Wales v NZ

[Nightynight]

Wales - Roberts off the bench, halfpenny is a lesser player than Mike Brown at the moment, tips etc etc. Wales are like England, 2yrs back, putting players who aren’t at international form/quality on the pitch.....

[PoolerSaint]

Ioane seems a bit of a gobshite

Hate all that sledging bollocks, it's not football.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

[Mellsblue]

You boys must’ve really hated Mike Phillips.

[ALunpg]

Damn that computer program said it was going to be 34 - -18 .. ..won't trust them again

[hugh_woatmeigh]

How does TJ Perenara always make this NZ squad? All I ever seem him do is miss a tackle or squeal at the ref.

Because of his support lines and link play.

And to save us having to look at Smith's haircut for the entire game.

[morepork]

How does TJ Perenara always make this NZ squad? All I ever seem him do is miss a tackle or squeal at the ref.

Because of his support lines and link play.

And to save us having to look at Smith's haircut for the entire game.

Go with the fro bro.

[Sandydragon]

We missed a gain,one breaker in the backs. SBW draws 2 or more defenders when he has he ball, we have some nice footballers but need to get over the gain line. North can’t come back soon enough. Watkins might be a solution as well.

Priestland looking the part at 10 albeit having to chase the game. Shame he isn’t available next week.

[Sandydragon]

With this evolution into a new playing style, I’m still confused what our attack coach actually does. 5e lack of basic skills is frustrating but I don’t blame Howkey for that. My concern is that with th lions share of possession and territory we struggle to score tries. Fair play, we had 2 cracking scores, but if the ABs had enjoyed that amount of territory and possession I think they would have scored a dozen or more.

The second playmaker is an experiment worth persevering with. But what is our strategy for giving backs space to operate in? Why does one player make a half break and find no one on hand to support him?

[PoolerSaint]

You boys must’ve really hated Mike Phillips.

When he reverted to that nonsense, yes.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

[wayneha50]

With this evolution into a new playing style, I’m still confused what our attack coach actually does. 5e lack of basic skills is frustrating but I don’t blame Howkey for that. My concern is that with th lions share of possession and territory we struggle to score tries. Fair play, we had 2 cracking scores, but if the ABs had enjoyed that amount of territory and possession I think they would have scored a dozen or more.

The second playmaker is an experiment worth persevering with. But what is our strategy for giving backs space to operate in? Why does one player make a half break and find no one on hand to support him?

I think he clicks the mouse for Gatland on the laptop.

On a serious note, England, Ireland & now Scotland seem to be extremely well-coached in attack, running lines, creating space etc - they all look very dangerous. All that we do now is throw a couple more passes & go slightly wider before thudding into defenders.

[PoolerSaint]

Think it's a personnel thing as much as anything, although our coaches are woeful.
We have a habit of bigging up our players & under valuing others.
Without JD at 13 the cupboard is pretty bare.
Scotland have a fine new coaching staff & a great style of play but it's been helped by unearthing some great ball players behind to carry out the gameplan.
If those same coaches were in charge of Wales would we see the same style and application. I have my doubts.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

[Sandydragon]

The Scarlets don’t do to badly with a mostly Welsh back line.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The Scarlets don’t do to badly with a mostly Welsh back line.

This.

Could the respective coaching teams be making the difference??? Maybe something the WRU should consider.

It's interesting seeing how well Scotland seem to be doing with an inexperienced coach. But hey, better inexperienced than totally stale and out of date.

[ALunpg]

With this evolution into a new playing style, I’m still confused what our attack coach actually does. The lack of basic skills is frustrating but I don’t blame Howley for that. My concern is that with th lions share of possession and territory we struggle to score tries. Fair play, we had 2 cracking scores, but if the ABs had enjoyed that amount of territory and possession I think they would have scored a dozen or more.

The second playmaker is an experiment worth persevering with. But what is our strategy for giving backs space to operate in? Why does one player make a half break and find no one on hand to support him?

Agree with the need to continue with the proviso that we must have more than one optional style of play.
My personal read on Owain Williams at 12 in both matches has been just a tad muted ..he certainly was holding his own in many ways and it needs to be worked on and improved.
Maybe he is a slow burner but somehow we need some gasoline on there. I am not currently totally sure if he is the right man but needs encouragement to go back to his club and develop even more but also let's see how Parkes does next week.

However it could very well be that Howley simply does not have the wherewithal to exploit what is on offer with the new options.I have no doubt that someone like Stephen Jones should be begged stole or borrowed for the 6N.

The second point about support lines drives me crazy ..we make a clear line break and the player is off and clear behind the opposition line particularly from lose play not a set move and do we see anyone coming from depth at a rate of knots in the centre of the field ..not often enough in these lines in support .

Both Welsh 9s do it as does the back row. but not often enough from the pace men like 11 and 14 and 15 IMHO.
You see it with Johnny McNicholl and with many others but not enough with Welsh players.

So it also seems Patchell has been carrying an injury. .but should be fit for the bench and that could be a chance to use him in that role from the bench or at 10 to create a Scarlets back line axis and Hallum Amos.

