2018 NatWest 6 Nations - Round 1 Wales Vs Scotland

[TommiG88]

Wales played well, nothing amazing. Just solid and as a team.

Scotland were embarrassing. Russell was particularly bad.

 

[profitius]

Well done Wales. Emphatic win.

Scotland self destructed. They looked stunned and the more they tried to force things the worse they got. They won't be that bad again but it shows the hype after november was way over the top.

 

[Bluemoon]

Good job by Wales. Shame to let that try in at the end after pretty much nullifying Scotlands attack (which they considered their strength).

It will give them a bit of confidence now after a pretty flat build up to the tournament here in Wales. We know Wales only get better. Big game next week, but plenty to build on today.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That pass was very forward...

 

[TommiG88]

next week will be interesting with England Wales, although I think England will win.

 

[anderton46]

Really don't like Martin Williams as a commentator. I find him very bias. Always over top in his praise of the Welsh players and just said Wales have been totally dominant today. Well they haven't at all. Definitely been on top, but there were points when Scotland could have easily got back into it if they were more accurate.

Having said that Wales have definitely taken their chances and played well overall. However I think we can't say how well they will do this year until they come up against a better defence.

Is that the bit where he said Wales were totally dominant then corrected himself to say, in fairness the first half was an arm wrestle but the second half they had been dominant? I can't really question that analysis personally, but clearly you can.

Thought it was a great performance myself. Defensively soaked everything up. First half was mistake laden but second half was just lots of pressure. Shingler was huge, always the first out the line to tackle, carries strong and great offloads. Similar to his performance for Scarlets where we d1cked all over Bath.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Good to see Wales playing with a bit more freedom, confirming that was their intention in November. I honestly think the introduction of BPs in the 6N have been instrumental in changing both Schmidt and Gatland's attitudes to how much they will take risks, prioritise pace and ball handling and chase tries. Halfpenny a try scoring machine!

A few tactical errors for Scotland I think. Wales challenged Scotland to pick and go and play first receiver rugby and Scotland never took up that challenge until the 76th minute.

Selections of the likes of du Preez and moving Huw to accomodate an unnecessary debutant (rather than, for example, just plugging in Horne at 12) were questionable. A massive underperformance and something that should force Townsend to do a bit of soul searching.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Scotland are just too mentally fragile, they can't chase games at all. The second they fall behind they start looking for miracle passes all the time, which was pretty much from 15 mins in that game.

 

[BobbyM]

Good to see Wales playing with a bit more freedom, confirming that was their intention in November. I honestly think the introduction of BPs in the 6N have been instrumental in changing both Schmidt and Gatland's attitudes to how much they will take risks, prioritise pace and ball handling and chase tries. Halfpenny a try scoring machine!

A few tactical errors for Scotland I think. Wales challenged Scotland to pick and go and play first receiver rugby and Scotland never took up that challenge until the 76th minute.

Selections of the likes of du Preez and moving Huw to accomodate an unnecessary debutant (rather than, for example, just plugging in Horne at 12) were questionable. A massive underperformance and something that should force Townsend to do a bit of soul searching.

And hopefully lighting a fire under some of the rear ends of the Scotland players. It was the lack of composure that was most annoying. It seemed there was no one to take a pause and assess the situation, and tweak approach.

Barclay was talking before the game about how if things are chaotic in attack then imagine how chaotic it'll be to defend against Scotland. Turns out you wait, hold the line, make you tackles and wait for the silly bugger passes to be thrown.

 

[dullonien]

Thought Wales looked the most dangerous they have done since 2011. They were finding space just about every time they attacked, and mixed their game up well between forwards and backs. Maybe forced it on occasion, but I'm happy to see some 50/50 offloads thrown. On another day they'll stick and we'll score another 2-3 try's.

Defensively they were mighty impressive. Scotland barely managed any line breaks, despite plenty of ball. Yes they forced things, but that's because they couldn't break through without trying the risky offload under pressure.

Shingler was huge, no idea what Olly is on about. Massively impressive in everything he did. He's a world class lineout forward, and shows up all over the pitch in attack and defense. Easily my motm.

 

[anderton46]

And hopefully lighting a fire under some of the rear ends of the Scotland players. It was the lack of composure that was most annoying. It seemed there was no one to take a pause and assess the situation, and tweak approach.

Barclay was talking before the game about how if things are chaotic in attack then imagine how chaotic it'll be to defend against Scotland. Turns out you wait, hold the line, make you tackles and wait for the silly bugger passes to be thrown.

That first half killed you mentally I thought. You probably had the slight better of the half in terms of pressure and territory, but it seemed every time you got into the 22 you would knock on or lose a line out. This can definitely be tweaked but it was a frustrating half for Scotland.

