NZ vs Wales - June 2016

[austingtir]

This looks really good, the only selection I disagree with is the Ranger selection. Crotty, Naholo and NMS offer far more than what he ever will, I don't expect him to ever make the ABs, I understand his abilities to play at centre or wing, but I think there are far better options in numbers and I expect to see TJ and Weber rotated and Cruden/Sopoaga/Mckenzie/Barrett.

Damn, I'm not quite sure the Welsh boys quite know what they're in for when they come out here. I really have a feeling they're going to get absolutely rekt in every test given the current form and depth of all our players.

TJ has been an EPIC failure for mine. I would drop him outright. And probably never select him again.

 

[gaston le gaff]

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.

As i said above its Boujellal's way, a couple of months ago he was joining the Premiership, and i can assure there are lots more of that sort of thing flying out of Toulon it's just media hype no more, the club game in France is massive and if you ask any player International cap or Bouclier they will always reply Bopuclier, even Sir Jonny did exactly the same and stayed an extra season to get his hands on it !!!!!!!!!!

 

[saulan]

the club game in France is massive and if you ask any player International cap or Bouclier they will always reply Bopuclier, even Sir Jonny did exactly the same and stayed an extra season to get his hands on it !!!!!!!!!!

That's not the same thing though. The comparison should be play for club or play for country, or Six Nations champions or Bouclier. At the time Wilkinson decided to stay an extra season his international career had been over for a while.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Agreed Wilco's interntional career was over but the sole reason he stayed was to try and win the Bouclier which he did, he even took a cut in salary all i'm saying is the massive importance of the BOUCLIER in France, which many people outside of France just do not understand why its so important

 

[saulan]

Agreed Wilco's interntional career was over but the sole reason he stayed was to try and win the Bouclier which he did, he even took a cut in salary all i'm saying is the massive importance of the BOUCLIER in France, which many people outside of France just do not understand why its so important

I don't doubt it, and I am sure there is a big desire to win it, as there is to win any league (I don't think it's something unique to the Top 14, Super Rugby, ITM Cup, Currie Cup and the Aviva Premiership also have that going for them). But I don't think that winning a domestic league is bigger then winning the Six Nations or the Rugby Championship.

 

[Ospreylian]

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.

Yeah, I remembered the midweek game halfway through picking my squad, but I just went with the 31 players just to highlight who I think are the front-runners.

I suppose if I was adding extra players, the guys who have impressed recently and might force their way in are the likes of James Davies, Rory Thornton, Hallam Amos, Tom James, Josh Turnbull, Steven Shingler, Dan Evans, Ben John, Harrison Keddie, Jack Dixon.

 

[gaston le gaff]

This is where you are wrong my friend,unique or not this may well happen in other countries, and i understand and i can well see your point, but in France without any doubt whatsoever it's club before country. What you also have to understand is that winning the 6 Nations involves 23 to 30 players from all the French TOP 14 teams winning the Bouclier involves 14 teams down to six for the playoffs, with squads of 40 plus, many individual may not have the chance to play for their countries but they certainly have the chance to play for their club and try and win the Bouclier, this is not me stating these facts its the players, i have interviewed hundreds and the answer is 90%+ always the Bouclier first, it's just how it is!!!!!!!!.

 

[saulan]

This is where you are wrong my friend,unique or not this may well happen in other countries, and i understand and i can well see your point, but in France without any doubt whatsoever it's club before country. What you also have to understand is that winning the 6 Nations involves 23 to 30 players from all the French TOP 14 teams winning the Bouclier involves 14 teams down to six for the playoffs, with squads of 40 plus, many individual may not have the chance to play for their countries but they certainly have the chance to play for their club and try and win the Bouclier, this is not me stating these facts its the players, i have interviewed hundreds and the answer is 90%+ always the Bouclier first, it's just how it is!!!!!!!!.

Obviously there is no right or wrong in this. It's all a country's preference. But if that is indeed the mentality held within the clubs and country it really isn't a surprise to see the poor performances from the French national side over the last five years. It surely makes things tougher for selectors when the top players in your domestic league are mostly foreign.

Or do you believe that there is a different reason for the poor performance of the national side, from a French perspective?

 

[gaston le gaff]

The reason for the poor performance was the coach PSA just not up to it, but there are other reasons as well, with Guy Noves in charge things will improve but like everything patience is probably what is needed.The FFR do not sack coaches it's their policy, so if things go wrong they go wrong for the mandate of that particular coach, and the contrats are normally from one WC to the next, of course this is not the only reason there are others, yes there are many SH players but each club is only allowed 16, no more. The LNR and FFR have been at loggerheads for as long as i can remember which does not help. Up to this season the players are paid a pitance by the FFR during the International windows while he clubs get practically nothing, they still pay their players who are not available for club selection etc etc , the list is long but there are just a few reasons, but it will change with patience and hard work.

 

[FrenchFan]

It surely makes things tougher for selectors when the top players in your domestic league are mostly foreign.

yes it doesn't help. But it's not the main reason. The damage was done before the club started recruiting foreign.

Or do you believe that there is a different reason for the poor performance of the national side, from a French perspective?

FFR just can't run the national team. That's why. No need to look much further.

They've demonstrated their total incompetence many times. Starting with their appalling record in appointing the last 3 national selectors.

FFR are an amateur federation. I have nothing against amateur rugby. I'm part of it. And FFR should stick to amateur rugby and leave the national team to an independent elite group involving the clubs as major stakeholders who provide the players.

