NZ vs Wales - June 2016

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

NHS out for the season isn't he?

Just till hunt gets his head out of his arse (Never)

 

[Cat Flap]

My team for the first test:

I also can't ignore the fact this 3 test tour is the perfect opportunity for throwing some young exciting new talent in at the deep end, but in a relatively safe way.

I'd disagree with this. The perfect opportunity to throw some young exciting new talent in at the deep end, in a relatively safe way was against Italy in the 6N.
Instead we chose to field our strongest XV and put a big number on an abysmal Italian team.
Our young player will now probably have their next opportunity in a game with a lot at stake, be that an Autumn International or a 6N match. Blooding our youngsters against a hungry NZ team could backfire significantly and knock a lot of confidences in the squad

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Sean Fitzpatrick's chosen 15 to start 1st test v Wales on Sky sports before the Highlanders v Brumbies game.

1. Faumuina
2. Coles
3. Franks
4. Retallick
5. Whitelock
6. Kaino
7. Cane
8. Read

9. Smith
10. Cruden
11. Savea
12. Crotty
13. Fekitoa
14. Ben Smith
15. McKenzie

Can't see Faumuina starting at loosehead and doubt Hansen will throw McKenzie in yet at 15.

 

[dullonien]

What did we learn from judgement day for this tour?

- In Rhys Webb, we have potentially the best 9 in world rugby. I know it's a bold statement, but he's getting better and better. His eye for the tryline is second to none.

- I've finally got on board the Anscombe hype train. He had a tough start to rugby in Wales, having to play in the shambles that was the Blues at the time, but Wilson is quickly turning things around, and now that they are playing like a cohesive team, he's come to the fore. He has some delightful touches to go along with his all round solid game.

- I'm not sure Lydiate deserves his place in the Wales squad anymore, especially given the strength in depth in the back row. I know he was playing out of position at 8 on Sat, but King and Navidi have been more impressive this season, whilst Moriarty is my pick to start on the blindside in NZ.

- Scott Williams should be the starting Wales 12. He was sublime for 50 mins on Sat. Understandably he tired and was then replaced after such a long time out, but we're crying out for an inside centre with some real creativity.

 

[nzlizard]

Sean Fitzpatrick's chosen 15 to start 1st test v Wales on Sky sports before the Highlanders v Brumbies game.

1. Faumuina
2. Coles
3. Franks
4. Retallick
5. Whitelock
6. Kaino
7. Cane
8. Read

9. Smith
10. Cruden
11. Savea
12. Crotty
13. Fekitoa
14. Ben Smith
15. McKenzie

Can't see Faumuina starting at loosehead and doubt Hansen will throw McKenzie in yet at 15.

Positions I see up for grabs
1 - Who knows
10 - Cruden should have this as the incumbent, Barrett pushing hard
12 - Crotty may get first run due to being in env last year, Ngatai pushing hard
14 - Depends on what they do due to NMS injury, no right wing has really looked like grabbing the spot so far
15 - Depends on what they do due to NMS injury, Smith or Mckenzie could play here, you would think Smith is first dibs though

The make up of the bench is just as interesting, if not so much harder to predict than previous years.

 

[AzaMatt]

What did we learn from judgement day for this tour?

- In Rhys Webb, we have potentially the best 9 in world rugby. I know it's a bold statement, but he's getting better and better. His eye for the tryline is second to none.

- I've finally got on board the Anscombe hype train. He had a tough start to rugby in Wales, having to play in the shambles that was the Blues at the time, but Wilson is quickly turning things around, and now that they are playing like a cohesive team, he's come to the fore. He has some delightful touches to go along with his all round solid game.

- I'm not sure Lydiate deserves his place in the Wales squad anymore, especially given the strength in depth in the back row. I know he was playing out of position at 8 on Sat, but King and Navidi have been more impressive this season, whilst Moriarty is my pick to start on the blindside in NZ.

- Scott Williams should be the starting Wales 12. He was sublime for 50 mins on Sat. Understandably he tired and was then replaced after such a long time out, but we're crying out for an inside centre with some real creativity.

Agreed on all points, webb had no right to score that first try it was absolutely insane and took incredible balls to even attempt it. the difference between him and davies is that when webb goes for it he gets it. far too often davies tried to snipe from close etc when he needed to give it and didnt get a try. i cant remember the last time webb went for something like that and didnt score. he has to start on this tour.

