Wales team vs Australia

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Obviously its a few weeks away but this match is the only bit of international rugby being played until the six nations so I thought I would have a pop at selecting a team for it. I wonder what the Ozzie side will look like. Personally I think this is a game Wales really need to win. Australia coming here is not ideal for them in the middle of their off season with players who wont have kicked a ball for a few weeks. Waels by contrast will have players back from injury and who have been playing Pro12 and HEC so shouldnt be rusty when the team meet up.

Some changes from the World cup are certain, Mike Phillips, Hook, Byrne, Powell, Mitchell will all be unavailable. Adam jones and Rhys Priestland will both probably be back by then, Jones is more of a worry than the young ten. Shane if he is fit is a show in on the wing and I cant see Gatland experimenting too much for this game. Only a couple of changes from the RWC squad as we have smiler available again and possibly Henson. McCusker who should have gone to RWC instead of Powell should come in and whilst I would choose Hibbard I expect Gatts to stick with HB but on the bench. Rhys Webb is going to be putting pressure on Williams and Tavis but I expect Gatts to go for tavis this time, come six nations Tavis could be usurped.

If Adam Jones is not fit then we do have a problem, we could play Paul James there again but it didnt work in the RWC and its time we started doing some succession planning in the tighthead spot. Cai Griffiths has played well there so far this year for the Ospreys, whilst Rhys thomas and Simin Gardiner are starting there for the scarlets. RT still doesnt inspire me with confidence in the scrum whilst Gardiner is a good scrummager his conditioning has not been great in the past and hes been unlucky with injury. Scott Andrew is my pick of the youngsters but havent seen him play since the Aironi game so not sure if he is fit or not. Buck has been starting a lot for the dragons but he is a player I dont know at all, can any dragons fans enlighten me is he welsh qualified and any good?

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Matthew Rees
3. Adam Jones
4. Luke Charteris - Bradley now with Luke unlikely to be fit
5. AW Jones
6. Danny Lydiate - Ryan I guess with McCusker injured too
7. Sam Warburton (c)
8. T Faletau
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Shane Williams
12. Jamie Roberts
13. J Davies
14 George North
15. Halfpenny

16. R Bevvington
17. Bennett
18. Ryan Jones Ian Evans to come in with Ryan probably stepping up to the XV
19. Rob McCusker - JT may have to come in for a bench spot with all the injuries hopefuly Tipuric or McCusker will be fit.
20. Tavis Knoyle - Rhys Webb is looking good as well
21. Jason Tovey
22. Scott Williams

I think after Bennetts performances in the WC he's the man in possession of the shirt, even though I don't think i'll ever be that comfortable seeing his name on the team sheet. However I suppose it depends on how Rees plays against the Ospreys and how he does in training if he wrestles the shirt off Bennett, I can't see Hibbert getting a look in as his form has been poor and Bennett (can't believe I'm typing this) has been in good form.

I think the 3 6N hookers should be Rees, Bennett and Owen, but of course all 3's form could change drastically in the next few months as could Hibbert, R Thomas & Burns

Thankfully we have a bit of HEC firstw up to get the players back to form. Those games will likely sort out the selections.

A first choice front row would be good, gethin, Rees and adam, second row picks itself, as does back row.

There is a decent group of you scrum halves looking to get in the team, Williams Knoyle, Webb, Evans all good players.

Hibbard was first choice at the Ospreys last season, played most of the big games. Rees is a better scrumager, around the park and in the lineout than Bennett (assuming he gets back to full fitness). If selectiuon is based on ability rather than who looked good in the WC Bennett will struggle to get on the bench.

I agree, despite Bennett recent run of good form I would still consider him as a third choice behind Rees and Hibbard.

It will be an interesting head to head on saturday if Bennett plays. Im sure Rees will be out to prove a point.

I don't think Bennett will be picked ahead of Hibbard, he may have had a decent world cup but Hibbard is the better player.

Four hookers in contention for the Wales spot all playing on Saturday night, either in the team or off the bench.

Great for the game.

I hope that we pick our strongest side as we must now sadly be professional.No room for sentiment.If Martyn,Shane and Stephen are not our best players then they should not be selected.If the WRU charge top prices then they are obliged to select their best players.Hopefully a farewell match v the BaaBaas will be arranged with cut price tickets.

