Post match discussion - Wales 17 - 10 Samoa

First topic message reminder :

Wales beat Samoa for the first time at a World Cup.

Shane Williams scored a vital second-half try to ensure Wales overcame Samoa's stern challenge in Hamilton to boost their hopes of making the World Cup quarter-finals.

Samoa led 10-6 at the break through an Anthony Perenise try and Paul Williams' conversion and penalty.
James Hook kicked two first-half penalties for Wales and Rhys Priestland a brace after the break.
Wales wing Williams sealed victory 15 minutes from the end.

Wales: James Hook (Perpignan); George North (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones (all Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues, capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons).
Replacements: Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies (both Blues), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks), Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams (both Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues).
Samoa: Paul Williams; Sailosi Tagicakibau, George Pisi, Seilala Mapusua, Alesana Tuilagi; Tasesa Lavea, Kahn Fotuali'i; Sakaria Taulafo, Mahonri Schwalger (c), Anthony Perenise, Daniel Leo, Kane Thompson, Ofisa Treviranus, Maurie Faasavalu, George Stowers.
Replacements: Ti'i Paulo, Census Johnston, Joe Tekori, Manaia Salavea, Jeremy Sua, Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono, James So'oialo.
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)
Touch judge: Romain Poite (France)
Touch judge: Jérôme Garces (France)
TV match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)

AP contribution to a ruck...run into it in a completely upright position and fall over

Credu! Mon Wales.

It's a good job Shane Williams can dance through tackles because if one of them gets contact it could end his career or worse.

That was a poor decision, Warburton never released the player.

Evening all.

What has happened to the welsh lineout? Been pretty poor so far.

Is this the same team that took the boks to a point? ffs

try!!

Deserved try

They deserved that in all fairness. They should've scored a lot sooner.

Patient well work deserved try to Samoa.

woooohoooooooooo, Come on Samoa, great pressure and a great time to score.

We just need to cut out the silly mistakes

Woooooa. Amazing half. Great try.
Nothing in it

Wales looking shell shocked tbh. They dont look that bad with the ball but Samoa are all over them and very very good at the breakdown.

Still anyone's game because I cant see Samoa keeping up at this tempo, but then Wales will need their fitness to come through.

Wales are seriously missing lydiate.

Powell is running around like a headless chicken.

Wales have a very long way to go to get back into this game.

The welsh forwards look absolutely knackered.


Well played Samoa, a very good team, to be fair Wales are very lucky to have only conceded one try with a Samoan forward effort that strong.

Do you think Wales are having after effects from their tough game against SA?

biltongbek wrote:Do you think Wales are having after effects from their tough game against SA?

Subtle

I am asking an honest question.

We are gifting them the game with p*as poor lineouts and being awful at the breakdown. Ever noticed how all other teams are able to counter ruck, especially with Phillips slow to get the ball away, yet we just hope Warburton can turn it over otherwise we just let teams win the ruck. Where's our counter ruck???

no i dont think so bilton, i think weve done a typical welsh thing and thought 'oh weve outplayed SA for nearly a whole game so samoa should be a doddle!',

bad decision making at lineout time, go back to front ball,

we miss lydiate,

roland is confirming himself as mymost hated referee (although is not why we are losing)

biltongbek wrote:Do you think Wales are having after effects from their tough game against SA?

No, Samoa are very good and very big. Far more physical and unstructured than SA. A more intuitive team, rather than disciplined and drilled like SA.

Samoa have some very sharp clever players that turn an aggressive defence into a fast and powerful attack.

Wales need possession and patience to regain control and composure.

I get a sense of dejavu here, was this not the same score at halftime against SA?

Biltong, this game is tougher than the SA game IMO. Our next game we may have after affects. This one we're doing our usual job of struggling as favourites.

Wow just watching a stream of ITV's coverage.

Their caption for Gareth Thomas - 'Reached 100 caps for Wales in RWC 2007'.

Then for Thom Evans - 'His brother is in the Scotland squad.'

Why?

Well, I think with Samoa having a match only four days ago they should tire in the last 20, and if wales aren't too far behind they should clinch it then.

Samoa have been great at the breakdown though, like they were against Oz when they beat them

biltongbek wrote:I am asking an honest question.

As GD has said we are doing what we do....play like possessed men v Boks and then bend over under pressure, we lack a rugby brain, a steadying Steven Jones, a creative Hook at 10, a decisive sniping 9, we go to Shane as forst receiver ffs, Warbs has gone to sleep, TF is showing his inexperience, we are trying to play offload to avoid Samoan rucking, Charteris can't pass.

And then there is powell. Says it all

It's so annoying seeing welsh forwards standing off the ruck waiting for the next tackle, do they not see the chance to counter ruck or are they told to hold the defensive line? Powell - awful! Second Half, all to play for, Samoans will have thier tails up! Wales, please stop making silly mistakes

biltongbek wrote:I get a sense of dejavu here, was this not the same score at halftime against SA?

Difference was Wales could compete with SAs set piece and rucking but we are struggling to contain Samoa.

Certainly in the later stages of the first half.

Wales need to sort the ruck area out!!!
What the hell is phillips doing standing 5 meters out from a scrum thats going forward!

Surely Itv could get someone better than Gareth Thomas . Thom is looking a tad nervous

Good game so far .Samoa unlucky not to have another score ,right decision though and i think the Welsh forwards are blowing a bit .

Well, so far good play to Samoa. Certainly earned that try.
But is it me, is it early in ther morning? Or does it seem there are a lot of supporters dressed for the match? Some really good jobs by the fans here.

Hook off...injury?

Lose this and they still have to play Namibia and Fiji...and i will be off to Sea World to punch a dolphin

Why is Hook being replaced?

SA and Samoa go though. The end of Gatland?

Yes biltong.
Wales had a much tougher match and samoa had namibia.
This samoan team is brutal and have targeted wales.
Its early days and wales have to remain composed. Or theyll get wopped.

Intensity is definitely with samoa.

Did I just hear Halfpenny on for Hook?!

hook off 1/2p on

What happened to Hook?

Halfpenny on

Obviously ITV have no news.

Surprised they even noticed...!

GangGreen wrote:SA and Samoa go though. The end of Gatland?

Yes absolutely. And justified.

Do we or do we not look defeated?

yeah. no explanation so far.

Lady luck just blew us a kiss

Not over yet. Samoa can tend to go missing at times.
Wales just need to stay composed.

wait, right shoulder injury for Hook. No detail as to the type of injury.

Lucky kick there.

Pheeeeeooow! Glad the ball bounced the right way.

Argh not a good start for Halfpenny.

Huw fecking bennett is reborn

RP didn't look once

More brains boys, less barraging brawn.

Save the physical stuff for defence

We need guile in attack.

Powell's body pos is laughable

Ironic

Gatland played 140 games for Waikato.

This is his home ground and it may herald the end of his career unless we grow a pair in the next 30 minutes.

I just don't understand this, even I knew Samoa would counter ruck for thier lives, did Gatland and co not realize this? we are useless at the breakdown