The alternative is to take the players under FFR contract. Away from the clubs.

There is nothing Guy Noves can do about the present situation. It's politics and it's out of his hands. The national selector here is just a figurehead. As long as the clubs no longer support the national team, he's screwed.

Les bleus are in meltdown mode. They've got worse under him. He's not the man for the job. There's many valid reasons for that. http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/36670-France-Post-WC-discussion?p=762783&viewfull=1#post762783
It's going to get worse for him. Last WC 6 mths ago should have been a call for action for FFR - yet they have done nothing since - they just don't have the guts to make the reforms we all know are needed.

 

[JJFlash]

yes it doesn't help. But it's not the main reason. The damage was done before the club started recruiting foreign.



FFR just can't run the national team. That's why. No need to look much further.

They've demonstrated their total incompetence many times. Starting with their appalling record in appointing the last 3 national selectors.

FFR are an amateur federation. I have nothing against amateur rugby. I'm part of it. And FFR should stick to amateur rugby and leave the national team to an independent elite group involving the clubs as major stakeholders who provide the players.

The alternative is to take the players under FFR contract. Away from the clubs.

There is nothing Guy Noves can do about the present situation. It's politics and it's out of his hands. The national selector here is just a figurehead. As long as the clubs no longer support the national team, he's screwed.

Les bleus are in meltdown mode. They've got worse under him. He's not the man for the job. There's many valid reasons for that. http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/36670-France-Post-WC-discussion?p=762783&viewfull=1#post762783
It's going to get worse for him. Last WC 6 mths ago should have been a call for action for FFR - yet they have done nothing since - they just don't have the guts to make the reforms we all know are needed.

Sad, but true. If Bernard Laporte is elected - and I've no idea who the other candidates are - will he have enough clout to bring about the necessary changes and what support will he have from above?

 

[saulan]

At this point I would like to apologise to the Welsh and the New Zealanders for somehow turning this into a thread about French rugby.

 

[JJFlash]

At this point I would like to apologise to the Welsh and the New Zealanders for somehow turning this into a thread about French rugby.

Pas de soucis!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Wales squad announced for June tour to New Zealand

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/wales-name-squad-for-new-zealand-tour-20160510

[TEXTAREA]Wales squad:

Backs (16): Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath/ENG), Jonathan Davies (Clermont/FRA), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins/ENG), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Morgan (Bristol/ENG), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton/ENG), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets)

Forwards (19): Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter/ENG), Paul James (Ospreys) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro/FRA), Bradley Davies (Wasps/ENG), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester/ENG), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff), Sam Warburton (Cardiff, capt)[/TEXTAREA]

 

[Mumbles119]

No Halfpenny?

Has Boudejelli (sp) got his own way? or are the other players staying on merit?

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Surely time phase out one of Paul James or Gethin Jenkins and pick Nicky Smith instead?

And no Sam Davies? Surely worth a punt in the Chiefs game.

 

[Hendo74]

Shame Halfpenny isn't going but, if you haven't played for 8 months, it's maybe not advisable to make your comeback against the ABs!

Hope the likes of Lydiate, Jon Davies get back to top form; also hoping to see more game time for Anscombe, Scott Williams, Moriarty and whichever "other" winger is in favour.....

Does anyone know yet if the England game will be televised..?

 

[johnmac99]

Warburton included even though he hasn't played for a month.

The game's on Sky live KO 1445 hrs

 

[valley commando]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/wales-name-squad-for-new-zealand-tour-20160510

[TEXTAREA]Wales squad:

Backs (16): Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath/ENG), Jonathan Davies (Clermont/FRA), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins/ENG), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Morgan (Bristol/ENG), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton/ENG), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets)

Forwards (19): Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter/ENG), Paul James (Ospreys) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro/FRA), Bradley Davies (Wasps/ENG), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester/ENG), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff), Sam Warburton (Cardiff, capt)[/TEXTAREA]

My selection pick would be -:
15 - Liam Williams IF 1/2 penny was fit he would be 15 with Liam replacing James on the wing.
14 - Tom James
13 - Scott Williams Classiest playmaker in the squad if not the NH
12 - Jonathan Davies
11 - George North
10 - Dan Biggar
9 - Rhys Webb Best 9 in the world currently

1 - Samson Lee
2 - Kristian Dacey Deserves a chance, a strong scrummager and incredibly mobile
3 - Tomos Francis
4 - AWJ
5 - Luke Charteris
6 - James King Excellent form at the moment
8 - Toby F Best NH 8
7 - Sam W

Bench - Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins, Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin, Bradley Davies, Ross Moriarty.

 

[dullonien]

A little disappointed that a few of the emerging young players haven't been included. I'd have included:

Nicky Smith for Paul James. James has been a good servant, but it's always felt like he's been a bit of a stop-gap, while we waited for a youngster to emerge. The likes of Bevington never progressed as first hoped, but Smith and Evans have both shown enough imo, and it's time to replace the ageing James. Jenkins will soon need replacing too.

Ellis Jenkins/James Davies for Lydiate. We should be going to NZ with more than one half crocked openside, especially given that it's the position we have greatest depth in. Lydiate has been average for a while now, with his famed chop tackling technique feeling outdated. He also doesn't offer enough with ball in hand when compared to others vying for his positon.

Sam Davies for Rhys Priestland. Priestland has impressed since moving to Bath, with his Welsh performances markedly better. However surely he'll be a casualty of Gatlands law next season. Davies has had a great season and is probably more deserving of a squad place regardless.