Fiji

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Samoa hasn't quite got their shit together this year.

Oh I don't know about that...

[Sandydragon]

Samoa hasn't quite got their shit together this year.

Oh I don't know about that...

They were far more credible opposition n Dublin than England were. After yesterday’s results Japan and Samoa will fancy their chances.

[pompey-zebra]

Samoa hasn't quite got their shit together this year.

Oh I don't know about that...

They were far more credible opposition n Dublin than England were. After yesterday’s results Japan and Samoa will fancy their chances.

Japan got stuffed by Italy yesterday.

[normanski]

In a normal world, if you saw a scoreline like England 22-30 Fiji, you'd assume (a) it was England's 3rd XV and (b) Fiji lived off their mistakes and ran in sevens tries.

In fact, a clueless all-round rugby team was beaten by a decent all-round rugby team. Although I'm worried for Wales of course, I still didn't see anything from Fiji that I found particularly scary; they were just solid in a way they haven't been before. They actually looked like a team coached to play 15-a-side, rather than the Sevens team plus the Sevens "A" team plus a 38yo fly-half from Worcester.

Right now you look at Wales v Fiji, Wales v Aus, Eng v Arg and Eng v Sam and have to wonder where any wins are coming from there. But in my glass-half-full mode, Operation "Under The Radar" has been concluded with stunning success. No more chortling under the breath that "Wales might not beat Fiji" - Fiji are incontestably genuine favourites now, and because of that how we work, that can only help us.

Agree with that. What is not clear until we play them in a fortnight, is just how good are the Fijians. They struggled against a 2nd/3rd choice France and beat a tidy England side, who themselves struggled to overcome a 2nd/3rd choice Wales at Twickenham.

I think Wales have a great chance to top our pool. Gatland hasn’t truly shown his hand yet but I believe when we meet Fiji we will come through as winners, albeit narrowly.

Concentration on defence structures, improving the handling skills of all new and old combinations and building a never say ‘Dai’ attitude must be the role of the coaches over the next fortnight.

[Wallpaperman]

Oh I don't know about that...

They were far more credible opposition n Dublin than England were. After yesterday’s results Japan and Samoa will fancy their chances.

Japan got stuffed by Italy yesterday.

I watched some highlights, Japan were within a score for most of the match but gave some late tries away when they were in possession, which distorted the score a bit. I think they were 7 points behind with about 5 minutes to go. They don’t seem to be the team they were 4 years ago, though. I can’t see them threatening England or Argentina.

[pompey-zebra]

They were far more credible opposition n Dublin than England were. After yesterday’s results Japan and Samoa will fancy their chances.

Japan got stuffed by Italy yesterday.

I watched some highlights, Japan were within a score for most of the match but gave some late tries away when they were in possession, which distorted the score a bit. I think they were 7 points behind with about 5 minutes to go. They don’t seem to be the team they were 4 years ago, though. I can’t see them threatening England or Argentina.

No, looking back on recent results, Japan dont look like a form team at the moment. Still, Samoa gave Ireland more of a fright than i was expecting, so I suppose Japan couldn't be ruled out completely from causing an upset.

[UKHamlet]

The interesting thing is what will happen post-RWC. England have been dining out on 2003 for two decades, gradually edging towards perennial underachievement with a few bright spots. "As long as we beat the English" is starting to ring hollow. Maybe we'll shift our focus and start singing "As long as we beat the Irish." One thing is clear, Rugby Union will need a reboot if we both suffer ignominious failure. A genuinely radical rebuild from the grassroots up is called for. Otherwise supporters will drift away. I'll still take my place in the Gorseinon RFC stand, but I doubt I'll ever pay to see Wales again, let alone a region, and I'm pretty sure that's becoming increasingly widespread.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The interesting thing is what will happen post-RWC. England have been dining out on 2003 for two decades, gradually edging towards perennial underachievement with a few bright spots. "As long as we beat the English" is starting to ring hollow. Maybe we'll shift our focus and start singing "As long as we beat the Irish." One thing is clear, Rugby Union will need a reboot if we both suffer ignominious failure. A genuinely radical rebuild from the grassroots up is called for. Otherwise supporters will drift away. I'll still take my place in the Gorseinon RFC stand, but I doubt I'll ever pay to see Wales again, let alone a region, and I'm pretty sure that's becoming increasingly widespread.

The failure of England and Wales does suggest a reboot is required along lines of the Irish model. We can only hope our new CEO can move us in that direction (before she resigns, dispirited at her inability to effect change).

[pompey-zebra]

The interesting thing is what will happen post-RWC. England have been dining out on 2003 for two decades, gradually edging towards perennial underachievement with a few bright spots. "As long as we beat the English" is starting to ring hollow. Maybe we'll shift our focus and start singing "As long as we beat the Irish." One thing is clear, Rugby Union will need a reboot if we both suffer ignominious failure. A genuinely radical rebuild from the grassroots up is called for. Otherwise supporters will drift away. I'll still take my place in the Gorseinon RFC stand, but I doubt I'll ever pay to see Wales again, let alone a region, and I'm pretty sure that's becoming increasingly widespread.

Agree there, Hammy. If there's not a focus on developing Welsh rugby so it provides the game with a depth of players and supporters, then the the national team will be increasingly reliant on exiles developed by other countries, and more supporters like you (and me) will support their local club and shun the stadium.

