Wales Team vs Tonga

First topic message reminder :

We had a great game yesterday and we thoroughly deserved it.
Now on to next week vs the Tongan's and with our record with injuries, i'm not looking forward to it. Watched them vs Frances and they were very physical. A lot of the French ended up on their arse.
Tonga to have a threat in their backs and a good ball carrying pack. The dilemma we have it that we have Australia the week after and we want as many of out first team starters as we can. However we need to win this game next week against a descent Tongan team without risking our star players because i sense a few more injures will occur against a brutal side who show no mercy:

Here is my team for the game:
1. Paul James
2. Ken Owens
3. Samson Lee
4. Bradley Davies (C)
5. Ian Evans (if fit)
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Toby Falateu

9. Rhodri Wiliiams
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Liam Williams
12. Ashley Beck
13. Owen Williams
14. Geogre North
15. James Hook

16. Emyr Phillips, 17. Gethin Jenkins, 18. Rhodri Jones, 19. Luke Charteris, 20. Ryan Jones, 21. Mike Phillips, 22. Dan Biggar, 23. Tom Prydie

The Tongan scrum is shocking and i have no worries what so ever. Paul and Samson would be our key to winning the game at scrum time, both deserve a shot.
If Ian is fit he should start and join with Bradley to have there own little battle to see who is ready for the match against Australia, Bradley can also bring that physicality to the pack as well which will be needed vs the big pacific islanders. For me Bradley has been amazing so far this Autumn and deserve a start vs Australia but if Ian can come back into form Bradley will have to fight for his spot.
Dan needs to be on the field o cut down these tree like figures and needs game time if he is set to start vs the Aussies
To me Gats is definitely going to start Dan and Sam for the Aussie game which is why Tipuric deserves another start int he form he is in.
We need Toby's edge and physicality in the pack; it's a risk but i wuld be willing to take it

Mike was exceptional on Saturday but we still need more depth at 9 because it is the are were we are weakest (depth wise) at the moment. Lloyd has been ok when he has come on but i want to see Rhodri have a shot

Priestland should start for another chance to shine, Biggar played really well on Saturday and made us play an expansive game; if Priestland is to start vs the Aussies he needs a corker.
Don't have much of a choice at Center and we can't risk Scott
George needs to start for the physicality that is set to be set upon us on Friday, again it's a risk but i would be willing to take it. However i wouldn't hesitate in staring Eli if he is fit.
James has stated he wants to play so much and this is the only chance i feel Gatland will give him to shine.

Love the pack, hate the halfbacks.

Comfort wrote:Love the pack, hate the halfbacks.

Thats a bit harsh on the Halfbacks. Both have had good seasons so far.

Hasn't Hook been playing full back for Perpignan?

LP he has, they even re-signed him with the eye to play 15 and cover both 10/15.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Hasn't Hook been playing full back for Perpignan?

Full back and Flyhalf... Looked very good at Flyhalf against Edinburgh last month. Received some very good reviews.

Tonga have some big units so let's hope we make them run around.This will tire them out and flatten the divots!

Dont worry the ref will protect us!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24994403

munkian wrote:Hope Ryan J has a top game, Faletau needs someone snapping at his heels to keep him sharp

If he was any sharper he`d be a "lemon sherbet"

Nice one Dai...!

Taffineastbourne wrote:Tonga have some big units so let's hope we make them run around.This will tire them out and flatten the divots!

They might be big units but boy can they move, watched them vs France and there 13 and 15 were lethal.

I think our fitness will be a big factor though and we have the stronger bench. This will be by no means an easy game, not by far as Tonga really brought it to France but they are very ill disciplined.

I'm happy with the team, some old heads, some youngsters and hopefully they can combine and win it for us.

Also this will be a perfect challenge for Rhodri Jones come scrum time, they are very weak at the scrum and I hope he can gain a bit of confidence from it.

WTF

just noticed Jordan Williams is on the bench, when did he get called up?

And ahead of Prydie, that doesn't make sense. good for him but I hope we get all these players back next week against Connacht

Jh,

Prydie injured

I expect us to win but it could be very costly

Tonga will come out to smash us into the stands and likely we will incur more injuries

Thank god TF is rested.

I think the 1/2 back pairing is dicey, Hook is dicey at 10 but i imagine Gatland will hammer the game plan home and make it clear we should play possession and territory and the win will come.

If he chucks any interceptions we have Priestland……….oh god

bedfordwelsh wrote:Jh,

Prydie injured

Really, what the hell are they doing in training, UFC training.

Happy with that team, much better options in the line out, hard working back row and a decent captain. Not sure about Amos, half brain Tom James may be a better option but the rest of the backs look exciting. Looking forward to the game. Wales by 20, I can't see Tonga getting much ball in the set plays.

