England v Wales

[RC]

Gatland as already started throwing about some harsh words, targetting Balshaw (particularly), Vainakolo and Sackey. Also he wants the ref to pick out Moody who will "guarantee" to give away two or 3 penalties: -

Link

"I'd like to highlight that with the referee, it's important at the tackle area that you can recycle and keep it legal."

 

[Cymonicon]

I Dont like Gatland giving away game plans days before the game, although it is probably meant to shake up the english especially balshaw it does still give ashton time to address these "key weakness's" such as using the high ball to test the back 3.

Gatland does strike me as being pretty Gobby, lets hope he can back it up.

 

[RC]

Something tells me that this isn't the first time Ashton's heard that Vainakolo can't kick.
Gatland's not telling us anything new, and he certainly isn't telling ashon anything new.

Ashton knows more about England's key weaknesses than anyone else.

We're not giving anything away here.

 

[loratadine]

certainly a fergie-esque statement by gatland...

mind games

lets hope he plants the seed of doubts into those players minds.

 

[Prestwick]

To be honest, I don't think Ashton is that bothered about Vainikolo's kicking. As he said in a previous press conference after a bout of sad head shaking and a bemused face that only your Grandad would show before giving you a Worthers Original:

You have a 6'1", 17 stone monster of a winger, why would you want him to kick the ball away?[/b]

When you think about it, not exactly a "fergie-esque" statement by Gatland, rather a "stupid" statement by Gatland.

 

[Col]

I look forward to seeing Vianikolo run at Williams, myself.

Would the Ospreys have made the HEC without Marshall? I dont think so. I think every Rugby fan is aware of the short-comings of Balshall - great in broken play, dreadful under a high ball.

And Wales have to get the ball first.

As far as I can see Haskell has been the best backrow forward in the HEC and I have few worries about Moody. Belligerent, yes, but if his team is in control of a game, which the front 5 of England should provide with ease his pace and bulk are an asset rather than a liability.

I'm quite confident since Shanklin is on the bench and Peel is out injured.

 

[RC]

I look forward to seeing Vianikolo run at Williams, myself. [/b]

Ok, if you've ever played rugby in your life, you'll know that the team (in this case, Wales) will do everything they can to reduce the chance of letting Leslie have a 1-on-1 with shane. Positives for England will be that there will nearly always be the chance of a gap opening, because someone (Parker, Henson etc) will always be keeping one eye on the Leslie-Shane match up.

Would the Ospreys have made the HEC without Marshall? I don't think so.[/b]

Have you seen Ospreys play under Phillips? We're still good. Remember thsoe games when Marshal was utter shite and running around likea headless chicken, the forwards were classy enough to pull us together, and we were still good.
Don't be so narrow minded.

I'm quite confident since Shanklin is on the bench and Peel is out injured. [/b]

And so you should be. You are favourites in this game, but i remind you not to underestimate us.

When you think about it, not exactly a "fergie-esque" statement by Gatland, rather a "stupid" statement by Gatland. [/b]

I'm with Lora on this, it is a very fergie-esque statement. That's gatland's game, isn't it? It's all about throwing words around the media, talking up your team insinuating - with snide remarks - the opposing team's downfalls.
It all sounds very much like Alex Ferguson.

 

[dullonien]

I look forward to seeing Vianikolo run at Williams, myself. [/b]

I'm looking forward to the opposite, seeing Shane run at Vainakolo (with some space obviously), doubt Vainakolo would come within a foot of touching him! His ability to beat a man is second to none, let alone a 17st guy who will be slower at changing direction.

 

[Col]

Yes but sadly for Wales he'll then drop the ball for no apparent reason

 

[dullonien]

Nah he'll probably just blow two or three golden opportunities of huge overlaps by taking on a couple of forwards again like last year.

I hope he's learn't his lesson, cause even though he had a very good game regardless of that, he did cost us a couple of tries imo (created one as well mind).

 

[Prestwick]

I'm with Lora on this, it is a very fergie-esque statement. That's gatland's game, isn't it? It's all about throwing words around the media, talking up your team insinuating - with snide remarks - the opposing team's downfalls.
It all sounds very much like Alex Ferguson. [/b]

I disagree, Alex Ferguson targets his comments at perceived flaws in order to sow seeds of doubt. All Gatland has done is said "Here, that Vainikolo can't kick" which results in the media saying "Gatland: Vainikolo can't kick" which then has the devestating effect of causing England to shrug their shoulders and saying "well, thats pretty good because, lets face it, he isn't going to kick, more running over the Welsh back line on the way to scoring his twelth try of the game."

