RWC: South Africa - Wales (11-09-2011, 20:30)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I am not so much writing Wales off, I just feel we have the upper-hand by 80%

 

[Welshunderdog]

I think it's great to hear South African fans writing off Wales. However, reasons for Wales to be cheerful:

* Wales have scored more tries in the past 3 matches (7 Wales, 6 SA)
* The trend over the past 5 years has been that Wales has been consistently improving. It's only a matter of time before they pull off a win.
* The past three matches, SA have come from behind. Wales will not keep on letting SA off the hook
* Wales have unearthed some real talent on the international stage in the past year or two, including Faletau, North, Priestland, Knoyle, Lydiate and Warburton. They've performed exceptionally well and will not be overawed by the occassion and will not be tainted by the drubbings we used to get in years gone by.
*The Welsh fitness levels have been exemplary, and England were truly shocked how fit Wales were. they are in top shape, and will not fade away towards the end of the match
* Wales's senior players all stood out in the Lions tour in 2009 - Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts, Adam Jones, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones - all had great games and know how to win against SA away from home
*Not taking it for granted, but hopefully the crowd will be behind Wales, supporting one of their own Waikato locals gatland.
*Forget Wales's history of playing poorly in the group stages. Everyone in Wales knew that Wales were being badly coached in 2007 and it was no surprise that they got beaten by fiji. To put this into context, Wales got beaten by about 60 points against England in warm up game, but this time around, we narrowly lost to England at Twickenham, and beat them at home. It's a totally different Wales team this time around, with a different attitude.

this is going to be a very, very close match despite what diehard SA fans think. it will be a 5 point margin at best, and it could go either way.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I wouldn't say Faletau was a talent on the international stage
The moment he brings his club form across he will be, but he hasn't been great so far (not bad, but not a patch on his Dragons form)

 

[Jer1cho]

Being arrogant:

Wales will never EVER beat us. We are way better than them, and they don't even come close to us on a rugby field. Never have, never will.

Confidence:

I don't think Wales will beat us this weekend, because we are fielding our strongest, most experienced team against them, after finding some form against both Australia and New Zealand. Wales were average at best, against far worse oppisition, so I think we will have too much for them on Sunday.

Seeing the difference yet? We are not writing off Wales any more than we are backing our own team to do the job.

 

[donmcdazzle]

I'll be at the game cheering for Wales (so we hopefully avoide SA in a potential semi final), go on Cymru! It's a night game in Wellington though, we all know what that means.. it'll be cold and the ball will be dewy. I think SA will get home on the back of kicking, defence and ruck pressure. Wales need to win the up front battle, and I don't think they will.

 

[calculon]

I am not so much writing Wales off, I just feel we have the upper-hand by 80%

I don't know what to make of Wales. They could get beaten up like they did against Fra in the 6 nations or they could play out of their skins with their good backs - better than SA's backs maybe - and sneak a win. Habana is older now. Wales beat England and Ireland in their last 2 tests, but it's what happens when things don't work out for them that I worry about - i.e. France game. They are improved.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Pffft, being called arrogant for backing my team and thinking they will win. Priceless. And we're the ones (Saffa's) supposed to have the chip on our collective shoulder.

 

[Jer1cho]

Habana and Botha are in doubt. Aplon is a more than capable substitute though, as he is far better on attack. SA's version of Shane Williams. Muller should stand in for Botha, though Russouw and Alberts could also slot in there.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Habana and Botha are in doubt. Aplon is a more than capable substitute though, as he is far better on attack. SA's version of Shane Williams. Muller should stand in for Botha, though Russouw and Alberts could also slot in there.

I've heard about Botha. Big pity. I just hope anyone other than Rossouw slots in there or if Rossouw is the man then he should stay the hell away from the ball. Who do you think will cover Habana, Hougaard or Aplon? I'd be happy with either.

 

[Jer1cho]

I've heard about Botha. Big pity. I just hope anyone other than Rossouw slots in there or if Rossouw is the man then he should stay the hell away from the ball. Who do you think will cover Habana, Hougaard or Aplon? I'd be happy with either.

I just read that Hougaard will cover. Which is absolutely fine by me. He is fast, and tough as nails. He can create something out of nothing. I am a MASSIVE fan of Francois Hougaard.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Glad to hear Botha is out - the less time he gets at the world cup the better it is for rugby, the scumbag

 

[Jer1cho]

Glad to hear Botha is out - the less time he gets at the world cup the better it is for rugby, the scumbag

Haters gonna hate.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I just read that Hougaard will cover. Which is absolutely fine by me. He is fast, and tough as nails. He can create something out of nothing. I am a MASSIVE fan of Francois Hougaard.