The RWC build up has taken some of the attention away from the utter shit show of a few months ago, but that doesn't mean the problems have gone away . I hope there will be change, otherwise the WRU will have to hope the spangly cowboy hat brigade market is strong enough to fill the seats ( when theyre not queuing at the bars)

[Numbers]

The interesting thing is what will happen post-RWC. England have been dining out on 2003 for two decades, gradually edging towards perennial underachievement with a few bright spots. "As long as we beat the English" is starting to ring hollow. Maybe we'll shift our focus and start singing "As long as we beat the Irish." One thing is clear, Rugby Union will need a reboot if we both suffer ignominious failure. A genuinely radical rebuild from the grassroots up is called for. Otherwise supporters will drift away. I'll still take my place in the Gorseinon RFC stand, but I doubt I'll ever pay to see Wales again, let alone a region, and I'm pretty sure that's becoming increasingly widespread.

The failure of England and Wales does suggest a reboot is required along lines of the Irish model. We can only hope our new CEO can move us in that direction (before she resigns, dispirited at her inability to effect change).

Wales isn't comparable to Ireland or England in the way that rugby is run, they have a strong public school background, most of the Leinster players come through St Mary's college for instance, also there is not the same amount of money in the game in Wales, if the regional teams could get crowds like the Irish provinces then that would be a start but rugby is far more parochial in Wales.

[Tuco Ramirez]

3 proper regions. East West and North. share games out among grounds which are suitable - North run by WRU along the lines of Connaught

[Sandydragon]

The interesting thing is what will happen post-RWC. England have been dining out on 2003 for two decades, gradually edging towards perennial underachievement with a few bright spots. "As long as we beat the English" is starting to ring hollow. Maybe we'll shift our focus and start singing "As long as we beat the Irish." One thing is clear, Rugby Union will need a reboot if we both suffer ignominious failure. A genuinely radical rebuild from the grassroots up is called for. Otherwise supporters will drift away. I'll still take my place in the Gorseinon RFC stand, but I doubt I'll ever pay to see Wales again, let alone a region, and I'm pretty sure that's becoming increasingly widespread.

The failure of England and Wales does suggest a reboot is required along lines of the Irish model. We can only hope our new CEO can move us in that direction (before she resigns, dispirited at her inability to effect change).

Wales isn't comparable to Ireland or England in the way that rugby is run, they have a strong public school background, most of the Leinster players come through St Mary's college for instance, also there is not the same amount of money in the game in Wales, if the regional teams could get crowds like the Irish provinces then that would be a start but rugby is far more parochial in Wales.

Parochialism is a problem. Put proper regions in place and people will still not be happy, but we don’t have the resources for clubs to rise and fall on their own. I don’t think we have enough resource for 4 regions, although folding one region may not mean that much more cash straight away. I would want all 4 in WRU control, and the focus resources on one or 2 regions. If the funded regions can get some success whilst the others give opportunities to younger Welsh players, that would be an improvement.

[Lizard]

Muntz has been ruled out of the tournament by injury.

Which means Fiji will be about 70% as good as they were.

[Puja]

Muntz has been ruled out of the tournament by injury.

Which means Fiji will be about 70% as good as they were.

Shit. Massive loss to the tournament that. Who will step in for them now?

Puja

[Numbers]

I confess to not knowing much about the Fijian side, reading the intrnet it seems they have another player who I've not seen much of, the only other 10 in their squad Teti Tela, is he any good, I can't imagine he's as bad as Volavola.

[UKHamlet]

Muntz has been ruled out of the tournament by injury.

Which means Fiji will be about 70% as good as they were.

I came here to post that. Bad news for Fiji, good news for everyone else.

[UKHamlet]

When does Gats name his matchday squad? It seems we're spoiled for riches atm. This is the start of the future.

[pompey-zebra]

When does Gats name his matchday squad? It seems we're spoiled for riches atm. This is the start of the future.

Friday I believe not sure on the time though.

[Graigwen]

The injury to Muntz is terrible news for Fiji. He is a player of great talent with both tactical and strategic awareness. There is no doubt this will weaken the Fiji team on Sunday. ACL apparently, so it is the whole of the World Cup gone for him.

.

[Lizard]

Local reporting is that Teti Tela will start v Wales.

There seems to be an assumption that Volavola will get called up. I don’t think there is any other realistic option.


https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rwc-2 ... cup-dream/

[UKHamlet]

When does Gats name his matchday squad? It seems we're spoiled for riches atm. This is the start of the future.

Today is the day according to the WRU Arsebook page.

[Graigwen]

.
The usual reliable sources report Faletau is in the starting XV.

.

[Graigwen]

Thinking about the team, we seem to have a few positions with alternatives that don't matter much. I don't know if this is a good sign.

Anyone disagree that the four props will be Thomas/Smith and Francis/Thomas? (Solidity is everything against Fiji.)

Hooker Lane and not much difference between Dee and Elias for the bench?

.

[pompey-zebra]

When does Gats name his matchday squad? It seems we're spoiled for riches atm. This is the start of the future.

Today is the day according to the WRU Arsebook page.

Yep, moved forward by 24 hours, press conference at 12.30.

[pompey-zebra]

.
The usual reliable sources report Faletau is in the starting XV.

.

Also Lake to start, Morgan to captain and tomos Williams to be on the bench as impact sub, according to the Fail online.