- Ive believed in Anscombe since his early days at the blues, even though he didnt do anything standout you could see from little glimpses that he could be something special for wales, he's like a combination of bigger and sam davies, takes the ball to the line, decent kicking and his passing id say is better than any other fly half option we have at the moment. i dont think he'll start on this tour but certainly deserves a bench spot if he keeps up this form.

- Back row also needs to be changed, we were by no means our best this six nations and with tipuric and warburton (potentially) injured, we need to get another trio playing together regulary. all depends how long warby is out whether he plays at 7 but i hope King, Moriaty and james davies get to go on the tour.

- Scott Williams is class but i cannot see roberts being replaced for the big games, theres more chance of davies getting put onto the bench and williams playing at 13, which he is more than capable of doing. i do hope that we alternate roberts and williams though as he is class at 12

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Positions I see up for grabs
1 - Who knows
10 - Cruden should have this as the incumbent, Barrett pushing hard
12 - Crotty may get first run due to being in env last year, Ngatai pushing hard
14 - Depends on what they do due to NMS injury, no right wing has really looked like grabbing the spot so far
15 - Depends on what they do due to NMS injury, Smith or Mckenzie could play here, you would think Smith is first dibs though

The make up of the bench is just as interesting, if not so much harder to predict than previous years.

Not sure why Fitzpatrick would pick Faumuina at loosehead, when he plays predominantly at tight head, but wouldn't you expect Moody or Crockett to play there? Also ABs don't have a lot depth at tight head, so surely Faumuina will cover the bench.

Cruden - agreed. Despite Barrett outplaying him in the game between the Chiefs and Canes. Shame Barrett's kicking hasn't come along. I think he's still the bench player to cover 10 and 15 because of his exceptional pace to use against tiring defences.

I read on Stuff that Crotty is pretty much nailed on for the 12 shirt because he has the benefit of 15 tests to Ngatai's 1. And Hansen wants to give the Crotty-Fekitoa combo a chance to gel. Wouldn't be surprised if Ngatai covers the 23 shirt, which SBW did in the RWC. Looks like Ngatai will have to earn the 12 shirt from within the ABS, not just based on super rugby form.

14. - Naholo is ready to play next week, so his return to fitness and as long as he doesn't break down, looks rather timely. Either that or he'll play Dagg at 15 and shirt Ben Smith across. Maybe leave Mackenzie to the third test if the ABs have already wrapped up the series by then and he also plays a storming game v Wales in the Chiefs game?

15. As above.

Bench I suspect will look like this:

16. Taylor
17. Crockett (assuming Moody is stuck with)
18.Faumuina
19. Dixon/Tuipulotu (depending on whether Hansen sees Rettalick/Whitelock lasting 80 minutes and can push Kaino to cover those positions in the last 20 minutes.
20. Savea/Todd
21. Perenara/Webber
22. Barrett/Sopoaga
23. Ngatai.

 

[Ospreylian]

What did we learn from judgement day for this tour?

- In Rhys Webb, we have potentially the best 9 in world rugby. I know it's a bold statement, but he's getting better and better. His eye for the tryline is second to none.

He's definitely one of the best at the moment. Just the way he has come back from injury and overtaken Davies again with such ease is incredible. He is looking sharp as ever. Just the way he has played over the last 3 or 4 games for me has solidified my view that if he stays on form he is without a doubt a first team starter for the Lions.

Btw for anyone who hasn't seen his try yet, it's pretty crazy. The angle he had to contend with on that blindside (if you can even call it that given that there wasn't enough room left for a blindside) was insane, not to mention the bluffing of defenders and dummying before he makes the dive. I don't know of many scrum halves atm that would attempt this kind of thing tbh.

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[j'nuh]

- In Rhys Webb, we have potentially the best 9 in world rugby. I know it's a bold statement, but he's getting better and better. His eye for the tryline is second to none.

Second to one, Gareth Davies.

He's further along than Gareth Davies in other aspects, but Gareth's record to the line is slightly better.

