Wales vs Argentina - 20/08/2011 - RWC Warm Up

[TRF_Olyy]

Millennium Stadium
August 20th 2011
14:30
Referee: Romain Poite (FRA)
​

[TABLE="class: grid"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Wales[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Argentina[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lee Byrne[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]Martin Rodriguez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Leigh Halfpenny[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]Horacio Agulla[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jonathan Davies[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Marcelo Bosch[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jamie Roberts[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]Santiago Fernandez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]George North[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalo Camacho[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]James Hook[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Felipe Contepomi (c)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tavis Knoyle[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Nicolas Vergallo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Andy Powell[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Juan Fernandez Lobbe[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Martyn Williams (c)[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Juan Manuel Leguizamon[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dan Lydiate[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]Julio Farias Cabello[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alun Wyn Jones[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Patricio Albacete[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Bradley Davies[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Manuel Carizza[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Adam Jones[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Juan Figallo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Richard Hibbard[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Mario Ledesma[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Paul James[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Rodrigo Roncero[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Huw Bennett[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]Agustin Creevy[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ryan Bevington[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]Martin Scelzo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jonathan Thomas[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]Mariano Galarza[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Justin Tipuric[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]Alejandro Campos[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lloyd Williams[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]Alfredo Lalanne[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Stephen Jones[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]Nicolas Sanchez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Aled Brew[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]Juan Imhoff[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[Dougydeluxe]

So when is the Millennium Stadium going to get a better field. It looks like a great place to play, with an amazing atmosphere. I just don't understand why they are unable to produce a pitch strong enough to handle scrums. On a few occasions last game against England, it looked like they had just slipped on a rug. I hope this issue will eventually be resolved... I keep thinking this has to be a bit of a safety issue.

 

[smartcooky]

So when is the Millennium Stadium going to get a better field. It looks like a great place to play, with an amazing atmosphere. I just don't understand why they are unable to produce a pitch strong enough to handle scrums. On a few occasions last game against England, it looked like they had just slipped on a rug. I hope this issue will eventually be resolved... I keep thinking this has to be a bit of a safety issue.

They will never be able to get anything better than what they have without a major redesign because the Stadium design is fundamentally flawed.

The architect must have forgotten Rule 1 of stadium building.... you cannot grow grass inside without sunlight and air circulation. The closed in nature of the stadium (even when the roof is open) does not allow sufficient sunlight, especially in winter. It also does not allow airflow at ground level.

As a result, what they have to do is install a new pitch every season by placing pallets in position and covering the whole playing area with topsoil before rolling out a new grass cover with a special turfing machine. Its a cumbersome and expensive process, and while the system is fine for ball sports such as Wendyball or Rugby League, its is not strong enough to stand the strains it is put under by Rugby Union scrummaging.

I know that hindsight is 20/20, but what they should have done was to put in a "roll-out" pitch, something like this.

This is the football stadium of the University of Phoenix, home of the Arizona Wildcats. The pitch rolls outside where it spends most of its time. The grass can be grown, mowed, rolled, watered and seeded with full sunshine and airflow, then its rolled in on game-day.

There is enough room around Millennium Stadium to have done this, and it would not have cost much more if it had been incorporated at the design phase.

........................Millennium Stadium........................................With roll-out pitch replacing the Arms Park

With a bit of clever design work, they could have had the stadium and environs set up so that they could use the outside area as a car park when the pitch was rolled into the stadium.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

They will never be able to get anything better than what they have without a major redesign because the Stadium design is fundamentally flawed.

The architect must have forgotten Rule 1 of stadium building.... you cannot grow grass inside without sunlight and air circulation. The closed in nature of the stadium (even when the roof is open) does not allow sufficient sunlight, especially in winter. It also does not allow airflow at ground level.

As a result, what they have to do is install a new pitch every season by placing pallets in position and covering the whole playing area with topsoil before rolling out a new grass cover with a special turfing machine. Its a cumbersome and expensive process, and while the system is fine for ball sports such as Wendyball or Rugby League, its is not strong enough to stand the strains it is put under by Rugby Union scrummaging.

