Rumours of 10 changes for Welsh Team to face Namibia

Rumours from the Welsh camp are that there will be 10 changes to the run on 15.

Some changes are forced due to injury.

But 10 seems like a lot when you consider that we need a bonus point win.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Paul


PS New Western Mail blog post here about the All Blacks and the pressure they are under back home.

All Black fans may find this article a little confrotational.

http://www.comeonwales.co.uk/paul_williams/

A plausible rumor
Seems a lot more believable
Than the truth itself.

KOBO ABE, The Ghost is Here

Nice bit of philosophy fly-half.

I think this maybe more than a rumour though.

Ahhh but, Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't

Have you boys been drinking or smoking?

Worrying about the pair of you.

polotechnics wrote:Have you boys been drinking or smoking?

Worrying about the pair of you.

Polo, its simple really,

Nothing which has entered into our experience is ever lost.

Say it with me ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Hold on Powell

Haven't crossed my legs yet

Now where is that incense.............

I said incense not POT............ oh never mind I'll use that

ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

See how much more fun it is with 2...................

C'mon everybody, ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

You've got me going now.

I've just tried some yogic flying.

Too good at it.

Just smacked my head on the ceiling fan

Or are you just smacked out of your head?

I've farted on my incense candle.............. mini explosion

Thats what happens when rumors start!!

Its all your fault polotechnics

I'm now mastering the Buddah postion.

I always new my moobs and gut would come in handy one day.

Has there ever been a thread where the posts have no relation to the thread title?

I need to stop worrying about that as it is ruining my inner peace.

polotechnics wrote:Has there ever been a thread where the posts have no relation to the thread title?

I need to stop worrying about that as it is ruining my inner peace.

Polo, sorry just ommmmmmmed myself to sleep.

Never look for comfort from without...
all true joy is found within.

Feel the

If a maul is collapsed in a forest and no one is there to see it, is it a penalty?

luckless_pedestrian wrote:If a maul is collapsed in a forest and no one is there to see it, is it a penalty?

That depends entirely on whether or not the cat is in the box.......ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Green leaves and Cat cats all around man!!............

love the box where's that pink cat man.......... ommmmmmmmmmmmmm

From the Argus website

Wales look set to start against Namibia on Monday with a trio of Scarlets in midfield, with Davies partnering young Scott Williams in the centre outside Stephen Jones, coming back from injury at 10.

So theres a couple right there.

munkian wrote:From the Argus website

Wales look set to start against Namibia on Monday with a trio of Scarlets in midfield, with Davies partnering young Scott Williams in the centre outside Stephen Jones, coming back from injury at 10.

So theres a couple right there.

Munk, you too kool for skool, c'mon man take the weight off,

ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Right, so who are the other eight.

Ryan Jones.
Bradley Davies
Gethin Jenkins
Tavis Knoyle?
Byrne?
Surely not Brew?

Why not Brew ? Because he's constantly over looked or you don't rate him ?

Taking into account SA have just put 12 tries against Namibia, and 87-0 scoreline, I would say Mr G will rest quite a few players and give some game time to others who might play against Fiji................ Ryan & Stephen Jones and maybe 1/2p or Byrne so taking you only need a win and more than 4 tries I think he will play the following

15 Byrne or 1/2p or Priestland
14 1/2p
13 Williams
12 Davies
11 Brew
10 Jones
9 Knoyle
8 Powell
7 Warburton
6 Jones
5 Charteris or AWJ
4 Davies
3 Jones
2 Burns
1 Jenkins

Thats not including the bench

Not a fan of Brew at all.

I know some people rate him on these boards, but I genuinely don’t think he has an international skill set.

And whilst he has improved over the past season, I’ve seen him spill way too much ball in the past.

Also his defensive positioning is questionable, even though his tackling is sound.

Having said that he could be quite effective against a team like Namibia, and it would allow us to rest North/ Shane or both.

FHF

Apparently Warburton is a doubt for Monday - slight bang to the knee

George North is definitely due a rest. He played in all the warm-up games and both group games.

