Wales v Fiji, 1 October

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WALES v FIJI
1 October 2015
KO: 16:45
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Live on [tbc]

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) & Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)

A. Head to Head

10 Played 10
8 Won 1
1 Drawn 1
1 Lost 8
306 Points 132

B. Recent Form

15 November 2014
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
17 – 13 to Wales

2 October 2011
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand
66 – 0 to Wales

19 November 2010
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
16 – 16 Draw

29 September 2007
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France
34 – 38 to Fiji

11 November 2005
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
11 – 10 to Wales

9 November 2002
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
58 – 14 to Wales

C. Teams

WALES

Matthew Morgan, Alex Cuthbert, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton (captain), Dan Lydiate, Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, Tomas Francis, Scott Baldwin, Gethin Jenkins.

Reserves: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, James Hook.

FIJI

Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Vereniki Goneva, Lepani Botia, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Ben Volavola, Nemia Kenatale; Netani Talei, Akapusi Qera (captain), Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu.

Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Peni Ravia, Leeroy Atalifo, Nemia Soqeta, Malakai Ravulo, Henry Seniloli, Joshua Matavesi, Kini Murimurivalu.

Wales should have no fear of Scotland, after all we haven't beaten them for a very long time.

However I think Scotland have had a great world cup so far. We'll see how far the team have come after tomorrow.

I personally haven't seen much to be fearful of Wales. Fiji were finding holes and despite cheating for large swathes of the game England turned the screw in the scrums.

Wales however I think are possibly the fittest team in the championship aside from the all blacks and Biggar is showing himself to be one of the best 10s in the tourney.

Finally the Welsh team really have been through the mill with regards to injuries etc. That will have had a profound effect on their mindset and not for the worse I should add. They as a team will probably be one of the tightest groups in the championship.

I understand they won't fear Scotland but from our perspective I don't think our lads will fear them either.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I don't know why anyone would think we could beat either France or South Africa the way our set pieces have been going.

Get your betting slip in then.

flyhalffactory wrote:Wales on neutral ground.

Scotland can't beat Wales at Murrayfield, will neutral ground help?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Wales should have no fear of Scotland, after all we haven't beaten them for a very long time.

However I think Scotland have had a great world cup so far. We'll see how far the team have come after tomorrow.

I personally haven't seen much to be fearful of Wales. Fiji were finding holes and despite cheating for large swathes of the game England turned the screw in the scrums.

Wales however I think are possibly the fittest team in the championship aside from the all blacks and Biggar is showing himself to be one of the best 10s in the tourney.

Finally the Welsh team really have been through the mill with regards to injuries etc. That will have had a profound effect on their mindset and not for the worse I should add. They as a team will probably be one of the tightest groups in the championship.

I understand they won't fear Scotland but from our perspective I don't think our lads will fear them either.

If we were to meet in a few weeks time I would be very worried by Scotland. I certainly do not think Scotland are easy opponents. Far from it. And I think Scotland may even be favourites currently - they seem to be on an upward trajectory, they're scoring lots of points, Wales on the other hand don't seem to be playing that well (stuttering against Uruguay, poor for 60-70 mins v England, smashed about v Fiji and clinging on for dear life at times), are decimated by injury and calling up 3rd choice boys, the game would be played on neutral ground, etc. I'd prefer Scotland to South Africa, but only because history suggests we do better against Scotland than SA. But this isn't history, it's future! And the CURRENT state of affairs for both teams worries me as a Welsh supporter.

Scotland haven't really beaten anyone worthy of note IMO, but I agree they have played well and have definitely improved since the 6 Nations. It's best to judge their ability on the SA game.

mikey_dragon wrote:Scotland haven't really beaten anyone worthy of note IMO, but I agree they have played well and have definitely improved since the 6 Nations. It's best to judge their ability on the SA game.

I agree Mikey we can only be judged after SA and Samoa.

However on saying that ahem..... We beat the team who beat SA (45-10 and five tries to boot!!)