I know that hindsight is 20/20, but what they should have done was to put in a "roll-out" pitch, something like this.

This is the football stadium of the University of Phoenix, home of the Arizona Wildcats. The pitch rolls outside where it spends most of its time. The grass can be grown, mowed, rolled, watered and seeded with full sunshine and airflow, then its rolled in on game-day.

There is enough room to have done this Millennium Stadium and it would not have cost much more if it had been incorporated at the design phase.

........................Millennium Stadium........................................With roll-out pitch replacing the Arms Park

With a bit of clever design work, they could have had the stadium and environs set up so that they could use the outside area as a car park when the pitch was rolled into the stadium.

You mean the home of the Arizona Cardinals

As for the roll on roll off pitch, there are plans in the pipeline for when the Arms Park does eventually get knocked down to allow a space for the pitch to me removed whole, loaded onto a vehicle and rest elsewhere in Cardiff much like at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The MS is due to be expanded once the Arms Park is taken down. But its only in the looking at phase, so be interesting to see what happens there.

 

[Dougydeluxe]

Good to hear, I knew that Millennium had these issues, I just thought that Wales were looking into a some what cheap option to try and rectify it. Did not know that is what the Cardinals played in, think that is such a smart idea.

I still think Millennuim is a bit of a saftey issue and as such, they should be looking into fixing this problem sooner rather than later.

Now back to the topic of the forum:

Wales to win it, but I hope Argentina come out firing... even if the RWC is a flop, they will be in the 4 Nations next year and need to set it up.

 

[smartcooky]

You mean the home of the Arizona Cardinals

Yes. Wildcats are in Tucson at U of A not U of P.

As for the roll on roll off pitch, there are plans in the pipeline for when the Arms Park does eventually get knocked down to allow a space for the pitch to me removed whole, loaded onto a vehicle and rest elsewhere in Cardiff much like at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The MS is due to be expanded once the Arms Park is taken down. But its only in the looking at phase, so be interesting to see what happens there.

Well I hope they go ahead, because it really is the only viable fix. It must cost a small fortune to relay the turf every year.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

WALES: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; James Hook, Tavis Knoyle; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (captain)
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Aled Brew

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Good to see Adam Jones and Richard Hibbard back

 

[TVH11]

Not a bad side at all Quite disappointed that Shane isn't there, felt he needed gametime and also i'm going to the match and would have liked to have seen his "last" game on home soil. Nice to see Martyn in the side (which some view to be his "last" game in wales for sure) - a huge performance needed to try and oust Warburton out.

Nice little pairing at half back, just hope the centers will provide the distribution to unleash the back 3. Huge improvement needed in the set-pieces. Hopefully Adam's inclusion will tighten up the scrums. Exited now

 

[cyRil]

No Delve again. Absolute joke.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Tav! It's about time he got a game.

 

[dave759]

The pitch will never be any good as highlighted above and for the fact it is laid on pallets, therefore its only a few inches thick and doesn't provide a solid base.

As for this team, I think this is a close to the starting XV for the first test against SA. I think the last two to come in are Warburton and Gethin, I've got no doubts however that Gethin will walk off after 20-30 minutes of his return with a calf strain. Interesting to see this team and how well they bond together though.

 

[Gavin]

No Delve again. Absolute joke.

He is back with the Rebels. I hope it doesn't mean he won't be considered for the World Cup.

 

[cyRil]

He is back with the Rebels. I hope it doesn't mean he won't be considered for the World Cup.

I think the fact that he is back with the Rebels means he's not going to the World Cup...

 

[Gavin]

I think the fact that he is back with the Rebels means he's not going to the World Cup...

I thought he might just be getting game time, because (if I understand right) the Rebels are touring up North. I hope he does link up with Wales for the World Cup; but this is wishful thinking.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, Gatland said he released him to play for the Rebels vs Bath because he was injured at the start of the training, so his fitness isn't at the same level as everyone else, so he wanted him to get some game time under his belt to boost him

Doesn't seem to have worked though, can't see him being selected with 0 game time in a Wales shirt , as this is the last match before the teams are named (I think?)

