Wales Team v Samoa

15. Steffan Jones
14. Cuthbert
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Beck
11. Halfpenny
10. Patchell
9. Phillips
8. Warburton
7. Tipuric
6. Navidi
5. Charteris
4. Anyone else
3. Who Cares
2. Owens
1. God Knows

The props would def be Jones and Jenkins for Samoa, or maybe Gill as an outside bet.

As you say lock could be anyone from Ianto/AWJ/Bradley/Charts - though I do think Charteris could be the one to lose out because he's not playing in Wales.

I don't think Gats will take a risk on such an inexperienced pivot with Patchell - unless he absolutely blows away everyone else in the next month, which is unlikely.

But Steffan Jones could well get a shot.

Love to see Patchell and Steffan Jones in the team.

Good mix of talent. No need for three open sides in the backrow though.

I want someone to try 3 open sides at International level... just as an experiment. We're lucky to have 3 good young ones.

Sorry but cant see S Jones getting in at the moment especially at XV where it will be between Halfpenny and Williams.

Our performances against the Islanders always will me with drerad and rightly so and whilst I am all for using the AIs as a bit of experiment we cant underestimate Samoa the game is in the IRB window so other than any injuries all players should be available to us.

I would go for

James
Owens
A Jones
Charteris
Evans
Shingler
R Jones
Tipuric

Phillips
Tovey

Cuthbert
S Williams
Davies
Brew

L Williams

Jenkins, Rees, Davies, Faletau, Priestland, Beck, Halfpenny

On second thoughts I would rest A Jones but who else is there without switching a L/Head?

Is Mitchell fit if so hows he going?

Mitchell is out injured until Christmas. We would have to play a youngster at Tighthead if Adam is out or rested.

I think he will need the game time so I would play him in all the tests.

Why Tovey BW???

He has only played preseason games and was at fullback.

Patchell and Steffan Jones are the too form fly halves in Wales.

Maes,

I did think lets play Adam in all four but then thought as he would def be needed for the last two the Samoa game is only reasonable one he could be rested for but as Mitchell is out then he may have to play all four though I can see James playing there.

Went for Tovey as have always been fan of his and just thought lets see how he goes, of course we don't even know what squad will be.

I cant see Patchell or Jones being involved other than as part of theri development whcih fair play Gatland likes to do.

It would however be a bot of a smack i nthe chops for Tovey if Jones did get picked and he didn't given that he left us for Blues to progress his carear

My team for Samoa would be

1.Gill
2.Rees
3.James
4.Davies
5.Charteris
6.Shingler
7.Tipuric
8.Jones
9.Phillips
10.Hook
11.Brew
12.Beck
13.Davies
14.Cuthbert
15.Williams

Doh,

When I was thinking who to put at 10 I forgot all about Hook, yh would give him a crack.

Back to previous question though what T/Heads have we out there that are fit who we could maybe give a run out to rather than switching a L/Head

I think it'll be a big decision (at this time) to play Tovey as he hasn't played, Biggar would probably be in instead of him - Gats will prob feel Steffan Jones is too inexperienced and Patchell is definately too inexperienced (but may be in the squad).

Can see why you'd go for Brew and he is meant to be doing well in France, but I can honestly not see him getting back in while Gats is around, what with North, Cuthbert, Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Robinson and even Harries competing for a space. It's a shame as he is good and brings a good lot of physicality and threat to his game.

BW,

Jarvis, Eifion Roberts (playing predominately at loosehead now though), Joe Rees, Nathan Buck, Dan Way (is he WQ?) Scott Andrews and Samson Lee

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I think it'll be a big decision (at this time) to play Tovey as he hasn't played, Biggar would probably be in instead of him - Gats will prob feel Steffan Jones is too inexperienced and Patchell is definately too inexperienced (but may be in the squad).

Can see why you'd go for Brew and he is meant to be doing well in France, but I can honestly not see him getting back in while Gats is around, what with North, Cuthbert, Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Robinson and even Harries competing for a space. It's a shame as he is good and brings a good lot of physicality and threat to his game.

If Howley wants to win against Samoa though playing Robinson would be a huge risk, he was exposed by the Brumbies so i think he's still a bit too raw at the moment. I don't think Harries would fair well against the Samoan's either.

I think North will/should be rested for that game.

