Wales International: games, squads, tournaments, chat - 2021/22

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A place to chat about everything ‘Wales’ going forward.

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First up: South Africa 6th November 2021

Wales: Johnny McNicholl; Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonathan Davies (capt), Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Ellis Jenkins, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Wyn Jones, WillGriff John, Ben Carter, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Liam Williams.

South Africa: Damian Willemse; Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Lood De Jager, Siya Kolisi (capt), Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn.

Was a bit hopeful until I saw the team. Glad he has put Rowlands with Beard, Navidi will bring firepower off the bench, can only assume Lydiate is there to tackle everything in his path.

I think you guys are laying it a bit thick, that isn't a bad Welsh team. Matchday is coming, we will see then, I am hoping for a Bok win by 25, will most likely be a Bok win by 7-10

Glad to see Reffell will get a go. He's been brilliant all season for Tigers, an absolute menace at the breakdown with a top level work rate.

I'm looking forward to see Reffell play. In at the deep end for his first cap against arguably the best pack of forwards in world rugby.

Good luck Tommy.

LordDowlais wrote:I'm looking forward to see Reffell play. In at the deep end for his first cap against arguably the best pack of forwards in world rugby.

Good luck Tommy.

In a way I think this game might suit him better. He's a great defensive player but not really a notable attacking talent. One of his best games this season was in the final against Sarries where he spoiled the attacking momentum of a big mobile pack and his kick chase played a part in Tigers winning the territory battle. Tigers kicked to Billy V intentionally to try and tie Sarries down in their half and Reffell was often the man tasked with making the tackle. He'll be more suited to this than say a game Vs a tier 2 nation where Wales run amok and score 40 points.

Old Man wrote:I think you guys are laying it a bit thick, that isn't a bad Welsh team. Matchday is coming, we will see then, I am hoping for a Bok win by 25, will most likely be a Bok win by 7-10

With respect, Old Man, I think you're basing a lot of it on Welsh names from the past! Yes there are a couple of good up n coming players in the welsh team, and the lock partnership is probably first choice. But there are a lot of players over the hill/out of form/living off past reputation and performances/coming back from injury. E.g. North, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Lydiate, Faletau, AWJ and Anscombe on the bench. Household names (here) but not been top of their game for a long time.

The Oracle wrote:

Old Man wrote:I think you guys are laying it a bit thick, that isn't a bad Welsh team. Matchday is coming, we will see then, I am hoping for a Bok win by 25, will most likely be a Bok win by 7-10

With respect, Old Man, I think you're basing a lot of it on Welsh names from the past!  Yes there are a couple of good up n coming players in the welsh team, and the lock partnership is probably first choice.  But there are a lot of players over the hill/out of form/living off past reputation and performances/coming back from injury.  E.g. North, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Lydiate, Faletau, AWJ and Anscombe on the bench.  Household names (here) but not been top of their game for a long time.

With respect, Oracle, you guys always knock your team until you smack England around and then you seem happy for a week or so.  I think Wales could be at a tipping point in prep for the RWC.

The problem with tipping points is that they can go either way!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:The problem with tipping points is that they can go either way!

Yes!
To be fair, I think you will come good in about one year's time - just in time to upset the English....

U20's are on against Georgia, we are losing 5-7 at the minute.

Where's that being shown Dowlais?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Where's that being shown Dowlais?

Sky Sports

Or youtube.

https://www.wheresthematch.com/Rugby-Union/Wales-U20.asp

we are winning now. 8-7 Georgian discipline letting them down. Two yellows for them already.

Link for the legal stream.

The You Tube

LordDowlais wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Where's that being shown Dowlais?

Sky Sports

Or youtube.

https://www.wheresthematch.com/Rugby-Union/Wales-U20.asp

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Where's that being shown Dowlais?

Sky Sports

Or youtube.

https://www.wheresthematch.com/Rugby-Union/Wales-U20.asp

That link will not allow you to watch the games though, it just lets you know how you can watch them, and it redirects you to the correct areas.

Basically it's a website that shows you when and where the games are on and what platforms they are on.

real arm wrestle this for Wales.

All three tries that Wales have conceded have come from forward dominance, two from rolling mauls, and one where the Georgian number 8 pushed over from close range.

Scotlands tries were the same same last week, looks as though Wales have not learned their lesson from it.

RiscaGame wrote:Link for the legal stream.

The You Tube

Thanks for this. I like having the Rugby on in the background when I work.

Do we play every team in our U20s pool twice?

No only once

Yeah, would be a bit boring if we did that. Bok U20s look good, no easy pool they’re in and they’re are cruising.

Yeah they looking decent, but they fell off badly in the second half vs the Irish. That must be a concern for the coach

"It's been a tough couple of months after the Six Nations and I suppose to stick two fingers up to people, without putting too fine a point on it, would be really nice."

