JWC - As it stands Pt II

Original post:

https://www.606v2.com/t30581-jwc-as-it-stands



So far today Ireland have done what they had to, secured the TBP and move to 10pts. They need SA to beat England by >7 with no TBP.


Argentina beat Scotland to win their pool.

Massive win for Wales. they will be top seeds for semis unless England win by 37 points against SA.

the impressive second half by BabyBoks and the dismal showing by England (a complete indictment of the state of the game in England where we develop lumps rather than rugby players) menas the semis are sorted.

Wales v NZ
Argentina v SA

Having struggled in the 6Ns, Wales strengthened their lineup and have done well. Tom Prydie who was introduced to the full international setup far too early seems to be getting his career back on track. Good luck to the Taffs in their rematch with NZ.

Wales leading Samoa 25-3, playing with the wind against them and looking lethargic. I hope Wilson and Taylor have a word at half time, the Baby Blacks or Baby Saxons would slaughter us playing like this.

Really?

Wales are making mistakes, but they are running from everywhere - they have shown good patience in the Samoan 22 and have come away will a try every time.

Yes really.

Also, great for Argentina. They seem to have a similar game plan to ours and it is paying off.

Argentina are really on the up.

Their U20s beat Scotland, France and Australia

and their second string international team beat the first choice Italians.

They are also applying for the 2023 WC apparently

wales606 wrote:They are also applying for the 2023 WC apparently

I hope they get it. Best tour I ever did - tough on the pitch though.

Never been there, but well done Argies. Surely the next step is to get a more competitve league system?

Best tour I did was in and around Nantes, 2007 btw.

Inconsistent France are back. They beat Aus 24-7.

Morgannwg wrote:Best tour I did was in and around Nantes, 2007 btw.

Nantes wasn't the best place for a Welsh rugby player in 2007

Morgannwg wrote:Never been there, but well done Argies. Surely the next step is to get a more competitve league system?

Have they even permitted professionalism within Argentina yet?

That has always been why the players leave because the ARU refused to permit payment.

Morgannwg wrote:Inconsistent France are back. They beat Aus 24-7.

31-7

go Fidji !

Fiji are up 5-0 after 26 mins...

Taylorman wrote:Fiji are up 5-0 after 26 mins...

Fiji playing very well. Still 5-0 up. Were up 18-6 v wales apparently so excellent starters.
Fiji all defence at moment. NZ throwing everything at them

Keep the Fiji updates coming please!

Its live on maori ch. For nz viewers.

4 Mins remaining first half. Fiji yellow and penalty try against. 7-5.

If it stays this tight you may not get that runners-up spot...

Morgannwg wrote:If it stays this tight you may not get that runners-up spot...

doubt it will unfortunately

Half time. 7-5. Fiji have been monstrous in this half. Most of half theyve had to defend aftwr scoring good try first minute but you wouldnt have guessed their scores in previous matches based on their performance this match. Very physical and nz are going to have to pressure them early second half to put this fire out.

whocares wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:If it stays this tight you may not get that runners-up spot...

doubt it will unfortunately

Depends if Fiji keep them to three tries or less. Unlikely, but if so that could see one of South Africa/England or France go through right?

Looking at the table a bonus point win will do it unless SA win by 15 more than we do. Or something like that. This tourney looks like one for upsets as some results are weird. Oz after their first match? geez.

NZ should be ok here as fiji are expected to wilt but NZ have shown enough to suggest theyll struggle knockout time, for the second time not gaining early ascedency. This ones an open book...

I'm not confident of playing NZ again if I'm honest, however it does look likely. Wales will have to play at a faster intensity than they did today.

14-5. Brilliant 30m run from ihaia west the 10 to beat 5 or 7 players to feed the centre under the posts.

Itll be an on the day thing again morgan. NZ in again. Great cross kick the run in from the 15.21-5. Geting easier now it seems...

Taylor is todays Baby Blacks team more similar to the one that faced Samoa or Wales?

TBH havnt followed the 3 sides turned out. This looks like the team that played Wales as I missed the samoa game. Fiji in again. Great try from in front. 21-12.

Thats the fourth try. 28-12 so a rematch with Wales it appears as 4th qualifiers...

DW, i'll just check ESPNscrum later. But yeah, the 4 finalists have been confirmed. I'm on holiday 14-21st so will miss all the action. Good luck though, you'll need it!

Yep you too. Good luck with oz too. Still a live series there too.

I don't really understand the logic of them playing again in the semi. Surely they should be playing a team from another group...

What is the out come ?who plays who?is the next stage the Semi-finals?are the Baby Blacks still involved.If it isn`t a mud bath and there still in it they can still win this.