 

[Reiser99]

Is that the bit where he said Wales were totally dominant then corrected himself to say, in fairness the first half was an arm wrestle but the second half they had been dominant? I can't really question that analysis personally, but clearly you can.

Thought it was a great performance myself. Defensively soaked everything up. First half was mistake laden but second half was just lots of pressure. Shingler was huge, always the first out the line to tackle, carries strong and great offloads. Similar to his performance for Scarlets where we d1cked all over Bath.

Yeah it's also one of the great all time performances from Wales apparently. I agree he did correct himself, but the fact that he even made it shows how blinkered he is. He wants to praise Wales so much he can't even remember what happened half an hour ago.

Edit: This is also based on previous commentary where I remember him praising any Welsh player he can despite them losing. Go be a coach if you want to motivate them, not a commentator who is suppose to be neutral.

 

[Bluemoon]

Shingler was huge, no idea what Olly is on about. Massively impressive in everything he did. He's a world class lineout forward, and shows up all over the pitch in attack and defense. Easily my mom.

It's been great to see this Wales backrow having a few games together. Very physical, big tacklers, big carries and very good at the breakdown. I actually questioned starting Moriarty due to his game time, but actually it was much like the games in the autumn. Moriarty was a beast against England last year. What a game it'll be next week.

 

[anderton46]

I agree he did correct himself, but the fact that he even made it shows how blinkered he is. He wants to praise Wales so much he can't even remember what happened half an hour ago.

this makes no sense. He corrects himself because he realises his error... But in your blinkered view, because he is so so biased the correction counts for nothing.

His comments made after last years six nations and us losing to England should be enough to show you he gives a non biased analysis.

 

[dullonien]

Yeah it's also one of the great all time performances from Wales apparently. I agree he did correct himself, but the fact that he even made it shows how blinkered he is. He wants to praise Wales so much he can't even remember what happened half an hour ago.

Edit: This is also based on previous commentary where I remember him praising any Welsh player he can despite them losing. Go be a coach if you want to motivate them, not a commentator who is suppose to be neutral.

Yeah not a fan of Martyn Williams as a commentator or pundit. Refuses to criticise the current reigeme, and doesn't always talk a lot of sense.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

9 tackles, 2 misses, 10 carries for 18m and giving away the most penalties in the Wales squad is hardly the life changing performance Williams was on about.
Navidi was comfortably the best backrower on the pitch

He wasn't bad but he wasn't deserving of the praise or motm especially with navidi in the same back row.

 

[Reiser99]

this makes no sense. He corrects himself because he realises his error... But in your blinkered view, because he is so so biased the correction counts for nothing.

His comments made after last years six nations and us losing to England should be enough to show you he gives a non biased analysis.

Tbh I don't think he's consciously biased, he just looks for any opportunity to praise Wales or Welsh players and often uses words that exaggerate the case. I doubt we'll agree, but personally it gets boring as a neutral listening to how almost everything wales do is fantastic.

 

[TommiG88]

Thought Wales looked the most dangerous they have done since 2011. They were finding space just about every time they attacked, and mixed their game up well between forwards and backs. Maybe forced it on occasion, but I'm happy to see some 50/50 offloads thrown. On another day they'll stick and we'll score another 2-3 try's.

Defensively they were mighty impressive. Scotland barely managed any line breaks, despite plenty of ball. Yes they forced things, but that's because they couldn't break through without trying the risky offload under pressure.

Shingler was huge, no idea what Olly is on about. Massively impressive in everything he did. He's a world class lineout forward, and shows up all over the pitch in attack and defense. Easily my motm.

Wow! The welsh are so quick to label world class. I watched the game as a neutral hoping to Wales to win. Shingler was good, nothing special. He was better in the 2nd half. I didn't think the game was won by the back row battle. Wales managed the game, Scotland were playing a different game.

Scotland were poor, running laterally from the off. Barely used their forwards. I can't remember their 8 having the ball. Who was it? They were predictable and poor. Wales couldn't have wished for an easier game.

 

[anderton46]

Tbh I don't think he's consciously biased, he just looks for any opportunity to praise Wales or Welsh players and often uses words that exaggerate the case. I doubt we'll agree, but personally it gets boring as a neutral listening to how almost everything wales do is fantastic.

Perhaps if you've been a Welsh fan and watched the way we've played for the last 2-4 years you'll also think anything remotely exciting is the best we've played

 

[anderton46]

9 tackles, 2 misses, 10 carries for 18m and giving away the most penalties in the Wales squad is hardly the life changing performance Williams was on about.
Navidi was comfortably the best backrower on the pitch

He wasn't bad but he wasn't deserving of the praise or motm especially with navidi in the same back row.

Lineouts won? 100% lineouts stolen? Had a few. Offloads? Linebreaks? :s

But yeah Navidi has been a good find, considering I thought he'd be only used as cover for injuries in the Autumn. Shame he's keeping James Davies out though.