Rob Howley

RANT ALERT!!

So i've been doing some homework, and well something doesn't add up, namely the coaching staffs actions during the AI!

Match selection before Aus saw contraversial selections in Lydiate, Cuthbert, who both had little or no gametime this season, then insisted on us playing an expansive gameplan despite missing ball playing forwards in AWJ, Falatau, Warburton, playing a specialist 6 at 8, and a 12 at 13. I wo't mention Biggars selection over Davies, who is on fire at regional level. The kicking duties were returned to Halfpenny on his return after 14 months out, despite Biggars impeccable displays for Wales in front of goal. And finally, the subs bench being used laughably!

So a pathetic performance in which a fair number of players highlighted a severe lack of match sharpness was to be addressed with 6 changes, with 3 of those players lacking gametime, Lydiate and Cuthbert drpped from the squad, and no back 3 cover on the bench.
Howley decided 2 changes were all that were necesary in this game, forgetting that Sam Davies goes from bench to nowhere, and Francis was required to play 80, what exactly does making 4/5 players sit there as spectators hope to prove?
The game was as predicted, disjointed, humiliating at times, especially early on when ball to hand was a pipedream for the Welsh players, but luckily Argentina made a series of mistakes, and we crept over the line.

So with Japan up next, on the back of a 54 point concession v argentina, surely this would be a good chance to build continuity, momentum, and integrate some of the talented youngsters in the squad? I wish! 10 changes saw a total lack of respect for Japan, who had 10 newer capped players of their own, Smith, Hill, and King all starting in th epack. Not an issue with that really, would have prefered to see Moriarty given a shot of a platform from 8 but hey ho, Lydiate back from the wilderness isn't great but not a bad shout.
Then we come to the backline, Davies rested because he'll start v SA is a stupid mentality, he needed gametime, Anscombe over Biggar and Davies is ludicrous, and what would Roberts offer on his return, to a gameplan that involved avoiding contact and throwing the ball blindly to the 5m lines? Then we see Cuthbert return to the starting line up, despite absolutely no minute of rugby he has played this season showing any form whatsoever, I mean seriously, how anyone could justify his inclusion in the squad over the vastly superior form James, then to start over Amos who is the best attacking back playing in Wales at present, I have no idea!
So the game starts as well as the 2 previously, mishandling, no game plan, and big errors! The bench was used beautifully once again, with Davies getting 7 minutes despite Anscombes constant errors, Giles not seeing gametime despite Cuthbert killing 3 simple try scoring opportunities, causing a yellow card and 2 tries...

So, Howleys thoughts post Japan game?

The issues were 'Control and accuracy', probably meaning his ability to hold the walkie talkie.

He claimed 'Japan controlled the game', of which he has to mean, they sat off rucks until it was time to flood. They controlled no set peice, lost the physical battle, and basically wet themselves laughing at the haphazard attacking options!

He then claimed 'Offloading is important in the modern game, like any U12's coach would, ' and offered the excuse that '2 went against us', well no F#####G S##T sherlock, thats what happens when you force 50/50 offloads in front of the defence.

There was one good view of the match I agree'd with, Graham Price 'I think the coaching team need to take a long hard look at themselves'

SUMMARY

Under Howley we see:

A new attacking game that is one dimensional, not bought into by the players, not very savvy and is being implimented half heartedly.

Players selected without any gametime for their clubs whatsoever.

Constant chopping and changing to the first 15 and bench.

Players treated poorly, being dropped in and out of squad, benched and not used.

In game ineptness.

Total lack of self awareness.



I heard a very apt quote today:

England are currently like a ferrari being driven by Lewis Hamilton, whereas Wales are a Mustang being driven by aunti Mavis

Backwards, a mustang being driven backwards.

selects and coaches like he's playing championship manager (pre 2002 versions when there was no coaching and even fitness only had mild correlation to performance).

Some chaps are simply picking up their pay cheque these days... too much comfort for so called nailed on players.

Fanster,your analysis is getting perilously close to what a true international coach would come up with and pick a team and style in diametric opposition to it.Unfortunately,we have the 4 Asses coaching Wales who see coaching as a socialising opportunity.

Btw my Auntie Mavis is very upset with you because she thinks Howley is a right ploncyr.

Sorry for the rant guys, but I find it baffling that the WRU would persevere with Howley, who with little experience took a prominant support staff position, and then with no experience take a lead position!

No matter what the state of game plan that the players played against Japan.

Surely the book stays with Howley. He is in charge of the Wales set up in place of Gatland.

So surely how Wales played was in fact down to him.

No apology necessary.Howley et al are killing Welsh international rugby.Can't think of any other Tier 1 rugby nation that would tolerate this tripe.

