Wales next move? Exciting Times?

[GarethEWilliams]

If South Africa beat Samoa by over 7 points without Samoa scoring 4 tries then I think I am right that Wales can lose this by around 40 points and still go through. With this in mind what kind of team should be picked for the Fiji game if this does happen? I think we need to get some partnerships going but also look after certain personel, maybe give this team 40 minutes then make big changes -

1 Jenkins
2 Bennett
3 A Jones
4 Chatteris
5 B Davis
6 R Jones
7 Wynn Jones
8 Powell
9 Phillips
10 Jones
11 North
12 Roberts
13 Davies
14 Half Penny
15 Byrne

This gives the back row a bit of a rest, I think this is where we can go a long way. I think Roberts needs the game after the Namibia rest, but only give him 40 minutes along with North and maybe 1/2p. Would also like to see the front row getting a decent platform, and again not playing the whole 80. Then if everyone in the squad is fit for the quarters there will be some good selection questions like -

Where does Hook play
Who plays in the back 3
Fly half?
2 out of 3 in second row.

I am trying to calm myself down but looks good, young fit, fresh and exciting. . . .

 

[Draggs]

I think I'd rather play Faletau openside than Alun Wyn Jones. Put Ryan at 8 and Powell at 6 or AWJ on the blindside if necessary.
If the game allows it, I'd like to see Halfpenny at 15 if only for a half. (Providing we have a backup wing on the bench)
I would put out this side to start:

Jenkins, Bennett, Jones, AW Jones, Charteris, R Jones, Warburton, Faletau; Phillips, Priestland, North, Roberts, Sc Williams, Halfpenny, Byrne.
Once we are able to, Sam should be substituted along with Gethin and perhaps Roberts.

In the event all of our players are fit and we reach the QF, I'd expect to see Lydiate at 6 (Ryan to bench, unless he playes well enough to keep his spot), Hook to centre alongside Roberts, and Shane on the wing for Halfpenny to shift to FB.

I personally think Priestland has done enough to keep his spot at 10. If Hook is in the side, I am not sure I would have Stephen Jones on the bench as we are covered for outside halves.

Charteris has been our best lock and should definitely start. AWJ would get the nod over Bradley Davies right now, unless Davies can produce some of the performances that he did last year.

 

[GarethEWilliams]

You make some good points about the QF's. My thinking was that if things go to plan we will be through almost no matter what happens against Fiji (alowed a 30 point loss) so with this in mind I would definitely look to rest Faletau and Warburton as if they got injured I would be worried.

Apart from that I think we have the Fiji game sorted, we could be coaches ;o)

Funny how if you said Charteris and Priestland were shoe ins 6 months ago you would have been looked at very strangely!

Hook for inside centre I like with Roberts outside him.

 

[Draggs]

We need to beat Fiji, simple as. Regardless of the point situation, if we lose, mentally we will be shattered.
If we get into such a position in which we can afford to substitute players and remain confident of our result, then my all means we should.
What we don't want to do is put out a weakened side like last year and just expect a win. This game needs to be taken seriously, and I think it is by the WRU.

If we manage a pretty good win, it will give us a massive confidence boost going into the QF's.

I think Hook and Roberts would be a good pairing, and they can switch between IC and OC depending on the situation. Hook needs to be in a playmaking position and I think having someone such as him outside Rhys would be excellent backup if he is put under pressure.

 

[dullonien]

Hook needs to be in a playmaking position and I think having someone such as him outside Rhys would be excellent backup if he is put under pressure.

Would also give us someone in position to nail a drop-goal if needed, because Priestland has missed a few easy ones recently.

 

[Draggs]

Would also give us someone in position to nail a drop-goal if needed, because Priestland has missed a few easy ones recently.

Hook's DG boot is pretty reliable. Priestland is like Wellies, I don't want them attempting a field goal!

If Shane is back for Fiji, I'd probably bench him. North and Halfpenny on the wing with Byrne at FB. Shane to wing if we need to shift Halfpenny to fullback.
I'd probably bench Jonathan Davies if Hook is starting.

 

[GarethEWilliams]

So what does everyone think of this 22 for the QF if everyone is fit - (I am still sitting on the fence for a couple!)

1 Jenkins
2 Bennett
3 A Jones
4 Chatteris
5 A Wynn-Jones
6 Lydiate
7 Warburton
8 Faletau
9 Phillips (just)
10 Jones/Priestland
11 North
12 Hook
13 Roberts
14 Williams
15 1/2p

16 Burns/Owens
17 James
18 B Davies
19 R Jones
20 Knoyle
21 Priestland/Jones
22 J Davies

I think with 4 wingers in the 15 we dont need one on the bench. I would still prefer fly half cover on the bench even though we have Hook, I would still be tempted to play him fly half and JD2 and Roberts in midfield. With 1/2p we have a good boot at full back, the only posision I am not sure about is scrum half, lets hope Phillips wakes up and fires. Exciting times?

 

[Me 1]

So what does everyone think of this 22 for the QF if everyone is fit - (I am still sitting on the fence for a couple!)

1 Jenkins
2 Bennett
3 A Jones
4 Chatteris
5 A Wynn-Jones
6 Lydiate
7 Warburton
8 Faletau
9 Phillips (just)
10 Jones/Priestland
11 North
12 Hook
13 Roberts
14 Williams
15 1/2p

16 Burns/Owens
17 James
18 B Davies
19 R Jones
20 Knoyle
21 Priestland/Jones
22 J Davies

My only major disagreement here is Knoyle as he didn't play well against Namibia, and Lloyd Williams did well when he came on. Phillips has been a better than normal(still not that good though) and seeing as L.Williams is largely untested I wouldn't have him starting, so I guess Phillips has to start. Owens over Burns any day. Also not sure about Scott Williams or Jonathan Davies as they both played quite well but I wouldn't have Roberts and Davies at centre as they don't seem to work well together. Also swap Shane and North around

 

[GarethEWilliams]

Ah yes silly mistake on the wingers, thats why I played hooker, I didn't get confused on where to go!

Your right actually Lloyd did do well when he came on, so let put him on the bench, Owens as replacement hooker.

Who for fly half though, old head of Jones who wont let you down with the flair of Hook outside him, or has Priestland done enough? I have seen a few kicking and decision mistakes but I guess thats to be expected. The great thing is only Williams and S Jones wont be around for the next 4 years, replace them and maybe a world class hooker and the future is bright!

 

[Me 1]

The great thing is only Williams and S Jones wont be around for the next 4 years, replace them and maybe a world class hooker and the future is bright!

Maybe a few more second rows as well, we don't have many of them.

About fly half, I think Priestland's done enough, but your right that Stephen Jones will control the game well. I'd rather start Priestland, but maybe we should give Stephen at least 30 minutes against Fiji before we decide on that one for the Quarters.

 

[GarethEWilliams]

Well I think we have sorted that all out, I will Email across to Warren and let him know what to do, see easy job! Also it was done by A scarlet and an Osprey fan, who said we couldn't get along!

 

[Me 1]

Well I think we have sorted that all out, I will Email across to Warren and let him know what to do, see easy job! Also it was done by A scarlet and an Osprey fan, who said we couldn't get along!

Hadn't realised you were an Ospreys fan.....

 

[GarethEWilliams]

Ha ha the gloves off now? Living in England though so I am watered down, new to this site too, an old ScrumVer on the BBC. Sorry for swearing!