The same's true of Warburton, but Gatland, in his wisdom, didn't bring any openside cover.

polotechnics wrote:FHF

Apparently Warburton is a doubt for Monday - slight bang to the knee

If that is the case you would be forced to play

8 R Jones
7 AWJ
6 Powell

.............and no back five cover on the bench. Gatland was absolutely mad knowing that he had SA, Samoa, and Fiji (brutal matches) in your group not to select another forward considering he had

4 scrum halfs - Phillips, Knoyle, Williams, Shane
4 Wings - 1/2p, Shane, North, Brew
4 Centres- Roberts, Hooky, Foxy, Williams

to have just one specialist open and blindside flanker

15 Lee Bryne
14 Leigh Halfpenny
13 Jonathan Davies
12 Scott Williams
11 Aled Brew
10 Stephen Jones
9 Lloyd williams
8 Ryan Jones
7 Warburton
6 Andy Powell
5 Alun-Wyn Jones
4 Bradley Davies
3 Craig Mitchell
2 Ken Owens
1 Gethin Jenkins

I'd be pretty happy with this team, if South Africa can stick 87 points on them fresh, then 3 days later Wales should at easily get a bonus point win, their moral will be in the gutter, their first team worn out, and their reserves will be worse than their firsts.

Alyn

That a good side, only issue is the Warbs injury he will not be risked at all.

Apart from that I think he might bench L Williams and Owens, but won't start them

Anyone know when the team will be announced?

The Rakish Brigand wrote:Anyone know when the team will be announced?

WAITOMO, 22 Sept. - Wales will not be announcing their team to play Namibia until Saturday, but they have already given strong indications there could be a significant number of changes.
However, that does not mean the Welsh will be fielding a sub-strength line-up for their Pool D match at New Plymouth's Stadium Taranaki on Monday.
"I think the side we will name on Saturday will be very experienced, even more experienced than the teams that played against South Africa and Samoa," said assistant coach Rob Howley.
Prop Gethin Jenkins, fly half Stephen Jones and number 8 Ryan Jones could all make the squad against the Namibians.
"He (Ryan Jones) has trained really well and is certainly in contention to start," Howley said.
Full back Leigh Halfpenny, who came on as a replacement for James Hook against Samoa on Sunday and set up Wales's winning second-half try, is staking his claim for a place in the starting XV.
"Leigh Halfpenny is one of our most improved players over the past 15 months. It's great to have him back and that puts another name in the mix," Howley said.
Ruthless mindset
"You could see on Sunday that he just adds that extra ingredient. When he came on, his counterattack led to that try."
Prop Jenkins has also earned the praise of the coaching staff for his preparation.
"He is one of the most intelligent players I've ever been involved with. It's great to have someone with his experience," Howley said.
Whatever the make-up of the Welsh team, their attitude to the match can be summed up in one word. "We will be ruthless," said prop Craig Mitchell. "We wanted to be ruthless for the whole tournament. That's the mindset we'll have on Monday."
Howley said his team have to be firing from the opening whistle. "We need to get our tactics right, particularly in the first 25 minutes.
"Every game we are looking for the bonus point. We need to win the match and win it well."
Special talent
The assistant coach dismissed suggestions that an injury had prevented skipper Sam Warburton from taking part in a training session at the Waitomo Rugby Club, which drew about 300 spectators.
"I think the captain can afford a day off, can't he? said Howley. "We've got to be mindful of Sam. He's a special talent."
That philosophy indicates players who have come through torrid matches against South Africa and Samoa may be given a well-deserved rest, at the same time allowing experienced campaigners to return from injury.
If he does take the field on Monday, Stephen Jones will play his 101st Test and surpass Gareth Thomas as the most-capped Wales player.

Howley has stated there will be a big change in personnel but 10 does seem a lot.

I would imagine the following:

Complete front row change Jenkins Burns Mitchell

1 in 2nd row Davies to start

2 in back row Jones and Powell to start

1 at Half back Knoyle to start

1 in center Sc Williams to start

2 in back three Halfpenny and Brew to start

Thats 10 I think

Namibias team will be interesting, will they go for the first team that got pulversied by South Africa, or a team of reserves?
Either way it will be hard for them. Wales looked stronger than South Africa in the games between the sides and I don't think Namibia have any thing left in the tank, playing Fiji then Samoa 4 days later, then South Africa had worn them out.

