RWC: Wales - Namibia (26-09-2011, 19:30)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth (26-09-2011, 19:30)

Referee: Steve Walsh (AUS)
​

[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] Wales [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Namibia [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lee Byrne [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] Chrysander Botha [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Leigh Halfpenny [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] Danie van Wyk [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Jonathan Davies [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] Piet van Zyl [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Scott Williams [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] Darryl De La Harpe [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Aled Brew [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] Danie Dames [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Stephen Jones [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] Theuns Kotze [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Tavis Knoyle [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] Eugene Jantjies [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Toby Faletau [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] Jacques Nieuwenhuis [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Sam Warburton (c) [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] Jacques Burger (c) [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ryan Jones [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] Tinus Du Plessis [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Alun Wyn Jones [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] Nico Esterhuyse [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Bradley Davies [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] Heinz Koll [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Craig Mitchell [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] Jané Du Toit [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lloyd Burns [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] Hugo Horn [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Gethin Jenkins [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] Johnnie Redelinghuys [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ken Owens [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] Bertus O'Callaghan [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ryan Bevington [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] Raoul Larson [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Luke Charteris [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] Wacca Kazombiaze [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Andy Powell [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] Rohan Kitshoff [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lloyd Williams [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] Ryan De La Harpe [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Rhys Priestland [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] TC Losper [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] George North [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] David Philander [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Draggs]

What I would expect to see:

15 Lee Byrne
14 Leigh Halfpenny
13 Scott Williams
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Aled Brew
10 Stephen Jones
09 Tavis Knoyle

01 Gethin Jenkins
02 Lloyd Burns
03 Craig Mitchell
04 Alun Wyn Jones
05 Bradley Davies
06 Ryan Jones
07 Sam Warburton
08 Toby Faletau

16 Ken Owens
17 Paul James
18 Luke Charteris
19 Andy Powell
20 Lloyd Williams
21 Rhys Priestland
22 George North

Injuries to James Hook and Dan Lydiate are being assessed. Neither have been completely ruled out but are not expected to be back before any possible Quarter Finals match.
Martyn Williams (arm), Josh Turnbull (back), and Gareth Delve (knee) are all out of WC as replacements. Expected replacements for the backrow would now be Jonathan Thomas (4/5, 6, 8), Rob McCusker (6, 7, 8), and Justin Tipuric (7).

The likely replacement for James Hook, if needed, would be Jason Tovey. Gavin Henson was ruled out for 12 weeks just over a month ago, giving him no chance of flying down to New Zealand as cover. The next centre in line for a call up would probably be Andrew Bishop.

 

[scarlets-fan]

I would put Warburton in a protective bubble until the Fiji game, we wont need him to play against Namibia. Also Jamie Roberts has been our better centre so i wouldn't play him, try out the Scarlets partnership of Davies and Williams. We need this game to try out the likes of Brew, Byrne, Williams, Knoyle etc.

 

[psychic duck]

I want Halfpenny to play full back again, and if he does well again he can play 15 vs Fiji if Hook's not fit

also I want Shane to play so he can add a few tries to his try scoring tally before he retires!

other than that I'm happy with Draggs XV

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I too would like to see Halfpenny at 15 - looked good there in his limited time last match

Maybe:

11. Shane
14. Brew
15. Halfpenny

22. Byrne

 

[Draggs]

I'd go for Leigh at 15, but I think Byrne will be selected. It would be pointless bringing him and Brew unless they start this game.
Sam should be wrapped up but the lack of an openside (or even stand-in 7) limits the options.
6 Powell, 7 Faletau, 8 Jones?

Roberts has been in great form and I would like to see him play maybe 50 minutes before perhaps giving North a shot midfield (or bench Davies, although he has been useless).

The only reason I would bench Luke is because he has been one of our best forwards and will probably start against Fiji and any possible QF. Really pleased with the way he and Bennett among others have been playing.

 

[no-1-rugby-fan]

Got to be looking to get as many points as possible against Namimbia. They have been destroyed in all three of their games.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Man, I feel for Namibia; ended up in arguably the toughest pool. I'd have liked for them to at least get a bonus point somewhere this RWC but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen particularly with the short turn-around time they have between being demolished by the Bokke and then having to face down Wales.

