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Wales v Australia

Teh Mite

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Wales v Australia

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V
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6th November @ 1430 GMT, Millennium Stadium
 
Not a fan of whoever put this on at the same time as the England match.
Not sure whether to avoid this and watch it on iPlayer when its up (thank God BBC have the rights to Wales matches) or have them on side by side and switch between the two :p
 
Australia are really improving and with every game they develop more and more and increase their momentum towards the 2011 world cup where I think they will become very strong contenders. They put in a great performance against New Zealand in the last Tri Nations test and look like the only team in the world right now who could stop the All Blacks.
I'm going to give this game to Australia based on that and also that their attacking prowess is growing to extreme heights.
Watch out for Beale, Mitchell, Pocock, Genia and Cooper combination and also Justin Bieber[James O Connor] lol
 
We've got a decent recent record against Austrailia, so I hope we can put in a winning performance here. We've gotta start playing to our strengths, which is to keep ball in hand much more than we have done in the past couple of years. On paper we've got a decent kicking game with Phillips, Steve Jones, Hook and Byrne all good strikers of the ball (on their day), but it just hasn't been working since 2008 where it was excecuted to perfection.

I'd pick this team to face Aus:

01 Gethin Jenkins (Paul James if Geth is injured)
02 Mathew Rees (captain to boot)
03 Adam Jones
04 Bradley Davies
05 Alun-Wyn Jones
06 Dan Lydiate
07 Sam Warburton (more experience he gains the better imo)
08 Ryan Jones (starting to play better, see how he goes without being captain)

09 Richie Rees (suite the game I think we need to play)
10 Stephen Jones
11 Shane Williams
12 Jonathan Davies
13 James Hook
14 Leigh Halfpenny
15 Lee Byrne

16 Paul James (Scott Andrews)
17 T Rhys Thomas
18 Jonathan Thomas
19 Martyn Williams
20 Mike Phillips
21 Jamie Roberts (if fit, Andrew Bishop if not)
22 Chris Czekaj

I know many people would keep Martyn Williams starting for now, and I wouldn't mind in the slightest if he does, but I feel Warbuton needs more gametime for Wales. It's a pitty he got injured before going to NZ, as that would have been the perfect testing ground. Overall he's still largely untested, so I think he needs this Autumn series to show what he's capable of. Martyn Williams is still no. 1 though.

Just a word about T Rhys Thomas. In reality I could have gone for any number of hookers on the bench. Ken Owens still deserves a shot at some point. Hibbard and Bennett are also both playing well too. So I wouldn't really be bothered who sits on the bench. I just feel T Thys Thomas has been playing the bst rugby of them all so far this season, although maybe he needs to show he can continue that before being picked again for Wales.

Lydiate is one of the few Dragons players who's really performing, and he's the exact kind of player we need at 6 imo, a true workhorse and a decent ball carrier too. My second choice would be Josh Turnbull, though maybe give him a little more time as first choice starter at the Scarlets first. On the bench, Jon Thomas covers second row and 6 and 8, whilst I always think a specialist openside is important, especially when Pocock is on the opposing team!

I've gone for Richie Rees at scrum half, as he get's the ball away much quicker from the ruck. Mike Phillips should provide massive impact from the bench (you'd hope!). Biggar has even managed to turn me off him in the last couple of games, certainly not up to it against the top 3 especially! Jones probably produced one of the best outside half performances I've seen from a NH 10 in a while against Perpignan. His pass to Priestland in the built up to their second try was almost as good as the two following offloads! Hook is the cover for 10 if Jones get's injured.

At centre, I believe Jon Davies is due back from injury this weekend, and I'd give him a go alongside Hook. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Hook and Davies have played together in the centre. Pretty sure he's only played alongside Bishop and Roberts. I think Davies needs the creativity of Hook (or King for the Scarlets) to really shine. Gatland should just tell him not to kick the bloody ball! Roberts on the bench (if fit, which is looking more and more unlikely) would offer even more impact. Bishop is probably unlucky not to start, but he hasn't been quite as good in the last few weeks. Czekaj can cover the back three from the bench. I also think he could be a decent impact player, and could certinaly help shut the game down if needed.
 
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When does the verdict on M. Williams get decided?
He might get 4weeks, in which case he'll miss it anyway
 
Nugget got two weeks, so he is clear for Wales/Aus.

I agree with Dull, except for 9 and 12.
Richie is without a doubt a close second, but Mike is steadily improving after his months off. We need his creativity and also defence.
Jonathan Davies has looked good, but I would stick with Bish/Hook for the first test, due to their experience playing together.

