South Africa Wales - match thread

[Gatts]

First topic message reminder :

Well my comments today about the mighty 'W' and the performances of the minnow sides have obviously caused some controversy. I wouldn't be Gats if I didn't prod the opposition occasionally, usually just before a big game.

I for one loved watching Japan's bushido approach to tackling and Romania's scrummaging, it only served to highlight the soulless nature of the professional era when contrasted against the big teams seemingly inept but effective closing out. Namibia outplaying fiji for long periods and as for Argentina they played like warrior poets and i know all about them.
It reminded me of the good old days when giants could be slain and perhaps all these teases will finally come to fruition tonight when a new Welsh breed takes on the might of Bok experience . I am a romantic at heart, Tommo's kiss was old school class, the way we used to get under the oppo skin before tmo and yellow cards. But that era is gone, Wales played on passion alone for years and that, in my view and in hindsight, was our biggest problem. Gatland, a Kiwi and therefore fundamentally unable to get the significance of rugby in Wales, comes form a place where, clearly , rugby is life. That is a beautiful thing that we are all lucky enough to share in. I pity those that never pulled on the shirt, smelt the ralgex, bled and bought your opposite number a jug.
Gatland stumbled over the transition of Wales from a team that had to play offload catch up in the last third, to a team that is within a few hours going to play a game which may define how we progress for years to come. i know they can win but history tells us they can't.

Its now or never. No more talk. Bring on the boks and may the best team win.

[Shifty]

God this is so irriataing we spend ages in the South Africa half and get no points, then they get into ours for a few seconds and get points!

[LondonTiger]

Can Shane Williams please stop jumping into the tackle? Great player but he's starting doing this recently and it's dangerous, for him as much as the tackler

I wrote about this during 6N. Someone will get seriousley hurt - though it could have been him earlier.

[valjester]

God thats disappointing for jdv. Hope its nothing serious.

[scoi]

Seems Wales midfield after phase 1 consists of forwards taking the ball at standstill causing the defence no problems and not making them commit to the breakdown.

Lots of small errors, not confident after 25mins

[MrFahrenheit]

Why are they pronouncing 'Steyn' like nobody has ever pronounced it before?

[Cari]

Fear not Dreamer - a winger can have handling errors from time to time and still score

[Guest]

he tapped that back over the line didnt he?

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

DeVilliers off. And evidence that George North may actually be human.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Steyn made a right hash of that

[Guest]

Kiwi -

[Shifty]

I'm actually pleased as a Wales fan, I thought we'd be a lot further behind than this. I think we will conceede another try before half time, then start a second half fight back.

[Guest]

Good scrum Wales, da iawn.

[Ozzy3213]

In recent times when I have seen Wales they are always better in the second half. if they are within 10 of the Boks at the break I fancy them to win this still.

[Guest]

our backs are making more ground going into contact then our forwards. Some great charges by the Doc and Georgie.

[Gatts]

GET DAVIES OFF NOW!!!!!!

[BigTrevsbigmac]

top ref Wayne Barnes - good decision there

[B91212]

I know what Phillips brings to the game but why can't someone coach him to get the ball away in one motion?

[Guest]

Complete overreaction Gatts.

[Mad for Chelsea]

good decision by Barnes, tells Burger "you chose to roll offside, you chose to roll into the nine".

[valjester]

DeVilliers off. And evidence that George North may actually be human.

North still has a lot to learn. Great potential but needs to get his positioning better when he is defending.

[Shifty]

top ref Wayne Barnes - good decision there

Yeah he's reffing the Fiji game for Wales, and we have Allain Rowlands against Samoa

[Guest]

Da iawn Hooky! 10-6

[Gatts]

No RD....he kicked it 20 yards into SA breadbasket and then drops the ball like he is playing Welsh Schools

[Guest]

lovely by Foxy there.

[Gatts]

Okay he can stay

[Shifty]

Wales just need to conceede an intercept try now and were all set for a second half fightback!

10-6

[MrFahrenheit]

Lydiate seems to have perfected the nosedive into the turf, as patented by Jon Humphreys in the 90s.

Need to be throwing it to Roberts & North, not the chunkies.

[Guest]

clever Rhys, clever.

Awful kick by Hook but made the tackle on Burger well.

[Guest]

Warbs! yoou beaut!!

[MrFahrenheit]

Warburton outplaying Brussow.

[Ozzy3213]

Charteris did excellently there disrupting that Saffa maul as they were really rumbling forward.

[Guest]

and the Doc's running on to the ball at pace, I can hardly believe what I'm seeing!

[Cari]

Wayne Barnes is one of my fave refs. I never worry if he's refereeing a game I'm supporting. Always does a good job.

[Guest]

God, Steyn's boot is just epic.

[Guest]

right okay, when we're finally acutally winning line out ball, why are we box kicking it away??

[Shifty]

Dam Steyn is an awesome kicker.

[B91212]

Wayne Barnes is one of my fave refs. I never worry if he's refereeing a game I'm supporting. Always does a good job.

Your just trying to wind up certain NZ posters now aren't you?

[screamingaddabs]

For all their good play though, it's SA10 Wales6, Wales have looked good without really looking like scoring.

[Guest]

Foxy - if you're going to rush out of defence, make your tackles.

[eirebilly]

Warburton is having a great game so far. Wales certainly more than in this and i still feel a 2nd half comeback for them.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Hmmm, looks like Barnes has decided to just penalise the defending team if the scrum goes down

[MrFahrenheit]

Playing some great stuff and then Mike Phillips puts us on the back foot with a pointless box-kick!

[nathan]

Will burger get penalized for leading into tackles with his shoulder?

[Guest]

Charteris is having a great game, I have to say, clearing out the rucks so well.

[Cari]

Wayne Barnes is one of my fave refs. I never worry if he's refereeing a game I'm supporting. Always does a good job.

Your just trying to wind up certain NZ posters now aren't you?

No not at all. Just saying I really rate him.

[MrFahrenheit]

Please can Butch James do all their kicking for the rest of the game?

[Gatts]

WTF is Howley smiling about? (I look good though)

[Cari]

Wales have GOT to score now...

[Guest]

what are these awful DG attempts from both sides?


HT 10-6. Happy with that after our awful 1st 5 mins. Still waiting for us to man sausage up though!

[Notch]

Wales have played well. I'm going to watch the second airport, but I'm going to the airport straight after so I need to pack my macbook!

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