Wales v Ireland, 02/02/13

[GarethEWilliams]

I agree with wlshby09 that we do need to pick on form, although I don't think we are so bad to need a total shake up. Although I don't think it's his best place, Hook should come into the centre's as we need creativity, and Beck is injured.

If Tuperic doesn't start the next game then I am going to cry!

 

[jkUNCAcap]

As a flanker on the receiving end of hundreds of good rakings since I began playing I can say with absolute certainty if you don't roll away or try to kill the ball you should expect and embrace a solid shoe ****ing.

The only time one should feel aggrieved at a stamping for not rolling is if its to the face or groin , otherwise you've most likely deserved it.

I've plenty of scars from it that ill carry with me through life , each and every one of them deserved. Raking is a part of the game and of there is a god of rugby please god let it continue. This is not football.

The main issue I had was that this guy was doing it regardless of where he was in the ruck with regards to the ball. He was at the extreme fringes of the ruck stamping at a guy who had just been engaged with another Welsh player, out of reach of the ball and everything. And I never said it was football, but just throwing cleats around with reckless abandon on the fringes of a ruck is stupid. There's no reason for it. I can understand a well placed kick to the ribs or stomach of someone who's trying to obstruct the ball from being played, but other than that, I see no use for raking.

 

[Tony Manx]

The main issue I had was that this guy was doing it regardless of where he was in the ruck with regards to the ball. He was at the extreme fringes of the ruck stamping at a guy who had just been engaged with another Welsh player, out of reach of the ball and everything. And I never said it was football, but just throwing cleats around with reckless abandon on the fringes of a ruck is stupid. There's no reason for it. I can understand a well placed kick to the ribs or stomach of someone who's trying to obstruct the ball from being played, but other than that, I see no use for raking.

..........so no citing then?

As I said, player had no intent to "rake" anyone as he certainly could not see from where his head was and accidentally put his foot in the wrong place and Sexton, who should not have been there in the first place, was caught acccidentally!!

 

[jkUNCAcap]

..........so no citing then?

As I said, player had no intent to "rake" anyone as he certainly could not see from where his head was and accidentally put his foot in the wrong place and Sexton, who should not have been there in the first place, was caught acccidentally!!

That wasn't what I was talking about. I was mainly talking about Adam Jones, the Welsh number 3, and from what I've heard and remember, the Welsh player who got Sexton in the face was Tipuric or another person.

 

[lucky number 7]

That wasn't what I was talking about. I was mainly talking about Adam Jones, the Welsh number 3, and from what I've heard and remember, the Welsh player who got Sexton in the face was Tipuric or another person.

I feel you bro but it's a very hard thing to referee. And I'd assume if the player who took the raking felt enough aggrieved at the stamping would request a citing

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Watching scrum V last night, I was really hoping someone on there would be saying that this is not good enough, players have to go, big changes have to be made, but no, all they could focus on is the better second half and lets just gloss over the first half because Ireland were good.
England had a big shake up when Lancaster came in, and although it pains me to say it, they are miles and miles ahead of Wales right now.

Scrum V is good fun but not particularly credible as a source of serious discussion. All they could talk about was how the second half showed what Wales can do, which although true isn't the whole story seeing as Ireland had already won that game and just tried to close the game down. They all stopped short of actual criticism, whereas I think some serious stick will do Wales far more good than reassurances. Fortunately the Welsh players know that they have to be better for longer and won't be overly buoyed by the second half. Personally I think Wales wll be somewhat rejuvenated by starting the form guys; Eli Walker, Hibbard, Tipuric, James, and also Ryan Jones. Its not entirely Howleys fault as 3 out of those 5 players were injured, but he's got to be brave now.

For next time, I'd go for:

1. Paul James
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Adam Jones
4. Ian Evans
5. Ryan Jones
6. Sam Waburton
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Toby Faletau

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Dan Biggar
11. George North
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Eli Walker
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Ken Owens
17. Gethin Jenkins
18. Craig Mitchel
19. Ollie Kohn
20. Andrew Coombs
21. Mike Philips
22. James Hook
23. Lee Byrne

