Wales vs Fiji

First topic message reminder :

Moving on from the disappointment of last weekend, here is the team to play Fiji



15. Liam Williams (Scarlets)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
13. Scott Williams (Scarlets)
12. Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)
11. George North (Northampton Saints)
10. Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)
9. Mike Phillips (Racing Metro)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, CAPT)
2. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets)
4. Bradley Davies (Wasps)
5. Luke Charteris (Racing Metro)
6. Dan Lydiate (Unattached)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), James Hook (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues).

First up tackles against these guys will be important, and probably running around them is a better idea than through them.

It would be a step backwards if Wales don't win by +10. Thats not being disrespectful to the Fijians, I just think that if Wales are going to take the World Cup seriously they need to be beating sides that don't get much game time together comfortably.

I think the pack again is what lets fiji down.

The backs are juggernaughts, but Fiji need to follow Samoas lead and really develop top pack players.

They are getting there...some are coming through but not amazing just yet.

Geordie I agree but their back five are all good players and will be a big threat.

In terms of breadth this looks like one of their best teams ever.

Oh yes they have a few good uns in the pack..Quera, the Lock etc...but i think Samoa are aead of them in that area.

But if Fiji can continue to improve their pack...they will be a horrible side to play.

It will be an interesting game this weekend thats for sure.

Don't think the scoreline will be the same

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/15045857

However, I'm hoping similar comments to these are in the reports after the game  

"Wales' scrum was on top throughout against the islanders and Priestland marshalled their attack with poise "

"And Wales produced some wonderful interplay as Priestland, Lee Byrne Liam Williams and North combined to send Scott Williams over"

"Wales' dominance continued after the break with more fine attacking play in which Priestland was twice instrumental,"

I do like how the media are producing articles like avoiding repeats of 2007 and the draw in 2010, glossing over the fact the last time we played we won 66-0

IronMike wrote:I do like how the media are producing articles like avoiding repeats of 2007 and the draw in 2010, glossing over the fact the last time we played we won 66-0

Unfortunately, the Welsh media don't do positivity Mike

I'd be very happy with 66-0

It was funny of Gatland to mention it when he was told how Fiji still play videos of 2007 on way to games. He said that Wales still play videos of 66-0.

Seems Dan Baker is fit as he and Amos are the two "travelling reserves". It's a shame both didn't get a game, as with the team we have out it would be perfect to develop those two.

IronMike can you edit into the title "6'4, 243lbs Jamie Roberts Vs 6'5, 275lbs Nemani Nadolo."

Risca Rev wrote:It was funny of Gatland to mention it when he was told how Fiji still play videos of 2007 on way to games. He said that Wales still play videos of 66-0.

Seems Dan Baker is fit as he and Amos are the two "travelling reserves". It's a shame both didn't get a game, as with the team we have out it would be perfect to develop those two.

I'm sure they'll get their chance another time. Shame that they didn't recover a bit faster though.

There's nothing wrong with Amos. Not going to get too many more opportunities before the WC now.

Nothing wrong with any of the Dragons by the goings on at the Brewery Field last night. What a performance.

maestegmafia wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:It was funny of Gatland to mention it when he was told how Fiji still play videos of 2007 on way to games. He said that Wales still play videos of 66-0.

Seems Dan Baker is fit as he and Amos are the two "travelling reserves". It's a shame both didn't get a game, as with the team we have out it would be perfect to develop those two.

I'm sure they'll get their chance another time. Shame that they didn't recover a bit faster though.

Following on from the Haibbard debate isn't it McBryde who has said if your fit for the bench your fit to start so surely if Bakers and Amos are fit and 'travelling reserves' surely they are fit to start after all what if Faletau is ruled out this morning Baker would possibly play from the off.

I think its a shame Baker hasn't started today, his form this season deserves it.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:It was funny of Gatland to mention it when he was told how Fiji still play videos of 2007 on way to games. He said that Wales still play videos of 66-0.

Seems Dan Baker is fit as he and Amos are the two "travelling reserves". It's a shame both didn't get a game, as with the team we have out it would be perfect to develop those two.

I'm sure they'll get their chance another time. Shame that they didn't recover a bit faster though.

Following on from the Haibbard debate isn't it McBryde who has said if your fit for the bench your fit to start so surely if Bakers and Amos are fit and 'travelling reserves' surely they are fit to start after all what if Faletau is ruled out this morning Baker would possibly play from the off.

I think its a shame Baker hasn't started today, his form this season deserves it.

They aren't on the bench, they both only just recovered from injury and to be honest if we are resting and repairing as well as releasing players to their foreign clubs then we probably only had the two kids in the sanatorium left.

Why would we want to play Baker or Amos if they weren't fit?

