Wales Squad For AI

[TRF_Cymro]

No? He think he has shown up well so far, but I'll take a hooker's input at higher value than my own.
Myhill should shift to the Blues. He won't get in ahead of Rees or Owens for the Turks; Hibbard or Baldwin for the jacks; and everybody at Rodney would rip up their tickets if Jabba was dropped.
Blues have Breeze and that scouse. Dacey and Williams haven't really been given a shot. While we are on the topic of the Blues, if Screech, Cook, or Hill want guaranteed match time, call Darren Edwards.

Just think he's a little lightweight and offers little in the set piece department. It's all down to matters of opinion really. We haven't got a good set piece hooker, who will hit men in the lineout or really scrummage well upfront.

I think people are afraid to give the young hookers a go in my opinion. The Blues should stick with Rhys Williams, better than what they have got. The Turks have 4 very good hookers, and as you said one should move.

 

[dullonien]

Not been keen on Baldwin. Parry and Phillips for me are better options.

I've been impressed by Baldwin this season. Excellent work-rate, putting in plenty of effective carries.

I'm also a fan of Emyr Phillips, but the future is Kirby Myhill, I just hope he's given a shot at the Scarlets soon.

Sam Parry is also an OK hooker, although I've seen little in him to suggest he'll be an international any time soon.

 

[Draggs]

Richard Hibbard is about the best scrummaging hooker we have. Probably the least awful in lineouts as well.
Baldwin is a big lad, tallest hooker I've seen. Need some big props to anchor him in. If we are looking at Rhodri Jones as the future, then that won't be a problem.

 

[dullonien]

Richard Hibbard is about the best scrummaging hooker we have. Probably the least awful in lineouts as well.

Not sure about the second point Draggs. His lineout throwing is quite poor imo. He loops his throws, making it very easy for opposition jumpers to get up and steal a throw. He also often has a slight tell when he's going to throw the ball, as he pulls the ball back just before release. He get's away with it at regional level a decent amount of the time, but at international level those two points really makes him struggle.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Not sure about the second point Draggs. His lineout throwing is quite poor imo. He loops his throws, making it very easy for opposition jumpers to get up and steal a throw. He also often has a slight tell when he's going to throw the ball, as he pulls the ball back just before release. He get's away with it at regional level a decent amount of the time, but at international level those two points really makes him struggle.

The loop throw is meant to be used to chuck it over the opposition man if he is up. In theory it should work most times.

 

[dullonien]

The loop throw is meant to be used to chuck it over the opposition man if he is up. In theory it should work most times.

OK, I can understand that I suppose. However I also find it very slow, so if it isn't perfect and falls a little short the opposition have time to get in there and get a hand to the ball. If it's what he's comfortable with then I can accept that.

His throwing is more consistent that Rees' at least!

 

[psychic duck]

I think Navidi is outplaying Turnbull/McCusker at the minute in my opinion. He should be in the squad, but in the end it doesn't matter as none should get in the Wales 23 anyway.

To be honest I think the Scarlets back row is totally unbalanced. Their problem is that they are basically playing three 6's in the back row. McCusker offers not enough ball carrying to be an 8, and I don't really think Turnbull is a genuine 7 either.

They were totally outplayed at the breakdown by Shane Jennings last weekend, and I think they need to alter that back row.

 

[Draggs]

The Turks have three blindsides. One is their captain, and he is not the best. Shingler is by far the best of the three.

Navidi looks promising, but he will have plenty of time. Let him get some time with the Blues while Warburton is away. There is no point pulling him out for a month to get 15 minutes of matchtime for Wales.

 

[dullonien]

I think Navidi is outplaying Turnbull/McCusker at the minute in my opinion. He should be in the squad, but in the end it doesn't matter as none should get in the Wales 23 anyway.

To be honest I think the Scarlets back row is totally unbalanced. Their problem is that they are basically playing three 6's in the back row. McCusker offers not enough ball carrying to be an 8, and I don't really think Turnbull is a genuine 7 either.