Can only beat what's put in front of you but suffice to say we have maximum points and 10 tries in two games

Wales are unbeaten too..... ahem Uruguay!, ahem Fiji (who could and should have scored 4 maybe 5 tries! , and I think you played better in 2007 against them and lost)..... ahem England (who imploded from being 10 points up and well in control).

I think flattering to deceive can be applied to "New Dawn Scotland", and "Anyone got a bandage Wales" at the moment.

Its getting exciting

flyhalffactory wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Scotland haven't really beaten anyone worthy of note IMO, but I agree they have played well and have definitely improved since the 6 Nations. It's best to judge their ability on the SA game.

I agree Mikey we can only be judged after SA and Samoa.

However on saying that ahem..... We beat the team who beat SA (45-10 and five tries to boot!!)

Can only beat what's put in front of you but suffice to say we have maximum points and 10 tries in two games

Wales are unbeaten too..... ahem Uruguay!, ahem Fiji (who could and should have scored 4 maybe 5 tries! , and I think you played better in 2007 against them and lost)..... ahem England (who imploded from being 10 points up and well in control).

I think flattering to deceive can be applied to "New Dawn Scotland", and "Anyone got a bandage Wales" at the moment.

Its getting exciting

We beat the team which beat the team which beat South Africa after only a 4 day turnaround...
Ahem, England who have beaten Scotland 8 times out of the last 10 in Twickenham....... Wales would be favorites if they play, rightly or wrongly.. But with injuries it would be a lot closer than normal. Having said that, a strong Scotland would be awesome, and i hope it does happen.

flyhalf I think they've done well to beat Japan and USA so far. They're scoring tries so you can't really ask for more other than the convincing wins that you've had. SA and Samoa should be a step up. I'm watching Scotland tomorrow with a close eye, could be meeting you in KO stages .

mikey_dragon wrote:flyhalf I think they've done well to beat Japan and USA so far. They're scoring tries so you can't really ask for more other than the convincing wins that you've had. SA and Samoa should be a step up. I'm watching Scotland tomorrow with a close eye, could be meeting you in KO stages .

To be honest we have been a team of two halves in both matches so far. Dire and second best in the first 40 mins against both sides and we are definitely not firing on all cylinders and without Finn Russell (who potentially has all it takes to be a pretty awesome flyhalf) we have lost our catalyst for exciting structured running rugby. However when we have our best front five, Laidlaw's accurate kicking, Russell pulling all the strings for Bennett and Hogg to make exciting direct lines then we can inflict damage as both second 40 mins revealed.

Scotland are a handy side these days. Let's not forget they almost beat France in Paris not long ago. They seem to be replicating the confidence Glasgow have.

mikey_dragon wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

So there Scotland!!!!

That puts Scotland back in their box for having the temerity to involve themselves in the discussion between YE GODs of Pool A

Outsiders allowed in by invitation only, factory!  Stop trying to gatecrash.

Luckily enough, I'm an old friend of Ruby and he got me a complimentary ticket.

Remember before the tournament when Ireland lost to two of the teams in Pool A?

Ireland are a bit crafty. Whilst all the talk is about Pool A, Schmidt's mob are sneaking in under the radar, as are teams like France. I wouldn't like to come up against Ireland IF we make it to the KO stages, they're a smart team who can better expose our weaknesses and injuries. But I'm still confident we can sweep aside France (we have done for the past four years).

No its probably easier to play NZ than Ireland what with all the favourable officials and that!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Scotland are a handy side these days. Let's not forget they almost beat France in Paris not long ago. They seem to be replicating the confidence Glasgow have.

After all any team that can afford to leave out a player like John Barclay must have excellent strength in depth, surely?

Barney McGrew did it wrote:Just back from the game – very entertaining for a (theoretical) neutral. Wales came away with a decent win but might rue not being able to get the bonus. Baldwin’s try was… not; few people in the MS thought so. And the welsh boys were dead on their feet at the end. But deserved the win. Fiji need a goal kicker, the 10 was just awful. And my God they were naïve with some of their antics in their own 22. Both sides left a lot of points on the field. Fiji had the welsh scrum on toast – that’ll be a real concern for the Aus game. All eyes on the Eng/Aus game then.

