Wales vs New Zealand

[darwin_23]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Nov 7 2009, 01:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Roberts is probably being talked up a little too much on this thread. He's a great player, as the Lions test proved, and he will get better in his second season at inside centre. But I doubt we'll see him break a tackle every time he touches the ball again like in SA.

I personally don't think we've seen half of what Roberts is capable of, we've only seen his brute strength at centre so far. But seeing his length of the field break playing at full back for the Blues, showes me he's got a great step and some good pace aswell. I personally hope that we start seeing a bit more or Roberts' skills in this AI. If we can put him into space, he'll cause more havoc than being the one creating the space imo.

Gatland has just said that he doesn't expect Carter to be fit. Might be more mind games, but considering the fact he hasn't trained yet this week is worriying for NZ. Can they really risk chucking him into an international (especially one where he'll have Roberts and Shanklin running at him all day), if he isn't fit? I don't see NZ risking it, would be a pitty if he picked up a serious injury if he plays.

What do you NZ guys think. Worth risking it, or better to let him recover fully?[/b]

Carters injury is a badly bruised calf muscle. I don't have any medical background, but I'd suggest that its the sort of injury that won't become serious if it gets knocked during the game (it might just get bruised again, and he can be rested against Italy the next week to recover) - as such I would definitely play him. I think he has just been on light training during the week to let the swelling go down, rather than to prevent the risk of causing a more serious injury. I could be completely wrong about the nature of bruising injuries though...

 

[dullonien]

Ah ok, that makes complete sense. In some ways, I hope to see him play. He's just such a great player, and the battle between him and Stephen Jones would be interesting, arguably the two form outside halves in the world (Giteau and Pienar/Steyn come into that aswell). But in another more imprtant way, I bloody hope he doesn't play. Would be a huge boost for Wales, and we need all the advantages we can get.

 

[dullonien]

Erm, bump!

Man I'm excited now, not long to wait. I sooo hope we can do it, we've gotta at some point, don't we? Wy not soon, why not today!!!

Edit: these Wales threads aren't quite as fun without Lora to wind eveyone up!

 

[Olyy]

Can't wait either,
England kick off in about 90mins, then straight onto Wales NZ afterwards, hopefully it'll be a good weekend for the home nations

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

25 Minutes... COME ON WALES!!!!


(Actually, there's an extra 15 minutes until kick off, but I can't be bothered to do 25+15, as by the time I have time shall of passed.)

 

[An Tarbh]

god bless calculators, that'd be 40 minutes, now 30!

 

[Sir Speedy]

About to kick off. Haka. No mind games from Wales this time around.

 

[Charles]

and the stream is gone...

 

[Sir Speedy]

Roberts screws up a slow piece of phase play and New Zealand march downfield, only to be penalised after a great tackle by Jenkins.

Halfpenny gets isolated and Carter with an easy to chance to get the lead. 0 - 3. No sweat for him.

 

[Olyy]

Pretty evenly matched so far

 

[Sir Speedy]

Some good set-plays from the lineout but if we're going to be turned over as easily as that then we've got no chance.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Charles @ Nov 7 2009, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

and the stream is gone...[/b]

don't know if you've got another one but this is working, http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=4a8c847fde37a

 

[Sir Speedy]

6 - 6 at half time. All Blacks kicking a lot, but comfortable with it as they are dominating the breakdown.

 

[Incredible Schalk]

Why does Carter keep kicking it away? they look the much more threatening with ball in hand.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I counted 26 should-have-been-a-penalty's from New Zealand. Still, Wales are matching NZ, just hoep they can do the same in the enxt half.

 

[shtove]

Wales in with a chance.

I reckon they have the better players, but not as smart a team. The ABs would have gotten a return from that possession before half time.

Cooper started off very cheeky, but his passing and decision making not great.

 

[bates]

Wales is playing pretty well. AB need to push their offense.

 

[Sir Speedy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Nov 7 2009, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

but his passing and decision making not great.[/b]

Agreed on the passing front. It has been terrible. Don't think we'll win this. Hook has missed a high ball just now and he'll receive more of these tests later. NZ will win through this, and other bits of play.

Ugh, Powell you twat.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Oh **** off Cooper.

Try Andrew Hore. Powerful drive.

Ugh for Christ's sake, Wales just falling off tackles now. Unsurprisingly New Zealand have raised their game, and it's all theirs now.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Uh, not so bad in the end. Wales could've scored a try at the death and would've if Wyn-Jones' brain worked a second faster. How New Zealand didn't score a second is bewildering, but it was good to see us make them settle for the penalty while they camped on our tryline.

Also, God damn Joubert missing Carter's high tackle on Roberts. Not one to *****, but Christ it'd be nice if we could score one try against them. :RAGE: