RWC Semi Final: France - Wales (15-08-2011, 21:00)

[GarethEWilliams]

So 4 pages of threads and not one of them questioning the Welsh line up. No one saying who should or shouldn't be picked. This shows a lot for me. Same 22 then, go out there and just carry on do what you have been doing lads.

Brilliant

 

[AKA]

First off, the not picking youngsters stuff is ********. I shan't derail this thread with the giant chapter and verse (besides, I've had this argument with gingergenius), but its simply not true.

Second, we asked Morgan to play for the Saxons, and he said no. Can't pick a player who doesn't want to play. I rate him, I'm annoyed that he'll line up for the Welsh - but if he doesn't want to play for us then so be it.

Anyway, this game should be a cracker. I think Wales have the edge. I can't decide who I want to win. Probably France though. But that feels wrong.

Bit of a contradiction there mate. Morgan should have been called to the senior squad NOW! Not saxons!! Toby Falatau would have never been in the England team if he was English. He would be playing for the Saxons but he is better than anything you have at the moment. England tend to blood thier youngsters out of desperation. You might think its ******** but I tend to disagree. Picking Deacon instead of Lawes?!!!!!
Regarding Morgan.. I am glad he picked Wales over England. Your loss will be our massive gain! Anyway he has Welsh blood because Morgan is a Welsh name.
Can't wait for the game. Lets hope the French who played against Tonga turns up but then again you never know with these lot!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Morgan was picked for the Saxons because that's what was happening at the time - It was coming up to the Churchill Cup, so it would've given them a look at him. Botha, Stevens and Sharples all made the WC camp on the back of that tournament
If he had said yes I have no doubt he would've made the RWC training camp, and then who knows


He wants to play for Wales and that's that (even if, as he said when they interviewed him at a Scarlets game, his Dad is gutted he doesn't want to play for England )

 

[AKA]

t

Mate to be honest, we messed up with going with some of the experienced players, as they did not play that well.

I really don't understand why people think this Wales team was so young it is not like you started with an u21 team. A few of are team were early to mid-twenties as is Wales.

Plus lets be honest Gatland does not have an long list of decent experienced internationals to choose from. He had no choice but to go with youth. He just picked the best players he had available age probably had little to do with it.

The regional welsh teams are not that good, compared to English, French and Irish clubs. Most people including those in Wales did not see Wales doing as well as they did, most die hard welsh fans I know were worrying they might not get out the group.

Don't get me wrong I think Wales have been great and there rugby is just wow. I really hope they win it now, but no one expected them to be playing as good as they are.

Lydiate 22,Warburton 23,Priestland 23,North 19,Halfpenny 22,Johnathan Davies 23. Don't know any other team in this world cup with that many younsters in the starting 15.
You are right when you say Gatland doesn't have a bigger pool of players to choose from but Gatland always gives youngster with potentail chance in the senior squad. He would probably do the same if he was the England coach. Your problem is Johnson. He is the reason you messed up in this WC. But you just gave him another 4 years. Just like your Football team with Capello.
I wouldn't say the regional welsh team are not that good because more than half of the Ospreys team were Welsh international that won 2 grand slams and Cardiff has always had a decent team. It's just for some reason the welsh team can never perform in Europe. I personally blamed the coach.
I never had doubt about this Welsh team. We have 2 of the best props in the planet. Was worried about Bennet but he has been outstanding. Good second rows and world class back rows. Priestland have been a god send because he has got Roberts attacking his usual line and I always thought Jothan davies would come good in International level. North and Williams will give anyone a game and Halfpenny have sloved our full back problem. All this with Hook on the Bench. They just needed belief and I think they have got it now. I always had faith in this team that's why I stuck £50 on them to win the WC. 80-1. Lets hope they repay my faith.

 

[groga]

It's going to be a cracker of a game (Hopefully). France to win by 10 hopefully we are on.

 

[AKA]

Morgan was picked for the Saxons because that's what was happening at the time - It was coming up to the Churchill Cup, so it would've given them a look at him. Botha, Stevens and Sharples all made the WC camp on the back of that tournament
If he had said yes I have no doubt he would've made the RWC training camp, and then who knows


He wants to play for Wales and that's that (even if, as he said when they interviewed him at a Scarlets game, his Dad is gutted he doesn't want to play for England )

Personally mate, I think he should have been in your last 6 nations squad. He didn't need to prove himself with the Saxons considering the situation with Wales and all that. I don't think he is a average player like Stevens,Botha and Sharples. I think he is going to be world class and Johnson should have seen that and called him to the senior squad for the 6 nations but that's not how Johnson's mindset works.

