Wales v New Zealand 25/11/17 17:15 + MATCH THREAD

[TightHEAD]

First topic message reminder :

Saturday, 25 November

Wales v New Zealand (Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:15 GMT)

Here we go again. Will they, won't they??????

I believe this is the best chance for Wales to beat them, Scotland softened them up last week and made them begin to doubt themselves.
Plus the Kiwis have had another case of Mumps in their Camp, and lets be honest with all the Welsh Lions (and Coaches) in the squad they really should be pushing them for the full 80mins.

Good Luck Wales, all the home nations are behind you. (Apart from the Irish, and Scots?)



15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (72 Caps)
14. Hallam Amos (Dragons) (13 Caps)
13. Scott Williams (Scarlets) (49 Caps)
12. Owen Williams (Gloucester) (2 Caps)
11. Steff Evans (Scarlets) (3 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (58 Caps)
9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (29 Caps);
1. Rob Evans (Scarlets) (18 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (25 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (27 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (CAPT) (Ospreys) (111 Caps)
6. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (11 Caps)
7. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (5 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath GOD) (68 Caps)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (6 Caps)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (3 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (Dragons) (2 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Dragons) (8 Caps)
20. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (51 Caps)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (26 Caps)
22. Rhys Priestland (Bath) (49 Caps)
23. Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (93 Caps)

New Zealand: McKenzie; Naholo, Crotty, Williams, Ione; B Barrett, Smith; Hames, Taylor, Laulala, Tuipolotu, S Whitelock, Squire, Cane, L Whitelock.
Replacements: Harris, Crockett, Tu'ungafasi, S Barrett, Todd, Perenara, Sapoaga, Lienert-Brown.

[chris_501]

On the match itself, well we can win - anything's possible - but I don't think we will, based on two factors. Firstly, how razor-sharp the All Blacks were for some of their tries against Scotland. You think you're on top, your defence has been heroic, but they can slice you apart from first phase. Secondly, I just don't see Wales being anywhere near as threatening in attack as Scotland were. It took us ten minutes to score a try against the 14-man Wallabies.

Plus Biggar is at 10 and Halfpenny at 15. How are we supposed to play running rugby when their first instinct is the kick and chase ?

I'm not sure I'd be much more confident if we lined up with Priestland and 10 and Patchell at 15, would you?

[SecretFly]

On the match itself, well we can win - anything's possible - but I don't think we will, based on two factors. Firstly, how razor-sharp the All Blacks were for some of their tries against Scotland. You think you're on top, your defence has been heroic, but they can slice you apart from first phase. Secondly, I just don't see Wales being anywhere near as threatening in attack as Scotland were. It took us ten minutes to score a try against the 14-man Wallabies.

Plus Biggar is at 10 and Halfpenny at 15. How are we supposed to play running rugby when their first instinct is the kick and chase ?

This happens on many threads.  I always find it very peculiar but.......

"How are we supposed to play running rugby when their instinct is to kick and chase?"

Do Coaches (and don't worry, it's not an anti-Gats question - I've asked this question of a number of Irish coaches in my day) - Do coaches not coach?

If there is a skilled 10 that is chosen to play in a full International because he is considered that good.  If the coaches want him to play to a certain gameplan, if he trains all week with them to try to perfect a certain gameplan, if he is given detailed instructions about why they want to play it a certain way and how to play it a certain way..... why oh why oh why would a number 10 go onto the field and kick the ball away when the coaches are asking him to service a running game?

That's a conundrum to me.

[RiscaGame]

Not too familiar with the NZ pack, but I would think we could get at them either. Be great to see so many class players in the backs live though (McKenzie, Ioane, SBW and Barrett especially, though they’re all class).

[Gwlad]

7.5, I just hope Wales have enough props

I hope the ref has enough yellow cards

[Gwlad]

Good work RDW.

Now can we talk about the game please chaps.

Nobody wants to talk about the game with you

[Collapse2005]

If we cannot beat a rubbish Australia, we have no hope in hell against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Australia lived with the best team in the world for 70 minutes on Saturday so they're not that bad.

Australia beat the best team in the world a few weeks ago.

[No 7&1/2]

Nah. We're 5 in a row over them.

[mikey_dragon]

Really you merged the legit match thread with this idiot's? I think it was obvious no welsh poster wants to engage with him, and for obvious reasons. I expect we'll see a few more leave the site by the end of the day.

[Gwlad]

Really you merged the legit match thread with this idiot's? I think it was obvious no welsh poster wants to engage with him, and for obvious reasons. I expect we'll see a few more leave the site by the end of the day.

[TightHEAD]

Good work RDW.

Now can we talk about the game please chaps.

Nobody wants to talk about the game with you

And here is the main problem!

[Gwlad]

Good work RDW.

Now can we talk about the game please chaps.

Nobody wants to talk about the game with you

And here is the main problem!

