Wales vs BaaBaas

[TRF_Cymro]

Totally agree about fullback.
My original plan was not not even start Byrne, but this works as well.
Roberts starting on the wing for Cardiff this weekend, hopefully he will do well at outside back.

Still think Hook will be our first choice standoff, but it really depends on Gavin Henson.
I'd start Robinson at 10, as he has had good form all season, and then bring Jason on with 20 to go.

By playing Roberts on the wing Young has taken away the physicality needed there. Id like to see Roberts go to 15 or Halfpenny.

Hopefully Warren will see sense.

 

[Draggs]

By playing Roberts on the wing Young has taken away the physicality needed there. Id like to see Roberts go to 15 or Halfpenny.

Hopefully Warren will see sense.

Yes, but it is a start.
With Halfpenny injured their options were limited.
A back three of Shane, Leigh and Jamie, and George North later on... Yes please.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Gatland drops Faletau hint

Gatland is naming a 24 man squad next week.

 

[Draggs]

Gatland drops Faletau hint

Gatland is naming a 24 man squad next week.

I read the WRU article and it seemed like Gatland was going to pick him.
Lets hope he is given a start, I think a Barbarians match would suit him, and being up against Parisse would be excellent for him.

I'd hate to see Stoddart or Brew given the 'license to thrill' from our own in-goal.
Thrill who??

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I read the WRU article and it seemed like Gatland was going to pick him.
Lets hope he is given a start, I think a Barbarians match would suit him, and being up against Parisse would be excellent for him.

I'd hate to see Stoddart or Brew given the 'license to thrill' from our own in-goal.
Thrill who??

Hahaha god help us indeed.

 

[dullonien]

I just hope we'll see some of what Gatland is talking about there. He's often said in the past that he wants his players to play heads-up rugby, but it never seems to happen. We simply have to get the creativity back into our play if we want to do well at the WC. Gatland has succesfully built a decent enough pack (although similar to the Blues the driving game is a little labourious and is often taken on by individials and not by 'pods' of players), so if we can start scoring tries again, like we used to, we could seriously challenge in September. I'm not saying we could win the cup, but if things don't change I'm not atall sure we'll even make it out of the group!

 

[dullonien]

So, Roberts is also going to miss this game according to Scrum V radio last night. Slight twinge in his knee that will need resting. This probably opens the door even further for Henson to start alongside JD2 (when's JD2 back from injury btw?).

Edit: forgot to say that Halfpenny is definitely out aswell. So the fullback options seem limited to Stoddart, Priestland, Tovey or Fussell. I'm not atall sure which way that will go. I'd probably say Stoddart or Priestland if pushed, purely because they've been involved with the Welsh squad already, unlike Tovey and Fussell.

 

[MichaelBoard]

So, Roberts is also going to miss this game according to Scrum V radio last night. Slight twinge in his knee that will need resting. This probably opens the door even further for Henson to start alongside JD2 (when's JD2 back from injury btw?).

Edit: forgot to say that Halfpenny is definitely out aswell. So the fullback options seem limited to Stoddart, Priestland, Tovey or Fussell. I'm not atall sure which way that will go. I'd probably say Stoddart or Priestland if pushed, purely because they've been involved with the Welsh squad already, unlike Tovey and Fussell.

Maybe Henson fullback? at least for 40 minutes then give him a chance at centre? I said earlier on in this thread and I'll say it again maybe its worth having a look at Aled Brew as a makeshift centre? then give him 40 minutes on the wing after. Hes got a mean defence and his attacking ability is greater than Roberts and maybe he won't be quite as predictable. Had another solid game yesterday when I went down the Parade to watch the Dragons. Tovey also looked excellent last night (reminded me of an in form Hook with his creativeness) before he was forced off injured (I think he tweaked his knee, fingers crossed its not too serious) and I think he could be really good for Wales.

Also, although he hasn't found his best form and is getting older now at 32 I'd love to see Joe Bearman called up into the squad as a bit of a wildcard against the Barbarians. I think we have lacked a silky, skilful number 8 since Michael Owen in 2005 and Bearman although oldish now very much reminds me of Michael Owen, but a bigger more powerful version. I don't expect him to be around for long for Wales if he were to get picked (and even thats unlikely) but with all the injuries we have going into the friendlies and with Gatland promising to test some new and/or young players I'd love to see Bearman thrown into the mix even if he only gets half an hour on the field. It may even inspire him and bring out some of the best rugby in him, the sort of rugby we haven't seen from him in quite a while since before his injuries. I know its a longshot and there are young players who deserve their chance but I just find it unfortunate that he hasn't yet been capped for Wales as he was meant to have gone on the tour to New Zealand but injury rules him out so I'd love to see him get a chance.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

When will people get it out of their heads that Aled Brew will make a center. He is not and never will make one. Yes he has speed and a finish but he clearly does not have the distribution skills required, sometimes puts teflon mits on or at times the rugby brain required for a center. Boys got to stop suggesting such drivel.