Tough on Coombs who seemed to go okay but, well, I'm not sure he's of the same stock as Ian Evans who needs international gametime by the looks of him.
Re Philips, I feel Wales' problem is that he's been there so long now without question that Wales' whole style seems to bend to him, to the point where they rely on that extra physicality around the breakdown and behind the scrum, and when they don't have it anymoroe they look even more lost, and guys like Lloyd Willaims or Webb or whoever don't get enough of a chance, and because it doesnt immediately work, they often only get one or two chances consecutively. I just feel Wales need to try other scrum halves for longer before dropping them
Blitz defence: its not so much this thats the problem, its more just using it indescriminately. Davies needs to better his decision making. I don't think throwing the whole defensive system out the pram will do Wales any favours inthe short term, thats something to think about over a longer term. I therefore also feel midfield selecton should remain the same.
I've put in Byrne and taken Mathew Rees out altogether, two things that are clearly never going to happen considerng recent selection policy.
In general, I just feel Wales need more pace in the backs...dont' get me wrong, that backline is no group of slouches but I think because of its emphasis on power and size, it finds it hard to execute a plan B when its needed. The ability of guys like Eli Walker to get into different areas of the pitch by DIFFERENT MEANS, may just be whats needed.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...oach-Declan-Kidney-ahead-of-England-Test.html

Thank ****, I do not want to see Earls at centre against Tuilagi. Don't wish any player to be injured but I'm glad he's most likely not going to be playing, fine on the wing but with the possibility of D'arcy out and Kidney at the helm - he'd probably be put into 12.


In other news Wales have dropped to 10th place in the IRB rankings and Italy move up to 9th. Tonga 1.17 points behind Wales.


Edit: Suprising fact tbh - over the 7 times Ireland have played Wales at the Millenium, Ireland have won 5 times and Wales have won twice. Didnt expect that.

 

[Jbobo]

For next time, I'd go for:

1. Paul James
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Adam Jones
4. Ian Evans
5. Ryan Jones
6. Sam Waburton
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Toby Faletau

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Dan Biggar
11. George North
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Eli Walker
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Ken Owens
17. Gethin Jenkins
18. Craig Mitchel
19. Ollie Kohn
20. Andrew Coombs
21. Mike Philips
22. James Hook
23. Lee Byrne

This. But i'd possibly keep Coombs in the starting line-up as he had a good game against Ireland by and large. Cuthbert needs a break from the starting line-up, but i'd keep him on the bench for his finishing ability which could be crucial in the second half. I agree that Wales seem to base a lot of their game around Phillips and often for the worse, i'd go with Williams as he seemed to get the back line moving with some good precise passing and with some much quicker service.

 

[Peat]

..........so no citing then?

As I said, player had no intent to "rake" anyone as he certainly could not see from where his head was and accidentally put his foot in the wrong place and Sexton, who should not have been there in the first place, was caught acccidentally!!

There does not have to be intent for a citing. Reckless use of the boot is a citable offence. The try certainly shouldn't have stood.

But there we go, by the by and I doubt it will receive a citing.

 

[dullonien]

There does not have to be intent for a citing. Reckless use of the boot is a citable offence. The try certainly shouldn't have stood.

But there we go, by the by and I doubt it will receive a citing.

To be honest, it didn't look like much on second viewing. It was hardly a proper stamp or rake, because there wasn't even a scratch on Sexton's face, and I know that a good rake leaves a nice scratch and bruise at the very least. It looked like Sexton maybe made a bit of a meal about it, not that I'm criticizing him for doing so, I'm sure it wasn't nice at the time and he's not that kind of player tbh. Tipuric does need to be careful with his feet, because he's been pinged a couple of times in the past over over zealous use of the boot, but I've not seen any dirty stamping from him.

Whilst I do think that players should know where they are putting their feet at ruck time, I think this was a genuine mistake.

Henry, that team looks spot on imo. Is Eli Walker fit though? Doesn't mention him on the BBC article (although I've only quickly scanned the article).

The pack needs a bit of a sake-up. Hibbard is a must, and whilst I'm not a big fan of putting Jones at second-row, I think it may be the correct thing to do for this game. His leadership is required big-time. Warburton and Tipuric seemed to work quite well in that second-half, so I'd like to see that tried, but wouldn't be adverse to seeing Jones at 6, Tips at 7 and Warbs on the bench with Coombs retained at second-row.

100% agree about Phillips. On is day, he's a world class 9 who really offers something very few 9's can, but when he's not playing at his best, even if it's still not terribly, his slow service really kills all momentum and forces us to play a turgid type of game. Get someone in there to whip the ball out, and have Phillips on the bench to impact the game later on.

 

[Ozzay]

How Cuthbert can start for Wales i have no idea, the boys an absolute muppet!