the only case - Tom Youngs hadn't deserved dropping for Hibbard and Faletau hadn't been the best 8 in the tournament. There was a perception that losing the second test provided the justifcation for changing where changes weren't necessary.

 

[Jbobo]

Oh not you again.

Look, neither Davies or BOD were tearing it up. Gatland went with what he knew in the third test.
I suspect most people on here, if you go back to the lions tour threads of the time, were saying that Davies hadn't had such a good tour despite a great campaign for Wales.

Look, BOD got the nod for the second test despite there being a center who was in better form internationally and unfortunately did not perform well at all, he was very poor (again, uncharacteristically). Why does this automatically mean 'Gatland went with what he knew' in the final test? He simply replaced BOD with form many, the form centre in the UK and Ireland. It was a decision which had to be made, it was nothing to do with 'what he knew'. What a stupid cop out that is. For some (including me) he should have been first choice at the time ahead of BOD for the first two tests.


Edit - Response to your edit - The thing is, when a team loses that kind of is the time to make changes, is it not? Gatland made his changes, the team performed excellently and hammered the Aussies in the 3rd game, that was enough justification for me. Besides, the simple truth is that the perception that he was making changes for changes sake is only because he was picking Welsh players over the other nations. Perception will always be influenced by your patriotism and numerous other variables, like your self confessed dislike of the Welsh team for example. The same with BOD admirers. They have a perception that he is the greatest centre ever (maybe correct there) and find it very hard to stomach a young in form player taking his place when he doesn't perform. It is the same with so many on here saying that they no longer supported the Lions right from the start because Gatland picked so many Welsh players. It's natural, but doesn't give your argument any merit.

 

[goodNumber10]

Look, BOD got the nod for the second test despite there being a center who was in better form internationally and unfortunately did not perform well at all, he was very poor (again, uncharacteristically). Why does this automatically mean 'Gatland went with what he knew' in the final test? He simply replaced BOD with form many, the form centre in the UK and Ireland. It was a decision which had to be made, it was nothing to do with 'what he knew'. What a stupid cop out that is. For some (including me) he should have been first choice at the time ahead of BOD for the first two tests.

Roberts was still injured, Davies played 12..... who else was left to play instead of BOD, or Davies at 12?

I felt Davies played better than BOD on the tour but the big issue is that Roberts came straight in after being injured and BOD drops right out, having been made to play outside a 13 at 12 in more than just the test matches.

 

[big ginger 8]

Why is this argment even coming up? BO'D is retired and has nothing to do with this team. All that can be said about the incident has already...two years ago.

Is this the first time that Wales have actually wanted the roof open under Gatland? I always thought they preferred it closed.

 

[Jbobo]

Why is this argment even coming up? BO'D is retired and has nothing to do with this team. All that can be said about the incident has already...two years ago.

Is this the first time that Wales have actually wanted the roof open under Gatland? I always thought they preferred it closed.

Strange decision. I think it must be about preparation and looking to have control of as much as possible. Maybe they think having it open will give us a chance against the Irish kicking game?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think Gatland might just be saying it because it will be open anyway. Wales should be allowed to choose though, it is their home game.

 

[goodNumber10]

I think Gatland might just be saying it because it will be open anyway. Wales should be allowed to choose though, it is their home game.

It's the only non-fixed roof in the world, it needs to be the decision of both sides because there is no way to replicate that playing environment.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think it should be Wales decision whether the roof is open or closed.

 

[SelimNiai]

Why is this argment even coming up? BO'D is retired and has nothing to do with this team. All that can be said about the incident has already...two years ago.

Is this the first time that Wales have actually wanted the roof open under Gatland? I always thought they preferred it closed.

Yes, this is the first time we have elected to have it open by choice under Gats

 

[Jbobo]

Interesting stat, that Ireland have so far only scored 3 tries through the tournament so far, yet no team has won a 6 nations GrandSlam whilst scoring less than 10.

Wonder whether they break that mark.

 

[bw245]

I'm so excited!! All arguments aside, we've two great teams going head to head, full of experience and full of talent. Hopefully it'll be an exciting game to watch

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Interesting stat, that Ireland have so far only scored 3 tries through the tournament so far, yet no team has won a 6 nations GrandSlam whilst scoring less than 10.

Wonder whether they break that mark.

Ireland have just taken the mentality of not allowing the opposition to score and winning by some multiple of 3 to a whole new level. They are technically a great team but damn their games are boring to watch.