Rant over.


9. Peel / Rees
10. Jones / Tovey / Biggar
11. Williams / James
12. Henson
13. Davies / Smith / Bishop
14. North / Brew
15. Czekaj / Preistland / Fussell

Thats what you will be looking at in the backline.

 

[psychic duck]

Aled Brew will not be a centre

 

[dullonien]

Henson hasn't looked comfortouble at fullback since he was a youngster playing for Swansea. For me he's an out and out 12, I wouldn't put him in any other position, especially in his first international match back after 2 years. Brew could do a job at center, but leave that to the dragons to test, same with North. Play players in position is what I say. The only exception to that would be Tovey or Priestland at fullback, but they've had plenty of experience playing there for their regions.

Good to hear Tovey had another good game. Priestland also looked very good for the Scarlets, quite a complete game from him. North was a little hit and miss though. His defensive positioning is still a little off on occasion, he needs to remember to keep his width and watch his opposite number, not the ball. He also needs to learn to protect the ball at all cost, as he fumbled the ball a couple of times for no reason atall. Looked very good when he came in off his wing though, looked quicker than ever and showed he's got a good step aswell.

 

[MichaelBoard]

When will people get it out of their heads that Aled Brew will make a center. He is not and never will make one. Yes he has speed and a finish but he clearly does not have the distribution skills required, sometimes puts teflon mits on or at times the rugby brain required for a center. Boys got to stop suggesting such drivel.

Rant over.


9. Peel / Rees
10. Jones / Tovey / Biggar
11. Williams / James
12. Henson
13. Davies / Smith / Bishop
14. North / Brew
15. Czekaj / Preistland / Fussell

Thats what you will be looking at in the backline.

Cymro, Physic Duck, its not for you to say that Aled Brew couldn't be a centre. I didn't say he should be our 1st choice centre or anything like that I just said is he not worth a shot there considering the injuries/lack of options we have there at the moment. He has got the distribution skills required, infact the way the Dragons are playing at the moment every player from 1 to 15 are encouraged to offload at every opportunity (within reason when something is on) and Aled Brew can do so very well and has been making the right decisions all season. I'm not saying he is a centre but he is 24 and could be converted into a centre or at least get comfortable in that position if he wanted to keep playing on the wing as his first choice position. This would in turn benefit him in being picked for future Welsh squads as he would be more versatile being able to play 2 positions. Very rarely these days do his hands let him down, something in his game that he has worked hard on and improved on. He is fast, powerful, has GOOD HANDS, solid defence and is in form. What better time to try him than in friendly games as we look towards the World Cup. At the end of the day Wales will want to discover as many good players who can play well in as many positions as possible as it only benefits Wales in the long run. I do take your point Dullonien that perhaps we should test him at centre for the Dragons first, I think that is a sensible approach but I also think he could be given a chance there for Wales if anymore players get injured in the position and we continue to run out of options.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Cymro, Physic Duck, its not for you to say that Aled Brew couldn't be a centre. I didn't say he should be our 1st choice centre or anything like that I just said is he not worth a shot there considering the injuries/lack of options we have there at the moment. He has got the distribution skills required, infact the way the Dragons are playing at the moment every player from 1 to 15 are encouraged to offload at every opportunity (within reason when something is on) and Aled Brew can do so very well and has been making the right decisions all season. I'm not saying he is a centre but he is 24 and could be converted into a centre or at least get comfortable in that position if he wanted to keep playing on the wing as his first choice position. This would in turn benefit him in being picked for future Welsh squads as he would be more versatile being able to play 2 positions. Very rarely these days do his hands let him down, something in his game that he has worked hard on and improved on. He is fast, powerful, has GOOD HANDS, solid defence and is in form. What better time to try him than in friendly games as we look towards the World Cup. At the end of the day Wales will want to discover as many good players who can play well in as many positions as possible as it only benefits Wales in the long run. I do take your point Dullonien that perhaps we should test him at centre for the Dragons first, I think that is a sensible approach but I also think he could be given a chance there for Wales if anymore players get injured in the position and we continue to run out of options.