 

[TRF_Cymro]

WALES RING THE CHANGES

Wales have made nine changes to the side who beat England at the Millennium Stadium last weekend for the final Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

Martyn Williams (Blues) and Ryan Jones (Ospreys) add a combined total of 151 caps to the back row, with Jones captaining his national side for a record equalling 28th time (alongside Ieuan Evans).

Williams will win his 99th cap, taking him a step closer to the all time appearance total record of 100, held jointly by Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones, although Jones could steal the limelight if he appears from the bench to break clear with 101 caps.

Both Sam Warburton (Blues) and Dragons No8 Toby Faletau make way but Dan Lydiate (also Dragons) retains his place on the flank to complete the back row unit.

British & Irish Lions prop Adam Jones adds his considerable experience (69 caps) to the front row alongside fellow Osprey Richard Hibbard, who completes his return from shoulder surgery to be preferred to Dragon Lloyd Burns, who missed out alongside prop Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs).

Bradley Davies (Blues) returns in the second row to be re-united with Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones, with Dragon Luke Charteris omitted.

In the backs there are four changes of personnel with Ospreys full back Lee Byrne and Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny both returning to full fitness.

Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) replaces the injured Gavin Henson and is re-united with Jamie Roberts (Blues) in the centre, although it is Roberts who will fill the inside centre berth.

Scarlets scrum half Tavis Knoyle is handed his first start of the summer warm-up matches ahead of Osprey Mike Phillips, with Lloyd Williams (Blues) providing specialist cover from the bench and set to win his first cap.

Elsewhere, George North (Scarlets) switches wings to accommodate Halfpenny with Osprey Shane Williams the one to miss out and James Hook (also Ospreys) takes over at fly half replacing the injured Scarlet Rhys Priestland, after starting at full back last weekend.

On the bench Jones and the uncapped Williams are joined by Dragons wing Aled Brew in providing cover for the backs and up front Ospreys pair Ryan Bevington (prop) and Huw Bennett (hooker) are retained.

Uncapped Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric has another chance to make his Millennium Stadium debut and Andy Powell (Sale Sharks) will hope to make an impact on the coach’s RWC selection plans if called upon.

“Criteria for selection has been about putting together a side to win the game, but also about giving some players the opportunity to impress and, therefore, bid for selection for the world Cup,†said head coach Warren Gatland.

“In some areas we are also looking at combinations with that opening game against South Africa on 11 September always kept in mind.

“Beating the Pumas on Saturday would also mean we retain that all important winning momentum going into the World Cup.

“But there are still many places up for grabs on that plane to New Zealand and the players all know they need to perform against the Pumas in order to further their own as well as the national cause.â€

Wales assistant coach (backs) Rob Howley added: “We are particularly pleased to get the chance to see Leigh Halfpenny back in a Wales shirt after such a long lay-off, he is looking good at the moment, as is Lee Byrne.

“We have selected an exciting back three and there are one or two combinations in the back line which we wanted to have a look at.

“Scott Williams has done a fine job when called upon and is, perhaps, unlucky not to feature, but fielding the established partnership of Jamie and Jonathan in the centre also gives us the continuity we need.

“James gets the chance to show what he can do once again when he starts at fly half and Tavis also has an opportunity to put his hand up.

“In terms of scrum halves there is also a young man on the bench, who people may not know too much about, but who has impressed us, in Lloyd Williams and we hope to see him at some stage as well.â€

Blues prop Gethin Jenkins remains unavailable for selection this week due to a calf problem and there are a number of players carrying bumps and bruises from the match last weekend who have taken a limited part in training during the early part of this week in Luke Charteris, Craig Mitchell, Scott Williams and Aled Brew.