IronMike wrote:Dont worry the ref will protect us!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24994403

Morisi had his spleen removed after a legitimate tackle.

Scary stuff

OK, just to underline it once more, PRYDIE IS INJURED  

Amos should do a fine job, stepped up to every level so far

Jhamer25 wrote:WTF

just noticed Jordan Williams is on the bench, when did he get called up?

And ahead of Prydie, that doesn't make sense. good for him but I hope we get all these players back next week against Connacht

Connacht is this week boss  , it is Leinster away next week  !

I have no doubt that Amos is up to the job of playing on the wing for Wales, however I do think this may be a bit more of a physical game than I would have like to see him thrown into. I can't help looking at our backs, and even our backs on the bench, and thinking that they must be the smallest set of backs we have put out in a decade (bar George), and I have a horrible feeling that there are going to be more players unavailable due to injury come the end of the match.

He's played in Junior World Cups agaisnt the Springboks, England etc and survived so we shouldn't need to cotton wool him

I think Edwards has been clever in pleading with the ref to stamp out anything above and beyond with Tonga so maybe they'll tone things down a bit

Munkian - it's not wrapping him in cotton wool as such, but if he were in a backline with a bit more beef I would feel happier (the same goes for Rhodri and Jordan Williams on the bench). That said he is in a good position to show Gatland that a Cuthbert/North/Williams style physical winger is not the only type of winger there is (bit like Shane showing Hansen that there are alternatives to James/Alfie etc).

Agreed. Its nice to see us playing some 2005esque rugby without looking for contact all the time.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I have no doubt that Amos is up to the job of playing on the wing for Wales, however I do think this may be a bit more of a physical game than I would have like to see him thrown into.  I can't help looking at our backs, and even our backs on the bench, and thinking that they must be the smallest set of backs we have put out in a decade (bar George), and I have a horrible feeling that there are going to be more players unavailable due to injury come the end of the match.

Its just one thing you have to accept in today's game, the South Africa game showed that, we lose 2 key players very early on. Australia had the same problem in the first Lions test, you cant help it so just let them play and if they get a knock we just need to accept that its part of the game.

Hallam Amos is baby-faced, but he isn't that small at all for a back.

i think people forgetting how small halfpenny is and he's Wales last line of defence and he does ok . clubs sides as tongas and boks so i guess amos been up against a few big bug**rs

My thing about size was not aimed at Amos, but aimed at the whole backline. Lloyd Williams is a little bloke, and so is Rhodri Williams on the bench. Hook is not a big physical type fly half, and on the bench is Priest who has had questions asked of his defence recently. Then both Owen Williams and Beck are know for their attacking skills, but neither are particularly solid in defence. Amos is young and inexperienced, and Jordan Williams on the bench is two foot tall, and five stone soaking wet. Whilst I know that every one of those boys will give 100%, I honestly think if I was a Tongan back, or loose forward I would be looking forward to getting a chance to run at any of them.

Thought Shove, being a Lion an' all, was going to be rested "so they are fresh for their clubs".

You mean fresh for the Aussies surely ?

Gatland did mention the Clubs as well to and am surprised him and North are playing.

Yeah, I'd rather they were both rested or benched

munkian wrote:Yeah, I'd rather they were both rested or benched

I'll wager the Tongans will attempt to give them both a rest on the bench, if you get my drift.

 Tonga

Vungakoto Lilo (Tarbes Pyrenees); Fetuemoana Vainokolo (Exeter), Siale Piutau (Yamaha), Sione Piukala (Perpignan), Will Hellu (London Wasps); Latiume Fosita (Borthland Taniwha), Taniela Moa (Selection Paloise); Eddie (Aholelei (Melbourne Rebels), Vaea Taione (Jersey), Sila Puafisi (Tasman Mako), Tukulua Lokotui (Gloucester), Joe Tuineau (Lyon Olympique), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester), Nili Langilangi Lotu (NEC Rockets, capt), Viliami Ma’afu (Oyonnax).

Reps: Suliasi Taufalele (Counties Manaku), Taione Vea (London Wasps), Tevita Mailau (Mont de Marsan), Hale T Pole (Southland), Opeti Fonua (Bayonne), Samisoni Fisilau (Bay of Plenty), Fangatapu (Northland Taniwha), David Harvey Falaifonua (Hofoa RFC)

munkian wrote: Tonga

Vungakoto Lilo (Tarbes Pyrenees); Fetuemoana Vainokolo (Exeter), Siale Piutau (Yamaha), Sione Piukala (Perpignan), Will Hellu (London Wasps); Latiume Fosita (Borthland Taniwha), Taniela Moa (Selection Paloise); Eddie (Aholelei (Melbourne Rebels), Vaea Taione (Jersey), Sila Puafisi (Tasman Mako), Tukulua Lokotui (Gloucester), Joe Tuineau (Lyon Olympique), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester), Nili Langilangi Lotu (NEC Rockets, capt), Viliami Ma’afu (Oyonnax).