I didn't know his dad said that after the Scarlet game. If thats true then you have just made my day. Cheers!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

So 4 pages of threads and not one of them questioning the Welsh line up. No one saying who should or shouldn't be picked. This shows a lot for me. Same 22 then, go out there and just carry on do what you have been doing lads.

Brilliant

Very rare and very true. Wales have been both the dark horse and darlings of the RWC so far and with SA out they have my backing. Just don't let the French smell blood and you'll be fine and then the final... where anything can happen.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Personally mate, I think he should have been in your last 6 nations squad. He didn't need to prove himself with the Saxons considering the situation with Wales and all that. I don't think he is a average player like Stevens,Botha and Sharples. I think he is going to be world class and Johnson should have seen that and called him to the senior squad for the 6 nations but that's not how Johnson's mindset works.

I didn't know his dad said that after the Scarlet game. If thats true then you have just made my day. Cheers!

Everyone needs to earn their stripes though
Also can't believe you said Sharples is average



Haha, yeah they interviewed him in the stands at halftime and he was saying that he wanted him to play for England, and it's going to be very confusing for him if he lines up against England in a Wales shirt one day



Anyway, this is all way off topic now :lol:

 

[psychic duck]

I don't think Ben Morgan would have solved England's problems, he is pretty much a carbon copy of Nick Easter, and is no better than Waldrom, and he definitely needed to play Saxons before being called up ahead of hem as so far he's only been successful in Magners League

The reason Wales simply can just put youngsters like Toby Faletau in the side is because they have far less players and depth, and sometimes I think Gatland has gone too far with introducing youngsters into the team such as Prydie, Kristian Phillips and Scott Williams who haven't been getting many league starts or Heineken Cup experience (however Scott Williams has proved my concerns wrong

 

[Thingimubob]

I really don't like this talk of Wales 'should' win this, I'm really not comfortable with the favorites tag I guess! Can't help but feel that fate is being tempted way too much...
For me this match is exactly the same as the Ireland one, 50 - 50, no idea which way it will go! At the risk of sounding a bit cliche, it all seems depends on whether France play to their full potential or not, we have no idea which France is going to turn up. Though one this is sure, if they only play for 40mins like they did last week, then they will struggle against this very fit Welsh side! Out of interest how good is Parra's defense from no.10? Roberts has caused havoc running down the 10 channel against the likes of O'Gara and Morne Steyn so far, so Parra will certainly have his hands full! Can see France doing a Joe Worsley and sticking someone like Dusatoir to tackle the hell out of Roberts. Cant say I'd mind too much if they did, even if Roberts gets tied up by Dusatoir at every tackle that leaves one less awesome tackler to deal with the likes of North, Davies, Faletau and Shane.
With the Welsh selection I'd say same again! Only selections that I slightly questioned last week was not including Bradley Davies for extra grunt up front (though Charteris had a very solid game when he was on) and picking Jon Davies over a very confident Scott Williams. Though in all fairness, Jon Davies really stepped up to the mark and had one of his better games in a Welsh shirt and pretty much just waltzed through a couple of Irish tackles for a great try.
Cannot wait for this game,

 

[mikefoot1]

This game is going to be an epic. If Wales keep up their form, I personally think we could give the All blacks a run for their money.

 

[GarethEWilliams]

In terms of selection the one one option I may like to see is Stephen Jones on the bench. I feel Gatland was not keen to risk Hook when the game is close, and only brought him on when injury occurred. This does make 23 into 22, and I guess it would be harsh on Scott Williams but I think Hook can cover outside centre, and with Jones on the bench we have more stable cover at outside half?

 

[Saintjay]

I really hope Wales win, if past meetings are any thing to go by you would back the French.

Since 2000, Wales have only beaten France three times. The last victory coming in 2008.

The French on the other hand have beaten Wales ten times, with a convincing 28 - 9 win in March 2011.

 

[oldscumbagonian]

Alain Rolland will be the man with the whistle. Good choice, he knows both teams well and usually referees in a manner sympathetic to open rugby. And he speaks French!

