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

[bmh16]

Got to be honest, I've never felt more pleased to see Huw Bennett come on.
Byrne is guaranteed to go to New Zealand, he is our only natural fullback and Morgan Stoddart's injury made his place certain.
Back three of Williams, North, and Halfpenny? Not bad.

I think i was more relieved last week. Burns was incredibly bad. As bad as this is (Rees is out of the WC isn't he?) Bennett is probably our best hooker going into the WC. Worrying. I've always thought he was utterly crap, but Hibbard's not match fit and Burns is dire. Not much choice?

North is a Lions wing in the making definitely. What a talent he is.

Sad to see Byrne playing so badly after what we all know he is capable of! Dilemma at 15 now! Only natural full back but in terrible form! Hmm!

Hook was excellent, i would really consider him at 10, but with our problems in centre he may be 12.

J Davies was woeful again. He can't play in the WC with showings like this.

M Williams had an excellent game. Definitely take him to the WC as backup for Warburton.

Andy Powell wasn't as bad as usual. I don't want to see him in our World Cup squad though. J Thomas was absolutely awful when he came on.

Knoyle looks great. As did his replacement. Mike Phillips out please!

AWJ was fantastic. MOTM for me.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hibbard injured:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyn...hard-hibbard-out-of-world-cup-91466-29276309/

 

[Tom943]

Its early days min, I was aghast at our inability to score vs, Ireland in the first half, considering how much possesion and territory we had.

We are creating chances just not finishing them. If we had finished off all the chances we had we would have scored 30 points or so against ireland and 40+ against italy. When we learn to convert opportunities we will be a serious force to be reckoned with. I think we need a chris ashton in the tean to be there in support every time we break thats what we are lacking

 

[TVH11]

Well one thing that was evident from my experience at the day yesterday was the lack of atmosphere in the stadium. I know it was seen as a warm up, but it really felt stale!
Overall a solid performance from the boys. Game went exactly how i thought it would. Argentina would be a hugely physical test, and they didn't disappoint at all. Seeing as their known as a "forward orientated" side, but the first 10 minutes they seem to spread it wide a lot, which was a shock to me.

Center's didn't click, and Jonathon Davies was not great again. His regional form has been great, but at international level he's looked average to poor (a lot of that is to do with having two crash ball centers with wales - Regan Kings flair has allowed him to be released more with the Turks).

Byrne played exactly how I thought he would - Lacked Game-time and kicked way too often. To my knowledge he defended solidly though??

To me, the line out functioned better (bar from 1 or two Argentinian steals-credit to them for competing). Agree that Adam Jones needs to be wrapped in Cotton Wool, Scrum was more solid but still needs a little more work.

Knoyle was great, and was nice to see quick ball from Rucks, Mauls etc. Would like to see him given a chance with a more balanced backline (preferably with a creative 12- back 3 actually receive the ball).

North is developing amazingly; still no Shane though Think Halfpenny will be on the Bench for first few games of WC to cover Wing and Fullback with Shane and North on wings.

Gonna watch the match again to have a "better" look at it.

To my knowledge this must be one of the more positive pre world cup warm ups we've had???? Anyone else more optimistic for September 11th???? I reckon SA are going down hahahaha

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Hibbard injured:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyn...hard-hibbard-out-of-world-cup-91466-29276309/

Great .... Bennett, Burns and Owens ... outside bet Rhys Thomas who is better than Burns.

 

[Muzzy]

i'm worried

 

[scarlets-fan]

Well one thing that was evident from my experience at the day yesterday was the lack of atmosphere in the stadium. I know it was seen as a warm up, but it really felt stale!
Overall a solid performance from the boys. Game went exactly how i thought it would. Argentina would be a hugely physical test, and they didn't disappoint at all. Seeing as their known as a "forward orientated" side, but the first 10 minutes they seem to spread it wide a lot, which was a shock to me.

Center's didn't click, and Jonathon Davies was not great again. His regional form has been great, but at international level he's looked average to poor (a lot of that is to do with having two crash ball centers with wales - Regan Kings flair has allowed him to be released more with the Turks).

Byrne played exactly how I thought he would - Lacked Game-time and kicked way too often. To my knowledge he defended solidly though??

To me, the line out functioned better (bar from 1 or two Argentinian steals-credit to them for competing). Agree that Adam Jones needs to be wrapped in Cotton Wool, Scrum was more solid but still needs a little more work.

Knoyle was great, and was nice to see quick ball from Rucks, Mauls etc. Would like to see him given a chance with a more balanced backline (preferably with a creative 12- back 3 actually receive the ball).

North is developing amazingly; still no Shane though Think Halfpenny will be on the Bench for first few games of WC to cover Wing and Fullback with Shane and North on wings.

Gonna watch the match again to have a "better" look at it.

To my knowledge this must be one of the more positive pre world cup warm ups we've had???? Anyone else more optimistic for September 11th???? I reckon SA are going down hahahaha

Agree, before the weekend I would have said to ditch Roberts and have JD and Hook at centre. But Roberts has started to pick his form up lately and should work better with Hook, only good thing JD did was the pop pass for the try. I'd have Steven Jones at 10 for the South Africa game because he's solid, and we need Hook at 12. Priestland might be a better shout at fullback than Halfpenny.

I think we'll surprise a few people against SA, our fitness will definitely play a part in the tournament. So naturally we're gonna smash them!