Awesome, I rate him as a winger as well. So the probable matchday 22:

1 Guthro Steenakamp
2 John Smit (if PdV's garbage comments are anything to go by)
3 Jannie du Plessis
4 Danie Rossouw/Johan Muller
5 Victor Matfield
6 Heinrich Brussow
7 Schalk Burger
8 Pierre Spies
9 Fourie du Preez
10 Morne Steyn
11 Francois Hougaard
12 Jean de Villiers
13 Jaque Fourie
14 JP Petersen
15 Frans Steyn/Patrick Lambie

16 Bismarck du Plessis
17 Tendai Mtawarira
18 Danie Rossouw/Johan Muller
19 Willem Alberts
20 Ruan Pienaar
21 Butch James/Patrick Lambie
22 Frans Steyn/Patrick Lambie/Gio Aplon

 

[TRF_heineken]

More like:

1 Guthro Steenakamp
2 John Smit (if PdV's garbage comments are anything to go by)
3 Jannie du Plessis
4 Danie Rossouw/Johan Muller
5 Victor Matfield
6 Heinrich Brussow
7 Schalk Burger
8 Pierre Spies
9 Fourie du Preez
10 Morne Steyn
11 Bryan Habana
12 Jean de Villiers
13 Jaque Fourie
14 JP Petersen
15 Frans Steyn

16 Bismarck du Plessis
17 Tendai Mtawarira
18 Danie Rossouw/Johan Muller
19 Willem Alberts
20 Francois Hougaard
21 Butch James/Patrick Lambie
22 Gio Aplon

or if it's a 5/2 split on the bench then:

16 Bismarck du Plessis
17 Tendai Mtawarira
18 Johan Muller
19 Danie Rossouw
20 Willem Alberts
21 Francois Hougaard
22 Gio Aplon/Patrick Lambie

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I wonder how many Boks kicks we will see from du Preez

 

[Jer1cho]

I wonder how many Boks kicks we will see from du Preez

Hopefully not a lot. In my opinion, he is the only major concern we have. He is very far off what he was in 2009. If he can find that form again for this tournament though, then good luck to anyone playing against us. On his day, he is the best 9 on the planet by a country mile. Genia can suck a sheep.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

The problem is that, like you said, du Preez hasn't been top notch since 2009. Genia is by far the most impressive scrum-half at the moment. Both Piri Weepu and Fourie du Preez are still finding their form after recovering from surgery

 

[psychic duck]

Hopefully not a lot. In my opinion, he is the only major concern we have. He is very far off what he was in 2009. If he can find that form again for this tournament though, then good luck to anyone playing against us. On his day, he is the best 9 on the planet by a country mile. Genia can suck a sheep.

the only major concern?

what about that doofus of a coach, that stupid obese skipper, Brüssow's injury problems, Habana's form, Steyn's form

 

[TRF_heineken]

the only major concern?

what about that doofus of a coach, that stupid obese skipper, Brüssow's injury problems, Habana's form, Steyn's form

Clearly you didn't watch the last Tri-nations match of the Boks vs NZ...

Brussouw is healed up and we got back-up in Francois Louw
Morne Steyn's form got back in that game with the help FdP alongside him
Habana showed in that game that he's on his way back

Our Doofus coach, well there's not much we can do about him, but just think how all the other team's management will look like if we do win under his reign!

And as for John Smit, he might surprize us all...

our concerns are not such a big problem...

If I was an aussie or a kiwi I would seriously be concerned if Quade Cooper, Will Genia, David Pocock, Richie Mccaw and Dan Carter gets injured...

the boks know what to do when a key guy gets injured, the Aussies and Kiwis don't!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

SA concerns

15 - Frans Steyn at 15 still looking totally disinterested in the game. I imagine his injury concern would only compound this. Lambiealso had an injury scare. Aplon, Lambie and Steyn not playing FB full time before RWC

9 - FdP off target. If he can summon 1/2 his 2007 or 2009 form, SA are golden for the ***le.

backrow - Juan Smith's injury means we are thin at backrow (ITO world class quality) especially considering Brussow's fondness of injury and Schalks lack of gametime since S15.

4 - Rossouw in the worst form of his life

2 - Smit blocking Bissie

PdV, Muir, Gold - lack of any input


Still pretty competitive despite the above.