Wales Italy match thread

[eirebilly]

First topic message reminder :

Afternoon all,

Well we are soon to kick off. I wish both sides the best of luck but secretly i will be hoping Wales win and go on to win the Slam .

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I wonder if the referees panel have discussed the Welsh breakdown play prior to the match because they are being pinged off the park at the moment for a few marginal calls.

[Cari]

I think Clancy is having a good game. The players can be in no doubt of what he wants anyway (unless they can't understand his thick Limerick accent).

Is that where he's from I was trying to work it out....

[eirebilly]

That wa a moment for a little kick for Wales with the fullback gone.

[eirebilly]

Good steal, then penalty...

[Cari]

Bhuggeriation!!! Wales should've got a try there....

[Biltong]

Italy is trying their best to isolate Priestland

[Biltong]

Parisse is tackling like a demon

[eirebilly]

1/2p

[Shifty]

I think Wales are doing everything right, were sapping the energy of Italy, driving it into them, then spreading it to move them around.

Italys defense is magnificent though.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

The referee has been clear on his interpretation, especially in 'sealing' the ball off at the breakdown. Wales have done this constantly so far this championship and do not seem to have been called on until now. I wonder if this is Clancy or the referees panel as a whole? I thought we (Ireland) were lucky to get away with it last week as well

[Cari]

Well, Clancy's consistent....

[eirebilly]

Good call Clancy. Consistent

[eirebilly]

Great stuff Italy

[Cari]

Bold move by Italy!

[Shifty]

Did you see that clap and thumbs up by the loose head prop then to the ref?

If he's stuck 20 Euroes in his pocket then it would of been perfect...

[Cari]

They know Wales' lineout is cack....

[mystiroakey]

italy sticking the fingers up to the welsh there- however should have just taken the points

[eirebilly]

You have to admire the Italians resolve.

[Adam D]

This has been the worst game of this years 6ns so far

[Cari]

Maybe Wales just want to win it and save themselves for France....

[BigTrevsbigmac]

Mmm not great quality apart from Italian defence but too many errors everywhere.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I fear for Italy when Wales score the first try. This has been monumental in defence but again hampered by a truly dreadful performance by Burton

[eirebilly]

I dont know Adam, i have enjoyed it so far.

[Cari]

HT 9 - 3.

[Shifty]

This has been the worst game of this years 6ns so far

Why do you say that? Wales are attacking and mixing it up, and the Italians have defended brilliantly.

[Adam D]

Just havent got excited by it so far.

A few breaks but by in large just running into the defence, recycle slowly, run in to defence ad infinitum

[Shifty]

I think a lot of you are being disrespectful to Italy, it obvious Wales are trying to wear Italy down. Italy cannot defend like this in the second half, and Wales will play their rugby then.

[eirebilly]

Look at those half time stats. Italy have done a full games tackling in 40mins. That has to take its toll.

[Morgannwg]

If France come and put Priestland under this much pressure then he'll fold, and France have the capabilites to punish us for it.

[Taylorman]

Just think the pace applied by the Welsh is a bit too fast for their ball handling skills where passes were spilled. The two penalties refused at goal could have made it 15 instead of 9.

I still think 30 is on the cards but I'd like to see a bit more % play back in the Welsh game.

In all though, impressive pace from Wales and staunch defence from Italy in that half. First 10 minutes Wales have to break the Italy back if theyre to dominate on the board as well as everywhere else.

Good stuff...

[Cari]

76 tackles to 18 - they'll be knackered....

[Cymroglan]

That is what I expected from Italy in the first half the question is can they keep it up.

[majesticimperialman]

A closer game than i thought it was going to be.

Wales are making some great breaks, but Italy are just closing them down all the time.

[Shifty]

I love Castro as an analyst, I hope he gets a job when he retires, he seems a lovely guy.

[Morgannwg]

This has been the worst game of this years 6ns so far

Worse than Scotland vs England?

Worse than Italy vs England?

[eirebilly]

I think a lot of you are being disrespectful to Italy, it obvious Wales are trying to wear Italy down. Italy cannot defend like this in the second half, and Wales will play their rugby then.

I think that its not disrespectful but more confidence in this Welsh side.

I have been saying all week that Italy will be very difficult to beat. The scoreline in Ireland flattered Ireland and i did not expect Italy to play that badly again.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I think we are seeing the limits of the Welsh team at this point in their development cycle. Priestland hasn't played enough games at this level to quite have a handle on the international game and hasn't learnt when to vary his play. Thats the sort of thing he will only learn the more games he plays. They need to do more than use Roberts, Cuthbert and North to bash it. Its too limited today against this Italian team. If Hook is on the bench I would like to see him brought on to add some variety at 10

[Cari]

I'm not disrespecting them...that's a very high tackle count and they will tire. We've seen it before. As the saying goes you need to score tries to win well and you can't keep defending all the time.

[Taylorman]

Wales have this. The passes just have to stick. They should be drawing the defence in with two or three one ups then throw it wide quickly. You cant beat defences every time by spinning it.

[nobbled]

This has been the worst game of this years 6ns so far

Worse than Scotland vs England?

Worse than Italy vs England?

Yeah 'fraid so.
But the second half will be better!

[Shifty]

I'm not disrespecting them...that's a very high tackle count and they will tire. We've seen it before. As the saying goes you need to score tries to win well and you can't keep defending all the time.

Your right, I think by 50 minutes Wales would of scored their first try and may score as many as 4 before the evenings out.

[Adam D]

I would like to point out that Wales defended for 70 minutes against England last year and won, so its no disrespect to the Azzuri.

They are still in it but I hope that Wales do turn it up in the second half.

[Biltong]

I think we are seeing the limits of the Welsh team at this point in their development cycle. Priestland hasn't played enough games at this level to quite have a handle on the international game and hasn't learnt when to vary his play. Thats the sort of thing he will only learn the more games he plays. They need to do more than use Roberts, Cuthbert and North to bash it. Its too limited today against this Italian team. If Hook is on the bench I would like to see him brought on to add some variety at 10

I am sure gatland will address those issues, they perhaps expected they wil get throught the gaps a little easier, but Italy held on to the tackles.

Two differences in the second half, Wales will offload more as Italy is seriously competing the break down, and they will use their space better with North, roberts and cuthberts slamming the line and then Hlafpenny and Davies will be there to run through.

[eirebilly]

Watching that tackle by Parisse again. That was some tackle

[Taylorman]

This has been the worst game of this years 6ns so far

Worse than Scotland vs England?

Worse than Italy vs England?

Really. Fantastic half I thought. Many missed chances.

Second halfs gonna be just as fast. That 40 went by quick!

[Adam D]

Anyone seen Glas popping his head into the BBC studio yet?

[Cari]

It did fly by didn't it? Can't wait for the Ireland game....

[Maddog]

You have to say Clancy isn't consistent, but he seems to give penalties that no one else would. It was same with Cardiff ulster game, not saying he's right or wrong but I don't think it lends to a flowing game which is a bit disappointing especially for a neutral

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Cari we all know you are looking forward to Tommy...the game is secondary. You're an animal

[Taylorman]

With the amount of ball Wales should have scored first half. With a bit more composure and accuracy, and perhaps patience, they could have got them.

As its shown with Ireland, Italy can drop of towards then end. Expect that here and its a matter of how much Wales can punish them in that last 15-20.

Cmon Wales!

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