25 in 64+28 games for Webb in the Pro12
22 in 46+37 games for Davies in the Pro12

6 in 13+5 games for Webb for Wales
7 in 9+5 games for Davies for Wales

 

[AzaMatt]

Second to one, Gareth Davies.

He's further along than Gareth Davies in other aspects, but Gareth's record to the line is slightly better.

25 in 64+28 games for Webb in the Pro12
22 in 46+37 games for Davies in the Pro12

6 in 13+5 games for Webb for Wales
7 in 9+5 games for Davies for Wales

be interesting to see this stat against failed attempts though . can be fairly certain that davies failed more times than webb

 

[Shaggy]

Not sure why Fitzpatrick would pick Faumuina at loosehead, when he plays predominantly at tight head, but wouldn't you expect Moody or Crockett to play there? Also ABs don't have a lot depth at tight head, so surely Faumuina will cover the bench.

Cruden - agreed. Despite Barrett outplaying him in the game between the Chiefs and Canes. Shame Barrett's kicking hasn't come along. I think he's still the bench player to cover 10 and 15 because of his exceptional pace to use against tiring defences.

I read on Stuff that Crotty is pretty much nailed on for the 12 shirt because he has the benefit of 15 tests to Ngatai's 1. And Hansen wants to give the Crotty-Fekitoa combo a chance to gel. Wouldn't be surprised if Ngatai covers the 23 shirt, which SBW did in the RWC. Looks like Ngatai will have to earn the 12 shirt from within the ABS, not just based on super rugby form.

14. - Naholo is ready to play next week, so his return to fitness and as long as he doesn't break down, looks rather timely. Either that or he'll play Dagg at 15 and shirt Ben Smith across. Maybe leave Mackenzie to the third test if the ABs have already wrapped up the series by then and he also plays a storming game v Wales in the Chiefs game?

15. As above.

Bench I suspect will look like this:

16. Taylor
17. Crockett (assuming Moody is stuck with)
18.Faumuina
19. Dixon/Tuipulotu (depending on whether Hansen sees Rettalick/Whitelock lasting 80 minutes and can push Kaino to cover those positions in the last 20 minutes.
20. Savea/Todd
21. Perenara/Webber
22. Barrett/Sopoaga
23. Ngatai.

I'm pretty sure the ABs will start with Crotty and Fekitoa in the midfield, and maybe utilise the likes of Ngatai, and maybe Moala and even Tamanivalu off the bench during the course of the series. They might start Fekitoa at 12 and Crotty at 13, as Crotty is seen to be a bit more organised on defense, but, we'll just have to wait and see I guess.

 

[Ospreylian]

Now that the club season has come to an end for the regions, just wondering what people's squads would be currently to take to NZ.
This is my 31-man squad:

Props:
Rob Evans
Gethin Jenkins
Nicky Smith
Samson Lee
Thomas Francis

Hookers:
Ken Owens
Scott Baldwin
Kristian Dacey

Locks:
AWJ
Charteris
Jake Ball
James King

Back Row:
Ross Moriarty
Dan Lydiate
Sam Warburton
Josh Navidi
Ellis Jenkins
Toby Faletau

Scrum Halves:
Rhys Webb
Gareth Davies
Aled Davies

Fly Halves:
Dan Biggar
Sam Davies

Centres:
Jamie Roberts
Scott Williams
Jonathan Davies
Owen Watkin

Back Three:
George North
Liam Williams
Hanno Dirksen
Gareth Anscombe

My squad would be forward-heavy, because I think depth in the forwards is needed more in the southern hemisphere than in the backs. I'd take King as a lock, with the option of playing him in the back row if needed (I've never been a huge Bradley Davies fan, so he doesn't make the cut). Both Navidi and Ellis Jenkins would make it into the squad, with Navidi acting as prime number 8 cover (he has been superb whenever I've watched him this season) and Jenkins also impressing recently. Sam Davies nudges Priestland out, I just can't ignore him at the moment, he is one of our most threatening attacking fly halves.
I know Owen Watkin is supposedly not in the U20 side because they are resting him, but I would be thrilled if it turned out he was actually being considered for international selection. He is a very promising prospect and already plays a mature well-rounded game. Dirksen makes his first appearance in a Wales squad, simply because there is a vacancy on the wing yet to be filled and his form of late has been too good to ignore. Anscombe covers fullback and fly half if needed.