 

[Me 1]

What I expect to see:

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Lloyd Burns
3. Craig Mitchell
4. Bradley Davies
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Ryan Jones
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Tavis Knoyle
10. Stephen Jones
11. Aled Brew
12. Scott Williams
13. Jonathan Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny
16. Ken Owens
17. Paul James
18. Luke Charteris
19. Andy Powell
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Rhys Priestland
22. Lee Byrne

 

[TRF_Cymro]

WALES: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Aled Brew; Stephen Jones, Tavis Knoyle; Gethin Jenkins, Lloyd Burns, Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton (captain), Toby Faletau
REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Preistland, George North

 

[Thingimubob]

WALES: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Aled Brew; Stephen Jones, Tavis Knoyle; Gethin Jenkins, Lloyd Burns, Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton (captain), Toby Faletau
REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Preistland, George North

Quite a decent side tbf, very strong pack, hoping Byrne decides to turn up for this one though! Hopefully he'll have a good game to boost his confidence as if anything happens to Halfpenny (or Shane and North too) we're gonna need him. Nice to see Brew getting a chance too, he's a big powerful lad so should be a handful for the Namibians! North coming off the bench to run against some tired Namibian defenders will be interesting too... might see him up his try tally by a couple. Would've liked Shane to play and get a few more international tries to his name though!

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Shane's injured, and is going to miss the Fiji game. I really wanted to see him play and try and surpass Campese with this game, but never mind.

 

[Draggs]

This is the first time since Wales v USA in 2009 that Paul James hasn't been in the Welsh 22, I think.
Byrne's last shot as far as I am concerned. Halfpenny seems to be a better candidate for the 15 shirt, and I wouldn't be opposed to giving him a run there sometime.

 

[psychic duck]

nooooo, not Lee Byrne he's really bad these days, and I'm surprised people are only just starting to notice, he has been poor for nearly two years

perfect opportunity to see Halfpenny play 15, now if Hook's not ready to play in the Fiji or Ireland matches, Halfpenny going to be put in at 15 now and we're stuck with Lee "just stand at the back and kick" Byrne

 

[Draggs]

nooooo, not Lee Byrne he's really bad these days, and I'm surprised people are only just starting to notice, he has been poor for nearly two years

perfect opportunity to see Halfpenny play 15, now if Hook's not ready to play in the Fiji or Ireland matches, Halfpenny going to be put in at 15 now and we're stuck with Lee "just stand at the back and kick" Byrne

He has been poor since the Lions tour. I'd rather see Halfpenny at 15, Williams at 13, Roberts at 12, with North and Brew on the wings.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] Wales [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Namibia [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lee Byrne [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] Chrysander Botha [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Leigh Halfpenny [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] Danie van Wyk [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Jonathan Davies [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] Piet van Zyl [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Scott Williams [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] Darryl De La Harpe [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Aled Brew [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] Danie Dames [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Stephen Jones [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] Theuns Kotze [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Tavis Knoyle [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] Eugene Jantjies [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Toby Faletau [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] Jacques Nieuwenhuis [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Sam Warburton (c) [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] Jacques Burger (c) [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ryan Jones [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] Tinus Du Plessis [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Alun Wyn Jones [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] Nico Esterhuyse [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Bradley Davies [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] Heinz Koll [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Craig Mitchell [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] Jané Du Toit [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lloyd Burns [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] Hugo Horn [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Gethin Jenkins [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] Johnnie Redelinghuys [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ken Owens [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] Bertus O'Callaghan [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ryan Bevington [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] Raoul Larson [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Luke Charteris [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] Wacca Kazombiaze [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Andy Powell [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] Rohan Kitshoff [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lloyd Williams [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] Ryan De La Harpe [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Rhys Priestland [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] TC Losper [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] George North [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] David Philander [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[kovana]

I think Wales should walk this with ease.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Little interesting stat for those who care ...

Under Gatland Wales have only ever scored 3 or more tries in only 3 games ...

 

[Sam Owen]

LETS GO NAMIBIA!!!...we need you to win (and then we need to win) but first things first. Go HARD!

 

[Draggs]

Little interesting stat for those who care ...

Under Gatland Wales have only ever scored 3 or more tries in only 3 games ...

2008: Scotland (3), Italy (5), Canada (5)
2009: Scotland (4), United States (6), Argentina (3)
2010: Scotland (3), Italy (3), South Africa (3)
2011: Barbarians (4), Argentina (3)

I'd like to see how it would be if we had players fit for more than a handful of games at a time.
I would take Gatland-era Wales over Jenkins-era Wales any day!