3rd place playoff

[Hooky]

How do we approach this game? Try some new things or same gameplan and players? Don't see us beating the ABs with our current gameplan

[Sandydragon]

With a five day turnaround we may be forced into some changes. Francis, North are probably doubtful. Parkes must deserve a rest, and I wouldn’t take any chances with JD2. I know it’s the last game but with nothing on it why risk aggravating an injury.

[Hooky]

With a five day turnaround we may be forced into some changes. Francis, North are probably doubtful. Parkes must deserve a rest, and I wouldn’t take any chances with JD2. I know it’s the last game but with nothing on it why risk aggravating an injury.

Depends I guess if you genuinely think finally beating the all blacks in a test match is worth nothing. More I intrigued by tactics. I don't think Warrenball will be enough.

[MrK]

Halfpenny, Amos, Lane, Watkins, Adams, Patchell, Williams
Caree, Owens, Lewis, Ball, AWJ, Wainrwight, Tipuric, Moriaty

Dee, Smith, W Jones, Beard, J Davies, G Davies, Biggar, Parkes

[Puja]

With a five day turnaround we may be forced into some changes. Francis, North are probably doubtful. Parkes must deserve a rest, and I wouldn’t take any chances with JD2. I know it’s the last game but with nothing on it why risk aggravating an injury.

Isn't this a prime opportunity to beat the ABs in a game where they're demoralised and disinterested? Getting that monkey off your back isn't nothing in my opinion?

Puja

[Sandydragon]

With a five day turnaround we may be forced into some changes. Francis, North are probably doubtful. Parkes must deserve a rest, and I wouldn’t take any chances with JD2. I know it’s the last game but with nothing on it why risk aggravating an injury.

Depends I guess if you genuinely think finally beating the all blacks in a test match is worth nothing. More I intrigued by tactics. I don't think Warrenball will be enough.

It won’t be enough.

[Sandydragon]

With a five day turnaround we may be forced into some changes. Francis, North are probably doubtful. Parkes must deserve a rest, and I wouldn’t take any chances with JD2. I know it’s the last game but with nothing on it why risk aggravating an injury.

Isn't this a prime opportunity to beat the ABs in a game where they're demoralised and disinterested? Getting that monkey off your back isn't nothing in my opinion?

Puja

I don’t disagree, I was thinking more that if it were the final then you would absolutely go for it, but would you play players who are carrying injuries in this match? Look at it another way. If they are injured then they are not playing to 100%. Perhaps another player who is fresher can contribute more and perhaps be a surprise (hopefully
On a good way).

Regardless, we are probably without Francis and North. Swapping Parkes for Watkin is hardly a huge call considering the former is injured.

Also playing Patchell is not a huge risk and many of us would agree it’s a necessary call if we are to win the game.

Replacing JD2 is a bigger call. But if he breaks down after 30 minutes then we are in a spot of bother. We don’t have a clear replacement of same quality so I suppose it’s a case of deciding what’s the biggest risk.

[Puja]

With a five day turnaround we may be forced into some changes. Francis, North are probably doubtful. Parkes must deserve a rest, and I wouldn’t take any chances with JD2. I know it’s the last game but with nothing on it why risk aggravating an injury.

Isn't this a prime opportunity to beat the ABs in a game where they're demoralised and disinterested? Getting that monkey off your back isn't nothing in my opinion?

Puja

I don’t disagree, I was thinking more that if it were the final then you would absolutely go for it, but would you play players who are carrying injuries in this match? Look at it another way. If they are injured then they are not playing to 100%. Perhaps another player who is fresher can contribute more and perhaps be a surprise (hopefully
On a good way).

Regardless, we are probably without Francis and North. Swapping Parkes for Watkin is hardly a huge call considering the former is injured.

Also playing Patchell is not a huge risk and many of us would agree it’s a necessary call if we are to win the game.

Replacing JD2 is a bigger call. But if he breaks down after 30 minutes then we are in a spot of bother. We don’t have a clear replacement of same quality so I suppose it’s a case of deciding what’s the biggest risk.

It was more the "not risking JD2 cause why bother for a meaningless game" bit that I was querying. I think the gamble has to be taken - he's the best 13 in the world right now and if you don't play him, you won't win, so you may as well roll the dice.

Puja

[canta_brian]

There are a few significant retirements for NZ after this match. Finishing loss loss will not be appetising for them. NZ will also want to quash any talk that it’s the end of a era. I expect them to go at least as hard as they did in the semi. That said, I think Wales match up pretty well if they can get a team fit.

[Renniks]

I'd be asking the players - you only want players who want to be on the pitch, for this game, who will give 110%

[Sandydragon]

My sense of guttedness over yesterday is affecting how I see the next game. I’ve always viewed the third place play off as a bit of a game too far. It is a chance to beat the all blacks for the first time in decades, but I’m worried that playing players who have injuries after such a big game on Sunday is asking for trouble.

As I wrote below, many of the changes we make are likely to be forced by injury and reasonably close calls, or Watkin for Parkes. We probably should start JD2 but ensure there is someone on the bench who can cover if needed .

I am very aware that we have only had one game that was a gimme, it’s been a hard tournament and I think bodies might be showing some knocks and tiredness.

[Numbers]

My sense of guttedness over yesterday is affecting how I see the next game. I’ve always viewed the third place play off as a bit of a game too far. It is a chance to beat the all blacks for the first time in decades, but I’m worried that playing players who have injuries after such a big game on Sunday is asking for trouble.

As I wrote below, many of the changes we make are likely to be forced by injury and reasonably close calls, or Watkin for Parkes. We probably should start JD2 but ensure there is someone on the bench who can cover if needed .