South Africa?

Fanster wrote:South Africa?

I don't think their Coach and his coaching team are long in their posts irrespective of their performance next Saturday.

exile jack wrote:

Fanster wrote:South Africa?

I don't think their Coach and his coaching team are long in their posts irrespective of their performance next Saturday.

It could be one of the worst games ever, a match to see who is the s***test out of us both.

One I fear Wales will win quite comfortably

What Frak me off the most is the platitudes after each failure….we're improving and learning and looking forward to the next fixture, lots to work on, the players are working hard. etc etc.

Such BS. If they're working so hard when do we see the evidence?

And yet the WRU, through its inaction, is saying the standard of play / coaching is acceptable.

Welsh rugby is very much still jobs for the boyos - players either become mostly mediocre coaches or get jobs with the BBC and big up their mates.

I won't actually comment on Howley's competence in this article as I've given my views before, what I would like to say is have everybody had a good look at some of the photographs of Howley in the press and in the stadium on Saturday? Edwards in the PC today said they are not under any more pressure than normal. That is not the impression I'm getting from the instances I've mentioned

In fairness to Howley (although he's clearly out of his depth), I think the malaise runs deeper than just him. Coaching teams, like anything else, have a natural life span, and over time they become stale and need refreshing / replacing. The current setup has been kept on beyond its natural life span. It wouldn't surprise me if the players feel the same. As proud and as professional as they are, it would be understandable if they feel less inspired than they used to feel by the current coaching team. If we were winning tournaments every year, it would be different, but we're not.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:In fairness to Howley (although he's clearly out of his depth), I think the malaise runs deeper than just him. Coaching teams, like anything else, have a natural life span, and over time they become stale and need refreshing / replacing. The current setup has been kept on beyond its natural life span. It wouldn't surprise me if the players feel the same. As proud and as professional as they are, it would be understandable if they feel less inspired than they used to feel by the current coaching team. If we were winning tournaments every year, it would be different, but we're not.

Alex Fergusson did pretty well.

Howley is a plant.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:And yet the WRU, through its inaction, is saying the standard of play / coaching is acceptable.

All contracted till the year 2525, if man is still alive, I understand.
Would cost a Millenium Dome or two to ged rid of now.

Gwlad wrote:What Frak me off the most is the platitudes after each failure….we're improving and learning and looking forward to the next fixture, lots to work on, the players are working hard. etc etc.

Such BS. If they're working so hard when do we see the evidence?

"Step up"
"Play what's in front of ewe"
"FIZZICALITEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
"Give it to Shane, mun."

Gwlad wrote:What Frak me off the most is the platitudes after each failure….we're improving and learning and looking forward to the next fixture, lots to work on, the players are working hard. etc etc.

Such BS. If they're working so hard when do we see the evidence?

Hey mate. They have a line of rap which they believe works for them. They practice it each week and can say it without notes or without stumbling over the words. Give them credit...............

doctor_grey wrote:

Gwlad wrote:What Frak me off the most is the platitudes after each failure….we're improving and learning and looking forward to the next fixture, lots to work on, the players are working hard. etc etc.

Such BS. If they're working so hard when do we see the evidence?

Hey mate.  They have a line of rap which they believe works for them.  They practice it each week and can say it without notes or without stumbling over the words.  Give them credit...............  

Also, I reckon they have a code for "look interested boys, the fecking tv camera is on us and we're on the big screen".

Edwards always seems to be looking at Howley like he wants to put his head through the nearest wall.

munkian wrote:Edwards always seems to be looking at Howley like he wants to put his head through the nearest wall.

To be fair, Edwards looks at pretty much everyone that way. I'd be more worried if Howley were the exception.

Shifty wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:In fairness to Howley (although he's clearly out of his depth), I think the malaise runs deeper than just him. Coaching teams, like anything else, have a natural life span, and over time they become stale and need refreshing / replacing. The current setup has been kept on beyond its natural life span. It wouldn't surprise me if the players feel the same. As proud and as professional as they are, it would be understandable if they feel less inspired than they used to feel by the current coaching team. If we were winning tournaments every year, it would be different, but we're not.

Alex Fergusson did pretty well.  

As I said: if we were winning tournaments every year, it would be different, but we're not.

Poorfour wrote:

munkian wrote:Edwards always seems to be looking at Howley like he wants to put his head through the nearest wall.

To be fair, Edwards looks at pretty much everyone that way. I'd be more worried if Howley were the exception.

They're always bigging each other up. Behind closed doors I wonder if they have actually taken a look in the mirror...

Judging by his hair, I doubt Howley ever looks in the mirror.