Wales v South Africa

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Glad to see Spies in over Kankowski!

Is that because you like Spies or because you think Kankowski will tear Wales apart?

 

[Draggs]

Is that because you like Spies or because you think Kankowski will tear Wales apart?

I wouldn't say tear apart, but more than likely cause more trouble than Spies.
He was immense in the CC and no doubt better than any 8's Wales have right now.

Can't deny Spies athletic ability, a lad that big doing 10's on 100m...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

It's always nice to see others being so positive about Kanko

 

[Draggs]

Kanko is a great player and unfortunate to be overlooked.
Definitely better than any Welsh 8's right now, unfortunately.

What I would pick:

15. Lee Byrne
14. Will Harries
13. Andrew Bishop
12. James Hook
11. Shane Williams
10. Stephen Jones
9. Richie Rees
8. Ryan Jones
7. Martyn Williams
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Alun Wyn Jones
4. Bradley Davies
3. Adam Jones
2. Matthew Rees (C)
1. Gethin Jenkins

16. Richard Hibbard
17. Paul James
18. Ian Gough
19. Jonathan Thomas/Andy Powell
20. Mike Phillips
21. Tom Shanklin
22. Chris Czekaj

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Kanko is a great player and unfortunate to be overlooked.
Definitely better than any Welsh 8's right now, unfortunately.

What I would pick:

15. Lee Byrne
14. Will Harries
13. Andrew Bishop
12. James Hook
11. Shane Williams
10. Stephen Jones
9. Richie Rees
8. Ryan Jones
7. Martyn Williams
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Alun Wyn Jones
4. Bradley Davies
3. Adam Jones
2. Matthew Rees (C)
1. Gethin Jenkins

16. Richard Hibbard
17. Paul James
18. Ian Gough
19. Jonathan Thomas/Andy Powell
20. Mike Phillips
21. Tom Shanklin
22. Chris Czekaj

I go with that but Ryan would be captain and JT and Powell would both be on the bench at the expense of Gough!

 

[Seaton]

I cannot imagine Alberts, Mvovo and Hargreaves being called up for a tour and not getting any gametime. The match against Scotland will be theirs probably

I hope not, it would be a pity to see so many debutants on the losing side


Can't see Wales getting a win from this won, far too many injuries to good players, without the depth of other unions.
Never-the-less, should be an interesting game

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I hope not, it would be a pity to see so many debutants on the losing side

I really hope Scotland can put up a performance against the Springboks for you. Unfortunately my country will never have a serious chance against a team like the Springboks with Tim Visser as the only notable player in the squad. Guess I have to stick with football when it comes to supporting my home country although that always ends up being a disappointment too (3 World Cup Finals lost)

I really hope we can see Kankowski start at least once because I am getting sick of Spies running and being pushed back time and time again

 

[dullonien]

Well this is apparently how the Welsh team will lign-up:

01 Gethin Jenkins
02 Matthew Rees
03 Adam Jones
04 Bradley Davies
05 Alun-Wyn Jones

09 Richie Rees
10 Stephen Jones
11 Shane Williams
12 Andrew Bishop
13 James Hook
14 Will Harries
15 Lee Byrne

No word on the backrow yet, as Gatland is apparently still making up his mind / waiting on injury news. So it appears as if Ryan Jones is still touch and go.

 

[Christo Naude]

Wales miss the key against SA

With Lee Byrne likely to return it was the perfect chance to get Hook in at 10. With Jones tackling ability now going to be severely tested against Jean de Villier.

South Africa got a great wing in Bjorn Basson who broke all our Currie Cup Records for try's in a season. Not only is he realy fast but hes great in the air.

Weird that South Africa chose steyn at 13 and not 12, This was a great chance for us to test Lee Byrne with some high kicks from Frans Steyn. Steyn is not fast enough for 13 and this might cost us and might also be why Wales choose hook at 13 to expose Steyns lack of pace.

 

[dullonien]

Jones deserved another shot at 10. He's probably one of the best defensive 10's in world rugby, so I think he'll deal ok with JdV. Hook certainly could have been moved to 10, but he hasn't played there for a long time (bar some 15 mins he got for the O's a couple of months ago).

Hopefully that's what Frans Steyn decides to do, just test Lee Byrne with high kicks! Byrne has proven in the past that he can deal with up n' unders extrmely well. I'd be more worries it Steyn decides to test Hooks defense with his physical running game!

 

[cyRil]

Hook doesn't have any pace with which to test Steyn anyway.

 

[Draggs]

I agree with JT and Powell on the bench, but Matthew should keep the captaincy, at least for the rest of this series.
Hook has decent pace, certainly not wing-like, but more so than Wellies.

 

[cyRil]

True, but I have witnessed first-hand him being chased down by an Edinburgh prop, and you don't forget **** like that in a hurry!

 

[Peat]

Whats Lydiate like? Never seen him play, but Wales really do seem short of top quality back-rows at the moment.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Is there anyone who expects Wales to win?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Is there anyone who expects Wales to win?

Are you being for real orrrrrrrrr ....

Are you being stupid?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

BYRNE
NORTH
SHANKLIN
HOOK
SHANE

S JONES
PHILLIPS

JENKINS
REES
JONES

DAVIES
WYN-JONES

LYDIATE
WILLIAMS
THOMAS

Only change on the bench is Ryan Jones for Martyn Williams apparently.

Informed by mr reliable!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Are you being for real orrrrrrrrr ....

Are you being stupid?

Easy there Cymro... Just asking to see if there is anyone that positive about Wales

 

[TRF_Olyy]

From wru.co.uk:

Wales 15 Lee Byrne; 14 George North, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams; 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees (C), Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Jonathan Thomas

Replacements 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Paul James, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Chris Czekaj

Really would've expected a Bishop/Hook midfield,
Suppose with Hook in the squad you don't really need Biggar on the bench, as you've got FH cover already, but still surprised to see Shanklin in there
Both Jones and Powell on the bench as well!

 

[cyRil]

Is there anyone who expects Wales to win?

I was before I saw that ******* team!