Like I said, stupid statement really. Its kind of like Ricky Ponting saying "here, that Stephen Harminson, he can't really bat that well."

 

[Caledfwlch]

<div class='quotemain'> I look forward to seeing Vianikolo run at Williams, myself. [/b]

I'm looking forward to the opposite, seeing Shane run at Vainakolo (with some space obviously), doubt Vainakolo would come within a foot of touching him! His ability to beat a man is second to none, let alone a 17st guy who will be slower at changing direction.
[/b][/quote]



I'd like to see Shane trying to tackle Vainikolo!



That'd be like James Small up against Lomu.

 

[RC]

<div class='quotemain'>
I'm with Lora on this, it is a very fergie-esque statement. That's gatland's game, isn't it? It's all about throwing words around the media, talking up your team insinuating - with snide remarks - the opposing team's downfalls.
It all sounds very much like Alex Ferguson. [/b]

I disagree, Alex Ferguson targets his comments at perceived flaws in order to sow seeds of doubt. All Gatland has done is said "Here, that Vainikolo can't kick" which results in the media saying "Gatland: Vainikolo can't kick" which then has the devestating effect of causing England to shrug their shoulders and saying "well, thats pretty good because, lets face it, he isn't going to kick, more running over the Welsh back line on the way to scoring his twelth try of the game."

Like I said, stupid statement really. Its kind of like Ricky Ponting saying "here, that Stephen Harminson, he can't really bat that well."
[/b][/quote]

Ponting? Harminson? What on earth are you on about. You better not be talking about Cricket!

No, what Gatland said was "Vainakolo can't kick. So we're gonna drop the ball in behind him."
When you drop vainikolo a loose bumbling ball in the 22m with a good chase, the man may/may not end up being isolated and may/may not concede a penalty in a crucial area.
I'm pretty sure England fans aren't expecting him to be able to break through every oncoming challenge, and if he doens't have support quick enough he could possibly make mistakes.
That doens't sound stupid, but you know what it does sound like? Sounds like he is planting seeds of doubt...

 

[shtove]

Im surprised Tindalls inclusion in the team hasnt been very welcome. He is THE form centre in the Brits Isles let alone England and hes just the type of get over the gain line centre we need. Ive watched every game he has played in this season and his form has been nothing short of superb. This is nothing to do with Gloucester bias as i have been critical of him in past seasons and dont believe Balshaw should be in the squad let alone the team.[/b]

I'd say Shanklin is the form centre in ... ahem ... Britain. By a long shot, and for the last eight months as well. And you can't accuse me of bias this time, because I'm very critical of Wales (as RC knows).

 

[loratadine]

umm lol, i think shane williams is our most dangerous player, and yes he does make mistakes and he can randomly drop the ball. but shane williams is better than anything you got plying there trade out on the wings in your country!!

maybe you should actually look at how many tries shane has scored for wales and think wow, this guy has a hell of a strike rate, playing for a team which for the majority of his stint has been on the backfoot!!

 

[danny]

Williams may not be too hot in defence but he is by far the best attacking wing in the NH.

 

[Bullitt]

umm lol, i think shane williams is our most dangerous player, and yes he does make mistakes and he can randomly drop the ball. but shane williams is better than anything you got plying there trade out on the wings in your country!!

maybe you should actually look at how many tries shane has scored for wales and think wow, this guy has a hell of a strike rate, playing for a team which for the majority of his stint has been on the backfoot!! [/b]

Backtrack there a second, Williams may well be better then anything in the RFU's nepotism radar detector, but there are plenty of wingers in England who'd rip him to pieces. Simpson-Daniel, Ashton & Banahan are 3 that spring to mind straight away, it being a travesty that none of whom are on the international radar, and yet more proof that Rob "I love the Holy trinity (and Newcastle)" Andrew needs to be shot.

 

[shtove]

Williams may not be too hot in defence but he is by far the best attacking wing in the NH. [/b]

Two words: Vincent Clerc - best player in France, maybe the NH, and possibly the WORLD. 100% guaranteed, fact.

 

[dullonien]

I also think Shane is one of the best wingers in the NH, his strike rate is exceptional, but he has also created so many tries for others around him. He breaks the line on so many occasions, and unlike to some wingers, he doesn't always need that much space to work his magic.

 

[loratadine]

i think maybe its a welsh thing

we have a crush on the little guy who want to try something

who create magic

not big ass bulldozers of wingers

yawn!! zzzzZZZZZZZZ

to be honest i wouldnt be at all surpised if shane got a hatfull on saturday

especially with the tripe in your back 3.