Dam straight its my place to say Aled Brew is not a center. You need to take your tinted Dragons glasses off and realise that there are problems with Brew's game. Brew does has suspect hands, does have moments where he's like a rabbit in front of a head lamp even his placement of hands when scoring tries has been questioned. To be fair Brew is an out and out winger, suggesting that versatility is a problem is not the real answer, if he is good enough he will be selected. He has been good enough and should be given a run. In the games he has played for Wales he has not been great. But really deserves a go in the Welsh shirt.

 

[Draggs]

I really just don't think Brew would be a good centre.
Really, why would you move a player from where they are doing well to a position where they have little experience.
I hope Roberts isn't definitely out, but we might as well not risk him v Barbarians.

Priestland at fullback I'd imagine. Czekaj can run well, but simply cannot pass.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I really just don't think Brew would be a good centre.
Really, why would you move a player from where they are doing well to a position where they have little experience.
I hope Roberts isn't definitely out, but we might as well not risk him v Barbarians.

Priestland at fullback I'd imagine. Czekaj can run well, but simply cannot pass.

Id simply cringe if the Czech played at fullback, he is dire.

 

[Draggs]

Id simply cringe if the Czech played at fullback, he is dire.

I still feel for the lad, as he seemed to have a great future until the knee injury, but now that is not his problem.
He is a big outside back and runs well, but again, just doesn't pass. Tom James is another, great pace and moments of brilliance, but just missing a bit of a brain (like Aled Brew sometimes).
I would give Halfpenny or Roberts a shot at FB during August, as I don't want to depend on Lee Byrne.
Gavin has played fullback, but as Dull said, he is simply a 12.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Dam straight its my place to say Aled Brew is not a center. You need to take your tinted Dragons glasses off and realise that there are problems with Brew's game. Brew does has suspect hands, does have moments where he's like a rabbit in front of a head lamp even his placement of hands when scoring tries has been questioned. To be fair Brew is an out and out winger, suggesting that versatility is a problem is not the real answer, if he is good enough he will be selected. He has been good enough and should be given a run. In the games he has played for Wales he has not been great. But really deserves a go in the Welsh shirt.

I'm not saying hes an out and out centre and I'm not being bias towards the Dragons. I'd be the first to criticise one of our players if they were not playing well and I'd be the first to applause them when they're playing well. The same goes for any welsh player, if hes playing well and I think hes playing well I'd be on this forum mentioning that fact. I've watched Aled Brew closely this season as I've been to most of the games and his hands have not been an issue of late, I'd be the first to say he is not perfect as no rugby player is and even the best players have flaws and weaknesses in their game. Just at this moment in time there isn't any issue with his hands, there isn't any major issues with his decision making. All I'm saying is that if we get anymore absentees from the squad at centre then he has the skills to adapt to a new position and is also young enough to do so. I wasn't citing his versatility as a problem, I was simply saying being able to play another position is another string to his bow. Sometimes rightly or wrongly a player can be picked ahead of another player due to his versatility being able to play an extra position. I agree his first and best position is wing, and hes doing an excellent job of it at the moment but there is no harm in giving him a game at centre to see if he can do it. If he can't, no loss and he continues to play on the wing as has been doing so well. If he can then happy days, Gatland has got another option at centre when we are in need of it. Its a win win situation and the positives far outweigh the negatives.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Cymro, Physic Duck, its not for you to say that Aled Brew couldn't be a centre. I didn't say he should be our 1st choice centre or anything like that I just said is he not worth a shot there considering the injuries/lack of options we have there at the moment.

What about any of the other centres at the regions?
Why should a winger get shifted inside before trying someone like Hewitt or Maul etc.?

 

[MichaelBoard]

What about any of the other centres at the regions?
Why should a winger get shifted inside before trying someone like Hewitt or Maul etc.?

Well I've suggested Ashley Smith before now but he has been shot down, everyone saying he just doesn't wow, hasn't done anything to stand out etc etc, so surely Hewitt and Maule are in and around the same bracket? I actually rate Gareth Maule and think he could do a job. I don't know why people are getting so worked up about me SUGGESTING Brew to try out at centre, as I've said if he doesn't play well then thats that, if he does then great. I do accept that I was probably wrong in saying chuck him straight in for Wales (maybe some people are right in saying that he should be tested there for the Dragons first) but on the other hand there are no more Dragons games left this season anyway and I thought giving him a chance against England in 1/2 of our 2 friendlies where there is nothing to play for other than pride would be a reasonable suggestion.

 

[psychic duck]

Well I've suggested Ashley Smith before now but he has been shot down, everyone saying he just doesn't wow, hasn't done anything to stand out etc etc, so surely Hewitt and Maule are in and around the same bracket?

Hook and Roberts are my first choice centres, then Jonathan Davies, then Bishop, then Smith

Ashley Smith is much better than Dafydd Hewitt