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

[Draggs]

Yeah, we needed one more support runner next to Roberts. What a game he had though. He has been used very effectively by Wales over the past few matches. He is being used not only a crash ball player, but a genuine runner at times. I really wish we had Hook or Gavin in midfield to play alongside him. Jonathan Davies had a decent game but we really need two different playing styles.
I'd make very few changes next week; Davies for Charteris (good performance, but I think Brad is better in the loose) and perhaps Halfpenny for Shane (Samoans would try to run right through him).

 

[psychic duck]

Yeah, we needed one more support runner next to Roberts. What a game he had though. He has been used very effectively by Wales over the past few matches. He is being used not only a crash ball player, but a genuine runner at times. I really wish we had Hook or Gavin in midfield to play alongside him.

I agree Roberts had a good game, but it was simply as a crash ball player

I also agree with your point regarding Davies by the way, we need somebody different to Roberts alongside him

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

For me the turning point in the game was when the Springboks were leading 10-9 and Wales were given a penalty when Warburton clearly came in from the side, was not penalised and Wales were given the bloody penalty from which they scored.

Thanks, Mr. Lez. I was down and depressed all day after the loss. But then seeing something as laugh-out-loud funny as a South African fan complaining about cheating at the breakdown really cheered me up.

On the game: Fantastic performance. All three backrowers put in performances of the like I can't remember anybody putting in for Wales since the Grand Slam. Warburton, on form, must be above McCaw in the World 7 pecking order following that complete performance. (I said on form. McCaw, whilst not poor, hasn't been as active this international season) Roberts looked lively again and Huw Bennett played better than I've ever seen him play.

All of that is the worst thing: We lost, as seeing us lose in that manor is far, far harder to take than losing by 30 points. However, on performance, Wales have to take lots of confidence out of this. We must currently be the top NH side (Possibly besides France) and should, if we can keep the intensity up, be able to aim for a bonus point in every remaining match, hopefully taking us through as top seed, if the Boks can't do the same, and hopefully slip up somewhere along the road.

 

[no-1-rugby-fan]

Wales were awesome today, without doubt that was one of the greatest performance in Welsh World Cup rugby history. They battered South Africa for virtually ninety minutes, and if the kicking had been better, i.e. Hook's penalty and the drop goal miss, Wales would have won. The future looks very bright and promising for this young Welsh team.

 

[james5000]

Thanks, Mr. Lez. I was down and depressed all day after the loss. But then seeing something as laugh-out-loud funny as a South African fan complaining about cheating at the breakdown really cheered me up.

On the game: Fantastic performance. All three backrowers put in performances of the like I can't remember anybody putting in for Wales since the Grand Slam. Warburton, on form, must be above McCaw in the World 7 pecking order following that complete performance. (I said on form. McCaw, whilst not poor, hasn't been as active this international season) Roberts looked lively again and Huw Bennett played better than I've ever seen him play.

All of that is the worst thing: We lost, as seeing us lose in that manor is far, far harder to take than losing by 30 points. However, on performance, Wales have to take lots of confidence out of this. We must currently be the top NH side (Possibly besides France) and should, if we can keep the intensity up, be able to aim for a bonus point in every remaining match, hopefully taking us through as top seed, if the Boks can't do the same, and hopefully slip up somewhere along the road.

Thank you for making me laugh.

There is no way you will be top seed. The boks had the ball roughly 30% of the time and still out scored you 2 tries to 1.
Scoring 1 try and you think you will bonus point everyone that's pretty funny hahahahahhahahaha

Aim a little lower, then you wont get your hopes up too much.

After a gut wrenching defeat your team will struggle to make it out of this pool, that's the truth. Don't worry about bonus points yet hahahhahah.

P.S i think the Penalty went over 100%. Pretty gutting i feel for you. I was very sad after that game. Had many chances couldn't quite crack it.

 

[M Two One]

I didn't get to catch this match, but looking at the statistics it looked like Wales came to play. Was Wales really on or was South Africa just not living up to expectations?

 

[psychic duck]

South Africa's pack will never be that bad again ... I doubt Wales' pack will be as good again

if we can't beat South Africa playing poorly whilst we play at our best when will we ever beat them?

 

[markshaw]

S.A got *****ed. Didnt deserve that win. Good for samoa

 

[Sker]

Schaden Freude.

Quite sad.