Fair assessment. Was a close run thing really. If Fiji had been smart and had a kicker to threaten the posts, it would've been a different story. A few more scrums in the first half would've seen a Welsh prop in the bin I reckon.

Shifty wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Shifty

That's a lot of changes mate..!

Well Gethin's been rubbish in the scrums.  Baldwin is going to get pinged for his line out throwing at some point.  Lee is a better tight head.  Charteris is a better line out forward.  The backs are a mess and there is no way either of the Morgans are good enough to face Australia to be honest.  We'll have to trust Gatland, but today's team wouldn't of got close to Australia to be fair.

Not so sure Gethin has ever been a great srummager. Marvelous in the loose however and he won the last pen against England at HQ.

If James was fully fit then I would have started him most of the last season or so but fair play to Jenkins he kept going for full 80 last week but we have to have a specialist loosehead on the bench, if James isn't fit then call one up.

I would also always start Charteris but do like the impact he is having off the bench, the backs or 4 of them pick themselves as for the other 3 slots well they are all a gamble.

bedfordwelsh wrote:If James was fully fit then I would have started him most of the last season or so but fair play to Jenkins he kept going for full 80 last week but we have to have a specialist loosehead on the bench, if James isn't fit then call one up.

I would also always start Charteris but do like the impact he is having off the bench, the backs or 4 of them pick themselves as for the other 3 slots well they are all a gamble.

This ^
James need to start, the problem is I can't really think of another decent loose Head Wales has if James doesn't recover from his injury, though it is dragging on now.

I'd start Charteris against Australia he's on form.

Shifty wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:If James was fully fit then I would have started him most of the last season or so but fair play to Jenkins he kept going for full 80 last week but we have to have a specialist loosehead on the bench, if James isn't fit then call one up.

I would also always start Charteris but do like the impact he is having off the bench, the backs or 4 of them pick themselves as for the other 3 slots well they are all a gamble.

This ^
James need to start, the problem is I can't really think of another decent loose Head Wales has if James doesn't recover from his injury, though it is dragging on now.

I'd start Charteris against Australia he's on form.

Shifty,

I have had various dis agreements with many on here over the Jenkins/James debate and as mentioned for me its James but even if he is fit I can't see him going straight into the starting line up next week but bench is essential.

It has dragged on and I am quite surprised at how long we have carried him for, as for replacements then I think Rob Evans would be next in line with Nicky Smith behind him, both are young and in-experienced but we have to start bringing them in now as neither Jenkins nor James are youngsters. I have always liked Rhys Gill and it's a shame none of the Regions came in for him as he has slipped down the order at Sarries.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Shifty,

I have had various dis agreements with many on here over the Jenkins/James debate and as mentioned for me its James but even if he is fit I can't see him going straight into the starting line up next week but bench is essential.

It has dragged on and I am quite surprised at how long we have carried him for, as for replacements then I think Rob Evans would be next in line with Nicky Smith behind him, both are young and in-experienced but we have to start bringing them in now as neither Jenkins nor James are youngsters.  I have always liked Rhys Gill and it's a shame none of the Regions came in for him as he has slipped down the order at Sarries.

The scrum is clearly struggling and a combination of James, Owens and Lee might be needed. Hopefully players will start recovering now after the beating they have taken.

Rhys Gill is a shame to be honest he's been out view for so long I'd totally forgotten about him. Nicky Smith isn't ready yet, he's still struggling with the scrums.

Rhys Gill was called up last 6 Nations and played against Italy in the last game so he is still on the radar and I was surprised not to see him selected in the extended training squad at least.

I agree Smith is struggling and Gill replaced Evans in Italy but we need to start bringing these guys in now, he seems to have no problem giving backs game time at a young age/level but less so with forwards.

Lets say James isn't fit for next week then I would feel a lot better with Evans or Smith on the bench covering loosehead than I would be with Jarvis doing the job.

I rate Evans, Gill and Smith in that order. All three need to playing regular rugby in Wales. I hope Gill gets himself to the Blues or Dragons in the near future so to put himself back on the Wales radar.