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

Its a tough call. Turnbull can cover 6/7 and possibly 8, Martyn is limited to openside.
I might go with Nugget for experience, but certainly not JT!
 
What about Delve, has to be the most underrated player ever by the Welsh management?

Just looked up the Wales 30man squad he's not even in it..:(
 
What about Delve, has to be the most underrated player ever by the Welsh management?

Just looked up the Wales 30man squad he's not even in it..:(

Agree. Like I said in a previous post, I'd pick him, but I don't think he'd get selected.
 
Can't wait for this game to start already!
 
Can't wait for this game to start already!
Same here! Feeling nervous/excited all day, won't be able to sleep.

Interesting comment from Warren Gatland on Gareth Delve (from WalesOnline)
When Ryan Jones pulled out we would have selected Gareth Delve to start at No8, but for reasons I don't wish to go into here this was not possible at the time.


Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/09/08/warren-gatland-my-answers-to-your-questions-91466-29381145/2/#ixzz1XaU7ae5M]WalesOnline[/url]
 
Can't wait for this match now, just gotta make sure I'm up in time!

I have some mixed feelings about the team Gatland has selected. I can see why Charteris has been selected, because when things go to plan, he can be an excellent lineout jumper, and that's the one biog area that needed improving. Bradley Davies also hasn't managed to hit the form he showed last season yet, having much less impact, so overall I think this could work out well. The rest of the pack picked itself really with Ryan Jones not available. Hopefully Faletau will step up another notch or two and show why everyone in Wales is hugely excited about this young man. Along with Lydiate and Warbs, he forms a very young backrow with an average age of what, 21? Exciting times ahead.

I'm a little more concerned about the makeup of the backline. The main two problems I have is with Hook at fullback, and the centre partership. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Hook doesn't make a good fullback. He makes a solid fullback, but he's simply too far away from the action, and not decisive enough with his runs to make any real impact from the 15 berth. The problem would be, if not Hook then who? Byrne is a big no for me (which begs the question, why was he included in the squad in the first place), but how about Halfpenny, or playing Priestland at 15. I've got no problem with Priestland at 10, he's an excellent attacking outside half who's a little more direct than Hook, but imo he makes a better fullback than Hook, due to his extra pace and running lines. Switching those two would make alot of sense in my book, and I'm not quite sure why Gatland persists in switching Hook to 15 on a regular basis. As I said, the centres is another are that concerns me slightly. Jon Davies has yet to get close to his barnstorming Scarlets best for Wales, and there's little sign that it will happen in this game. At the moment, he's little more than solid alongside Roberts who's returning to some genuine form. I'm not sure the two work all that well, and for me, this is where Hook is really needed at the moment, to bring some creativity ito the midfield. If I were Gatland I'd have gone for a backline of: 9 Knoyle, 10 Priestland, 11 Shane, 12 Roberts, 13 Hook, 14 North, 15 Halfpenny. We might have lost a little defensively, but I think we would have gained more in attack.

Alas, this is not the case, but all is not lost. The team Gatland has selected is still a strong one, and some of my issues are reletively minour in comparison to the past. I'm still predicting a close game, and I still believe we can win tomorrow morning. Gatland can still move Hook foreward and bring Halfpenny on if things aren't going to plan. I'm certainly weary of SA's forwards, particularily Matfield and Brussow, and whether we can live with the power the entire Bok forward pack brings for the full 80. If Warburton continues where he left off against England, and Alun-Wyn v Argies then I think we could surprise many, but the rest of the pack need to step-up a level aswell. Let's produce some quick ball and see what that backline can do, afterall every one of them are gamebreakers on their day, given a little space, but it all starts up front.
 
Agree with dull, I'd feel a lot happier with that backline. Defensively we should be solid, but might be a bit blunt in attack via the centres. Will be a close one, need to make sure we keep our discipline though, Steyn will punish us all day if we don't.
Hope that Phillips watched the Romanian no.20 and both the Japanese scrum halves - THAT is how you pass quick ball!
 
24mins to go :D

Been looking forward to this match more than any other this weekend (including the England game)
 
Had an interesting feeling wash over me, thinking about the mentality that the Springboks will be bringing to this game.

Most of the games so far, except for Argentina vs. England, have been a stronger team trying to assert their dominance over a smaller team. However, the smaller teams have impressed, making the bigger teams uncomfortable and have to work for their wins. This one, however, South Africa are still favorites to win but not by much.

Just had the feeling that the Boks are not going to let it get to them and not let Wales into it at all, and will smash them.

Not saying that's what will happen, just had the thought.
 
Had an interesting feeling wash over me, thinking about the mentality that the Springboks will be bringing to this game.

Most of the games so far, except for Argentina vs. England, have been a stronger team trying to assert their dominance over a smaller team. However, the smaller teams have impressed, making the bigger teams uncomfortable and have to work for their wins. This one, however, South Africa are still favorites to win but not by much.

Just had the feeling that the Boks are not going to let it get to them and not let Wales into it at all, and will smash them.

Not saying that's what will happen, just had the thought.

Yeah I know what your saying and it makes sense but Wales are no minnows, you cant just smash them. It should be a good close game IMO.
 
I think this going to be a close one, unless one of the sides bottle it... however the South African and Welsh sides have ended high recently, the Welsh will bring something different.

I don't think this is a kicking World Cup as we are starting to discover, if you want to win you need to get points when you can and go for try's
 
Yeah I know what your saying and it makes sense but Wales are no minnows, you cant just smash them. It should be a good close game IMO.

Wasn't calling Wales minnows, was just saying the Springboks are favored over them and that because it's not a mismatch like the other games that South Africa won't take winning for granted and might steamroll Wales as a result if they fire on all cylinders.
 
First Try and it was converted...

South Africa 7 - 0 Wales after 4 minutes

Wales have a lot of work to do if they want to win this game..
 
Hmm,I forgot South Africa can be that good...

But to be honest I hadn't seen the teams until now and I can't believe that Charteris and Huw Bennet are starting. Also Faletau, imo, hasn't made the step-up to international level at alll well yet. Also its such a shame Gethin can't play, you really need your best for these games
 
Ay? That penalty went over, what's going on?


Edit: Replay shows it go slightly right then wind brings it back
 

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