 

[Lydiate+Warburton]

Wayne Barnes doesn't deserve to ref another game at this or any other world cup. should at least of gone to the TMO for hooky's kick and seemed to have a very personal hatred for Dan Lydiate. just another typical english ref.

 

[Darwin]

Really enjoyed this match from a neutrals perspective. The game could really have gone either way, but Wales failed to take their chances at the end. The disallowed penalty from Hook was interesting; during the game I was convinced that it had gone over (and that Wales were robbed) but after watching it a few more times I'm not sure. It may have gone between the posts, but it may well have gone directly over the post. If a TMO had been used it may not have settled the debate, as I assume they only got the same angles that we got, and I don't think the angles we had showed that the ball conclusively went over.

I was really impressed with a number of Welsh players, including several of the debatable selections (Charteris, Hook at fullback). Up front I thought Charteris did pretty well; he was secure in the lineout, and he was very effective at getting through and disrupting the Boks mauls. Warburton was phenomenal. I haven't seen a lot of him, but I was incredibly impressed. I thought he was the best player on he park, and even got the best of Brussow at the breakdown (which few people do!). Faletau looked dangerous with the ball in hand, but his hand let him down at times, and I've always liked the solid game the Lydiate offers at 6. The loose-trio is already very impressive, but in a few years time it could well be something special.

I thought Phillips was ok at 9; his physical game was very useful versus South Africa. I like the look of Priestland at 10. He made a few errors, but generally controlled the game well. Wales may lack some creativity in the midefield, but both Roberts and Davies certainly made some good metres whenever they got the ball. I thought Hook was effective at fullback too; apart from an early error he was great under the high ball, offered a great kicking option from the back, and did look dangerous when he had a go.

For me there weren't that many standouts for South Africa. du Plessis made a huge impact when he came on, as he always does. I thought Rossouw had a good game at lock; I'm sure de Villiers will now play him on the flank in the next match where he is far less effective . Brussow played well (even if he was slightly overshadowed by Warburton), but Spies was very quiet.

I'd be a bit worried about du Preez if I was a Boks supporter; I thought he was poor again. He struggled under the high ball, and actually missed quite a few tackles too. Morne Steyn was a bit of a weak link in the Boks defence, but he kicked his goals (including a brilliant sideline conversion), which in the end was the winning of the game. I thought Francois Steyn was pretty good at fullback; he scored his try well, and his his huge punt is a big asset for South Africa - a number of times Wales put good kicks through only for Steyn to make huge clearing kicks and put South Africa back on attack. Hougaard was brilliant when he came on (as he was versus the AB's in the Tri-nations). Surely they have to find a spot for him in the starting lineup, as he brings a real spark that was somewhat lacking from the Boks attack.

 

[Lydiate+Warburton]

Thank you for making me laugh.

There is no way you will be top seed. The boks had the ball roughly 30% of the time and still out scored you 2 tries to 1.
Scoring 1 try and you think you will bonus point everyone that's pretty funny hahahahahhahahaha

Aim a little lower, then you wont get your hopes up too much.

After a gut wrenching defeat your team will struggle to make it out of this pool, that's the truth. Don't worry about bonus points yet hahahhahah.

P.S i think the Penalty went over 100%. Pretty gutting i feel for you. I was very sad after that game. Had many chances couldn't quite crack it.

I reckon wales could still finish top, the boks look shaky, old and very vulnerable and Samoa and fiji could topple, elsewhere wales look fit and determined and could easily finish with 3 wins from 4 and at least 2 bonus points. it is a tight group.

 

[rhifsaith]

what we wouldn't give for a Martin Johnson type leader for that team today.don't get me wrong i thought Sam warburton played a stormer.

 

[Logorrhea]

Where are all the people who said Wales were going to get steamrollered?

I was one of those. Didnt see them getting within 10-15 points to be honest. Totally proven wrong.

Having said that, the thing that ****** me off is that Wales should have won by 10-15 points, if they had the balls to take it. I mean the coaches. Hook should have been moved up to 10, and Philips should have been taken off a lot earlier.

The pack deserved better if you ask me. That was a real opportunity lost. Shame.

 

[Thingimubob]

Right having calmed down after a nice relaxing day in Swansea thought I'd give a rational sum up of where we lost that game

- Poor early defence for a soft try to Steyn

- Missed drop goal and penalties - chances were there for the taking.

- Roberts dropped ball close to the line: a try or penalty would've been inevitable if the ball had been retained and released quickly there, would've put us in a commanding lead if we'd been clinical.