Brew was palying well even before France but I suspect (and hope) that Halfpenny, and North will all be fit enough to play in the other 3 so thought be could chanc to give Brew and L Williams a run but not complete new back 3.

gowales wrote:BW,

Jarvis, Eifion Roberts (playing predominately at loosehead now though), Joe Rees, Nathan Buck, Dan Way (is he WQ?) Scott Andrews and Samson Lee

Go,

Well IMO you can discount Andrews straight off as he's not upto the standard.

Our (Dragons) scrum is never that strong so not sure Buck and Way would be upto it.

Lee and Rees had good reviews but isn't Lee injured to?

Whilst I very much expect to see James named there out of that lot I would go for Roberts

bedfordwelsh wrote:

gowales wrote:BW,

Jarvis, Eifion Roberts (playing predominately at loosehead now though), Joe Rees, Nathan Buck, Dan Way (is he WQ?) Scott Andrews and Samson Lee

Go,

Well IMO you can discount Andrews straight off as he's not upto the standard.

Our (Dragons) scrum is never that strong so not sure Buck and Way would be upto it.

Lee and Rees had good reviews but isn't Lee injured to?

Whilst I very much expect to see James named there out of that lot I would go for Roberts

BW,
The only thing is though Samoa's scrum isn't that powerful, especially on the loosehead side. I don't think they really have a stand out there. Their tighthead's are monstrous though.

For what it's worth i still wouldn't select Andrews..

No Lee isn't injured (unless he got injured against the Os and it hasn't been reported - he def finished the game though)

You could be thinking of Rob Evans the LH, whose injured for the Scarlets and will be out for quite awhile.

It would be good to see one (or both) of Gill and Efion Roberts playing against Samoa.

gowales wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I think it'll be a big decision (at this time) to play Tovey as he hasn't played, Biggar would probably be in instead of him - Gats will prob feel Steffan Jones is too inexperienced and Patchell is definately too inexperienced (but may be in the squad).

Can see why you'd go for Brew and he is meant to be doing well in France, but I can honestly not see him getting back in while Gats is around, what with North, Cuthbert, Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Robinson and even Harries competing for a space. It's a shame as he is good and brings a good lot of physicality and threat to his game.

If Howley wants to win against Samoa though playing Robinson would be a huge risk, he was exposed by the Brumbies so i think he's still a bit too raw at the moment. I don't think Harries would fair well against the Samoan's either.

I think North will/should be rested for that game.

I agree with this and that Brew had been playing well before he went to France - that's kinda why I mentioned he was at the back of the choices, as he was playing well for the Dragons and Gats would usually ignore him, so now he's out in France I think it's even more unlikely.
Especially with Gats new golden boy Robinson, who as you say may struggle against Samoa, but Gats may still select him.

I see what you mean bru, Brew's still only 26 so i hope that they consider him.

Priest,

I do like the sound of Gill and Roberts, whilst not solving out T/head problem maybe Gill and James might work to.

Priest,

I do like the sound of Gill and Roberts, whilst not solving out T/head problem maybe Gill and James might work to.

Prydie is a likely inclusion for his goal kicking as well as his pace. Ahead of Brew because of that.

That's true, Prydie would be ahead of Steffan Jones at FB as well - and also ahead of Harries on my list - I think a back 3 of Liam Williams, Prydie and Cuthbert/Halfpenny looks really good and has huge potential.

Out run 'em not out muscle 'em.

Gethin
Owens
Lee/Jones/Rees
Ian Evans
AWJ
Shingler
Tupuric
Ryan
Phillips
Patchell
Robinson
Beck
Hughes
Prydie
Williams

Beware putting out a weakened team against Samoa.
If they can bring all their exported players to the table then they can beat most teams.

The last thing Wales will want is for another Pacific Islands side to take a scalp.

Play your strongest team and take momentum into all the other AI's.

maestegmafia wrote:Out run 'em not out muscle 'em.

Why not both, whilst not risking too many front line players

L Williams
T Prydie
A Beck
S Williams
A Brew
J Hook
T Knoyle

G Jenkins
M Rees
P James
I Evans
AW Jones
D Lydiate
S Warburton
T Faletau

(Bench -: K Owens, D Jones, S Lee (if 23 man), A Shingler, J Tipuric, R Webb, R Priestland, D Evans).

