EOYT: Wales vs New Zealand, 24/11/2012

[Zapphod]

Why couldn't we play like this from the off? NZ have switched off though.

You answered your own question there you can only play this way once the AB's were mentally back in the changing rooms.

 

[SelimNiai]

Much better second half showing thankfully. Could have been more with better decision making.

 

[dullonien]

You answered your own question there you can only play this way once the AB's were mentally back in the changing rooms.

That's a little unfair. I think Wales have upped it with nothing to lose.

 

[Draggs]

When will we learn to tackle?
Foxy has missed 5, Priestland/Cuthbert/Ryan Jones 3.

 

[Big Ewis]

Wales couldn't beat NZ, simple as that. At least they got two tries, just for dignity, just to know there was "something" in the match...

That's 20 unbeaten huhh...

 

[SelimNiai]

There were some good points in the game player performance wise, thought Shingler was good. Liam Williams played like a mad man in defence, not a lot in attack but cant really blame him for that. Thought Phillips was fairly decent too.

 

[Zapphod]

That's a little unfair. I think Wales have upped it with nothing to lose.

That may well be the case but it was pretty clear that from the time Weepu came on the AB's had lost interest.

 

[Draggs]

Phillips stepped it up, good performance from Shingler as well.
Liam Williams was decent in defence but we didn't offer much in attack.

 

[SelimNiai]

That may well be the case but it was pretty clear that from the time Weepu came on the AB's had lost interest.

Ah so you're one of "that" type of fan.

Oh joy.

 

[Zapphod]

Ah so you're one of "that" type of fan.

Oh joy.

I am sorry am I not meant to point out the obvious? What would you like me to say "Great game Wales congratulations on a close fought match"?

 

[Darwin]

Overall a pretty good win for the AB's - Wales played a lot better in the last 20 though.

+ve's
- Messam had a strong game, with some massive defense around the base of the breakdown
- Coles looked comfortable again when he came off the bench
- Aaron Smith was sharp, and incisive (after a couple of poorer games)
- Aaron Cruden had a superb game. His general play kicking was very good, his goal-kicking flawless, and he controlled the game very well.
- Conrad Smith was Conrad Smith
- Savea was very dangerous with ball in hand

-ves
- Hore will be banned for a blatant cheapshot
- Read missed a lot of tackles, which is slightly out of character for him
- Weepu is still useless. He applies a handbrake to the AB's attack the moment he waddles onto the field. I can't believe people wanted him to start.
- Barrett isn't ready for test rugby yet (but at 21 has plenty of time!)
- Savea still makes a few mistakes, and looked shaky under the high ball again.

 

[SelimNiai]

I am sorry am I not meant to point out the obvious? What would you like me to say "Great game Wales congratulations on a close fought match"?

No but you're being very dismissive, putting our small florish down to the AB's not trying, try giving us a tiny bit of credit.

Win graciously its called

 

[Zapphod]

No but you're being very dismissive, putting our small florish down to the AB's not trying, try giving us a tiny bit of credit.

Win graciously its called

So you would sooner live under the illusion that the game was some how a close intense match that could have gone either way? Hell I have watched the New Zealand cricket team in action so I know what teams that are out of their league look like and I am sorry but Wales is in that grouping but I tend to believe that until they face up to this fact things will never improve.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sure why would you win graciously when you can insult the other guy?
Grow up Selimniai!!

 

[SelimNiai]

So you would sooner live under the illusion that the game was some how a close intense match that could have gone either way? Hell I have watched the New Zealand cricket team in action so I know what teams that are out of their league look like and I am sorry but Wales is in that grouping but I tend to believe that until they face up to this fact things will never improve.

I have never said it was. We were poor for 60 minutes or so and did deserve to lose but did get better at the end. What you are saying is that that happened because the AB's stopped playing, that is rubbish. If I was a coach and found my players stopped trying 'cos the game was won I'd boot them out.

 

[dullonien]

So you would sooner live under the illusion that the game was some how a close intense match that could have gone either way? Hell I have watched the New Zealand cricket team in action so I know what teams that are out of their league look like and I am sorry but Wales is in that grouping but I tend to believe that until they face up to this fact things will never improve.

NZ were out of Wales' league today. But we all knew that coming into the game, we are simply in dour form. Add to that, a pretty big injury list, especially to important players, and some poor calls from the ref in the first half and we were never going to push the AB's today. Even our defence has turned to Sh*t, which hasn't happened often with Edwards in charge of that aspect of the game.

Still, your attitude stinks, and there's no need for it.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

There were some good points in the game player performance wise, thought Shingler was good. Liam Williams played like a mad man in defence, not a lot in attack but cant really blame him for that. Thought Phillips was fairly decent too.

Agreed.

Thought Warburton showed some form.

NZ may have switched off, not Wales's fault that they did and took it to NZ. Did well in the last 15 or so and showed some 'calon'!

Of and before I get slammed ... Again.

Big congrats on the NZ victory. Really are a class above other international sides. Clinical performance.

 

[SelimNiai]

Sure why would you win graciously when you can insult the other guy?
Grow up Selimniai!!

Hold up, where have I insulted him? If you are referring to my "that type of fan" comment I fail to see how thats an insult

 

[TRF_Cymro]

This thread has become slightly pathetic in a way.

The whole attitude of ... Bad losers and you can't say anything because you are losing / lost, for me stinks. It's the same when we used to win, cocky and arrogant then. Can't do anything without getting slated.

 

[Jbobo]

Players made of glass. Priestland. The attacking threat of a spoon. The last two results. A few of the things destroying this welsh team not the ref.

As i said in my last post, we didn't deserve the win, which insinuates that i thought the ref wasn't completely to blame - that goes without saying. NZ are a class act, which i stated, but also that key decisions costed Wales, which could have changed the game. Considering how much better Wales played in the second half, particularly after the NZ yellow card, i think it is reasonable to argue that Wales would have had a much closer score had the Ref made some blatant calls - namely, the foul on Davies which should have been yellow at least. The ref didn't lose the game, the All Blacks won it. However, the score was embellished by some poor key decisions in the first half by the ref.



Well played NZ, outplayed us regardless. But not by as big-a margin as the score implies.