Welsh half-backs V Samoa. Poll

Welsh half-back pairing V Samoa, fans vote:

I think you also need to consider the squad that Samoa will bring -
You may need the liked of Phillips to start, and perhaps a more physical 10.

I would expect the samoa team to look something like this -
Sakaria Taulafo, Ti'i Paulo, Census Johnston, Daniel Leo, Filo Paulo,
Maurie Fa'asavalu, Taiasina Tuifu’a, Ofisa Treviranus, Kahn Fotuali'i, Tusi Pisi, David Lemi (c), George Pisi, Johnny Leota, Alesana Tuilagi, Paul Williams.

We haven't got a physical 10 so how about Howley has the guts to at least pick one who is in form

Phillips really is dross.

IMO, I think his physicality has papered over the cracks in his flaws as a scrum half. Even before his dip in form his service is sloppy, slow and inaccurate.

If he spent less time trying to be an "extra flanker" and more time trying to be a Scrum Half I reckon he would get on a lot better. I voted for Knoyle and Biggar but I'm actually in the camp of any halfback combination that keeps Phillips not just out of the 1st XV but not even on the bench.

I have never rated him and I felt he did nothing noteworthy when he came on against the Argentinians. Although the same can be said about the whole Welsh team sadly.

I think Biggar deserves a crack. Priestland hasn't really played well since the RWC and in patches in the 6N.

Get a decent half back combination nailed on now and the Welsh backs could run riot. Roberts, Davies, Williams, North, Cuthbert, Stoddart, Halfpenny, Hook, Byrne you guys have some really dangerous backs, the weakness seems to be at 9 & 10.

What is wrong with Phillips at the moment?

He showed more passion and aggression trying to get a Big Mac than he does playing for Wales..

Rugger

That is hugely informed and just regurgatated from popular opinion on here if I'm being honest!!!

Phillips was far better than Knoyle, who has Phillips attruibutes without the power!

Then to your welsh backs who could run riot, Stoddart and Byrne arent in the side, Hook is a 10 covering positions he can't play, Davies is injured and Roberts is massively off form and not fit.

Phillips has weaknesses, but he is a weapon that a team can capitalise on, his threat around the fringes is rivalled by none except Genia, and then Genia doesnt command 2/3 forwards keeping an eye out, ask Ireland and France. His delivery is slow but not aided by a gameplan designed for slower ball, he offers great fringe defence and wins turnovers.

I'm not actually a fan but he is a usefull weapon in the armery and is missed when not around!!!

uninformed

Needs to be Phillips-Hook. The most experienced 9-10 combo.

If you want to play Philips then IMO you need to plan your tactics around him. I would prefer someone with a quicker pass given the strength of the welsh backs.
Personally I don't like him as a player - I want a SH to just get the ball moving quickly not to try to take on the opposing forwards all the time. He gets caught in possession to often as well.

I wasn't impressed with Knoyle either tho so a difficult decision

Hook has to play, he's been playing well this season and deserves a run at 10. I thought he looked decent when he came on against Italy.

Knoyle had a good game if you ask me, his service was quite quick but wasn't helped by the forwards at the breakdown. He deserves another go.

TJ

I actually agree, but the gameplan does suit him, the pod blind blind blind, he does spend time waiting for the forwards to arrange themselves, he gets a bad press for slow delivery, when everyone should be criticising the poor delivery when he has to pas wider out!!!

Plus his turnover rate isn't that high, and his yardage gained over the gameline is better than any other welsh forward. Thats usefull.

Give Hook a run a flyhalf and don't mess him around, he should play along side Phillips. I would have Richie Rees on the bench if he was in the squad, much better player than Knoyle and Williams (only in the squad as he plays for Cardiff).

Don't start me on Williams...

Dam you did not bite bluesman

If you're looking for an experienced SH with good distribution why is Dwayne Peel still being ignored! The guy has 70 odd caps, a great pass and great awareness. Also the playing outside Wales stuff can't really rule him out any more with the number of players in France.

Phillips and Biggar should get a chance to show what they can do.

Keep hook on the bench and drop Priestland from the 23 match day team.

Has Byrne ever tried fly-half?

I actually thought Phillips service looked much better than Knoyles and better than it has when I've seen it before. I don' t think he likes coming off the bench as he prefers to be involved from the start. I went for him and Hook as I think we need something creative but I think if the forwards don't front up then it won't make a blind bit of difference who plays.

I thought Phillips was streets ahead of Knoyle, whether thats a slight on Knoyle not sure but I think he is still our best option.

For me Biggar deserves his chance with Hook on the bench as FH cover not jack of all trades cover.

I have often criticised Phillips but he is by far the best 9 we have. Knoyle is not international standard and Willams is not even regional standard. Peel might still be decent but the WRU put him in the back of the cupboard and he's covered in dust and cobwebs.

Forget Peel, very good player but fell out with management somewhere down the line just like Popham, there is no way back except with a change of coach.