They were totally outplayed at the breakdown by Shane Jennings last weekend, and I think they need to alter that back row.

Apart from the first game against a depleted Leinster, none of the Scarlets backrow are playing well. Shingler has huge potential, but he's a bit of a luxury player where you need an abrasive player alongside him to add the grunt. Turnbull is massively inconsistent. I was a fan of his at one point, but he's not done much for a while. McCusker is another great athlete, but like Pretorius at the Blues, he is not an 8 and doesn't offer the ball carrying ability to play that position at present. McCusker's discipline in also letting him down.

Daniel Thomas needs to come in at 7 imo, with a genuine 8 like Kieran Murphy, and then select one of those three at 6. McCusker is probably the most abrasive of the three, but Shingler is the most talented.

Navidi is playing better than all three. I'm a big fan of Navidi's. He's bulked up massively from his time with the U20's, but is still a very skillful player. He's very abrasive in the tackle, and does his fair share of carrying as well.

 

[willrobinson]

Don't you dare joke about that!

If Davies is out, I'd be very interested to see a midfield combo of Beck and Roberts. If Biggar is playing 10 anyway, having a slightly more creative 12 in Beck would be beneficial in order to get Roberts and the outside backs into the game. The only problem is that in the past Roberts hasn't handled the switch to outside center all that well, but I do think that with Beck inside him he could be very potent from one further out. Beck has got a great ability to offload in the tackle, so if Roberts can read that and run good angles off him, he could cause some serious damage.

watched a replay of wales vs south africa 2010 I think. and the partnership of 12 Roberts and 13 Hook was electric hook is often over looked at centre but he is so dangerous at creating breaks

 

[Draggs]

Yeah, Hook was looking dangerous at outside centre. That try against England in 2010 was something else.
Beck is a well-balanced runner and could make a good outside centre, but I prefer him inside. If we are clever enough, we will figure a way to play Beck and Roberts inside/outside on rotation, depending on the situation.
Henson-Roberts was a dream combination in 2008/9, shame it never happened. I'd love to see Henson loop around and get the offload from Roberts and put into space. Likewise, one of Henson's long passes out to Roberts would fracture the opposition backline.

Will, not having a go, just curious, do you live in England? I see you commenting on many Welsh threads but noticed the flag.
What really needs to change is that club badge below it!

 

[willrobinson]

I think Navidi is outplaying Turnbull/McCusker at the minute in my opinion. He should be in the squad, but in the end it doesn't matter as none should get in the Wales 23 anyway.

To be honest I think the Scarlets back row is totally unbalanced. Their problem is that they are basically playing three 6's in the back row. McCusker offers not enough ball carrying to be an 8, and I don't really think Turnbull is a genuine 7 either.

They were totally outplayed at the breakdown by Shane Jennings last weekend, and I think they need to alter that back row.

the thing is Navidi is a 7 Wales already have the two best NH 7's in there team fighting for one position he just wont get a look in where as if he stays at the blues for AI he will have a fantastic time developing against not the strongest teams.

 

[Draggs]

the thing is Navidi is a 7 Wales already have the two best NH 7's in there team fighting for one position he just wont get a look in where as if he stays at the blues for AI he will have a fantastic time developing against not the strongest teams.

Agree, we are not lacking quality opensides.
Some Turks want to sign him, but Thomas will come through within two years. Ellis Jenkins at the Blues is another, so Navidi should head east
Actually, I quite like Evans and Waters when fit, so we are good here. We really need eights. We have one in Wales, Faletau. Powell and Delve are abroad (surely they would make the first teams for the Scarlets, Ospreys, and Blues?)

 

[Draggs]

F**k s**t a**e b*****d.
Adam Jones out of the series.

 

[Thingimubob]

Just got some weird looks for saying '**** Sakes' in the middle of a train station after reading that...

Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Draggs]

Faletau off, ankle on ice.
Jesus christ, I hate the weeks leading up to internationals.

 

[Big Ewis]

^ yeah srs, it's like everybody fakes injuries RIGHT before the start of big int'l tests !!

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Paul James tighthead, Bevington & Jarvis on the bench it is.

Beck & Roberts could potentially be devastating. If Beck can create holes with just The Bish outside him, just imagine if he had someone useful going forward alongside. And Priestland last night looked very wobbly, even if he did kick the final match-winning penalty. He really, really can't be our number 10 this autumn.

Agreed on the Adam Hughes comments a few pages back. A couple of seasons ago he was one of the form backs in Wales and should at least've made the World Cup training squad, and was unlucky again not to sneak in ahead of Adam Warren at the end of last season. I like a pacey 13, and, hate to repeat the same points, but if he were to play outside a 12 who can spin the ball out to him in some kind of space, such as Beck or Hook, it could be very dangerous indeed. Prydie should be in the squad anyway. Not sure on Parry, and I like Price, but do not want him playing for Wales. Struggles at the scrum, and has a lovely sidestep on him. Obviously he doesn't make this, but it does kinda make him entertaining to watch. Not for Wales, though, thanks.

 

[willrobinson]

Will, not having a go, just curious, do you live in England? I see you commenting on many Welsh threads but noticed the flag.
What really needs to change is that club badge below it!

I am english but ever since i started watching and following rugby in about 08/09 I have for some reason just loved welsh rugby haven't got a clue why, my club think i am weird for it

 

[Draggs]

I am english but ever since i started watching and following rugby in about 08/09 I have for some reason just loved welsh rugby haven't got a clue why, my club think i am weird for it

Hang around a bit longer, we'll do our best to fix you

Paul James is not a tighthead. He should be our starting loosehead (cue BG8). If I can explain, it is because we need to make up for the loss of Adam in the scrum. He has also played more regularly. Jarvis on the other side, Lee and Jenkins off the bench.

I find it hard to overlook Richard Hibbard to start. He has the physique of a 90's Welsh front rower, but one hell of a motor on him. Another one who is solid in the scrum. Matthew Rees off the bench.

I'll go with Alun Wyn (who has improved after the Aus tour) and Ian Evans. Bradley Davies has gone, nay, sprinted backwards since 2010. Charteris, I cannot place, as I have not seen him yet.

Back row is very tough. It is no secret that Tipuric is the form home nations openside, but Sam is our captain. Some have suggested playing both, but that is a novelty we cannot afford to backfire. Ryan Jones has been immense, however, and I back him to be a rock in our side. We will wait on Faletau's ankle first. Aaron Shingler is next up, depending on the combinations.

I suppose right now we have to go with Phillips, but Lloyd Williams has played some decent rugby for Cardiff Blues. I honestly haven't rated Knoyle so far, but I'll give him a chance off the bench in one of the first two matches.

Priestland is simply too flakey to risk starting. Biggar is playing a composed and intelligent game. He is derided as a boring kicking outside half, but I have seen him make numerous breaks and finally use his backs. Hook, like Charteris, is unknown to me.

Beck-Roberts, and we will see how it goes. Beck is a tough player to bring down, and is a better player to set up the backs than Roberts. Many have said he bears a playing resemblance to Will Greenwood. If he has muster up even a fraction of Will's ability, we will be set. Scott Williams off the bench, for when the game breaks down. Hughes should have been in the squad, to bring him on against Samoa (he can handle the big hits).

Back three is the same as the Six Nations, but include Prydie over Robinson.

Draggs 23: Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Roberts, Beck, NORTH, Biggar, Phillips; James, Hibbard, Jarvis, AWJones, Evans, Jones/Shingler, Warburton, Faletau/Jones; Rees, Jenkins, Lee, Charteris(?), Tipuric, WilliamsL, Priestland/Hook(?), WilliamsS