After the weekend:
15-9 Halfpenny, North, Williams, Roberts, Williams, Jones, Williams
1-8 D Jones, Bennett, Thomas, Charteris, AWJ, Lydiate, Warburton (c) Faletau

16-22 Bevington, Burnes, Ryan Jones, McCusker, Knoyle, Biggar, Davies.

Guys, Charteris is a serious injury doubt - going to need to pick another Lock.

I'd go with Jones and Davies on bench.

Rees is aiming to be Captain but he's only the 3rd best hooker in Wales - he didn't look in charge against the Ospreys.

There's a month before the game so there will be ins and outs in injury terms, but if Charteris is not available I agree with Munkian.

He hasn't featured for the Dragons yet, still fretting on his wrist injury, big shame.

They've said he might be fit for the Wallabies game, but would it really be wise for his first game back after injury to be an international? We need him fully fit for the Six Nations and we shouldn't jeopardise that for this money-spinner. That applies to anyone else who's 50/50.

Isn't it a bit too cyncial to just write this off as a moneyspinner ?

I see it as a chance to see our world cup heroes play on home soil and try and keep a little momentum and public interest going.

Beating a SH team before Six Nations can't be bad either.

what about Adam Jones? he has'nt played for the Ospreys yet either, has he recovered from his shoulder injury or is he set to miss the match against the wallabies?

Munkian - I can't see how you can say Rees is our 3rd best hooker after 1 game which was his first in around 4 months. He has much better skills than either Hibbert or Bennett, even after Bennetts good recent form. Fair enough they may not pick him to start against Oz, but I wouldn't be suprised if they do because I imagine after playing in the HC and getting a few more games under his belt he'll be right back upto full fitness, and at full fitness he's easily our best Hooker

I used to rate Tavis but I think he's gone off the boil a bit. Give Webb a chance on the bench

Munkian, the players have had months of intensive training followed by a World Cup and, as well as they played, they must have been knackered by the end of it. Now after only a few weeks' rest they're back into European rugby and the WRU throws them into a one-off Test match for good measure. I bet the players could do without it.

Yeah I was thinking that Luckless, I'm really worried that a few of the players, especially the young players could have serious injuries as a result of playing such a high intensity match when fatigued, like North did last season.

I think Knoyle will show form again, but I agree at the moment he's off the boil and Webb and L Williams are in much better form.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:They've said he might be fit for the Wallabies game, but would it really be wise for his first game back after injury to be an international? We need him fully fit for the Six Nations and we shouldn't jeopardise that for this money-spinner. That applies to anyone else who's 50/50.

What about 60:40?

mckay1402 wrote:I used to rate Tavis but I think he's gone off the boil a bit. Give Webb a chance on the bench

Or Wayne Evans.

Glas a du wrote:

luckless_pedestrian wrote:They've said he might be fit for the Wallabies game, but would it really be wise for his first game back after injury to be an international? We need him fully fit for the Six Nations and we shouldn't jeopardise that for this money-spinner. That applies to anyone else who's 50/50.

What about 60:40?

They should play the first minute and then come off.

Or the last of course.

No, it has to be the first. Otherwise it's bad feng shui.

I also think that although Huw Bennett played ok in the world cup he still only reached the level of Matthew Rees on an average day. I think he showed his true level in the last two games.

I think Huw Bennett surprised us all with the the way he played at the World Cup. Let's hope he can keep it going and make it a real battle for the number two shirt.

Glas a du wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:I used to rate Tavis but I think he's gone off the boil a bit. Give Webb a chance on the bench

Or Wayne Evans.

Ok, I'll see how Rees does in the next couple of games, I'd prefer an in form Bennett though

really? really? Rees is a much better hooker than Bennett in my opinion...

like McKay says Rees is better in practically every facet of his play than Bennett, even when Bennett's on form - also with Bennett you'll (or at least me) never know when his form will turn and he'll start playing like the last 3 years again.

Fair enough. In my defense the last Six Nations seems a life time ago due to all the World Cup drama so maybe I'm being a bit harsh on Smiler.

I'd like to see Priestland start though and have another young fly half on the bench to test their mettle.

I hope Priestland will be upto speed for the match as I doubt he'll start against Castres. We do need him though, and like you say it would be good to see someone like Tovey given a chance, though you could argue that the 6N games would be a better place for that as we have more games and more chance to play around with the selection.