Reps: Suliasi Taufalele (Counties Manaku), Taione Vea (London Wasps), Tevita Mailau (Mont de Marsan), Hale T Pole (Southland), Opeti Fonua (Bayonne), Samisoni Fisilau (Bay of Plenty), Fangatapu (Northland Taniwha), David Harvey Falaifonua (Hofoa RFC)

Jeebus there are some pretty big names in there  

I set em up, you knock em down

To begin with I meant it without the  , with the likes of Vainokolo, Piukala, Hellu, Kalamafoni, T Pole and Fonua (all must be known to a few of our lads as have played along side them)

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:WTF

just noticed Jordan Williams is on the bench, when did he get called up?

And ahead of Prydie, that doesn't make sense. good for him but I hope we get all these players back next week against Connacht

Connacht is this week boss  , it is Leinster away next week   !

Oh yea  

Big Tongan team, i hope our players come out of it in one piece.

Fighting talk for this one! The Tonga captain has called Edwards' comments insulting to his side.

Should be entertaining if nothing else. Also lends a view into the Pacific philosophy on tackling and physicality.

If Wales don't stand up and take note of this then we deserve to lose. When you take the Pacific sides for granted and try to beat them at their own game (the collision) the result is usually very messy and very unsatisfying. Samoa showed last year it can still happen, that particular hoodoo has not been put to bed yet. Tonga themselves downed Scotland at Murrayfield this time last year.

Never too late to learn lessons in this sport. Wales should look to spread the ball wide and run the Tongans ragged instead of seek a confrontation of sorts. Against the Pumas there were clear signs of greater confidence with ball in hand imo, something that the players should build on on Friday.

They have picked a team for a fast wide game.

Any thoughts on a likely outcome?

Wales to win, no idea what the score will look like though. I'll be stunned not to mention livid if we choke, no disrespect to Tonga intended.

Knowsit17 wrote:Wales to win, no idea what the score will look like though. I'll be stunned not to mention livid if we choke, no disrespect to Tonga intended.

It's a good looking Tongan team. I agree we should be winners.

Whilst never wanting to take nay team for granted especially with our record against Samoa and Fiji I think in the first place our pack should be too strong technically for them. and we really need to knock stuffing out of them early on with few early scores.

Though that said if the Tongans get a head of steam up it could be a very interesting evening for Hook, O Williams and Beck in the centre neither of which fill me with confidence in the defence stakes.

The win aside the biggest thing hopefully to come out of this game is no serious injuries especially to the likes of the back row or Halfpenny and North

Here is coverage from YouTube of last weekends France vs tonga match

https://youtu.be/uUcHQGwyETw

Tonga were very close to scoring a few tries in the first half. Ball in hand they are very good.

Their set piece, scrum in particular is poor.

Really good Tongan skills keeping the ball alive, lots of offloading. They break the gain line constantly, they have good support runners, powerful players all through the team. Their scrum half looks the aize of our Hibbard.

We need a controlled game then, kick to corners etc....ah. Hook at 10  

Hook is not an issue in my opinion. Yes corners. Challenge the line out and take the ball wide. They tired very quickly last weekend.

They seriously struggled defending driving mauls from line outs.

There is plenty of opportunity at scrum time. Rhodri Jones held up well last week. Wales could really impose themselves if the scrum goes well for us.

Another big test for Rhodri Jones.

munkian wrote:We need a controlled game then, kick to corners etc....ah. Hook at 10  

Hook is an excellent kicker out of hand but this is a baffling selection. He hasn't started a test in more than two years (unless you count a Baa-baas game in the centre) and was ignored by Gatland as a 10 option when he was playing well at 10 in France.

Now Hook has taken on a utility role at Perpignan, Gatland finally gives him a start ahead of his two favoured options, Priestland and Biggar? One would assume whichever of those two wasn't going to start against Aus could benefit from a start tomorrow?

Hook's in a no win situation here. If he plays well, people will say it was because it was in an easy game. If, as is probably more likely as he's not playing 10 regularly, he tries too hard to impress and has a nightmare, the 'can't control a game' comments will be flowing like bum gravy again.

Don't see what Gatland is trying to achieve here.

Casartelli wrote:Don't see what Gatland is trying to achieve here.

Doesn't want his No1 and 2 to get injured.

Hook is being used as cannon fodder against Tonga, but it wasn't that long ago Hook got Wales out of trouble against the Baa baas.