As far as the bench goes- T Rhys Thomas?!? Looked utter gash against Edinburgh, and directly led to their first try. Ken Owens or Huw ahead of him.
If Ian Evans is fit, put him on the bench instead of Nugget, and use JT to over BF, OF and 8.
 
As far as the bench goes- T Rhys Thomas?!? Looked utter gash against Edinburgh, and directly led to their first try. Ken Owens or Huw ahead of him.

How much rugby have you watched this season in terms of Magners League? I mean thats a pretty **** poor statement and calling him 'gash' I take a personal offence to because the statement is utter rubbish. He has been the best hooker on show outside of Rees and has really stepped up his game. Even the Welsh media have picked up on it and stopped criticising him. One game does not make a player bad ... by your judgement it seems to have been.

Dull thats the side Id go with although Ryan will be captain and how much id like to see Rees start at 9, hes best use off the bench as he is able to take advantage off tired legs. I do think Phillips is the better 9 at starting with Rees being able to change the tempo off the bench.

Have read that Jaime Roberts will miss the AI ... (don't quote me on this, I swear I have read this) ... but Bishop deserves a shot.
 
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Yeh, wouldn't mind those two starting. Jonathan Davies might miss out due to his injury, but if he's back this weekend and plays well, I'd still go with him. Bishop hasn't been all that spectacular the past month (solid, but nothing more) which is a bit dissapointing really considering this was his chance to nail down a centre berth with Davies and Roberts out.

I'm sure Gatland will go with Phillips, and that'll be fine, but it does mean that Wales will play a slower game than if Rees was there. Martin Roberts demonstrated for the Scarlets how important a scrum half is at introducing pace to a game. Peel used to do it for Wales, and Rees is probably the best option at the moment to do that (unless Peel's back playing well). I haven't seen Phillips introduce pace to a game for a long time now, whilst is insistance of box kicking constantly hasn't been working. Rees can come off the bench to add impact to the game aswell though.

Not fussed about the replacement hooker. Granted T Rhys Thomas had a disapointing game on the weekend, but so did the majority of Blues players (Halfpenny, Laulala and Bradley Davies not so). Can't see Owens getting a chance now, after not getting one when he deserved it and playing consistently for the Scarlets. Pitty, as I think he's got the potential to be better than all the rest, including Rees.

Ian Evans didn't really set the world alight in his brief period in between injuries, so I don't think he'll be involved this Autumn. He needs to get fit and stay fit for a period of time without being thrown into international games. I think it would be a mistake to go into a game against Aus, SA or NZ without a specialist 7 on the bench. JT makes a dire openside imo, can do the job in an emergency, but I wouldn't like to see him play an entire match there against Pocock if Williams/Warberton went off injured in the first minute.

Edit:

Dull thats the side Id go with although Ryan will be captain and how much id like to see Rees start at 9, hes best use off the bench as he is able to take advantage off tired legs. I do think Phillips is the better 9 at starting with Rees being able to change the tempo off the bench.

Have read that Jaime Roberts will miss the AI ... (don't quote me on this, I swear I have read this) ... but Bishop deserves a shot.

Ryan probably will be captain you're right. You're probably right about Phillips starting too, but I don't think it always has to happen like that. I think Phillips could be a great impact sub, maybe not at adding pace, but certainly at adding power and aggression. He can also come on to slow the game down too, to protect a lead if needs be. I also think dropping certain players to the bench for a game can show then that they're not automatic starters, and that there is competiton for their place if they don't perform. Phillips hasn't performed for Wales since his comeback game against Italy, so it could do him good.

Pitty Roberts will miss out, but it gives a chance to Davies and Bishop to show what they're capable of. Maybe for Shanklin to show that he's not passed it too after thinking about it. Competition for places is always a good thing, whilst we can never have too much strength in depth.
 
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How much rugby have you watched this season in terms of Magners League? I mean thats a pretty **** poor statement and calling him 'gash' I take a personal offence to because the statement is utter rubbish. He has been the best hooker on show outside of Rees and has really stepped up his game. Even the Welsh media have picked up on it and stopped criticising him. One game does not make a player bad ... by your judgement it seems to have been.

Dull thats the side Id go with although Ryan will be captain and how much id like to see Rees start at 9, hes best use off the bench as he is able to take advantage off tired legs. I do think Phillips is the better 9 at starting with Rees being able to change the tempo off the bench.

Have read that Jaime Roberts will miss the AI ... (don't quote me on this, I swear I have read this) ... but Bishop deserves a shot.

Ok, it might have been a bit harsh, but I do not feel he is international material yet.
In that games specifically, he was rather poor, but as Dull said, that goes for many players.
I'll have to see him play a bit more, I suppose.