- Barnes got in the way just enough to stop Wales plugging the hole for Hougaards try. Was a bit of a lose - lose whatever Barnes did there - Welsh fans berate him for gifting SA a try if he gives it, SA fans berate him if he doesn't give him. Not much he could do to come out in a good light, though imo should've been a scrum to SA, but tough sh*t for us eh? <_< if I was Paul James I'd have nailed Barnes in trying to tackle Hougaard - that would have shown him he was in the way!

- Phillips. God-damned Phillips. My mate said 'oh I thought he was really good, bit slow but that didnt matter, took the ball up well'... yeah he's mostly a diveball fan, I can't seem to drill into him how important quick ball from a SH is in rugby. Most passes were so bloody slow coming out and when they did, recievers had to check their run half the time. Worst part for me was, gave shitty ball to the forwards when we were in a decent position, then faffs about so much when the ball was available to pass that Brussow (that guy is immense) rallies the SA forwards and blasts us off the ball. Just god-awful play from any amateur halfback, let alone one playing in Rugby's biggest stage!

- Replacements, only 1 bloody replacement in the whole game for Wales (Davies for Charteris after Hougaards try), puts into perspective that the SA Bench helped hugely in winning this one. Badly needed an injection of pace and someone with a fast pass at the breakdown, aka Tavis Knoyle. Should have started anyway imo after his performance vs Argentina.
Also I reckon moving Hook to 10 should've been done when SA went 17 - 16 up too, with either Halfpenny brought on or Priestland moved to FB. Not knocking Priestland (felt people tweeting into S4C were a bit harsh on him, thought he had a cracking game) but felt we needed something different to try and snatch that lead back! Can't help but feel Hook had the experience and composure to slot a pressure DG from there too. Priestland can certainly hold his head high after that, but he is still a work in progress.

- Refereeing - Poor in general for both sides at the breakdown apparently, controversial 'missed' kick (I reckon it went over - need a zoom in of it!), refusing to go to the TMO (if it's that close and a player asks for it, it should be checked imo), Barnes getting in the way and Barnes struggling to see anything that went forward. Felt there were a couple in the build up to SA's 2nd try. Apparently, according to my English mate, there was a knock on in the build up to Faletau's try. Can;t say I've seen it, but then again he's admitted he 'hates' the Welsh team in the past In my early disspointed rashness I tweeted 'cant help but feel we were screwed a bit by Barnes' - take that back now, but his poor refereeing was still one of many factors imo.

One big positive for me is how young this team is! Back row really shined today, and all only about 22ish. Faletau got some well needed confidence from his try and showed some of the powerful running and offloading he does for the Dragons in club rugby. Needs to keep his head up and do the same again next week. Roberts looked back to his old self both in attack and defence imo, and Jon Davies impressed me for once with a few cracking breaking, even if the SA scramble defence was very good on him a lot of the time.

 

[gingergenius]

Duncthedoodle, claiming Wales are the best NH side after a defeat to a poor South Africa is going a little far.

England won the 6N; Ireland we know can be good enough and France are capable of beating anyone - all of them have more valid aspirations to that 'crown'. Although I will concede Wales are more than capable of reaching that by the next 6N if they continue on this upward trend.

On another note, I'm coming round to the thought that Wales might be the most exciting team to support - their games are normally highly entertaining and usually close (whether against top class opponents or shite ones)...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Is it too early to make jokes about the way he hooked that penalty?

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I had predicted a hiding and am here to admit I was proven wrong. The best game of the WC so far.

I'm loving this cup.

 

[Pink Floyd]

Duncthedoodle, claiming Wales are the best NH side after a defeat to a poor South Africa is going a little far.

England won the 6N; Ireland we know can be good enough and France are capable of beating anyone - all of them have more valid aspirations to that 'crown'. Although I will concede Wales are more than capable of reaching that by the next 6N if they continue on this upward trend.

On another note, I'm coming round to the thought that Wales might be the most exciting team to support - their games are normally highly entertaining and usually close (whether against top class opponents or shite ones)...

I find they're the most frustrating team to support. Welsh rugby has always been like a yo-yo it's unreal. Also agree with France and England being the top teams at the moment in the NH, also Ireland have a greater shout than Wales but as you said we're slightly on the rise and who knows by next year what Welsh team we'll bring to the 6N.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Is it too early to make jokes about the way he hooked that penalty?

I think the problem was he didn't hook it enough! Would've been more decisively over it had hooked further.