Wales vs South Africa

[dullonien]

I think it's mainly because he's soo young with very little (almost no) regional experience. To put in a performance like that against SA shows he's got a massive future.

 

[Tafftog]

I thought Prydie played really well for a young lad,showed great skills and confidence,and as Cymro said,one blemmish in an otherwise faultless performance is not bad for his baptism of fire with the South Africans.Good on you Prydie.

 

[roscommon guy]

Wales missed Shane Williams when the game lost its pace. They deserved better out of this game. Wales are finding form again.

 

[Iron Mike]

I don't have high standards, but you can't say because he made crucial tackles that he is brilliant. It is expected that a rugby player should be able to tackle and not just bounce off of them.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I don't have high standards, but you can't say because he made crucial tackles that he is brilliant. It is expected that a rugby player should be able to tackle and not just bounce off of them.

Oh dear ...

I think you do have a high standard because at the age of 18 this lad is playing in his second international and has done well. Christ next thing you will tell us you have been capped 90 odd times for NZ and you played international rugby at the age of 16. Im sorry but yes you are expected to make tackles but Prydie did not have a bad game and did play well. So go and nit pick something else.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He hardly f*cked up his kick, it was just the bounce of the ball, if it had bounced slightly to the right it would've gone out just by the posts and have been perfect, you can't control what happens when it's bouncing down the field 40m away from you

 

[dullonien]

To be fair with Iron Mike, he wasn't talking about that kick. He was talking about an up n' under he put up which barely travelled 10m. Slight mistake, but it ended up in Welsh hands anyway as SA let it bounce.

 

[SelimNiai]

Everyone can see there is something special with Pyridie and...

(I have caught the bug it seems)

But seriously, Prydie had a good game and can only get better, ok the try was a run in but he ran it in all the same. He seems a solid tackler bout from the SA game and from the Italy game in the 6N. Now he needs to become a regular in the Ospreys team and I firmly believe he will form 1/3 of out backline for many a year to come.

 

[Iron Mike]

I'm not denying the fact that he is brilliant for an 18 year old, I'm saying it was a weak performance for an international player, which it was. If Shane Williams put out that kind've performance we would all be criticizing him.

 

[SelimNiai]

I'm not denying the fact that he is brilliant for an 18 year old, I'm saying it was a weak performance for an international player, which it was. If Shane Williams put out that kind've performance we would all be criticizing him.

In what way was it weak?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

In what way was it weak?

He will just mention the up and under that went wrong.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Weak?
It was a solid performance, nothing spectacular, but didn't do anything wrong (one kick went slightly wrong, but anyone can do one kick wrong)

 

[Jer1cho]

Ok no harm done. Anyway, back to the game:

For Wales:

Mike Phillips. Oh how i love this guy. Something about him just makes me cringe every time he gets the ball. He had a solid first 20 minutes, then was nowhere. Then he suddenly seemed dangerous when Wales were on the attack in the last 10 minutes. Seems he is a 9 that is heavily restricted by his pack moving forward or backwards. When the Welsh turned it up, he was quick to the mark, and looked for work. When SA were bashing it up, he was anonymous. Some of his passes were also a bit 50/50, which caused some momentum loss.

Prydie. Did he do anything special? No. But what he did do was look for work. He is an 18 year old who suddenly had to find himself bombarded by arguably the best kicking team in rugby. He made vital tackles, and finished well in the corner for a try. Looks like a good replacement for Williams to me. Great to see youngsters in Wales with bright futures.

The Welsh back-row. This was where they lost the game in my opinion. They need fetchers. Badly. They didn't steal any ball, the entire match. Wales need specialists...

Jamie Roberts. One of the better players on the day. Never lost the ball in a tackle, always looked to be giving his all. Very solid on defense as well. Still the best 12 in the World on his day in my opinion.

Lee Byrne and Halfpenny were poor. Stephen Jones also didn't do anything too spectacular. Wales need a player that can break lines and spot the gaps. Roberts can't do it alone, and Hook is somewhat of a Francois Steyn. He does something brilliant, then something stupid.

Still though, Wales were good on the counter, and scored 2 great tries from Springbok errors. The teams that capitalize on errors, usually come out on top. Phillips was a guilty party though, as he opted for 2 quick taps that should have been easy points for Jones had he kicked.

On to South Africa.

They were up and down i thought. The scrums were good and bad, but our lineout was a little better than the Welsh, which resulted in some good steals. One of which led to a try.

