Wales v Fiji Thread etc etc

[bedfordwelsh]

First topic message reminder :

OK so we are now down to the last group game and a win would hopefully see us into the Quarters, by the time we play then SA would have played Samoa and we will know what result we nee.

We have now seen all the 30 man squad have a run out so what would be your starting 22 for Fiji. Heres mine:

P James (given Jenkins time off the bench)
H Bennett
A Jones
AWJ
L Charteris
R Jones (Rest Lydiate until quarters)
T Faletau
S Warburton

M Phillips
R Priestland

S Williams (if fit Brew if not)
J Roberts
J Davies (but would like to see Sc Williams and Roberts get some gametime)
G North

L Halfpenny

Jenkins, Burns, Davies, Powell, S Jones, L Wiiliams (Knoyle disappointed today), Sc Williams

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Bedford, I agree with you on all three points.

Priestland's the man in possession of the shirt and has been very good indeed.

Lloyd Williams will make more of an impact off the bench than Tavis Knoyle, who's too similar to Mike Phillips. Why change like for like?

The good thing is that we have Scott Williams on the bench if we need something extra. He's an asset, no doubt about that. The only question is whether he'd be better alongside Jamie Roberts or alongside Jonathan Davies.

[scoi]

Scott Wiliams in attack could make a difference and is a great option to come off the bench, the speed he showed on Monday was a big surprise for me. In defence though he fell off a few tackles so for me he isn't ready yet for a crunch game another good option for the future if he gets the right training.

[Knowsit17]

The breakdown is going to have to improve. Despite being in tune against the Boks first up, the back row has gone backwards in terms of credibility against Samoa and Namibia. They should get in faster to protect and recycle balls instead of waiting five seconds as they have been doing which has cost us countless turnovers. Like any other area, there's nothing shabby about the Fijian back row.

And yet again, the best way for the players to give themselves confidence ahead of the next game (if there is a next game) is to learn to close out games like this, keep the scoreboard ticking and don't risk giving Fiji too much optimism to feed on. If they get a sniff, they'll go for it as they did last time. Wales have to make their advantages count, that which they couldn't do against SA and just barely managed against Samoa.

[bedfordwelsh]

knowsit,

The missing factor in our last game and majority of the 2nd game was Lydiate.

I thought Powell played well against Samoa as did Jones against Namibia but we did miss Lydiate

[glamorganalun]

Bedford:

You can draw all sorts of incorrect conclusions, all three back row options are very different and maybe it will depend on the opposition, for me Powell is good in looser games (weaker opposition) the other two I think they are both very good options possibly R Jones has more strings to his bow such as line out, passing, linking with the backs and experience. I think R Jones best position is 8 but this is the best position we have been in for some time i.e., we have options. I have been very impressed with Lydiate so we can go with various combinations. in the back row and change during the game using the bench..

[Knowsit17]

bedford

True nobody else can currently fill Lydiate's shoes at blindside but I don't think we can blame his absence as the only reason the back row in general has lost efficiency since the opening week. Warburton and Faletau have shown themelves to be excellent technical operators when they put in 100%, therefore it's primarily up to them to clear out the rucks quicker and more effectively.

The way it went against Samoa in particular was we'd let our runners get isolated and stripped of possession as simply as that. There's no way that was our best. We cannot afford to be this complacent against Fiji.

[Shifty]

Lloyd Williams will make more of an impact off the bench than Tavis Knoyle, who's too similar to Mike Phillips. Why change like for like?

Did you think of that yourself, or did you copy word for word what Jiffy said on Scrum V on Monday?

Tavis has himself made a big impact off the bench during games, but when he has been given the chance to start he normally plays very average, there is a big difference coming on late in a game with tired players around you, and wearing them down for the first 60 minutes.

[eirebilly]

Personally i feel that Wales will win comfortably but to me its more about avoiding injuries for Wales. Fiji are a very physical side and with a liklehood of a 1/4 final against Ireland, injury avoision is a must for Wales.

[Shifty]

Personally i feel that Wales will win comfortably but to me its more about avoiding injuries for Wales. Fiji are a very physical side and with a liklehood of a 1/4 final against Ireland, injury avoision is a must for Wales.

Yes but I dare say Ireland will have more bumps and bruises off Italy, than Wales will have off Fiji.

[flyhalffactory]

Lloyd Williams will make more of an impact off the bench than Tavis Knoyle, who's too similar to Mike Phillips. Why change like for like?

Did you think of that yourself, or did you copy word for word what Jiffy said on Scrum V on Monday?

Tavis has himself made a big impact off the bench during games, but when he has been given the chance to start he normally plays very average, there is a big difference coming on late in a game with tired players around you, and wearing them down for the first 60 minutes.

Alyn
Mate think you are spot on there.

Knoyle is nothing like Phillips if you actually look at their main style of play.............. where Spikey will always look for the contact, Knoyle will run around the fringes looking for the gap and the corresponding offload. Its amazing that Knoyle has had some very good matches recently including a MOM and yet gets hammered when he has a less than average game.

One thing you I will have to admit Knoyles' distribution has to improve, his passing is habitually poor, Stephen Jones whilst "pretty ring rusty" (it has to be said) didn't receive one decent pass in the game from Tarvis. I place the blame directly at Howleys door here, he should be making the adjustments in the lads game

You have to play Knoyle off the bench, his strength, pace and eye for the gap could make all the difference when the game breaks down in the final quarter

[gavstar]

I ALWAYS TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MENTION COACHING, BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY POOR IN THE WELSH REGIONS WHEN A PLAYER NEEDS SOMETHING IN HIS GAME SORTED OUT. PLAYERS SEEM TO KEEP THEIR FAULTS, WE SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT THEM YEAR ON YEAR, WHY?

[TycroesOsprey]

The problem is with Knoyle and Phillips is they both have a very poor servive for an international 9.

Lloyd williams normally in the few games I saw him play for the blues has a super slick service although I dont think he showed enough of that against namibia.

Phillips on for the first 60 to beat up the opposition at teh gain line then open up in the last 20 with williams to come on.

The reason im not a fan of Tavis is teh same reason I criticise Phillips, they have poor and slow service that allows defences to reset. Since we left Peel at home Lloyd deserves his spot.

[Shifty]

It's hard to say what players are similar to whom, Tavis and Phillips are quite big lumps, but Phillips likes to throw his weight around, Tavis will do it if it's needed.
Phillips is a great defender, is very brave and isn't afraid to take responsibility, and take pressure off his fly half.

Lloyd is probably like a young Dwayne Peel to be honest, but probably needs to be brought on slowly, off the bench.

[majesticimperialman]

This is a game Wales should win, but Wales cannot afford to take Fiji likely the so called minnows have prove time and again that given a chance they will score trys.

[Shifty]

This is a game Wales should win, but Wales cannot afford to take Fiji likely the so called minnows have prove time and again that given a chance they will score trys.

With Tonga beating France, and Samoa beating Australia I think we have had our Island shocks for this season.
Wales should beat Fiji tomorrow by 15

[Taffineastbourne]

I hope Wales win and that Nicky Little gets justice from our last WC meeting in which he was lucky to escape a red card.He seemed to enjoy that victory.Let's hope for pay-back time tomorrow.Not bitter,honest!!!!!!!!

[Shifty]

I hope Wales win and that Nicky Little gets justice from our last WC meeting in which he was lucky to escape a red card.He seemed to enjoy that victory.Let's hope for pay-back time tomorrow.Not bitter,honest!!!!!!!!

Erm.... Which foul did he do?
One that one of the 2 late hits on Popham, which were so late they could of been in the club house?
The forearm across the throat which dropped Peel for about 5 minutes?
Or the knee in the groin on Stephen Jones?

[Cymroglan]

Bore da Good morning.

[Cari]

Bore da pawb!

Just got up....looking forward to the rugby fest today.

COME ON WALES!!!

[Cari]

Ha just seen a great fan's sign in the crowd it says "I am Welsh, but my parents are Fijian" I think he was trying to explain why he's supporting them

[TheGreyGhost]

Maybe it was an application for a role in the Welsh back row?

[Cari]

ooh now the Fijian war dance....don't be scared bechgyn, you can put those demons of 2007 to bed now.

Ha GG - you could be right there.

[Gatts]

Ghost....message from Kevin the Psychic Cat.

[Guest]

Ymlaen Cymru!! C'mon Wales, we can do this!

[Cari]

Here we go...ah no turnover by Fiji.

[Guest]

great run by Georgie there, he's so blydi strong.

Not protecting the ball at the breakdown though, c'mon Wales, do better there please.


Warbs go, and hey! Faletau was tackled without the ball Barnesy, how'd you miss that?? (ha....)

[Cari]

Penalty to Wales....going for the corner, but the commentator says that Bread indicated the sticks. Ah well...it won't mean anything if Wales get a try here.

[Guest]

ah ffs Wales, protect your ball for goodness sake! basics mun, basics.

Some good play by us though so far, got to make it count.

[Cari]

Frustrating. Fijians forcing penalties, and it's just started to pish down.

Goooo Dr Roberts!!!! Wooop!

[Cymroglan]

Good try

[Guest]

JAAAAAAMIEEEE!!!


Woo go the Doc!!!

Lovely try

[Gatts]

Watch and shoot Jamie

[Guest]

7-0, da iawn

[Cari]

I wish they wouldn't do the pointy finger thingy...

0 - 7.

[Cari]

Fiji looking quite dangerous though....just over cooked that kick a bit.

[Guest]

They are really targetting 1/2p's wing at the moment, need to watch out for that.

[eirebilly]

Man Wales look good infull flow. Very dangerous side

[Cari]

I suppose that's where they see Wales' strengths lie and they can meet the wingers with big hits.

Great hit Melon!

Mornin Billy!

[Shifty]

lots of pressure from Fiji, lets hope they burn themselves out soon.

[Guest]

we're starting to miss first up tackles, we can't afford to do that against Fiji, concentrate bechgyn!

[eirebilly]

Mornin Cari, would'nt miss this for the world. Come on Wales

[Cari]

We really need a turnover here, or an interception...ah Benny!!! Gives away the fecking penalty!

[Cari]

ooh Little just sends it wide. Lucky for us. 0 - 7.

[Guest]

hmm Bennett watch yoruself mun, 2 penalties he's given away already.

ah Fiji miss the penalty kick. They need to be taking those chances.

still 7-0, phew

[eirebilly]

Jaysus, just how old is Nicky Little?

[Guest]

Nice work by Jamie Roberts for his try. I thought he'd taken the wrong option by cutting in at first though.

[Cari]

ooh Byrne's got butterfingers there. It is weeing down though.

Morning Risca! have you been up all night, or just got up?

[Cari]

Awh man check out those Fijian fans with the palm tree. They look amazing. There's been some great fancy dress in the crowd at this world cup.

[Shifty]

Jaysus, just how old is Nicky Little?

35

[Cymroglan]

We need to keep hold of the ball and just absorb the early onslaught by Fiji.

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