WALES: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; James Hook, Tavis Knoyle; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (captain)
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Aled Brew

WALES

15 Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNEâ€" Cap No 1,041)
DoB: 01.06.80. 6'3" / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs
International record: 43 caps (W 17, L 24, D 2; 45 pts â€" 9T)

14 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES â€" Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10†/ 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs
International record: 19 caps (W 7, L 12; 62 pts â€" 7T, 9PG)

13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS â€" Cap No 1,066)
DoB:05.04.88. 6’1†/ 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 13 caps (W 6, L 7; 10 pts â€" 2T)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES â€" Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4†/ 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 31 caps (W 14, L 17; 10 pts â€" 2T)

11 George NORTH (SCARLETS â€" Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4†/ 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 7 caps (W 1, L 5, D 1; 25 pts â€" 5T)

10 James HOOK (PERPIGNANâ€" Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0†/ 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 53 caps (W 22, L 29, D 2; 290 pts â€" 12T, 37C, 48PG, 4DG)

9 Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS â€" Cap No 1,076)
DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1†/ 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 1, L 3)

1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS â€" Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1†/ 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 25 caps (W 9, L 15, D 1)

2 Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS â€" Cap No 1,048)
DoB: 13.12.83. 6’0†/ 1.83m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 8)

3 Adam JONES (OSPREYSâ€" Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0†/ 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs
International record: 69 caps (W 31, L 35, D 3; 10 pts â€" 2T)

4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES â€" Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6†/ 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 23 caps (W 9, L 13, D 1)

5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYSâ€" Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5†/ 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs
International record: 51 caps (W 20, L 31; 25 pts â€" 5T)

6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS â€" Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4â€. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
International record: 13 caps (W 5, L 7, D 1)

7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES â€" Cap No 944)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6'0" / 1.83m. 14st 22lbs / 94kgs
International record: 98 caps (W 42, L 53, D 3; 73 pts â€" 14T, 1DG)

8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAINâ€" Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5†/ 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 53 caps (W 26, L 25, D 2; 5 pts â€" 1T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYSâ€" Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0†/ 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 41 caps (W 19, L 21, D 1)

17 Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS â€" Cap No 1,081)
DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0â€/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)

18 Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS â€" Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4†/ 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 9)

19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS)
DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2†15st 10lbs / 100kgs
International record: Uncapped

20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES â€" Uncapped)
DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0†/ 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: Uncapped

21 Stephen JONES (SCARLETSâ€" Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1†/ 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 100 caps (W 40, L 56, D 3; 889 pts - 7T, 142C, 184PG, 6DG)

22 Aled BREW (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS â€" Cap No 1,051)
DoB: 09.08.86. 6.0†/ 1.83m. 15st 2lbs / 96kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 1, L 4, D 1; 5 pts â€" 1T)

WRU Media​

 

[Thingimubob]

Hmm happy with the majority of the squad but Gatland still frustrates me when it comes to not picking players when they deserve a chance sometimes. Really do not understand why Delve has not been given a chance, did he go to Poland out of interest? Only explanation is, like Cymro said, he's not on the same level of fitness as everyone else.
Would've liked to see Scott Williams in the centres with either Davies or Roberts, but not the end of the world, Hooks gonna need to marshal them well and put them through the holes though. Glad to see Knoyle and Lloyd Williams given a crack, also relatively happy about the backrow as it's pretty strong and experienced, even if Delve isn't there. Gutted that Gethin is still out, and according to the BBC he might be out for the SA game too
This is another must win match, need to keep the momentum rolling before we face the Springboks. We should have an advantage when it comes to match fitness, since (as far as I know) we've been training together for longer than the Pumas, and had 2 tough test matches against England while they only had the game vs South America XV which they walzed through 78 - 15.

 

[dave759]

I just watched the Gatland press conference, he said we're a bit short in the back line. Does anyone know what happened to A.Bishop? Is he injured or is Warren no longer interested in him?

 

[Thingimubob]

I just watched the Gatland press conference, he said we're a bit short in the back line. Does anyone know what happened to A.Bishop? Is he injured or is Warren no longer interested in him?

Got dropped from the squad a week or two before the first England match, think he played against Lyon for the Ospreys the other day. With Henson likely to be ruled out, he could get called up. Still rate him, his defence is phenominal! Always thought a Bishop - Roberts midfield wouldn't be too shabby.