[RWC2019][Semi-Final 2] Wales vs. South Africa (27/10/2019)

[TRF_heineken]

Wales are a bit of an enigma to me. Not sure what to expect here TBH but seeing as this is a RWC SF and Wales have got here I expect we'll have to be a bit more accurate in actually earning points rather than just in defense. 50/60% conversion rate at goal and in finishing off our try scoring opportunities is probably not going to cut it here like it did against Japan. Especially considering there will probably be less opportunities.

I hear you, and I also have this worry in me of what to expect.

I guess, it'll be a lot like the 2015 WC match perhaps. Just depends on how we are going to play, but I have the suspicion we're not going to do a lot of bombs, but rather try the cross-kicks into space behind the welsh defensive line and have our forwards recycle in the middle.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Judging from this thread half the Welsh team is either injured or out of form.

LOL but you could make the case for our backline being in the same boat. Faf's box kicks (at least his service was just ever so slightly quicker than vs NZ), Pollard's goal kicking, Le Roux (everything), Mapimpi under the high ball, Kolbe looks uncomfortable with his ankle still, Serfontein and Kriel injured in the centers. So, basically 9 through 15..

 

[TRF_heineken]

LOL but you could make the case for our backline being in the same boat. Faf's box kicks (at least his service was just ever so slightly quicker than vs NZ), Pollard's goal kicking, Le Roux (everything), Mapimpi under the high ball, Kolbe looks uncomfortable with his ankle still, Serfontein and Kriel injured in the centers. So, basically 9 through 15..



I've had that suspiscion (hope) for a good few weeks now to no avail..

Also have been hoping for Nkosi to get in the run on side but Rassie seems to have his mind made up and who are we to argue..

It's just that I get this feeling Rassie's preparation for this team in this tournament has been so well planned, and the guys all know what to do, that I don't understand why they are doing silly things at all on the field. It's like they were told to be fancy and "see what you can do". I mean, Lukhanyo Am's botched underarm pass to Mapimpi with an open tryline, was completely unnecessary, he had more than enough time to just give a normal pass with both hands and let Mapimpi coast through. Look how easy it was when Pollard and Willie both made a simple pass to Mapimpi for his second try.

Apart from our opening game against NZ, we were dictating every other game. We scored in the first 5 minutes or so of the match, and from there just went through the motions and sucked the life out of the opposition.

 

[JonoCymru]

There were a lot of percentages thrown about on here last week so, I'd probably put this 60/40 in RSA favour.

Wales cannot afford to concede two tries early on as we've done against Fiji/France otherwise it'll be curtains. Must get out the blocks quicker, and so on.

Feel the loss of Navidi is huge. JD2 potentially out as well. RSA full squad to choose from apart from maybe Kolbe? Not heard the latest on him.

We've got a habit of grinding wins out, though. It'll be close either way I should imagine!

 

[Cooper]

Difficult to not see a SA win here vs a depleted Welsh side (sorry Welsh fans!). I had more confidence in Wales prior to the French game and originally couldn't pick between the two, but I think it's more evident now. Great stuff from SA, 2 seasons ago you wouldn't have picked them to be among the favourites to win the cup! Rassie has done a great job turning them around and into potential RWC winners again!

 

[Jer1cho]

Difficult to not see a SA win here vs a depleted Welsh side (sorry Welsh fans!). I had more confidence in Wales prior to the French game and originally couldn't pick between the two, but I think it's more evident now. Great stuff from SA, 2 seasons ago you wouldn't have picked them to be among the favourites to win the cup! Rassie has done a great job turning them around and into potential RWC winners again!

We have always had player depth that puts everyone else to shame. The problem we have had is good coaches. Rassie has been a shining light for us. I wished we got Eddie Jones but instead we hired that clown Coetzee and the Stormers hired Jones before England stole him before he even got to one game lol.

 

[JonoCymru]

Just looked at the odds and South Africa are over 1/3 on to win Sunday. They're favourites but not that far ahead, surely!

 

[Gena_ZA]

we got Eddie Jones but instead we hired that clown Coetzee and the Stormers hired Jones before England stole him before he even got to one game lol.

Well Eddie has the proud record of never lost a game while he coached the Stormers

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Welsh players don't know what it means to be in form or more importantly look like it. Just you wait for it though they'll drag you down to their level, win and you'll feel like you've been caught with your pants down with no idea how you lost or how you played so badly.

France wasn't a freak accident Wales have been winning games they've looked that bad in for years.

This! A thousand times this! I never used to be bothered about losing to Wales, beyond being disappointed when England lost to any team, but since Gatland took over I've absolutely hated losing to Wales, and I could never quite articulate why. And you've finally articulated it for me. Thank you so much. Who needs therapists when you've got Ncurd?

Just imagine if Wales won the World Cup. Everybody would be imitating their style of play because that would be World-Cup-winning rugby.