I think this is poor form Biggar. He doesn't come across as smart at all in that interview.

He could have chosen better words for sure but I understand his sentiment. We, as fans, have been extremely vocal with our displeasure recently so it is a chance for the team to show what they're made of.

Oakdene wrote:He could have chosen better words for sure but I understand his sentiment. We, as fans, have been extremely vocal with our displeasure recently so it is a chance for the team to show what they're made of.

I think that's fair enough when fans pay a lot of money for tickets, merchandise, etc. Who wants to pay amateurs (WRU) to run an organisation into the ground? And after all we did lose to Italy at home...

At least he's not at the level of Paul Thorburn actually sticking two fingers up after a game (or was it a middle finger?).

I’ve never seen that. Rhys Webb said similar after a game we won against Ireland, and Wales had a poor tournament overall. If you’re on the pitch just to stick up two fingers at people who critiqued some performances then you aren’t a good leader and probably shouldn’t be on the pitch.

mikey_dragon wrote:I’ve never seen that. Rhys Webb said similar after a game we won against Ireland, and Wales had a poor tournament overall. If you’re on the pitch just to stick up two fingers at people who critiqued some performances then you aren’t a good leader and probably shouldn’t be on the pitch.

Have to agree, that was a stupid thing to say. We all do that from time to time and I don't think it is a big deal. All Danny needs to now do is deliver....

mikey_dragon wrote:I’ve never seen that. Rhys Webb said similar after a game we won against Ireland, and Wales had a poor tournament overall. If you’re on the pitch just to stick up two fingers at people who critiqued some performances then you aren’t a good leader and probably shouldn’t be on the pitch.

Creating they're all against us and we don't care attitude can help unite a squad in the right circumstances. Could be a mantra they have behind the scenes. Cockers used something similar at Tigers.

If think SA are the masters of “everyone’s against us” .

mikey_dragon wrote:If think SA are the masters of “everyone’s against us” .

I would agree with that, not difficult to sell that to the players.

Old Man wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:If think SA are the masters of “everyone’s against us” .

I would agree with that, not difficult to sell that to the players.

That’s what the fans think. The players just seem like they go out to do a particular job and do it well.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Old Man wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:If think SA are the masters of “everyone’s against us” .

I would agree with that, not difficult to sell that to the players.

That’s what the fans think. The players just seem like they go out to do a particular job and do it well.

You get all sorts of fans from every country, those SA supporters that are so vocal on social media are the extreme, however they are in the minority

That you do, and I have seen plenty positivity and well-wishes from South Africa fans. I’m going to watch it with a mate who’s originally from Durban. I’ll see you back here later Old Man for us to pick apart the performance! Have a good one.

The Boks have no clue what to do with possession.

Wales doing a remarkably good job at containing SA and have taken their chances brilliantly.

18-3 Wales at 32 mins

Not sure anyone saw that one coming!

Boks looking seriously undercooked atm

I am sure they will improve but they got a lot to do to win this game

Come on Wales, lets go!!

Anotgher good chance spooned by SA, they need to be more patient, plenty of time left in this game

YC for Biggar though, going to be a tough 10 mins for Wales

doctor_grey wrote:

The Oracle wrote:

Old Man wrote:I think you guys are laying it a bit thick, that isn't a bad Welsh team. Matchday is coming, we will see then, I am hoping for a Bok win by 25, will most likely be a Bok win by 7-10

With respect, Old Man, I think you're basing a lot of it on Welsh names from the past!  Yes there are a couple of good up n coming players in the welsh team, and the lock partnership is probably first choice.  But there are a lot of players over the hill/out of form/living off past reputation and performances/coming back from injury.  E.g. North, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Lydiate, Faletau, AWJ and Anscombe on the bench.  Household names (here) but not been top of their game for a long time.

With respect, Oracle, you guys always knock your team until you smack England around and then you seem happy for a week or so.  I think Wales could be at a tipping point in prep for the RWC.

As I said, with respect....

BigGee wrote:YC for Biggar though, going to be a tough 10 mins for Wales

Bit of a tough call IMO, DeKlerk was lying on top of him. Where is he meant to go?

Bigger pinned in by the supporting bok players too. Bullsh*t call.

Momentum seems to be swinging a bit now

That's Francis off with a concussion, unfortunate rugby incident, no malice

Stupid by Francis, I imagine he’s out all tour now.

mikey_dragon wrote:Stupid by Francis, I imagine he’s out all tour now.

He probably should be, not his first HI

Just got his head on the wrong side, unlucky for him. He should have done better. We’ve got a TH crisis.

Back to a two score game for Wales, very impressive when it looked like the game was going away from them