That being said, I would still like to see Ken Owens in the team this fall.
 
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My take with the squad announced today.
Might shift Paul James for Scott Andrews and Huw Bennett for Richard Hibbard up front, depending on the next few weeks. Will Harries could also take Prydie's spot, as they both have the ability to play wing and fullback, but Will has much more game time this season.

Gethin Jenkins
Matthew Rees
Adam Jones
Bradley Davies
Alun Wyn Jones
Dan Lydiate
Sam Warburton
Ryan Jones

Mike Phillips
Stephen Jones
Shane Williams
James Hook
Andrew Bishop
Leigh Halfpenny
Lee Byrne

Paul James
Huw Bennett
Ian Gough
Jonathan Thomas
Richie Rees
Tom Prydie
Jonathan Davies
 
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As of last night, yellow card aside, I'd put Richie Rees ahead of Mike Phillips to start because he played really well in a losing Blues side against a very decent Scarlets outfit. Of course my opinion may change by Sunday when the Ospreys play and Mike Phillips gets a chance to put in a good performance. But as it stands, being as I havn't seen Phillips play as of yet, Rees has got the nod for me.
 
You have a point there Michael.
Mike Phillips hasn't had a really great game since he has come back from injury. I think a bit of competition could help his game.
Also, I thought Tavis Knoyle looked pretty good yesterday, and hope to see him against Fiji.
 
Rees was good in the first half, but I thought he was as bad as the rest in the second. Knoyle was ok, but got caught in posetion around the base of rucks too many times for my liking, although his physicallity is impressive. Still impressed with Lloyd Williams every time I see him play, he's got a rediculously good pass, best I've seen in a long, long time.
 
Rob McCusker and Lee Byrne out, Richie Rees and Halfpenny are 'concerns'. Not good. Not good at all.
 
Leigh's injury, at the moment, isn't that serious from what I gather.
Dan Lydiate had a few knocks that ruled him out, but the coaches over at NGD say it shouldn't keep him out for the AI's.
Good news is that George North should be back training soon and Jonathan Davies could play this weekend.

Right now I'd shift Hook to 15 and put JD in at 12 with Bish at 13. Prydie or Czekaj on the bench with Shanklin.
 
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I am still unsure about openside flanker (Warburton/Williams) and fullback (Prydie/Czekaj)

<table width="" bgcolor="" border="1" bordercolor=""><tbody><tr><td>Position </td><td> Name </td><td> Caps </td></tr><tr><td> 1 </td><td> Gethin Jenkins </td><td> 74 </td></tr><tr><td> 2 </td><td> Matthew Rees </td><td> 39 </td></tr><tr><td> 3 </td><td> Adam Jones </td><td> 64 </td></tr><tr><td> 4 </td><td> Bradley Davies </td><td> 13 </td></tr><tr><td> 5 </td><td> Alun Wyn Jones </td><td> 40 </td></tr><tr><td> 6 </td><td> Dan Lydiate </td><td> 2 </td></tr><tr><td> 7 </td><td> Sam Warburton </td><td> 7 </td></tr><tr><td> 8 </td><td> Jonathan Thomas </td><td> 58 </td></tr><tr><td> 9 </td><td> Mike Phillips </td><td> 42 </td></tr><tr><td> 10 </td><td> Stephen Jones </td><td> 91 </td></tr><tr><td> 11 </td><td> Shane Williams </td><td> 73 </td></tr><tr><td> 12 </td><td> James Hook </td><td> 43 </td></tr><tr><td> 13 </td><td> Andrew Bishop </td><td> 11 </td></tr><tr><td> 14 </td><td> Will Harries </td><td> 1 </td></tr><tr><td> 15 </td><td> Tom Prydie </td><td> 4 </td></tr><tr><td> Replacements </td><td> Name </td><td> Caps </td></tr><tr><td> 16 </td><td> Huw Bennett </td><td> 34 </td></tr><tr><td> 17 </td><td> Paul James </td><td> 13 </td></tr><tr><td> 18 </td><td> Ian Gough </td><td> 63 </td></tr><tr><td> 19 </td><td> Martyn Williams </td><td> 95 </td></tr><tr><td> 20 </td><td> Richie Rees </td><td> 5 </td></tr><tr><td> 21 </td><td> Chris Czekaj </td><td> 7 </td></tr><tr><td> 22 </td><td> Tom Shanklin </td><td> 66 </td></tr></tbody></table>
 
Thats still a very experienced squad, injuries aside. Nice blend of youth and experience. Lets say for arguments sake that Gatland picks Warburton to start over Martyn Williams (I would prefer Martyn though), thats not bad to have a player capped 95 times to come on is it.
 
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