(Sorry, Welsh fellas, no offence. Hope Pivac gets you playing fun rugby again. )

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Fun facts: South Africa have never been knocked out of the WC by a NH side - they missed the first two WCs, won two others, and in the other four, got knocked out by Oz twice and NZ twice.

Conversely, Wales have never knocked a SH side out of the WC. Their three quarter-final wins have been against England, Ireland and France.

Could have a couple of firsts come Sunday.

 

[MikeTheNative]

This! A thousand times this! I never used to be bothered about losing to Wales, beyond being disappointed when England lost to any team, but since Gatland took over I've absolutely hated losing to Wales, and I could never quite articulate why. And you've finally articulated it for me. Thank you so much. Who needs therapists when you've got Ncurd?

Just imagine if Wales won the World Cup. Everybody would be imitating their style of play because that would be World-Cup-winning rugby.

(Sorry, Welsh fellas, no offence. Hope Pivac gets you playing fun rugby again. )

He had success at the Scarlets but there is a bit of fear that Wales will turn into Scotland under him. Fantastic to watch but lose most of their games.

 

[JonoCymru]

He had success at the Scarlets but there is a bit of fear that Wales will turn into Scotland under him. Fantastic to watch but lose most of their games.

Which is why it was pivotal to extend Edwards at all costs. Now we've allowed him to leave for France. All over petty squabbling. If the bloke wanted a 4 year deal, give it him.

 

[Where's my lost flair]

Which is why it was pivotal to extend Edwards at all costs. Now we've allowed him to leave for France. All over petty squabbling. If the bloke wanted a 4 year deal, give it him.

I hear you… but to be honest, I'm so glad to have a guy like him coming over. Especially considering our now departed coach. I don't think ANY top team in the world would have made Brunel head coach.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Fun facts: South Africa have never been knocked out of the WC by a NH side - they missed the first two WCs, won two others, and in the other four, got knocked out by Oz twice and NZ twice.

Conversely, Wales have never knocked a SH side out of the WC. Their three quarter-final wins have been against England, Ireland and France.

Could have a couple of firsts come Sunday.

I like how Hansen put it that history does not dictate the future. Stay in the now is what he is saying.

Still, having said that it's a big mental hurdle for both England and Wales to overcome this weekend. But what a massive achievement if either or both did.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Which is why it was pivotal to extend Edwards at all costs. Now we've allowed him to leave for France. All over petty squabbling. If the bloke wanted a 4 year deal, give it him.

To be fair, Edwards isn't the only decent defensive coach in the world, there are others that Wales can go and get. And Edwards' defences have been more up-and-down over the last 12 years than consistently outstanding. Wales defence was great in the last 6 Nations, but has been regularly conceding 2-3 tries-a-game since. It seems to have good periods and bad periods rather than being consistently dominant.

 

[RugbyTackle91]

They are indeed becoming masters of the art. You watch them play, 90% of the time they don't appear to be doing anything, then you look at the scoreboard and they are leading by x points............

I seriously do wonder what will happen after Gats. He gets a lot out of a very limited team, I sense a frustrating period might lie ahead for us. Unless of course Gatland is dragging them down ha

 

[dullonien]

So the Lane train has left the station....

 

[MattGaff]

So the Lane train has left the station....

Should have gone instead of Amos IMO.

 

[dullonien]

Should have gone instead of Amos IMO.

Easy to say in hindsight. Amos is a class player who was a standout vs some of the best sides in the world not too long ago. Ok he had a poor game v Uruguay, but he's a much, much better player than that.

I really like Lane as well, hoping to see him at centre long term, but he had less experience due to persistent injuries so I can understand Gatland's choice at the time.

 

[bushytop]

For the first time in this tournament going into a game, I'm not feeling confident of emerging with a win. Don't get me wrong South Africa haven't really tore up any trees but I just haven't seen anything special from Wales this whole competition... decent first 40 vs Australia but not anything to build enough confidence to think anything other than we are firm underdogs against the Boks. It's 'kinda' refreshing feeling though and at least releases the pressure off Joe-Welshfan as the weekend slowly lurches forward and who knows maybe a smidge of pressure will be released off the squad too (unlikely as it is going into a World Cup semi final).

Gutted for Navidi as he's been excellent this year and is just such a reliable pair of hands across the back row. Heard we're replacing him in the squad with a back, probably centre what with Hadleigh's fracture and Foxys knee). Still a 'decent' back row of Wainwright, Tips and Moriarty (with Shingles or Cubbi on the bench) but it's far from Jenkins, Navidi & Faletau if everyone were fit.

I'm starting to think about shaking up the backs after a pretty dismal showing against France. I'd probably go 15. Halfpenny 14. Williams 13. Davies 12. Watkin 11. Adams... and I'd even consider giving Patchell the first 55/60 and bringing Tomos and Biggs on to finish things.

Boks are able to put out 'some' 23 to be fair and I'd probably have them as around abouts 60/40 favourites as things stand... but you never know I suppose.