Joe van Niekerk is just not Bok material. He didn't do anything wrong, but Kankowski looked much better when he came on. Francois Louw needs to start ahead of Schalk Burger if you ask me. My top pick for a back row would be Louw, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies. Heck i would even take Dewaldt Potgieter ahead of Burger. But that could just be because i am not a fan of Burger at all. The most overrated player in our team if you ask me.

Pienaar was better than usual actually. He made some great kicks, was good in open field, and spotted some great gaps. He has to be Fourie du Preez's replacement if you ask me.

John Smit was fat. He did everything fattish and slow. Get fit John!!!

Frans Steyn was ok, but nothing special, and our midfield was pretty solid.

Overall, in the words of Jake White, Defense wins matches. This was the case on Saturday. A good match. What did you Welsh guys think of Francois Louw and Dewaldt Potgieter?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The Welsh back-row. This was where they lost the game in my opinion. They need fetchers. Badly. They didn't steal any ball, the entire match. Wales need specialists...

Not going to lie but Warburton did make a few turn overs during the game. As Martyn Williams does during games for Wales but I think people in Wales have realised that without Martyn Williams / Sam Warburton was will at times struggle to win ball on the deck. The simple fact is down to the other two player in the back row. At 6 Jon Thomas does not win you ball in contact area, in fact at 6 Jon Thomas is a waste as he contributes little to the break down. When Dan Lydiate played at 6 despite not being a massive fan he was doing a good job at the breakdown. Ryan Jones at 8 at one or two times a test series you might see him win ball on the ground but rarely so. Jones knows he is not going to get replaced at 8. Why? Delve has ruled himself out of Wales contention, silly as it might seem. If Delve was available Id think Jones would have to raise his game. Andy Powell is just a smash and run 8 and offers nothing at the breakdown and looses ball in contact and at times is inconsistent. The next in line? Toby Falatau / Joe Bearman are to young / inexperienced. For me Ryan Jones is living in an arm chair and needs to be brought out of his comfort zone.

However the officiating at the breakdown was well and truly poor. Alan Lewis got it wrong without a shadow of a doubt. He pinged Adam Jones for not releasing the tackler when he went to jackle for the ball. Yet this seemed the case for a few of the South African turn overs and nothing was done. I do commend The SA backrow because until your penalised then its good work. Lewis however should have done something. The number of times SA players dived over the top was also quite common. Even when jackling SA elbow's would hit the ground and knee's the same and would bounce up, this is infact a penalty for diving straight over the top. Side entry to rucks was also something Lewis got wrong, penalising Wales but not SA.
You look at the penalty Ryan Jones conceded at the end, did not really affect play. Yet you go down to the chance the Wales had prior to this where looked odds on to score and the ball was killed at the ruck. Yet nothing was done. In the eyes of the law that was a cynical foul and a card should have been issued.
Also interpretations of the law is something that needs sorting out. The rules are there and SHOULD NOT be interpreted by NH and SH referees. You can't interpret what's in the rule book. Its written there for a reason. But I do want to say I do admire the SA backrow because if your not caught its good work!

Lee Byrne and Halfpenny were poor. Stephen Jones also didn't do anything too spectacular. Wales need a player that can break lines and spot the gaps. Roberts can't do it alone, and Hook is somewhat of a Francois Steyn. He does something brilliant, then something stupid.

Roberts also really is effective when the lineout functions properly. If you look at it he punched big holes when Wales lineout was going well. When it did not he was quiet. Phil Bennett eluded to this on the radio after the game.

They were up and down i thought. The scrums were good and bad, but our lineout was a little better than the Welsh, which resulted in some good steals. One of which led to a try.

Your tighthead was terrible ... when Paul James out scrummages ... you know your in trouble. SA could not deal with the pressure. How do I know this? Ref Mic. Brilliant little thing you can purchase at the stadium and listen to whats going on. Smit kept on moaning about it all day. Lewis replied your 3 can't take the pressure and that is why he is dropping himself / crabbing inwards. Smit also moaned about Adam Jones boaring in on CJ VdL. I do agree but again Lewis did mention that CJ VdL was exploited and is known (I can't remember what for, think it was not taking the hit). Smit replied how did he know this? Lewis replied I know because he is notorious for doing so and when I have reffed in the past he has done it constantly!

