TrueSlawter
Bench Player
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2010
- Messages
- 584
- Country Flag
The first one was a close decison however the second with the tackle in the air shouldn't have standed.
Well, if we look at it that way, Wales got some easy penalties in the first half
Shocking refereeing. He missed (I count) twelve forward passes between the two teams and at least five knock ons. The first half should have ended after the knock-on, but no, SA get a penalty that puts them 4 ahead. If that hadn't of happened, Stephen would have kicked the penalty from straight infront of the posts to win the game. He missed countless high tackles as well. Plus the Bok prop wasn't binding, but he kept penalising Wales.
Anyway, George North. I bet Halfpenny's got his head in his hands. The guy is class.
If time expires and the ball is not dead, or an awarded scrum or lineout has not been
completed, the referee allows play to continue until the next time that the ball becomes
dead. The ball becomes dead when the referee would have awarded a scrum, lineout, an
option to the non-infringing team, drop out or after a conversion or successful penalty kick
at goal. If a scrum has to be reset, the scrum has not been completed. If time expires and a
mark, free kick or penalty kick is then awarded, the referee allows play to continue.
Overall though, Wales are certainly moving in the right direction now. Our forwards are standing up well, although we lacked scavengers today without Warburton and Gethin Jenkins which meant we struggled to deal with SA when they decided to keep hold of the ball through multiple phases. Our scrum was ok, although I'm not atall sure why Gatland brought Yapp on, as we all know he can't scrummage for ****. Our lineout also went particularily well, even stealing a few balls in the final 10mins. Our carying game was also very good on occasion, but at times is was also dismal.
If past autumn series' are anything to go by, it seems as if Gatland will pick a "experimental" side for Fiji clash. IMO i feel wales should play their best side possible just to get continuity in the side, so that combinations (if they stay the same) can really "gel" more. I hate it when Wales (in the past) put a "weakened" side out against the pacific islanders (i do feel its slightly disrespectful because the "islanders" really do play great stuff), and end up either edging out a 5 point win or even loose.
GATLAND PLAY YOUR BEST SIDE and get a Wales "A" side to play your "Fringe" players!!!!
Czekaj was pretty poor when he came on. He just doesn't look up to International Rugby. Any word on how Shane is?
Anyhow, ratings time!
1. Paul James- 6/10 (Alright, but he's no Gethin.)
2. Matthew Rees- 8/10 (Played really well in the loose and the scrum and lineout went well, too.)
3. Adam Jones- 7/10 (Scrummaged and seemed to clear almost every ruck out. Must be worn out.)
4. Bradley Davies- 7/10 (Very good in the loose, solid enough in the tight.)
5. Alun Wyn Jones- 7/10 (Tackled wel and took the charge down too.)
6. Andy Powell- 8/10 (Well played, Powelly. Good carrying and tackling, plus a few offloads.)
7. Martyn Williams- 7/10 (Typically Martyn Williams performance.)
8. Jonathan Thomas- 6/10 (A bit of a weak link, really. Should be replaced by Ryan or Powelly next game.)
9. Mike Philips- 7/10 (A far better, more Phillips-esque performance from him. Finally bashing again!)
10. Stephen Jones- 6/10 (Solid if unspectacular, no real mistakes or bad descissons.)
11. Shane Williams 8/10 (Even though he only played the first half, he was excellent throughout.)
12. James Hook- 8/10 (He was James Hook. Magical as always.)
13. Tom Shanklin- 5/10 (First half was a 6 or 7, second was a 3 or 4. I'll settle on 5.)
14. George North- 9/10 (2 tries, but also good carrying, tackling and chasing. Great stuff.)
15. Lee Byrne- 7/10 (Looked sharper when attacking than he has done since the Lions tour.)