That no one wants to talk about rugby with you...agreed.

[TightHEAD]

Lol, grow up and man up.

Game day is here, world champs in town. Happy days.

[TightHEAD]

Pre-match food?

Chopsticks
Wok to walk
Something from indoor market.
McDonald's
NY diner
prince of Wales
Pasty
Or beer followed by more watered down beer in the MS?

[George Carlin]

Come on Wales. Want a big performance and the fans deserve one.

[TightHEAD]

Yes we do.

I think it will be closer than many think.

[Scottrf]

Yes we do.

I think it will be closer than many think.

For 70.

[mid_gen]

Really you merged the legit match thread with this idiot's? I think it was obvious no welsh poster wants to engage with him, and for obvious reasons. I expect we'll see a few more leave the site by the end of the day.

Annoying when WUMs invade your team's threads isn't it.....

[TightHEAD]

Great atmos in here cmon Wales...........

[TightHEAD]

Roof closed btw.

[TightHEAD]

Signing off for the duration of the game.

Enjoy it my fellow 606ers, I will.

[TightHEAD]

Good start so far, shame about Ball And Webb

[RDW_Scotland]

Lots of huffing and puffing from Wales but just lacking a cutting edge. NZ not looking at their best though!

[Scottrf]

Lots of huffing and puffing from Wales but just lacking a cutting edge. NZ not looking at their best though!

I think they are running good lines, just good defence.

[RDW_Scotland]

Incredible how little possession New Zealand have had.

[TightHEAD]

They only need 30%

Navidi doing well, backs need to step up.

[lostinwales]

Is it just me or do Wales have no idea how to attack in the NZ 22 at all? Great work to get there in the first place but then the tactic just seems to be keep running into AB's and hope for a penalty

[RDW_Scotland]

Sam Cane has put in some monstrous hits

[RDW_Scotland]

Don't think that's a penalty - the props turned their backs and were running towards the ball. Where else were they meant to go!

[Gwlad]

NZ cheating again

[Scottrf]

Every player on the pitch is cheating. It's rugby.

[TightHEAD]

Every player on the pitch is cheating. It's rugby.

You must have played it at some point. only those that did would understand.

[RDW_Scotland]

All Wales possession but paying the price for not taking their opportunities. As a Scotsman I know this too well!

[TightHEAD]

Yesssss I knew Scott Williams would come good today...

[RDW_Scotland]

Barrett barely looks interested!

[Scottrf]

Wales making a good game of this!

[TightHEAD]

Gifted the game to them. Criminal.

[RDW_Scotland]

NZ have been sub par but had the classy individuals that have made the difference.

[RDW_Scotland]

Sam Cane has been incredible - massive number of tackles and each one has been a huge hit

[TightHEAD]

Guys Wales might as well gift wrapped that game and gave it to you guys in 30 sleeps time.

37% possession to NZ.

[SecretFly]

When has possession ever been a sure fire representation of quality though?  Some teams can be so good, they get generous and give the opposition possession (to hang themselves with)

[Cyril]

Agree, Fly. Like with Scotland, did anyone really think NZ wouldn't win?

NZ, still the best, but yet to test themselves against England.

[lostinwales]

Any word on Ball's injury?


Edit 'suspected dislocated shoulder' - Hard to tell when it happened but the poor guy was not looking good

[majesticimperialman]

Roof closed btw.

Does that make any difference at all?

[SecretFly]

Roof closed btw.

Does that make any difference at all?

It does in my home. I always close it when it rains.... saves the carpet.

[TightHEAD]

Roof closed btw.

Does that make any difference at all?

Yes, the ball gets greasy.

[aucklandlaurie]

Perhaps its just my opinion, but is there another team in International Rugby that passes the ball as much as Wales?

[RiscaGame]

I don’t know what it looked like on tv and to be honest, I can’t be bothered to rewatch it, but it looked like Wales’ tactics were just sling it out to the wing and hope for the best. Didn’t bother engaging defenders or anything.

I vaguely remember Gatland criticising Steff Evans last night, but he is living off scraps with Team Wales attack wise and I’d have thought a defence coach should be able to sort out his defensive issues. I am sure he mentioned inexperience, but that’s Gatland’s own fault for not playing him sooner.

[RuggerRadge2611]

For me Gatland looks like a man who doesn't know what to do. I think he wants to play a physical powerful game, but the current crop of Welsh players don't have the physical attributes to play like that. Gatland says he wants to play an expansive game but retains Jamie Roberts. I genuinely think he has had his time with Wales and they need to look to coaches like Pivac to make progress.

[Cardiff Dave]

All Blacks all around,
sometimes up, sometimes down.
But always, around.

[TightHEAD]

Ruggers right, I believe Wales need to re-invent themselves, they have some talented players who don't fit into Gatlands way of playing, square pegs into round holes and all that.

Fresh start needed for Wales and Gatland.

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