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

[dullonien]

Bloody hell, Wales should have won that. Very dissapointed we couldn't close out another game against the Boks. Alot being said about the ref, I think he had an alright game, missed things for both sides at the breakdown, but I don't understand how he missed so many SA knock ons. I also thought two of the knock ons he gave against Wales were nothing of the sort, one at the begining where it came off a foot at the baser of the ruck, and another when Faletau and Roberts combined to cause havok. Looked like Roberts had control of the ball when he hit the deck, then a stray SA boot or hand caused the ball to go forward. Either way, it was the blatant SA knock ons in centre field which got to me the most.

Anyway, I've had my say like everyone else about the ref, back to the game. The Welsh pack were awesome today. That backrow totally outplayed their opposition (although Alberts made an impact when he came on). As I thought before the game, Warburton showed that he's up there with the best, and was immense at the breakdown. Lydiate's workrate was phenomenal, best game yet in a Welsh shirt. Faletau also started coming into his own in the second half, really getting over the gainline, and started to break some tackles, I think he'll go from strength to strength after that display. Charteris prooved that Gatland made the right call picking him, because he was rock at lineout time, and his workrate in defense was good. Didn't offer much as a ball carier, but that didn't hurt us much. Alun-Wyn had his best game in years, gave everything to the cause.

There was some much improved performances in the backs aswell, with Jon Davies finally showing some of his Scarlets form. I thought Priestland had another good game, but he simply had to nail that drop goal from that distance with the time SA allowed him to have. I have no doubt Hook would have got that kick, why wasn't he offering himself aswell? Roberts broke the gainline, just a pitty he lost the ball on a couple of occasions after doing so. Hook was ok at fullback, started poorly, knocking on the ball from an up and under he should have taken, and a very poor attempted tackle on Steyn who really had no right to score from there.

Ultimately it was a couple of small things which let us down today. A poor start which included a couple of basic errors. A couple of missed kicks, although I'm another who was convinced that kick from Hook went over! The second SA try was another soft one to give away, and we do it time and time again against SA, we switch off for a second and they score! Our failure to capitalise on the dominance we had in that 20min period when Faletau scored was another dissapointment, we needed to score another try during that spell. We're getting closer, and this young team will learn a huge amount, but ultimately there's still something holding us back. NZ or Aus would have given SA a hiding with that much ball and territory, but we can't seem to make the breakthrough we've been threatening for years now.

Overall, I'm hugely dissapointed, but at the same time I think this game has shown that we're easily good enough to come through this group. SA could yet slip up against either Fiji or Samoa, and realisticly if Wales play enywhere neer that well against those teams, we should have their number. No injuries is one other positive I can take from this game.

 

[Sam Owen]

Roberts was a machine, great player he made so many yards all day, wish Sonny Bill played like he does. Runs like a racehorse straight and hard.

Yeah man Roberts is a machine but I wish he had an off-load like SBW so the ball doesnt die with him, but yeah Roberts is one of the best IMO.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Why quote me on that? xD All I said was not to paint all NH with the same brush based off the fact a ref on the night was bad.

Sorry, never have got used to the fact that the quote that you made isn't brought with you. Not objecting with your post per sé.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Yeah man Roberts is a machine but I wish he had an off-load like SBW so the ball doesnt die with him, but yeah Roberts is one of the best IMO.

That's what I mean eh, if SBW could combine Robert's mentality and approach with the extra skills he has, he'd be unreal. He is big and fast enough to do damage up the guts like Roberts does, he just hardly ever does it.

 

[TrueSlawter]

Sorry, never have got used to the fact that the quote that you made isn't brought with you. Not objecting with your post per sé.

hah its no issue, tis a bit weird it doesnt keep a quote within a quote.

Also Roberts as he is now with SBW offloading would be insane to be honest, would need good supporting players too though.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Just watching the replays; Barnes' positioning was shocking for the second try, pretty much created the gap for Hougaard. Wales should have scored more points with 60% possession though.

 

[Sam Owen]

He is big and fast enough to do damage up the guts like Roberts does, he just hardly ever does it.

Also Roberts as he is now with SBW offloading would be insane to be honest, would need good supporting players too though.

Yeah I think SBW is just not as quick as Roberts, Roberts comes on to the ball very nicely because of that acceleration and he's also very robust. Roberts is a guy you want to hit out wide 5m out from the tryline, also, you get him to start practising off-loads and then some good runners running of him and then POW! you got a real right-cross in Jamie Roberts.

 

[TrueSlawter]

Just watching the replays; Barnes' positioning was shocking for the second try, pretty much created the gap for Hougaard. Wales should have scored more points with 60% possession though.

I saw it too, Hougaard just ran where the ref just was, still doesnt make up for bad positioning and drift defence by Wales though.