I am very aware that we have only had one game that was a gimme, it’s been a hard tournament and I think bodies might be showing some knocks and tiredness.

Of course it would be nice to win the last game for our coach, the most successful Welsh coach of all time, to perhaps show him some appreciation for 12 years service?

[Son of Mathonwy]

Gatland will pull out all the stops to finally beat NZ in his last game.

And I agree, we should hold nothing back. I remember wishing we could play the All Blacks straight after the 6N this year, while we were in top form. So let's do it now, let's see how good we are.

Also, it would turn our RWC from a respectable semi-final finish into something pretty special.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I'd be asking the players - you only want players who want to be on the pitch, for this game, who will give 110%

There's something wrong with them if they aren't ready to give 110% given the chance to play NZ.

Sure, they're feeling awful right now, but they can get back up to full speed.

[Sandydragon]

I'd be asking the players - you only want players who want to be on the pitch, for this game, who will give 110%

There's something wrong with them if they aren't ready to give 110% given the chance to play NZ.

Sure, they're feeling awful right now, but they can get back up to full speed.

I doubt the issue will be mental, but physically it could be a different matter.

[Digby]

Surely there has to be.a mental hangover. Though it might be a great chance to get just a win over NZ, France did us back in '95 and went from being a team that couldn't beat England to one that had us on the run for a good number of years to come

[Sandydragon]

The team:

Wales: Hallam Amos; Owen Lane, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Rhys Patchell, Tomos Williams; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt); Justin Tipuric, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre, Wyn Jones, Jake Ball, Aaron Shingler, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Hadleigh Parkes.

Lots of changes. Garland must have thought that fresh legs were more important than first choice players. I’m pleased that Tomos Williams and Patchell start together, but I don’t think they will get a lot of ball.

[Lizard]

All Black:
Moody
Coles
Laulala
Retallick
S Barrett (ooh no Whitelock)
Frizell (ah no Savea)
Cane
Read
A. Smith
Mo’unga
Ioane (remember Reiko?)
SBW
Crotty (Old Skool)
B. Smith (Remember Ben? From accounts?)
B Barrett

Coltman
Moli
Ta’avao
Tuipulotu
Todd
Weber
ALB
J Barrett

[Sandydragon]

Both teams entering into the jamboree spirit.

[normanski]

I’ve at last got over my agonising disappointment of Sunday.

Water under the bridge now so it’s onwards and upwards!

This is an interesting selection forced by injuries. Let’s hope the youngsters, Amos, Lane, Watkin, Patchell and Tomas Williams step up to the plate and produce a little fizz. This is their opportunity to stake their claim to be in the frontline for the six nations.

I expect it to be a funny old game much like the 2003 (or was it 2007?) match against England when Hansen threw caution to the wind and put out a near second string side which nearly knocked the soon-to-be world champions off their perch.

[loudnconfident]

You can get 9.5 to 1 (at Betfair Exchange) for Wales on this one. I'm tempted to risk a tenner at those odds...

[Numbers]

I’ve at last got over my agonising disappointment of Sunday.

Water under the bridge now so it’s onwards and upwards!

This is an interesting selection forced by injuries. Let’s hope the youngsters, Amos, Lane, Watkin, Patchell and Tomas Williams step up to the plate and produce a little fizz. This is their opportunity to stake their claim to be in the frontline for the six nations.

I expect it to be a funny old game much like the 2003 (or was it 2007?) match against England when Hansen threw caution to the wind and put out a near second string side which nearly knocked the soon-to-be world champions off their perch.

It was 2003 and against the ABs, he then retained much of the "b team" that he fielded in that game against England in the QF.

[normanski]

I’ve at last got over my agonising disappointment of Sunday.

Water under the bridge now so it’s onwards and upwards!

This is an interesting selection forced by injuries. Let’s hope the youngsters, Amos, Lane, Watkin, Patchell and Tomas Williams step up to the plate and produce a little fizz. This is their opportunity to stake their claim to be in the frontline for the six nations.

I expect it to be a funny old game much like the 2003 (or was it 2007?) match against England when Hansen threw caution to the wind and put out a near second string side which nearly knocked the soon-to-be world champions off their perch.

It was 2003 and against the ABs, he then retained much of the "b team" that he fielded in that game against England in the QF.

Thanks! Trust someone with the username of Numbers to get the date right. My memory has dimmed of late and I was too idle to look it up. Well that’s my excuse!

[Numbers]

I’ve at last got over my agonising disappointment of Sunday.

Water under the bridge now so it’s onwards and upwards!

This is an interesting selection forced by injuries. Let’s hope the youngsters, Amos, Lane, Watkin, Patchell and Tomas Williams step up to the plate and produce a little fizz. This is their opportunity to stake their claim to be in the frontline for the six nations.

I expect it to be a funny old game much like the 2003 (or was it 2007?) match against England when Hansen threw caution to the wind and put out a near second string side which nearly knocked the soon-to-be world champions off their perch.

It was 2003 and against the ABs, he then retained much of the "b team" that he fielded in that game against England in the QF.

Thanks! Trust someone with the username of Numbers to get the date right. My memory has dimmed of late and I was too idle to look it up. Well that’s my excuse!

It seems like yesterday to me, tho I was reminded by watching "The World Cup's Greatest Tries" on ITV4, here's Ickle Shane announcing himself onto the world stage in the ABs game for some nostalgia:

[Sandydragon]

Colin Charvis was a bit of a legend to be fair. Shame often defied the laws of physics with some of his side stepping.