Plenty of bulk and ball playing ability in there, and also not too many players that will be expected to start (or even feature) in the other three fixtures.

As prop David says, I wouldn't risk putting too much of a 2nd/3rd string side out, as Samoa can be very dangerous and last time we lost/drew to a Southern Islands side it didn't do Biggar/Rees too much good being in a 2nd choice side that struggled.

I'd def consider Prydie and Liam Williams, Beck or Scott Williams in the centre and a backrow of Shingler, Ryan Jones and Tupric but wouldn't mess around with much else TBH - maybe Efion and Gill/James as props but equally you could have Jenks and A Jones starting with Lee/Bevington ready to come on after 60mins.

Logovi'i Mulipola, prop, age 24, caps 5 (Tigers young prop)
Mahonri Schwalger, hooker, age 32, caps 36
Census Johnston, prop, age 30, caps 30 (Not sure if he is still at Toulouse)
Daniel Leo, second-row, age 28, caps 26
Filipo Levi, second-row, age 33, caps 24
Maurie Fa'asavalu, flanker, age 31, caps 10 (moster at quins)
Manaia Salavea, flanker, age 25, caps 8
George Stowers, No8, age 32, caps 19 (is he at Ospreys at the moment?)
Junior Poluleuligaga, scrum-half, age 30, caps 18
Tusi Pisi, fly-half, age 29, caps 3
David Lemi, wing, age 29, caps 29
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, centre, age 30, caps 19
Seilala Mapusua, centre (c), age 31, caps 19 (May not be available - depends on Japan club commitments)
Alesana Tuilagi, wing, age 30, caps 22 (same as Mapusua)
Paul Williams, full-back, age 28, caps 7

Guys Like this on the bench -
Sailosi Tagicakibau, wing, age 28, caps 18
Anthony Perenise, prop, age 28, caps 10 (Currently at Bath)
George Pisi, centre, age 25, caps 7 (Exellent at Saints)
Ken Pisi (new Saints signing)

Add in the likes of

Alafoti Fa'osiliva (7's monster at Bristol)
Taiasina Tuifu'a (Big hitter at Newcastle)
Ofisa Treviranus (Big hitter at L Irish)
Kane Thompson (Chiefs NZ)
Joe Tekori (Castres)
Kahn Fotuali'i (Ospreys)
Ti’i Paulo (Clermont)

They've got extremely good players. It's just a struggle to prepare them for the test though, they won't have very long together. As you say propdavid they have trouble getting released by their clubs, a lot of the time they even sign contracts in which the clubs restrict them from playing international rugby, that's what happens with Jamie Cudmore with Canada, he only plays in the WC. That's the main reason why they struggle in between world cups.

The good thing is that when these teams tour the Northern Hemisphere they every now and again can get them all together.
You never know how strong the team is going to be so you need to plan for the best they can bring -
if you need any reminders there are plenty of you tube clips of the Samoa v Oz pre WC game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xZc1AHFRzQ

No doubting the well acknowledged strengths of Samoan rugby but we do also have to consider a bit of squad rotation over the four games, for the matter of experience in the squad as well as testing the faithful.

gowales wrote:My team for Samoa would be

1.Gill Jenkins
2.Rees
3.James
4.Davies
5.Charteris
6.Shingler
7.Tipuric
8.Jones
9.Phillips
10.Hook
11.Brew
12.Beck
13.Davies
14.Cuthbert
15.Williams

Jenkins won't be available for the OZ test, so playing in 3 of the tests wouldn't be too much for him.

maestegmafia wrote:No doubting the well acknowledged strengths of Samoan rugby but we do also have to consider a bit of squad rotation over the four games, for the matter of experience in the squad as well as testing the faithful.

The WRU hasn't helped Howley and co at all.
Playing the same players four international matches in a row, against the opposition we've got linked up isn't really possible.

Why speculate about Samoa there is a much bigger game the week before and a massive game the week after.

IMO Wales will put out a full strength side this autumn, there will be no trials v samoa except perhaps for bench options. Like England these autumn tests are a crossroads and we must win 3/4 including beating Aus!

Argentina will be seasoned by the Rugby Championship and will be ken to take scalps to prove it. In addition having Howler as our coach makes me clench; i expect us to beat Samoa and Argentina but you will know within about 10 minutes of the kick off v Arg whether Gatland's Lion's ambitions are going to cost us progressing to where we should be.