Joe van Niekerk is just not Bok material. He didn't do anything wrong, but Kankowski looked much better when he came on. Francois Louw needs to start ahead of Schalk Burger if you ask me. My top pick for a back row would be Louw, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies. Heck i would even take Dewaldt Potgieter ahead of Burger. But that could just be because i am not a fan of Burger at all. The most overrated player in our team if you ask me.

van Niekerk for me had a good game, was very physical. But again he is one of my fav players. He is deffo third choice though behind Kankowski and Spies but I do rate him and to have 51 caps is no mean feet. Louw was good offered something to the backrow.

John Smit was fat. He did everything fattish and slow. Get fit John!!!

I think he was pretty tired to be fair. He has played a long season. I thought he did ok, nothing in the loose but his tight work was good. Yet he did constantly moan to Alan Lewis throughout the game.

Overall, in the words of Jake White, Defense wins matches. This was the case on Saturday. A good match. What did you Welsh guys think of Francois Louw and Dewaldt Potgieter?

Louw I rate but Dewaldt Potgieter was anonymous throughout most of the game. Apart from a steal and the try did not think he did that much. Louw for me was x2 better.

 

[Ozzay]

Just watched Scrum V, i'm glad Gatland picked out Stephen Jones touch kicks, they were terrible, ROG would of hit the corner easy and gone for it, yet Stephen just about put it 10 yards.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Just watched Scrum V, i'm glad Gatland picked out Stephen Jones touch kicks, they were terrible, ROG would of hit the corner easy and gone for it, yet Stephen just about put it 10 yards.

I don't think Jones boot is all that strong to be honest. Im surprised they did not give the ball to Halfpenny / Hook to put into touch.

 

[dullonien]

Agree with everything you said above. Wales despirately need an 8 to push Ryan Jones. That is why I cannot believe Delve decided to go abroad. He was certain to be involved with the squad if he's chosen to join up with the Blues, and had a good chance of claiming the Welsh no. 8 on a permanent basis. I know it's a great opportunity to live in a sunny country and play in the Super 15 against some of the best backrow players in the world. But there's something wrogn when a player chooses anything over international honours. He may have felt like he'd been overlooked at Gloucester, but Gatland stuck with his policies and the recent troubles Scotland and SA have had with the Premiership probably showed he was right to.

Ryan Jones does some hard graft, and Wales do miss him when he's not playing, but the breakdown is certainly one of his weaker aspects. He took most of the kick off's Sat, and fielded some great high balls under serious pressure, but that's not enough. Some competition would improve his playing standards aswell imo. But there really isn't anyone available. The fact that were havign to talk about the likes of Faletau with barely any experience at regional level shows how bad things are. There isn't even any outstanding youngsters ready to come through at any of the other regions!!! Pretorious is one, but SA may come calling one day for him. No-one really at the Ospreys, and no hint of an 8 at the Scarlets.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Agree with everything you said above. Wales despirately need an 8 to push Ryan Jones. That is why I cannot believe Delve decided to go abroad. He was certain to be involved with the squad if he's chosen to join up with the Blues, and had a good chance of claiming the Welsh no. 8 on a permanent basis. I know it's a great opportunity to live in a sunny country and play in the Super 15 against some of the best backrow players in the world. But there's something wrogn when a player chooses anything over international honours. He may have felt like he'd been overlooked at Gloucester, but Gatland stuck with his policies and the recent troubles Scotland and SA have had with the Premiership probably showed he was right to.

Ryan Jones does some hard graft, and Wales do miss him when he's not playing, but the breakdown is certainly one of his weaker aspects. He took most of the kick off's Sat, and fielded some great high balls under serious pressure, but that's not enough. Some competition would improve his playing standards aswell imo. But there really isn't anyone available. The fact that were havign to talk about the likes of Faletau with barely any experience at regional level shows how bad things are. There isn't even any outstanding youngsters ready to come through at any of the other regions!!! Pretorious is one, but SA may come calling one day for him. No-one really at the Ospreys, and no hint of an 8 at the Scarlets.

Pretorious is a flanker / second row. Its where he played most of his rugby for Millfield school also.

 

[dullonien]

I did wonder if he was, but he looks big enough to be an 8 aswell. I thought he played right across the backrow? Surely a converted flanker is exactly what were crying out for? Someone who can forrage and ruck aswell as carry the ball!

 

[Jer1cho]

Off topic:

So, For the tests against France and Italy, Peter de Villiers drops Francois Steyn, and still picks Zane Kirchner. Gotta love it!