Wales autumn tests

[Me 1]

Here they are:
Wales v. Argentina 10.11.12 (teehee)
Wales v. Samoa 16.11.12
Wales v. All Blacks 24.11.12
Wales v. Wallabies 1.12.12

Surprised not to see the Boks to be honest, was kind of hoping to play Georgia or Japan but is great to see Samoa, hopefully we don't take them lightly. It'll be our 5th test against the Wallabies in 12 months, overkill?

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/21666.php

 

[Robert Prosser]

Surprised not to see the Boks to be honest, was kind of hoping to play Georgia or Japan but is great to see Samoa, hopefully we don't take them lightly. It'll be our 5th test against the Wallabies in 12 months, overkill?

I think Georgia (although getting stronger) and Japan are not as good as Samoa and we dont exactly want a game thats going to be too easy I would say Samoa and Argentina are pretty much at the same level so too tough tests I would expect us to win before the biggies of th Kiwi's and the Wallabies, lookinf forward to this now, I also agree a bit of overkill on teh games against the Aussies would rather of got a game against England or another good team.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Would've liked to have been the Boks instead of Wallabies, as I honestly feel we are now better than them and would like to prove it, rather than playing the Australians yet again. Wouldn't mind having Georgia, too, as I want to see them play top-end teams, but not complaining as Samoa'll probably be a better game.

 

[dullonien]

We need to build for that game against the All Blacks. We're not presently good enough to beat them, but if we can get one or two wins against Aus in the Summer (something I feel we have to do, if we really are to progress), then we could have a genuine chance against NZ.

 

[Me 1]

I think Georgia (although getting stronger) and Japan are not as good as Samoa and we dont exactly want a game thats going to be too easy I would say Samoa and Argentina are pretty much at the same level so too tough tests I would expect us to win before the biggies of th Kiwi's and the Wallabies, lookinf forward to this now, I also agree a bit of overkill on teh games against the Aussies would rather of got a game against England or another good team.

I agree with that I would just like to see teams like that play bigger opposition sometimes

 

[SelimNiai]

NZ by my birthday again. Better start asking for a cheeky trip for the day soon

 

[welshglory]

Let them play Italy and Scotland

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I thought these fixtures were common knowledge? Obviously wrong.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I thought these fixtures were common knowledge? Obviously wrong.

The Argentina match was the only one that had been formally announced beforehand, although I'm pretty sure I'd heard that we were playing the All Blacks as well.

 

[LittleGuy]

I really like Samoa being in there, hopefully its a top Samoan side, the game at the RWC was damn good and Samoa need more oppourtunities vs. top flight opposition. I think this is a great scehdule for Wales as well, some tough games in there but ones that this exciting young side can win.

 

[Melhor Time]

Here they are:
Wales v. Argentina 10.11.12 (teehee)
Wales v. Samoa 16.11.12
Wales v. All Blacks 24.11.12
Wales v. Wallabies 1.12.12

Surprised not to see the Boks to be honest, was kind of hoping to play Georgia or Japan but is great to see Samoa, hopefully we don't take them lightly. It'll be our 5th test against the Wallabies in 12 months, overkill?

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/21666.php

Great list of matches but it is unfortunate of the WRU to have all at the Millenium Stadium. Don´t get me wrong its the best rugby staidum on the planet, is central to most of rugby´s heartland in Wales, is easily the biggest and can make much more money than any other home match.

But.... The lovely Liberty Stadium goes again without a match. Perfect venue for Wales vs Samoa. Wales though, will field a second string lineup and come close to losing again like in 2009. Maybe no Dan Biggar this time but it will be a Ryan Jones captained team with the stars all under cotton woll having faced Argentina and still to face New Zealand and Australia. Welsh fans don´t seem to mind at all and the crowd size will be strong but that doesn´t mean its the right thing to do. Matches, when possible, have got to be spread.



and besides even with Cardiff always hosting Hook, Phillips, etc are in France so the pay roll is not such a factor.