I agree that Wales should put out their strongest effort for all tests. But we do need to blood some future players else we will end up like the England team in 2004 with 80% of the talent retired and a third string inexperienced squad in a few years time.

fine maesteg, bench them v samoa and argentina and bring them on for 20 minutes if the game is won but we must put out our strongest possible side with the most expereinced players v NZ and Aus and we MUST beat Aus or for me we will start to unravel.

Having written that i realise the best option might be play the kids v Aus as they won't be burdened by the failure like those involved in the last 5 games

Think we all know we cant underestimate Samoa and our record proves that so it is a mixing game

maestegmafia wrote:I agree that Wales should put out their strongest effort for all tests. But we do need to blood some future players else we will end up like the England team in 2004 with 80% of the talent retired and a third string inexperienced squad in a few years time.

We've got world cup seeding on the line though.

The Japan tour will be fine for testing youngsters out.

Will Gatland Survive a loss to Samoa?

I think bringing in one or two players who have proved they deserve it is fine - Tupric and Liam Williams for example - but the core of the 1st XV (say 10 or so players) must be kept. This gives experience to a few players (2 starting and say 2-3 coming off the bench) in both games but avoids wholesale changes - I suppose Halfpenny will have to play every game for his kicking, unless you take a risk with Priestland/Hook and Prydie in the team (Prydie as one of the two new players).

anotherworldofpain wrote:Will Gatland Survive a loss to Samoa?

As Gatlands not in charge I guess he would

Surely he is ultimately responsible, is my point!

If he deputises and goes off on a jolly, then Wales lose, then his position as head coach must be questioned since it happen on his watch!

anotherworldofpain wrote:Surely he is ultimately responsible, is my point!

If he deputises and goes off on a jolly, then Wales lose, then his position as head coach must be questioned since it happen on his watch!

Not likely, if anything Howley, Edwards, McBryde, the gorundsmen and tea lady will all be sacked, and Gats will come out of it looking even better and even more important, as we would not have lost if he were in charge.

Ah...but he is, in charge.

AWOP

bit off topic mate........... and what are you trying to get at?

Do you want to comment on the Wales team or maybe some of the thoughts of the posters suggestions

Whilst some of these selections are based on reputation this is what I feel is currently our strongest side and the one we should start the AI Series with against the Pumas

Jenkins
Owens
A Jones
AWJ (I would still go with Charteris
Evans
Lydiate
R Jones
Warburton

Phillips
Priestland (Halfpenny takes place kicks)

North
Roberts
Williams
Cuthbert

Halfpenny

If that team started against the Pumas it should hopefully get the AIs off to a good start

Sorry but cant see S Jones getting in at the moment especially at XV where it will be between Halfpenny and Williams.

Our performances against the Islanders always will me with drerad and rightly so and whilst I am all for using the AIs as a bit of experiment we cant underestimate Samoa the game is in the IRB window so other than any injuries all players should be available to us.

Then for the Samoa game I would go with

James
Rees (Did originally go with Owens)
A Jones (Give a youngster 50 mins)
Charteris
Evans
Shingler
Faletau (Did originally go with Jones)
Tipuric

Phillips Possibly only available for first three games so lets use him)
Hook (Did originally go with Tovey but cant see it happening)

Cuthbert
S Williams
Davies
Brew

L Williams

Thats 10 changes in total which does seem a lot but there are no real bolters in there (L Williams and a young T/H possibly) and the players coming in are generally all use to the set up and been involved for some time now

Excuse my ignorance but who's Patchell? I thought i'd heard of the Wales 10 options but never heard of him...

yappy,

Hes the new kid on the block with the Blues this season. Seems very level headed and certainly looks to have a lot of the attributes needed for the top level.

I very much doubt he will be involved during the AIs other than just in a training with the squad capacity

The Blues young fly-half yappy. He's had a two starts this season and the rest was off the bench. Think of everything Priestland does for the national team backline, excpet more pace, a better tackler/kicker; that's Patchell. Hopefully his progress continues and if it does then I really hope he gets some game time for Wales in the autumn ahead of Show boater and drop-goal merchant/big baby.

Morg,

I really cant see him getting any game time this Autumn, he well get a call up just to experience being part of squad etc but that will be it.