This would be my starting XV for the first test:

Evans, Owens, Lee, Charteris, AWJ, Moriarty, Warburton, Faletau; Webb, Biggar, North, Roberts, S Williams, Dirksen, L Williams
Bench: G Jenkins, Francis, Baldwin, King, Lydiate, G Davies, S Davies, Anscombe

 

[j'nuh]

Boudjellal threatening not to pay Halfpenny if he plays for Wales:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36244582

What a knob.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Boudjellal threatening not to pay Halfpenny if he plays for Wales:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36244582

What a knob.

firstly i find it very strange that only the BBC have reported this, no sources in France have mentioned it for the moment, more sensationialism no doubt, unless of course Boujellal has personnally employed his very own BBC reporting team, there could be doubts about that. and the comment of "what a knob", just fountains intelligence, i presume you know the guy well to make such comments??????????

 

[saulan]

firstly i find it very strange that only the BBC have reported this, no sources in France have mentioned it for the moment, more sensationialism no doubt, unless of course Boujellal has personnally employed his very own BBC reporting team, there could be doubts about that. and the comment of "what a knob", just fountains intelligence, i presume you know the guy well to make such comments??????????

To be fair to j'nuh, Boujellal has made a habit of making some outlandish comments. I don't know what the opinion of him is in France, but I think it is fairly safe to say that the rest of the world dislikes him. Also Wales Online reported it first:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/leigh-halfpenny-told-wont-paid-11301267

I really don't think they would make the story up Gaston.

 

[gaston le gaff]

To be fair to j'nuh, Boujellal has made a habit of making some outlandish comments. I don't know what the opinion of him is in France, but I think it is fairly safe to say that the rest of the world dislikes him. Also Wales Online reported it first:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/leigh-halfpenny-told-wont-paid-11301267

I really don't think they would make the story up Gaston.

This is the way he works and most people in France do not take much notice of what he says, he loves the media lime light but saying that sometimes he does talk a lot of sense, but it often is reported badly by many of the media searching for a story that is probably not there.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Now that the club season has come to an end for the regions, just wondering what people's squads would be currently to take to NZ.
This is my 31-man squad:

Was watching Scrum V last night and they mentioned Gatland will pick 37 players to tour NZ. There's an additional game v the Chiefs to take into account.

 

[saulan]

This is the way he works and most people in France do not take much notice of what he says, he loves the media lime light but saying that sometimes he does talk a lot of sense, but it often is reported badly by many of the media searching for a story that is probably not there.

I don't know, I think he just talks without a filter. Sometimes it will make sense, but sometimes it just is inappropriate. For example, the way he has handled things with Quade Cooper from the start to now has been pretty poor and misguided. Calling the ARU a moron organisation, threatening to make Cooper the second most indebted nation before Greece and then openly criticizing him and saying that he is average in public. How is that going to effective on a confidence player like Cooper?

He is rugby's worse version than Mourinho, he is successful, but has the biggest attitude in the game.

 

[gaston le gaff]

unfortunately what he has said about QC is moreorless true he has brought little to the table for Toulon this season and he is not cheap, so as far as value for money goes he is not off his mark, agree it does not help his confidence but after the Toulon v Toulouse match in Nice where they lost 10-12 QC was not the only one to get his wrath most of the team took a verbal hammering from him, but they are probably used to it by now.

 

[j'nuh]

firstly i find it very strange that only the BBC have reported this, no sources in France have mentioned it for the moment, more sensationialism no doubt, unless of course Boujellal has personnally employed his very own BBC reporting team, there could be doubts about that. and the comment of "what a knob", just fountains intelligence, i presume you know the guy well to make such comments??????????

Halfpenny didn't decide to get injured, and it wasn't within his power to change the start and end dates of the injury. Toulon are unlucky with Halfpenny's injury. But that doesn't mean they don't have to pay him, nor are they allowed to force him not to play for Wales. Boudjellal is acting like a self-entitled child.

At the heart of this, Boudjellal wants to diminish the international game and make the sport revolve around club rugby. Which isn't bad in and of itself, especially if he kept it to himself. But he's got a fringe view which he's trying to force on everyone else, and in this instance, is using Halfpenny as a pawn in it.