Rhys Priestland is favourite with the bookies to to take the man of the match award...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-vs-fiji-big-match-8114519

Maes,

They are travelling reserves as such which means if any of the forwards/backs were ruled out this morning they would step in so if fit enough for that fit enough to play.

I have never understood this fit for the bench rubbish as surely like said if fit for bench then fit to play.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Maes,

They are travelling reserves as such which means if any of the forwards/backs were ruled out this morning they would step in so if fit enough for that fit enough to play.

I have never understood this fit for the bench rubbish as surely like said if fit for bench then fit to play.

Sure mate but they were not fit in time for selection earlier this week, so they were not in contention.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:It was funny of Gatland to mention it when he was told how Fiji still play videos of 2007 on way to games. He said that Wales still play videos of 66-0.

Seems Dan Baker is fit as he and Amos are the two "travelling reserves". It's a shame both didn't get a game, as with the team we have out it would be perfect to develop those two.

I'm sure they'll get their chance another time. Shame that they didn't recover a bit faster though.

Following on from the Haibbard debate isn't it McBryde who has said if your fit for the bench your fit to start so surely if Bakers and Amos are fit and 'travelling reserves' surely they are fit to start after all what if Faletau is ruled out this morning Baker would possibly play from the off.

I think its a shame Baker hasn't started today, his form this season deserves it.

They aren't on the bench, they both only just recovered from injury and to be honest if we are resting and repairing as well as releasing players to their foreign clubs then we probably only had the two kids in the sanatorium left.

Why would we want to play Baker or Amos if they weren't fit?

Again, Amos isn't really "just back from injury".

maestegmafia wrote:Rhys Priestland is favourite with the bookies to to take the man of the match award...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-vs-fiji-big-match-8114519

I would prefer Niko Matawalu at at 35-1 to the Priest at 6-1!

maestegmafia wrote:Rhys Priestland is favourite with the bookies to to take the man of the match award...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-vs-fiji-big-match-8114519

I think if I was Priestland and the opponent was Fiji...I'd run a million miles away from that award. It's a consolation prize I wouldn't be interested in as the Fiji game won't be informing Gatland's decisions down the line for that position.

SecretFly wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Rhys Priestland is favourite with the bookies to to take the man of the match award...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-vs-fiji-big-match-8114519

I think if I was Priestland and the opponent was Fiji...I'd run a million miles away from that award.  It's a consolation prize I wouldn't be interested in as the Fiji game won't be informing Gatland's decisions down the line for that position.

I agree that Matawalu would be a better bet at 35:1

It is a nice commendation of Priestland by the bookies to place him favourite. He is apparently a confidence player and I am sure he will be sufficiently buoyed by the news..

Let's hope he plays really well.

Liam Williams kicking well so far, Wales are very loose.

Criminal not to give that pass

Wales should be behind after thst move and missed tackles

There are going to be some injuries after this game

Let's not kid ourselves, Priestland is playing crap, he hasn't been particularly good all season. Hope WALES take advantage now.

So how come the Welsh hooker wasn't binned when he killed the ball on his own 5m line??

RDW_Scotland wrote:So how come the Welsh hooker wasn't binned when he killed the ball on his own 5m line??

Probably something to do with the contrasting penalty count between the two teams.

We must have the worst ball retentiton skills of any rugby playing nation, expect perhaps Finland (very cold hands). Truly awful. Priestland has thrown in away (literally) a few times now. We do not protect the ball well at all.

Nothing in that tackle rdw, what do you think?

Would argue that a penalty on your 5m line when the other team are going for a try, irrespective of how many penalties there have been, should always be a yellow.

P.s. What's going on with the 606v2 'clock'? It says my last post was at 1.13am?!

Check out the Global announcement Griff!

Lydiate was not held!

Haven't been here for 6 months!

We won't put a try past all blacks playing like this. Rubbish basic skills.

Wales are poor today williams the outstanding player against poor players

If Wales were playing a more disciplined team they'd be in real trouble. Really really poor play from Wales just now

If welsh players stopped dropping the ball in contact we would have a healthy margin.

The game is being killed by handling errors and silly passes...

In the old days, we either went to the game, crowded around a neighbours TV, (along with a hundred others from the cape), or listened the radio.

All those options are better than 30 minutes of TMO footage.

He has to go! Glad I did not go to the game, ref slowing the game down.

Does George North know where his wing is? He's had a terrible game so far

Priestland staying on what ever happens, this is shocking play!

Nicky Smith gets his first cap

Why does our skill set always go to pieces against these Islanders? Worst game of the weekend by a country mile.

I think we should have changed both half-backs 20 minutes ago. Neither 9 or 10 has controlled the game.

Liam Williams adds pace again, the ref working hard to prevent a try.

Anyone know if we were disallowed a try around 50 minutes? I missed at as I was downstairs, but the commentators seem to think we were?