[Sandydragon]

I think that’s where Topuric adds real value. Like Nugget he’s a great reader of the game and is normally in the right place at the right time.

[Numbers]

Things learnt:

Amos, Brown, Navidi & Shingler have proved themselves worthy squad members.

Owen Williams can be the play-making 12 but I'm not sure why Wales have gone down this road, the clamor to copy the Scarlets style of play seems to be offset by ignoring the actual style the Scarlets play, which is often with Steff Evans as the out the back option, no play-making 12.

We still struggle to get over the line, with the emphasis on two up carrying rather than strike runners.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Things learnt:

Amos, Brown, Navidi & Shingler have proved themselves worthy squad members.

Owen Williams can be the play-making 12 but I'm not sure why Wales have gone down this road, the clamor to copy the Scarlets style of play seems to be offset by ignoring the actual style the Scarlets play, which is often with Steff Evans as the out the back option, no play-making 12.

We still struggle to get over the line, with the emphasis on two up carrying rather than strike runners.

I don't think Gatland & Co would know where to begin to copy the Scarlets' style.

[ALunpg]

From the NZ Herald make of it what you will.

Wales:
15. Leigh Halfpenny - 6
Not a vintage performance from a player of quality. Goalkicking off and couldn't spark attack from back.

14. Hallam Amos - 8
Beautiful break off set piece for Williams' try.

13. Scott Williams - 7
Stunning set-piece try – a player with balance and skill.

12. Owen Williams - 7
What Warrenball? The other Williams in the midfield was just as good as his mate and belied the stereotype of a big Welsh centre charging all day into contact.

11. Steff Evans - 6
Missed Rieko Ioane in build up to Naholo's first try. Didn't ask enough questions of ABs.

10. Dan Biggar - 7
Kicking game OK and navigated the ship but didn't provide the required sharpness to truly test the ABs' defence.

9. Rhys Webb - 5
Injured early and played little part in test.

8. Taulupe Faletau - 8
An X-factor player and a danger with ball. Pulled down by Todd off attacking scrum despite head start, though.

7. Josh Navidi - 8
Good early run paved way for lively game for the Welshman who attended secondary school in Christchurch. A real threat.

6. Aaron Shingler - 8
Very busy game from impressive blindside flanker. Seemed to be in everything.

5. Alun Wyn Jones - 6
Workman-like game as usual from Jones. Good in tight but didn't offer much elsewhere.

4. Jake Ball - 5
Shoulder injury in first 20 minutes meant he had little time to shine.

3. Tomas Francis - 6
Another tough Welsh front-rower. Gave away penalty which released pressure on ABs though.

2. Ken Owens - 7
Bounced around like the proverbial pinball. A tough bloke with good awareness on the carry.

1. Rob Evans - 6
Decent shift up front.

Reserves:
16. Kristian Dacey - 5
On for last five minutes.

17. Wyn Jones - 5
On for last few minutes.

18. Leon Brown - 6
A big lump of a 21-year-old who appears to be able to play a bit.

19. Cory Hill - 6
Early replacement for Ball. Had his moments.

20. Justin Tipuric - 5
On for last few minutes.

21. Gareth Davies - 8
On for Webb early and impressed with his skill and workrate. Tricky volley kick and scored a good try off attacking scrum.

22. Rhys Priestland - 5
Replaced Biggar for last 17 but couldn't spark attack either.

23. Jamie Roberts - 5
Big midfielder on for last 20 minutes. One charging run was about it.

[Sandydragon]

Not sure I would have rated Scott Williams a 7. In fact, many seem a bit generous.

[Son of Mathonwy]

From the NZ Herald make of it what you will.

Reduce each score by 1 or 2 and they might be accurate.

[ALunpg]

From the NZ Herald make of it what you will.

Reduce each score by 1 or 2 and they might be accurate.

I often used to have the reverse argument about my end of year assesment point or two too low .
I have rarely seen a 1 or a 10 in any of these but that said I tend to agree..they are generally a little high .

[kk67]

Wayne was fantastic.
The laws have finally caught up with his ability.

[Spiffy]

I think that’s where Topuric adds real value. Like Nugget he’s a great reader of the game and is normally in the right place at the right time.

Tipuric has been the best 7 in Europe for 2-3 seasons now. Even when he's fully fit Gatland doesn't seem to realize it, and he's generally playing backup to Warburton.

[Numbers]

I think that’s where Topuric adds real value. Like Nugget he’s a great reader of the game and is normally in the right place at the right time.

Tipuric has been the best 7 in Europe for 2-3 seasons now. Even when he's fully fit Gatland doesn't seem to realize it, and he's generally playing backup to Warburton.

That would depend on whether you want a 7 who wins turnovers.

[PoolerSaint]

The Scarlets don’t do to badly with a mostly Welsh back line.

Hadleigh Parkes is an integral part of that, hopefully we'll see that influence now with Wales.
Also think test rugby is a significant step up from Pro14.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk