Wales v Samoa

[darwin_23]

Will be interesting to see what sort of team Wales select - I'd assume given they are playing Argentina and Australia in the following weeks they may rest some key players. Playing a second string team against Samoa would be very risky - as this Samoan team does looks like quite strong on paper. One of the keys for Samoa will be Fa'atonu Fili who will likely play at 10. He's a player whose game has really matured over the last couple of years, and he should hopefully be able to play a tactical game that will complement the natural attacking game that the rest of the backline possesses (not that he doesn't have a strong attacking game himself).

Any Welsh supporters keen to predict the team that you think Gatland will pick (or even the team that you think he should pick...)?

 

[dullonien]

This is what I would pick:

01 Duncan Dones
02 Huw Bennett
03 Craig Mitchell
04 Bradley Davies
05 Jonathan Thomas
06 Dan Lydiate
07 Sam Warberton
08 Ryan Jones

09 Dwayne Peel
10 Ban Biggar
11 Leigh Halfpenny
12 Jamie Roberts
13 Jonathan Davies
14 Tom James
15 Morgan Stoddard

16 Paul James
17 Mathew Rees
18 Luke Charteris
19 Andy Powell
20 Martin Roberts
21 James Hook
22 Shane Williams

 

[Sir Speedy]

Uh, is Peel free from Sale's bench this week?

I'm happy with that. Though that front row makes me cry.

 

[darwin_23]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Nov 10 2009, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

This is what I would pick:

01 Duncan Dones
02 Huw Bennett
03 Craig Mitchell
04 Bradley Davies
05 Jonathan Thomas
06 Dan Lydiate
07 Sam Warberton
08 Ryan Jones

09 Dwayne Peel
10 Ban Biggar
11 Leigh Halfpenny
12 Jamie Roberts
13 Jonathan Davies
14 Tom James
15 Morgan Stoddard

16 Paul James
17 Mathew Rees
18 Luke Charteris
19 Andy Powell
20 Martin Roberts
21 James Hook
22 Shane Williams[/b]

That would be an interesting team - would you consider it to be a risk to play this team against Samoa? Though it is obviously full of talented players I'd be worried about there lack of experience at this level. If that starting lineup was selected would it not be worth throwing some more experience on the bench in case it didn't work out - the likes of Genthin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones, Martyn Williams, and Stephen Jones? I hope that both the young loose forwards (Lydiate & Warburton) get a go in this game - Martyn Williams isn't going to be around forever and they need to find a good backup 7.

 

[dullonien]

Speedy, would much rather a front row of:

01 Iestyn Thomas
02 Ken Owens
03 Craig Mitchell

I don't think Duncan Jones has hit any kind of form yet this season, and Huw Bennett is unspectacular, but solid.

darwin_23. I'd be confident that team would beat Samoa. Up front (where Samoa are traditionally weak), I've given alot of the frrst choice players a rest, as they'll be needed against Argentina and Austrailia. Maybe this would be a good game to start Powell, giving Ryan Jones a breather, as the breakdown should be ok with Jon Thomas, Lydiate and Wareberton all hard workers. I see what you mean with having more experianece on the bench, swap Andy Powell / Ryan Jones with Martyn Willaims (Jon Thomas can always move into the backrow if Lydiate or Ryan Jones / Andy Powell get injured).

I think the backs have a nice blend of power and pace. We could see Hook starting instead of Biggar, as his tackling is better. But I personally hope Biggar get's the chance, as he controlls the game much better. The centres would be my first choice, so I hope we can see them have a run out together to see how they combine. On the wings, Tom James is guaranteed to start imo. As for the other wing, it's a toss up between Halfpenny and Shane. Maybe Shane would offer a bit more experience in a reletively unexperienced team. Full back is again a tough one. Hook wasn't great against the AB's, and I don't think it suits his game atall. Stoddard is a majour threat from fullback, but against a Samoan team that is likely to break through our defence a few times, he may not put up much of a fight as our last line of defense. Worth a try though imo.

I don't think this is a weak team. Up front, I think changes are bound to be made. Players like Lydiate and Warberton have gotta get game time somewhere, and I can't see it happening against Argentina or Aus, well one of them will hopefully play instead of Powell in those games, but which one? My moneys on Warberton. Samoa may be physical up front, but they aren't known for having a good scrum, linout or rucking game. In the backs, I've gone for a bit more size and power than usual. Donathan Davies is big and strong alongside Roberts. Tom James is a beast of a winger, who should thrive big time in an open game like this. Stoddard is another physical player, with gas to burn.

 

[bristol-iain]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Nov 10 2009, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

This is what I would pick:

01 Duncan Dones
02 Huw Bennett
03 Craig Mitchell
04 Bradley Davies
05 Jonathan Thomas
06 Dan Lydiate
07 Sam Warberton
08 Ryan Jones

09 Dwayne Peel
10 Ban Biggar
11 Leigh Halfpenny
12 Jamie Roberts
13 Jonathan Davies
14 Tom James
15 Morgan Stoddard

16 Paul James
17 Mathew Rees
18 Luke Charteris
19 Andy Powell
20 Martin Roberts
21 James Hook
22 Shane Williams[/b]

Whats Biggar done to deserve a Ban :blink:

But in all seriousness, that backline has the potential to tear apart most defences but as we know from previous years, our "smaller" autumn games with weaker sides, we have flattred to decieve and scrape through. Don't experct a classic.

 

[cyRil]

Wales: James Hook (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James (all Cardiff Blues); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Sale); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Huw Bennett, Paul James (both Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell, Sam Warburton (both Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart (all Scarlets).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_unio...lsh/8350580.stm

Surprised at how few changes there are. We should win by about 20.

 

[Ozzay]

Nice to see Biggar there. Think its a good choice keeping Hook 15, he will play each game there as we have no1 else.

 

[dullonien]

Dissapointed that Shanklin has retained his place. He's a quality player, but can't play in the same team as Jamie Roberts imo. Jonathan Davies has been the form centre in Wales this season. We need to try something different in midfeild, why not now? Also surprised Paul James is still at tighthead. Craif Mitchell should be getting an opportunity against the weakest scrum were going to meet this Autumn.

This team should win comfortably.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I'm actually going to see this one!! Big family 'doo', and we've decided to all go for a lovely Itallian meal in Cardiff, then trudge a few blocks down the the Millenium Stadium to watch the game. Big thing for me, as I rarely get to see Wales play, what with lviing in the East Midlands of England and all that.

Glad they've chosen a strong squad, but JD should be in it over Shanks.

 

[Olyy]

Agree about the Shanklin/davies comments, Davies has had a great season with scarlets so far
Roberts/Shanklin don't work amazingly together as they both like to crash through (though Roberts also has a fair heap of pace as well), so it should be a smasher and someone to run off him, really (in my limited knowledge (read: guesswork) of centre-play)
I think this would be a great game to start davies, to see if he's upto international standard to start against SA.

Hopefully Davies will get a decent amount of time on the pitch, anyways

 

[danger]

I dare say Gatland seems abit scared of the Poly boys.

I wouldnt be so confident if i were a welshman. Provided Fa'atonu Fili plays (who i beleive is the 3rd best flyhalf in NZ) the Samoans should give you a great game.

 

[dullonien]

Well Samoa do have some great players. And atleast Gatland has learn't from previous games where he's made wholesale changes. I wouldn't have minded a few more changes, but at the same time I'm happy with the team. This is the kinda game Powell should play, where he can just run all day without worrying too much with the breakdown area. But I hope he's still not there come Argentina.

Surprised Lydiate isn't on the bench. This either means Gatland is planning to keep playing Powell at 6, bring Jonathan Thomas back into his preferred blindside role, or possibly use Warberton on the blindside. I'm not fussed which of the last two he chooses, as both bring different things to the table. Thomas adds some physicality, while Warberton brings another fetcher, a tireless worker and some good skills in open field.

Hope we see JD and Stoddard off the bench early in the second half.

 

[darwin_23]

Samoa named:
Lolo Lui; David Lemi, Gavin Williams, Seilala Mapusua, Anitelea Tuilagi; Fa'atonu Fili, Junior Poluleuligaga; Henry Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus, George Stowers (capt); Iosefa Tekori, Filip Levi; Census Johnston, Mahonri Schwalger, Justin Va'a

Replacements: Andrew Williams, Sakaria Taulafo, Kane Thompson, Jonathon Fa'amatuianu, Uale Mai, Henry Fa'afili, ***i Esau

Looks like the strongest team Samoa could put out - Sailosi Tagicakibau has been ruled out with injury meaning Ant Tuilagi is on the wing, Gavin Williams in the mid-field, with Lui at fullback.

The starting team may struggle at lineout time as both locks aren't very tall nor great leapers, and neither are the loose-forwards. They probably have there best two lineout forwards (Thomson, Fa'amatuianu) on the bench. Charteris and Jones may cause a lot of trouble for this Samoan lineout. In contrast the Samoan scrum should be ok - Va'a and Johnston while not the most technical scrummagers are both huge, and have some powerful locks behind them (and a 130kg number 8 behind them!). The bench prop Taulafo was very impressive during New Zealand's domestic season and should certainly hold his own at this level.

There is plenty of size in the backs - though they do lack a bit of pace(Lemi is the obvious exception). The battle between Ant Tuilagi and Halfpenny on the wing should be interesting - power versus speed. If Fili can control the game from 10 Samoa should (hopefully) be competitive.

 

[dullonien]

Fully expecting them to be competative. Suppose it all comes down to how well they can settle as a team, considering the limited time they've had together. I think Wales need to play a controlled, but expansive game. I don't wanna see the headless chicken stuff we tend to play against teams like this. Instead we need to domiate up front. Scrums will probably be evenish, but hopefully we can dominate linout time. The backrow battle will again be interesting, but I believe Warberton will show his class in this game and dominate the breakdown. Go through the phases, produce successive quick ball, then attack with pace.

 

[darwin_23]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Nov 12 2009, 11:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Fully expecting them to be competative. Suppose it all comes down to how well they can settle as a team, considering the limited time they've had together. I think Wales need to play a controlled, but expansive game. I don't wanna see the headless chicken stuff we tend to play against teams like this. Instead we need to domiate up front. Scrums will probably be evenish, but hopefully we can dominate linout time. The backrow battle will again be interesting, but I believe Warberton will show his class in this game and dominate the breakdown. Go through the phases, produce successive quick ball, then attack with pace.[/b]

I agree Wales (with Warburton) should dominate the breakdown (despite having Andy Powell), with none of the Samoan loosies particularly strong at this area. There should be some good hits in this game - there are some big boys in both teams that love to take it into contact. I think if Wales play a structured game as you suggest they should win comfortably, however if they play 'headless chicken stuff' they will play right into the Samoan's hands and it could be a close game.

 

[Thingimubob]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (darwin_23 @ Nov 11 2009, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Nov 12 2009, 11:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fully expecting them to be competative. Suppose it all comes down to how well they can settle as a team, considering the limited time they've had together. I think Wales need to play a controlled, but expansive game. I don't wanna see the headless chicken stuff we tend to play against teams like this. Instead we need to domiate up front. Scrums will probably be evenish, but hopefully we can dominate linout time. The backrow battle will again be interesting, but I believe Warberton will show his class in this game and dominate the breakdown. Go through the phases, produce successive quick ball, then attack with pace.[/b]

I agree Wales (with Warburton) should dominate the breakdown (despite having Andy Powell), with none of the Samoan loosies particularly strong at this area. There should be some good hits in this game - there are some big boys in both teams that love to take it into contact. I think if Wales play a structured game as you suggest they should win comfortably, however if they play 'headless chicken stuff' they will play right into the Samoan's hands and it could be a close game.
[/b][/quote]

I think it will be pretty close tbf, always seen the Samoans as a dangerous team. Am really looking forward to seeing Tom James start, I;m a massive fan of his and he's developing into a class player. Just hope they actually use him, I felt they barely used him in the summer tour, despite him being one of the best players on the pitch (he touched the ball about twice in the 1st half against Canada and both times went clean through with some great running).
Have been offered tickets by a mate who can;t go now, so just gotta find someone to go with now.

 

[dullonien]

Same here thingibubob. Tom James has developed into Wales' most dangerous winger imo. He really does have the lot in terms of attacking ability. Great speed, both off the mark and top end. Good step to beat a defender. But he's also a big lad, with plenty of power. He's still rather raw at the moment, but his positional play and defense is coming along nicely.

I think he'll force his way into the Argentina and Autrailia games with his performance on Friday. Will be interesting to see if he'll replace Halfpenny or Shane in the team. Inital thoughts are that Halfpenny could make way. Either way, the back three is more balanced with him on one of the flanks.

 

[darwin_23]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Nov 12 2009, 02:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Same here thingibubob. Tom James has developed into Wales' most dangerous winger imo. He really does have the lot in terms of attacking ability. Great speed, both off the mark and top end. Good step to beat a defender. But he's also a big lad, with plenty of power. He's still rather raw at the moment, but his positional play and defense is coming along nicely.

I think he'll force his way into the Argentina and Autrailia games with his performance on Friday. Will be interesting to see if he'll replace Halfpenny or Shane in the team. Inital thoughts are that Halfpenny could make way. Either way, the back three is more balanced with him on one of the flanks.[/b]

Tom James sounds promising, but he will have his work cut-out marking David Lemi in the weekend - he's one of a few Samoan players who will actually try to run around defenders rather than go straight through them!

 

[RC]

I just hope Samoa play the entertaining game that they enjoy bringing to the field. By entertaining i mean, the big hits, illegal tackles, cheap shots all over the field and random fights breaking out from nowhere.
Should be a good one.