Georgia should never play in Wales in November. It should always be reciving incoming tour matches from the USA, Canada, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and so on. Georgia should be in the Six Nations soon. Fingers crossed that something can be done to push it as Georgia merit a place.

 

[Draggs]

Lovely Liberty Stadium? Have you seen it's location?
How about Rodney Parade or PyS? Good crowd will show up, I am certain.

 

[dullonien]

Yeh, Liberty is far from lovely. I'd call it a concrete monstrosity.

Maybe I'm a little deluded, but I don't think this current Welsh squad will struggle too much against Tonga, even with a weakened team. I don't think Gatland will make wholesale changes, but for the sake of it here's a completely second string side:

01 Ryan Bevington
02 Ken Owens
03 Craig Mitchell
04 Bradley Davies
05 Luke Charteris
06 Aaron Shingler
07 Justin Tipuric
08 Ryan Jones

09 Lloyd Williams
10 James Hook
11 Liam Williams
12 Ashley Beck
13 Scott Williams
14 Morgan Stoddart
15 Lee Byrne

That's not a bad team. Still a good pack imo with a decent front-row, strong second-row and a mobile, and well balanced backrow. Ryan Jones' best position is probably blindside nowadays, but I wanted to avoid having Andy Powell at 8, and unless Delve returns to Wales we don't really have anyone else.

In the backs, we're lacking a little on the wings. I think Stoddart should be back by November, and Liam Williams is still looking good for the Scarlets, although he's more of a fullback imo. There's a few youngsters coming though, such as Harry Robinson and Eli Walker, and the two U20 wingers look good prospects. That's an exciting halfback pairing, and I'd love to see that centre pairing given a go at some point. Very young, but with bags of potential. Byrne at fullback is a solid option.

 

[Melhor Time]

Lovely Liberty Stadium? Have you seen it's location?
How about Rodney Parade or PyS? Good crowd will show up, I am certain.

I´d like them all to host a game. If it were up to me I would go for:

November 2012 Wales vs Samoa, Swansea
November 2013 Wales vs Tonga, Llanelli
November 2014 Wales vs Canada, Newport

But, first Swansea has to host one as Liberty Stadium at 20,000 is the largest outside of Cardiff. The city should bid o host a match! This is what has happened in Argentina and the result is San Juan, Mendoza, Córdoba, Tucumán and Rosario are all hosting ahead of Buenos Aires.

 

[welshglory]

Good thing it isn't up to you then

 

[dullonien]

I´d like them all to host a game. If it were up to me I would go for:

November 2012 Wales vs Samoa, Swansea
November 2013 Wales vs Tonga, Llanelli
November 2014 Wales vs Canada, Newport

But, first Swansea has to host one as Liberty Stadium at 20,000 is the largest outside of Cardiff. The city should bid o host a match! This is what has happened in Argentina and the result is San Juan, Mendoza, Córdoba, Tucumán and Rosario are all hosting ahead of Buenos Aires.

There's not really a need when all those places are within an hours drive of Cardiff. 40,000+ turn out for ever Wales game, even Canada etc. They'll get over 60,000 for Samoa and Tonga, so limiting that to 20,000 at the Libery, 15,000 at Parc Y Scarlets, and ~ 10,000 at Rodney Parade would be a little silly. Better the WRU make more money, and give it back to the regions or grass-roots rugby.

 

[welshglory]

The WRU still has to pay their debt for the millenium stadium as well! so the faster we can rid that the better

 

[welshglory]

I agree, Rodney Parade and Parc y Scarlets are far too small for Wales matches

the only real alternative option is the 25,000 Liberty Stadium

According to wiki 20,532

 

[Draggs]

I wouldn't be opposed to hosting the likes of Georgia, Russia, et al at Parc Eirias. It is a small ground, but the gogs have turned out en masse for the U20 matches. Racecourse Ground had held matches as well.

 

[welshglory]

I wouldn't be opposed to hosting the likes of Georgia, Russia, et al at Parc Eirias. It is a small ground, but the gogs have turned out en masse for the U20 matches. Racecourse Ground had held matches as well.

Probably be better for a Wales A side though at the moment.