 

[GarethEWilliams]

Guys sorry if you read my other thread on this but I need to find a good place to watch this game on Saturday - I will be in Central London. I will be getting the train to Liverpool Street. A good Welsh pub (not essential to be Welsh!) with a good screen and beer (essential!). :i-m_so_happy::bonne-de:

 

[groga]

I really really hope France win this and the cup.

I remember the 1999 world cup where we knocked out the all blacks (was a fan of the all black's back then dad is a kiwi mums french was 10). Never looked back since

But wow have loved wales ever since the south africa game where i told my mate. "Would hate to play these guys as they are dangerous"

And will stick to that opinion Wales should win as they have been playing the better rugby.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

This game is going to be an epic. If Wales keep up their form, I personally think we could give the All blacks a run for their money.

Slow down , you're not there yet.

I think I'll agree with the bookies on this game: Wales is the favourite, but nearly as much as forum members think (some bookies actually have them at even odds).

Should start with a more versatile and mobile third line on this one (Ouedraogo, Lakafia). Despite Walles are especially dangerous in the last 20min, I would name it at the beginning, with Hari and Bonnaire entering around the 55th, swapping mobility by physical freshness.
Keeping the front row, maybe Barcella instead of Poux, but here again with Swarsevski entering soon in the 2nd.

We need to keep the Yachvili-Parra association, as it's working better and better with game time. I'm worrying also on Trinh-Duc who didn't get the spark the team did, and who is still underperforming. We need him.

Collective Welsh team is impressive, but I should place a special attention on Roberts...

I think I couldn't disagree more with this post. If we learnt something from the game vs England, is that we were wasting our time leaving players like Imanol and Bonnaire out for players who are supposed to be stronger runners. Those two were by far the best players on the pitch on saturday, there's no way they'll be dropped, and I think it would be a huge mistake to do so. Bonnaire does pretty much all the breakdown work in this team, with Harinordoquy coming second (Papé, Servat and Dusautoir come close). We can't afford to let Warburton slow our game down. Plus, Bonnaire did an inhuman amount of tackles, we need him (and Dusautoir) to cover eventual linebreaks by Davies and Roberts, especially is Parra is at 10.
About this last thing, apparently Trinh-Duc has had problems with the rest of the players, which is a shame as I really think that this whole Parra at 10 should be stopped. I think Trinh-Duc had a very good 20 minutes, but if he doesn't get along with the rest of the team, he can't be starting (yeah, that's how it works for the french).
France needs to slow down welsh ball and put pressure on midfield, so Wales is forced to kick possession away (I know it is a lot more difficult than it sounds). Slowing down should be done more by counter-rucking than by using hands, we don't really have a fetcher.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

I agree when you spot on the high performances of Bonnaire and Hari. Bonnaire is not only MOTM but maybe the best player since the beginning of the cup. But he's intensively assailed by request from the beginning. I think Ouedraogo, despite he doesn't have is capacity in lineouts, can make the day in defense, sine his tackling capacities are not to be proved.
I also agree that now that defense found its marks with the knew Yach/Parra association, introducing new elements around them is not a perfect thing. We'll have to maintain with Walles for 60-70 mins the level we did for 15 vs NZ, and 30-35 vs England. I'm just not quite sure we must only rely on the "tauliers" because fatigue will enter into account (This is also true for Walles with also played 100% since the beginning of the cup).

Don't know the matter with Trinh-Duc and the team, if is it a journalist buzz or a real issue, but he's not in the cup for sure.

 

[Big Ewis]

I cheer for France of course, but regardless of the outcome I suppose at least we'll have a European team in the Finals no matter what...and we do share soooooomewhat of a distant relation with the celts don't we....but no time for history, next saturday's the important day !
I must say they've been really impressive this year ! Their best year in the world cup I'm sure.

Lol at Lievremont on that pic ! He's so happy !!

 

[Surefire]

About this last thing, apparently Trinh-Duc has had problems with the rest of the players, which is a shame as I really think that this whole Parra at 10 should be stopped. I think Trinh-Duc had a very good 20 minutes, but if he doesn't get along with the rest of the team, he can't be starting (yeah, that's how it works for the french).

Wow, did not hear about this. Too bad b/c I was a strong supporter of Trinh-Duc, and said several times I wanted the Parra @ 10 thing to stop. Even though Yach.-Parra looked better against England I am still not convinced. On the L'Equipe site today they wrote about unleashing Trihn-Duc's frustration onto the Welsh. Sounded good to me. He was effective against them in the recent past, and I believe having him start gives us the best chance of winning. However if what you say is true then.....