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Jeez look at the in goal area... Huge.
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June Internationals: Japan v Wales, First Test (08/06/13)
- Thread starter Draggs
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Yes, Still not sure I'd have taken Coombs off. I'd rather take Reed off and shift Andrew to second row. How does McCusker keep getting capped?
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Good try for Japan makes for interesting last 10.
And look who it is that scored...
And look who it is that scored...
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Wales lucky to escape that...
I know you aren't a fan of Scott Baldwin, but he can't have been worse.
christ that was awful.
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So Wales hold onto the TRF shield...just.
I don't think I am being unfairly negative. They were certainly amongst the best we had, but outstanding is a long shot.
What changes would you like to see next week?
Shingler in for Spratt, Baldwin for Phillips, Mitchell for Andrews, Coombs for Reed, King to blindside, Navidi to openside, Baker to eight I suppose.
A more balanced second and back row would help. Coombs and Davies can both be workhorses, have them hit the rucks, and let someone more dynamic play freely in the back row.
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I'd put Shingler for Spratt, Gill for Bevington, Baldwin for Phillips, Navidi for King, Pertorious for McCusker. Thought Andrews was good, be tough for him to be dropped. Reed was strong in the second half so again reluctant to take him out but you could do.
psychic duck
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Liam Williams was the top player. Made a good tackle in the first half, won a turnover, created a try. I've been a critic of his, especially in attacking play but credit to him. Not much else to speak of, backs 11-14 and centres especially offered nothing. Can we finally call time on McCusker's international career? He was the worst player on the pitch.
As for Japan, Goromaru will regret that missed kick, that game was winnable for them and they showed more width than Wales. Nice try at the end there, didn't take loop moves in the end ... just passing the ball down the line. They threatened to win, but in the end Wales held their nerve, and Japan offered too many penalties away. Hopefully Japan have proved they are as worthwhile opponent for tours and matches like this, and with more experience for them they should improve.
As for Japan, Goromaru will regret that missed kick, that game was winnable for them and they showed more width than Wales. Nice try at the end there, didn't take loop moves in the end ... just passing the ball down the line. They threatened to win, but in the end Wales held their nerve, and Japan offered too many penalties away. Hopefully Japan have proved they are as worthwhile opponent for tours and matches like this, and with more experience for them they should improve.
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Aye, really impressed with Japan. Eddie Jones really turning things on there. You can tell that some of these boys have played at a higher level. Quality starting to be developed there. Also 2019 RWC in Japan will be excellent.
Andrews was dominant over the Japanese LH. Still feel that Mitchell might add more in the loose. Disappointed with Bevs, yeah Gill in. Reed was a passenger for the most part, did carry a bit in the last quarter, but I think Coombs would have more grunt and allow us to vary our back row. I'd give anything for Ryan Jones next week.
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Well, that was dire stuff from wales. I thought the forward were generally poor, Bradley Davies being the main exception with ball in hand ar least. Andrews really struggled in the scrum I thought, which probably shows that he maybe hasn't improved as hoped. Bevington anomonous which was dissapointing. Reed and the backrow were terrible, especially McCusker. Really highlighted the poor decision nit to play Navidi imo. Thought Pretorius was good when he came on.
The backs were ok, had little ball to play with to be fair. Lloyd Williams wasn't great, thought Knoyle was much better. Owen Williams defence was extremely solid. Liam Williams was the best beck, solid in defence, a couple of lovely touches in attack, and a ln important turnover (showing the backrow how its done). Without Liam, Wales probably loose that game.
overall, there needs to be an improvement across the board really.
The backs were ok, had little ball to play with to be fair. Lloyd Williams wasn't great, thought Knoyle was much better. Owen Williams defence was extremely solid. Liam Williams was the best beck, solid in defence, a couple of lovely touches in attack, and a ln important turnover (showing the backrow how its done). Without Liam, Wales probably loose that game.
overall, there needs to be an improvement across the board really.
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To be fair to Bubba he was quite loose tonight, popping up in places. I wouldn't say no to Mitchell just felt that Andrews deserves another go. Reed was ok, but wouldn't say no to Coombs to the row and King sticking at 6.
Can't agree on your assessment of Andrews Dull. He was solid at scrum time. Problem with Lloyd ... the breakdown was a mess and he couldn't get quick ball which Knoyle was given because of the impact of the subs.
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Much more Japanese in the team now as well. Kirwan had basically improved the side simply by stuffing the team with like 8 Kiwis or Tongans, Jones has lessened it to just 2/3 yet kept the team at a progressing level. They need to start converting these matches to wins though, should come eventually with more top level experience.
Jerry Yanuyanutawa was dominant over the Japanese LH. I wouldn't read too much into that. Canada, Japan, USA and Russia all simply can't scrum. Sometimes I wonder whether the reason Georgia get so many props into French teams is simply because they get a nice portfolio of scrum domination to show to scouts. Even Fiji (who get destroyed when against the top teams) manage to do okay against those teams.