Do you think Tovey is still in Gatland's radar ? I hope so.

U never know with Gatland but I hope so as Biggar and Morgan both have a lot to prove to get back into contention and Hook and Henson are going to have to play regularly and well to challenge Priestland, and Tovey has got lots of the skills required already.

Steffan Jones worth a shout or too much too soon ?

I'd like to see most Welsh qualified players get a go at at least training in the International setup.

Smirnoff, I agree - for all his potential, Matthew Morgan is miles away from being ready for Test rugby. Steffan Jones has looked very assured but I'd say he needs more game time for the Dragons, which he may only get if Tovey gets called up for Wales. Jason Tovey behind a strong Welsh pack: I think he'd be superb.

Tovey, Evans and Faletau all do very well behind what is normally a re-treating Dragons pack

Steffan Jones for me has somthing extra. Tovey for all his talent never really inspires me wheras Jones seems to the manor born. Matthew Morgan is so far off international level my dead gran would get selected ahead of him. I just think he is another Arwel Thomas in the making but Biggar just depresses me when I see his name on the team sheet.

If Jones ousts Tovey from the 10 slot then fair play to him and he will warrant being looked at but for me Tovey is still 1st choice down at Dave and hopefully will be in the reckoning come 6 Nations time.

Again where is our A Side when needed

Apologies if this has already been covered but apparently the game is going be called the Dove Men Challenge and sponsored by Dove - http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/20087.php

When I first saw the title I thought it was going to be a rugby competition for some underpriviledge group such as the Welsh homeless or something like that. It's shocking - what next anytime a Welsh player scores a try the commentators have to say they've scored a Dove Down?

luckless_pedestrian wrote:No, it has to be the first. Otherwise it's bad feng shui.

You and your fancy mushrooms.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:I think Huw Bennett surprised us all with the the way he played at the World Cup. Let's hope he can keep it going and make it a real battle for the number two shirt.

Unfortunate mental image!

I was thinking more that if he wins the 'battle' Gatland will cart him around every and introduce him by saying "This is my number 2, I call him Number 2"

bedfordwelsh wrote:If Jones ousts Tovey from the 10 slot then fair play to him and he will warrant being looked at but for me Tovey is still 1st choice down at Dave and hopefully will be in the reckoning come 6 Nations time.

Again where is our A Side when needed

Broken but a fine quality album. Somebody needed to record it and let's hope somebody in the WRU listens to it soon

The most annoying thing is that they finally conceded that they needed one and would implement one a year and a half ago (something like that) and since then we've heard nothing, despite all these great youngsters coming through and the depth of the regions increasing all the time.

I'm pretty sure they where talking about it around this time last year on Scrum V

Glas,

LOL but its one record I won't change or one soap box I won't get off until its back

So where are we post first round of HEC.

No Halfpenny yet, or Henson, Roberts picked up an injury early in the Blues match, Charteris and Lydiate look very doubtful, likely that we will not be allowed any players based outside of Wales.

Plus side, Cuthbert looks a great option, as does Liam Williams, Rhys Thomas, Matthew Rees, Steffan Jones.

Bradley Davies had a storming match for the blues, as did Gethin and Warburton, Lloyd Williams, Jon Davies, Scott Williams and Priestland.

How is Harries and Smith looking for the Dragons?

Warren looks good for the Scarlets but too soon for him to challenge for a centre spot - hopefully Roberts isn't too badly injured as he seems to have kept his form from the WC. North looks really good as well.

When is Henson back, I'm not expecting him to play for Wales but just wondered for the Blues?

I still cringe a little think of Rhys Thomas for Wales, but he has done really well for the Scarlets - but a front row of Bevington, Bennett and R Thomas would give me nightmares! Even if they have shown up well

I am imagining that Gatland will try to pick a strong side based on previous Welsh form, so most of the RWC squad will be involved if fit.

Taking that likely to miss James, Mitchell, Charteris, Lydiate, Phillips, Hook, possibly Roberts, possibly Halfpenny and Byrne thats a sizeable amount of talent plus a couple of Also-Rans who make up the squad/bench.

Likely team would be looking like

Geth
Rees
Adam
AWJ
BD
McCusker
Warburton (Capt)
Faletau
Williams
Priestland
Williams
Scott Williams
JD2
North
???

Halfpenny is due back this week.