17 Jun, 17:00 Wales - New Zealand
17 Jun, 19:15 Argentina - South Africa

mckay1402 wrote:I don't really understand the logic of them playing again in the semi. Surely they should be playing a team from another group...

With only 3 pools and 4 qualifiers top three of each pool go through with NZ as highest second in all 3 groups and therefore forth qualifier.
Wales finished highest of the 3 firsts- plays - 4th.

2 and 3 play off.

Looks like we'll get that wet weather condrum answered perhaps though after the Fiji game I'm not so sure we're that much stronger- if at all.

Any players stand out?

Big shout to the Welsh kiddies, who are clearly putting some great performances together.

It's ridiculous that Wales are having to play NZ again in the semis - they should be playing Argentinia or South Africa

Mental bureaucracy

Why?you have two unbeaten teams playing a team that has dropped a game that`s logical.True they may have had to play the Baby Boks instead Wales have been very impressive.Against Fiji and Samoa the Baby Blacks if it`s not a mud bath may still be in it.To be frank conditions for the first match was diabolical,defence and kicking goals the only way to progress.Wales deserved that win,and maybe the Baby Blacks are`nt as strong this time around.With there two stars still in Nz [Pananara and Cane],Sam Cane is expected on the bench on Saturday.THAT would be huge Baby Black 2011,capped AllBlack 2012
really shows the quality of this tournament for promoting talent.

Nothing ridiculous about Wales playing NZ - Time to live up to the first seed billing. Wales actually look very powerful and dynamic right across the pitch

This years side in SA looks to be one of our weakest in terms of playing level of experience. Normally we have someone whos been exposed to sxv and several with itm. This team, for whatever reason has virtually none of either.
There a still some talented players there though but after wales and fiji and a number of upsets across the board, this is anyones. I think we're lucky to get another crack at the main trophy by just managing a forth try late against fiji but despite the brilliance of the tries there were long long periods where we looked ordinary.

Heart goes out to the Irish u20's - missing out on a SF place by a whisker. Still, lots of good performances over the past three games and there's a lot of talent coming through - hopefully for the provinces to develop by giving them serious game time and not just in games against the bottom team in the Rabo.

If Munster play Keatley at 10 ahead of JJ, it'll be a travesty. Scannell looks a real prospect too for Munster. Ulster need to find space to give Henderson game time. Likewise, Furlong needs to be groomed - and who better to groom in than Greg Feek at Leinster. Back row was outstanding but problem is they're all from Leinster and Leinster already have back row forwards coming out their areas. Maybe some judicious placements with the other provinces to give Conan, Gilsenan and Coghlan game time.

And don't me wrong, I'm not talking about throwing these youngsters in at the deep end in key HC matches or local provincial derbies, but with 22 Rabo games to be played there seems plenty scope to groom these players with proper competitive game time.

brennomac wrote:Heart goes out to the Irish u20's - missing out on a SF place by a whisker.

Yes, but for a dozy referee they would be through. In the SA game the ref. consistently allowed Jantjes to pinch ground for penalties, moving the ball both nearer and infield. Considering a couple of those penalties just crept over the bar, SA were lucky to come away with a LBP. Having said that it's better that SA are going through as it's their home tournament and they did take England apart in the second half. If any team deposes the Baby Blacks it would be great for them to be the ones in front of their own supporters.

munkian wrote:It's ridiculous that Wales are having to play NZ again in the semis - they should be playing Argentinia or South Africa

Mental bureaucracy

That's usually how all play-offs work though. First vs fourth and second vs third. I don't see how it's mental, there is only 3 pools because junior rugby is seriously under-developed in some countries.

I wouldn't say this is a week Baby Blacks. By their own standards perhaps. I think it's a bit unfair they are compared to previous teams, teams that had an entire XV with ITM and some Super rugby experience. Pretty sure 50 points a game must have been their average, including a 100+ points drubbing of either USA or Arg (I can't remember) in the pool stages. This team probably has little experience because the players from previous age grades are still playing in NZ, so there is no room (just an asumption).

History tells us that the SH junior when wounded or fighting for a play-off place usually come out and thrash their NH opposition. I just hope this weekend is a bit different. I'm confident this Wales team is capable of beating them again.

Matthew Morgan looks like a great footballer but also too small for Test rugby?

The Great Aukster wrote:Matthew Morgan looks like a great footballer but also too small for Test rugby?

I agree but I wouldn't write him off altogether, Shane, Harry Robinson, 1/2p etc have shown that they can pack some power and become pocket rockets - I have seen Morgan handle contact far better of late and it has surprised me so give the lad a chance

Here are all the highlights of round three..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiTcz9SUln0&feature=player_embedded&list=PL5F00F5A4D2CEEC47

"but also too small for Test rugby?" -- George Gregan was only half an inch taller, and he did ok.

And Christophe Domini was half an inch shorter!