Who will press the self destruct button for Wales vs France?

Surprisingly, Wales could have mustered up quite a lot of victories over France in recent years, but a quite partial to pressing the self destruct button.

2007: Take an early 14-0 lead (as they did vs Australia that year) only to play the rest of the match like muppets
2009: Early try, set the tempo and then decided to camp in their own 22 for 60 minutes.
2010: Could have easily won but decided to gift France 14 points through interceptions, but lose the match by 6.

Last week EVERYBODY pressed self destruct.

Tomorrow I'm almost certain the lineout monster will be back to get us. The game will be close, but only winnong 50/60% of our own ball and failing to challenge French lineouts will edge it for France.

WHY DON'T WALES CHALLENGE OPPOSING LINEOUTS? ?!?!?!??!?!!??!?!!?!??!?!?!?!?!?@?

Does ANYONE know the answer? Every other team does!

The French don't have a panic button.

Have you ever wondered how the term 'French Leave' ever got coined though?

Because it happens from time to time...

t1000advancedprototype wrote:WHY DON'T WALES CHALLENGE OPPOSING LINEOUTS? ?!?!?!??!?!!??!?!!?!??!?!?!?!?!?@?

Does ANYONE know the answer? Every other team does!

My guess is that the coaches think that if we challenge on the opponents' throw, we won't be in the best place positionally to stop their drive. I can see the sense in that, but if we challenge and disrupt their throw, they won't be in the best place positionally to start their drive. There's also the chance of stealing the ball.

I hate seeing us not challenge. We shouldn't accept them having the ball like that. Restarts are supposed to be contests for posession!

I think whether or not you contest the line depends on where you are. By all means go up for the ball in the opposition 22, and really make sure you do you best to put the opposition hooker and jumpers off their stride. However in your own 22 it is a case of not allowing the defense to have any holes, so say on the deck and be ready to tackle.