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

[Nicolaas]

our best backline player isnt even in the starting 22...hahaha, only in SA! wtf does the coach see in butch james?!?!? stupid prick! and ah yes...john smit...may you break your back and die in hell...both of you!!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Butch James is just there because Bakkies isn't - need someone to get a yellow card don't they

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Butch James is just there because Bakkies isn't - need someone to get a yellow card don't they

Since Albert van den Berg has retired, the choice was easy for James haha. Man, how happy am I to know that douche has retired

 

[TRF_Cymro]

WALES: James Hook; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau
REPLACEMENTS: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Leigh Halfpenny

 

[Me 1]

FACEPALM!FACEPALM!FACEPALM!FACEPALM! How are we supposed to win with Hook at 15!

 

[TVH11]

I like that Team. Hook at 15 is still a wee bit of a waste, but Priestland performed well with his chance so lets hope Phillips finds his form and can give RP a bit of time on the ball. Bench isn't hugely strong so lets hope the starting XV don't tire too much.

Looks rather attacking backline (with the exception of the center pairing - They haven't functioned together at all We need a distributor at 12 I shall fight that till the death!).

Bring on The weekend. This game couldn't come sooner. Just hope my hangover aint too overpowering!!!!

 

[Falvey]

Charteris?! Oh good god. At least we're not playing against one of the top line out technicians in the world...

That's really wound me up.

Also, massively agree that we need a creative 12.

Possibly:

10 Priestland
11 Shane
12 Hook
13 Roberts
14 North
15 Halfpenny

?

But do understand if they don't want to start halfpenny as he hasn't had much game time at all recently. Just haven't seen Roberts and Davies work as a pairing at all.

Having said all this I hope they prove me wrong and get a result on sunday. Gotta have faith. CANNOT WAIT. Cymru Am Byth.

 

[Cofi]

I like that Team. Hook at 15 is still a wee bit of a waste, but Priestland performed well with his chance so lets hope Phillips finds his form and can give RP a bit of time on the ball. Bench isn't hugely strong so lets hope the starting XV don't tire too much.

Looks rather attacking backline (with the exception of the center pairing - They haven't functioned together at all We need a distributor at 12 I shall fight that till the death!).

Bring on The weekend. This game couldn't come sooner. Just hope my hangover aint too overpowering!!!!

Priestland at fly-half - mam bach! I agree with your above point about Phillips giving him as much time as possible - imperative. Hook at fifteen - if he counter attacks effectively early on, it make them think twice about relentlessly kicking the ball.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's an all right squad, about what was expected - don't like Hook at 15, but there you go

 

[cyRil]

****ing bullshit.

 

[Thingimubob]

Will Gatland ever learn that Hook is NOT A BLOODY FULLBACK! Knoyle should be there any day over Phillips, only reason that Gatland could've picked Phillips over him would be for 'physicality' but it's not as if Knoyle is scared of contact himself! His performance against the Argentinians should've secured his place in the team...
Dot think Charteris should be there, would be much happier with Bradley Davies - need his physicality.
Would've been so much happier with a backline of:
9. Knoyle 10. Priestland 11. Shane 12. Hook 13. Roberts 14. North 15. Halfpenny

 

[JW.]

I've been saying it for a couple of years Gatland is crap, get rid of him!

But Hook at 15. will be solid and he will offer some nice running lines + decent kicking. If you put Halfpenny at FB against SA I fear he would be demolished or get injured.

 

[Darwin]

Can't really understand the selection of Charteris. I've always been impressed by Davies, and his physical game is exactly what Wales needs to combat the South African forward pack. What does Charteris offer over Davies? Is he a better lineout option? I'm only guessing this because of his height, but I know that height doesn't necessarily correlate with lineout ability.

Interested to see how Priestland goes at 10, as I have seen a lot of him.

 

[Thingimubob]

I've been saying it for a couple of years Gatland is crap, get rid of him!

But Hook at 15. will be solid and he will offer some nice running lines + decent kicking. If you put Halfpenny at FB against SA I fear he would be demolished or get injured.

Hook will be solid all day under high ball (which is what I'm expecting to be a big part of the SA gameplan) and his kicking should be fine, but still think it's just a waste to stick him back there. Do reckon Halfpenny or Priestland would be just as solid back then.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Charteris is there because he's really tall, and in age-grade rugby tall=good in the lineout

Bradley Davies is way better than Charteris

 

[TRF_Cymro]

For those in the UK: http://www.itv.com/wales/wales-in-the-world-cup86206/

Insight into Wales RWC prep. Good viewing. Adam Jones is the best Welsh swimmer in camp!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Wow!

Amazing how quickly some fans can become angry when they were so psyched before the team was named.

I like the Boks squad a lot.

Last night on the news they said it has been very windy in wellington all week and it's expected to remain that way throughout the weekend. Assistant Coach Dick Muir said that the welsh back three should expect a lot of bombs as the windy conditions causes a lot of swirling in the stadium. I hope James Hook can jump and catch cause he's going to be peppered!

5/2 split on the bench, sounds good to me. keep the forwards fresh and let them bully those Welshies!!

Go Bokke!!!

 

[TVH11]

Warning contains Adult "comedic" themes



Saw this and thought it was quite amusing. Apologies if theres a little too much naughty words Quite amusing and glad it hasn't happened as yet

 

[TRF_heineken]

Saw this and thought it was quite amusing. Apologies if theres a little too much naughty words Quite amusing and glad it hasn't happened as yet

Wow, the welsh can't even think of their own comedy!! had to copy this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_khc0-T3jrA

from 2008!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I have to be honest; I'm a bit meh about the SA line-up.

We needed to have at least 1 of either De Jongh, Lambie, Hougaard or Aplon in there as our runners are all too similar in the back or not runners at all (yes, both Steyns, i'm talking about you guys).

Forwards are probably the best we can manage with Bekker, Smith and Botha out and PdV dead set on keeping our 5th choice hooker starting ahead of Bismarck.

That said, go BOkke!!