Also on the SBW v Roberts on speed I dunno SBW aint no slouch. If he hit the line more he'd be a pretty big threat tbh but yeah, Roberts is great (when on form) for going forward but just thinking him having SBW's offloads would be very nice and with the likes of North playing if he did offload it should create a fair few trys

 

[TVH11]

Absolutely Gutted but optimistic for rest of tournament. Huge performance by the boys, with Forwards playing immensely!

Yet another game against the Bokks that we just close, which is a shame. Not going to criticize the ref cause thats a cop out! We should have been more accurate with our kicking (not that they were easy at all).

Still not convinced by center partnership. Roberts played very well, and looking like he's getting back to some form. I must be the only one that think Jon Davies didn't play well - everythings just too direct with him and we need a play-maker at 12 (Roberts then shifting to 13). Phillips on the whole was good, although he must be more efficient in the breakdown - taking way too much time to give ball out and great counter rucking from SA punished him for his laid back attitude.

Charteris' selection came under scrutiny prior to match, but showed why he should be there. Line outs actually functioned - yes i know front ball is slow ball but at least we retain possession.

Overall valiant effort, and we must focus on our final passes!!!! Can't wait for next week

 

[TrueSlawter]

John Davies with a creative 12 would also be good for him, Roberts and Davies are kinda simular, both direct runners.

Mabey try against Namibia or something 10. Priestland 11. Shane 12. Hook 13. Roberts 14. North 15. Halfpenny. Then half time bring Davies on for Roberts (or last 20 or w/e) Give em both a shot to shine with hook at 12.

Either way kinda looking forward to the game against Samoa now should be a good one, if Wales carry this performance through the WC they should get to at least the quaters tbf

 

[IluvRugby]

This is what I hate about the British, on other sites I have been today(not this one in particular) we are all saying how well Wales played and they did, take nothing away from them, but they lost and that against an SA side that just performed poorly, same thing here in Eng, every one here are just so happy that we won against Argentina and thats good enough very few people mention that it also was a poor game. I read the SA sites and there it is as if SA lost by 40 points on some of the NZ sites the supporters were very unhappy that NZ didnt beat Tonga 80-0 and I think at the moment that is the difference between us and the south.

 

[Rhyer]

Its been already said barnes was terrible for both sides. The question was asked specifically about offside.

I actually thought Barnes was a very good ref today, made the odd mistake but nothing serious. It was a very fluid game compared to the other World Cup games so far which is surprising because only three tries were scored in total.

 

[captainpotwash]

The reason you don't see SBW smashing up defence as much as Roberts is because of the width the ABs create

 

[Rhyer]

This is what I hate about the British, on other sites I have been today(not this one in particular) we are all saying how well Wales played and they did, take nothing away from them, but they lost and that against an SA side that just performed poorly, same thing here in Eng, every one here are just so happy that we won against Argentina and thats good enough very few people mention that it also was a poor game. I read the SA sites and there it is as if SA lost by 40 points on some of the NZ sites the supporters were very unhappy that NZ didnt beat Tonga 80-0 and I think at the moment that is the difference between us and the south.

The annoying thing about the British, after watching the games on ITV, is that they never talk about the other team. For instance this game they kept saying, Wales can get back in it but never talked about the Boks and that was the same with Argentina, they didn't get ANY credit to Argentina for that game but only said England were playing poorly. Argentina were screwing up England and if they hadn't been using a fourth choice flyhalf they would have won.

 

[captainpotwash]

@Rhyer -

Argentina were screwing up England and if they hadn't been using a fourth choice flyhalf they would have won.

true. If Hernandez had been playing England would have undoubtedly lost

 

[Siva Tau]

Nice one, way to go. Stating all NH refs are **** based on one crap ref who happens to be from the NH..

Either way tbh Wales should've won. That penalty imo went over and in the end that was the difference. Saying that we also had another 2 shots at it with a drop goal and another penalty but couldnt take those chances.

Jim Fleming is worst Ive ever seen. Alain Rolland pretty shite. Derek Bevan was a fusspot.

 

[Siva Tau]

After all rugby is a game made for referees to shine more than the players.

 

[Rhyer]

@Rhyer - true. If Hernandez had been playing England would have undoubtedly lost

Not just Juan Martin Hernandez though, Contepomi had a rib injury about 20 minutes in when Argentina were really dominating and their other replacement was injured months ago.

 

[captainpotwash]

Not just Juan Martin Hernandez though, Contepomi had a rib injury about 20 minutes in when Argentina were really dominating and their other replacement was injured months ago.

maybe, however I personally don't think that Contepomi staying on the pitch would have made that much of a difference, he is old would have run out of puff eventually

 

[Rhyer]

maybe, however I personally don't think that Contepomi staying on the pitch would have made that much of a difference, he is old would have run out of puff eventually

Age doesn't mean anything, look at the Springboks, All Blacks and the English 2003 and 2007 World Cup team. Brad Thorn plays 80 mins every game as does Radike Samo.