They could be thrashed like a red headed step child.

Thats definately the only way to treat red heads, and I've got one myself!

We have to try and beat Namibia by more than SA...

mm,

Why?

maestegmafia wrote:We have to try and beat Namibia by more than SA...

Mate theyve been beaten enough...
They picked their first team Vs South Africa today and lost 87-0!
the will be battered, bruised and demoralized and even if they make whole sale changes most of their reserves have barely played, as Namibia rarely make more than a few changes so we will tear them apart.

Stick the reserves out for Wales and tell them go and prove you are worth first team place, they will be grateful for the chance, and I would expect them to take it, Wales are fit and hungry... oh and Dan Biggar isn't there, so this reserve side might do well!

Whens the side named.

Persoanlly I would have sent our first team out to start get the BP then rotate off bench.

But I am pretty sure whatever side we pick we should be able to get the BP against them.

maestegmafia wrote:We have to try and beat Namibia by more than SA...

why?

Post by AlynDavies Today at 5:31 pm

The Rakish Brigand wrote:Anyone know when the team will be announced?


WAITOMO, 22 Sept. - Wales will not be announcing their team to play Namibia until Saturday, but they have already given strong indications there could be a significant number of changes.



**** Thanks Alyn ****

We should definately rest Warbs for this hes too important to risk however his knee is..... Play toby at 7 hes done it for Dragons a few times and looked good. Then Pray Dan Lyds makes it back for the qtrs !!!!!

Wales don't look stronger than SA. SA can score tries regardless of how they're playing, Wales cannot. That's why SA won. 40-50 points would satisfy me, but the BP win is the only requirement.

Jebus stop worrying about the 4 trys... We will put 50points on them.

Gethin, burns, mitchel - all need gametime/ rest others
Davis, Awj - rest Luke.
Jones, Powell, no idea (would rest Toby and warbs)
Knoyle - must play, needs a game
Hook
Brew - rest Shane
Davis
Sc Williams - rest Robberts
North - taken of for Byrne n Swales with halfpenny
Halfpenny - could be first choice 15

I just think that SA have a winning mentality that Wales do not; and not just in winning the game, but to keep ploughing on even when they're on top. For all the good Gatland has done, he cannot instil this in the players; it's something intrinsic and we're just no good at the scoreline often reflecting a positive, dominant performance on the pitch.

Namibia and Fiji will get weaker as the game goes on if we have a decent margin, and come away with points (preferrably tries) almost every time we attack. SA did this; they had a difficult first 20 against Namibia, then hammered them. Likewise against Fiji. I'm not sure we're there yet, and it's a mentality thing (I'm not going to try and guess the causes from behind a TV screen, unlike some... ), and I hope in Warburton and others we have a new breed raised with the attitude of professionalism that means winning and being on top will be easier to come to terms with mentally.

But think, since Gatland took over, and before, of Wales' greatest games/wins, how many were by large margins? And how many were incredibly close on the scoreboard, often comebacks, and often from a short period of sustained pressure/brilliant, free flowing attacking play after being on the back foot? I think that answers the question.



Wales will beat Namibia, and should beat Fiji. I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if we got more than 5 tries against Namibia though.

flyhalffactory wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:We have to try and beat Namibia by more than SA...

why?

If samoa end up on the same amount of points as us then we will need tries scored and points difference to go through.

Samoa have SA and Fiji to play and they could win one or even both of them.

youngguns6 wrote:Jebus stop worrying about the 4 trys... We will put 50points on them.

Gethin, burns, mitchel - all need gametime/ rest others
Davis, Awj - rest Luke.
Jones, Powell, no idea (would rest Toby and warbs)
Knoyle - must play, needs a game
Hook
Brew - rest Shane
Davis
Sc Williams - rest Robberts
North - taken of for Byrne n Swales with halfpenny
Halfpenny - could be first choice 15

Guns,

Hook want play as he's injued to I guess Wellies will if fit, other than that pretty much as I would go for with Toby at 7 due to no one else available.