Welsh injury list is serious...

Well it looks like I've been done up like a kipper by a mate of mine... Usually he is spot on, but this time he is way off the mark or there is some clever tactics being played here.

Either way, my opening post now appears to be complete crud. But, as I live and die by my convictions, I'm leaving my opening post unedited below, so all can see what sh!t can sometimes come from my keyboard.

One thing I will add. Is I hope the reports today, that Warbs is fit, AWJ out for only a week and Liam ready for training is correct.


---------Original Post--------------------------------------
Just heard (from a reliable source - don't believe me, just wait and see), that AWJ injury is really a bad one, and he isn't expected to make a recovery before the end of the group stages. Also, Warbs injury is being played down, but advice from the medical teams is saying 6-8 weeks, and it looks like Liam Williams is estimated at another 8 weeks.

Not looking good for those players, but Tips is a good understudy for Warbs and Halfpenny wasn't ever going to be moved from 15, but where are we going to cover Alun Wyn...

AWJ's always looked problematic due to the nature of the injury - My understanding so far is that the rest are well on course for the tournament with Liam ready for the 2nd game if need be. The inclusion of Dominic Day said a lot about AWJ's injury IMO.

Even if best case scenarios are worked on, Walers are looking at going into the first game with 4 players unlikely to be fit enough to start (Lee, AWJ, Warbs, LiW).

Add in the lack of experience in the cover on the TH and you can see why Gats has been in the press mouthing off about England - his standard diversion tactic.

Without AWJ we will be screwed, especially against England.

Come on. Will a single player really make that much difference?

downward curve, methinks...

LondonTiger wrote:Come on. Will a single player really make that much difference?

Yes.

But in saying that, he did not look too injured on Saturday, he played on for a bit and he was walking around laughing and joking as well.

LondonTiger wrote:Come on. Will a single player really make that much difference?

Yep, Jonathan Joseph just may well do....

SecretFly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Come on. Will a single player really make that much difference?

Yep, Jonathan Joseph just may well do....

Tom Youngs also, perhaps for polar opposite reasons mind.

Could say AWJ made a great deal of difference in an Eng Wal fixture a few years back where he tripped someone up and spent 10 minutes cooling his heals.

Well none of them are choirboys, Lost

I think Bradley Davies and Charteris will be fine for this pool group, if AWJ doesnt recover. AWJ is our best but were not woeful when it comes to lock forwards. Biggar is the only player we REALLY cant afford to lose.

Packaged air dispersed Norovirus on it's way to his address as you speak Shifty

fa0019 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Come on. Will a single player really make that much difference?

Yep, Jonathan Joseph just may well do....

Tom Youngs also, perhaps for polar opposite reasons mind.

No9 wrote:Just heard (from a reliable source - don't believe me, just wait and see), that AWJ injury is really a bad one, and he isn't expected to make a recovery before the end of the group stages. Also, Warbs injury is being played down, but advice from the medical teams is saying 6-8 weeks, and it looks like Liam Williams is estimated at another 8 weeks.

Not looking good for those players, but Tips is a good understudy for Warbs and Halfpenny wasn't ever going to be moved from 15, but where are we going to cover Alun Wyn...

No other reports what so ever anywhere, must be true if its in italics

LondonTiger wrote:Even if best case scenarios are worked on, Walers are looking at going into the first game with 4 players unlikely to be fit enough to start (Lee, AWJ, Warbs, LiW).

Add in the lack of experience in the cover on the TH and you can see why Gats has been in the press mouthing off about England - his standard diversion tactic.

We are lucky that first game is against Uruguay then, if I am honest I wouldn't have played any of them even if they were fully fit but now I would give Lee some gametime if hes recovered.

I've said this a few times now but I still feel the key man for Wales is Faletau. I know Welsh fans believe Warburton can play 8 (still not convinced myself) but if Fatetau is crocked too it leaves the backrow in a real crisis.

Top 3 worst I think would be:

Faletau
Webb
Biggar

SecretFly wrote:downward curve, methinks...

Biggar is the only player we REALLY cant afford to lose.


WHY? It is not like he takes any kicks at goal it is?

majesticimperialman wrote:Biggar is the only player we REALLY cant afford to lose.


WHY? It is not like he takes any kicks at goal it is?

I'd like to see his league kicking accuracy vs Ford


EDIT

His kicking accuracy for 2014/15 in the Rabbo was 86.96 % - 2nd highest in league behind Ian Madigan...

Cant see a recent one for George

AWJ is the main talisman and he will be a huge loss if out. He's also in great form so best wait n see what we have 5 mins. before each game

munkian wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Biggar is the only player we REALLY cant afford to lose.


WHY? It is not like he takes any kicks at goal it is?

I'd like to see his league kicking accuracy vs Ford


EDIT

His kicking accuracy for 2014/15 in the Rabbo was 86.96 % - 2nd highest in league behind Ian Madigan...

Cant see a recent one for George

munkian.

We are talking about international rugby. Leigh Halfpenny (Normaly) kicks the goals for Wales. and Not Dan Biggar.

majesticimperialman wrote:We are talking about international rugby. Leigh Halfpenny (Normaly) kicks the goals for Wales. and Not Dan Biggar

I would not sweat it if either were taking the kicks for Wales. But Biggar controls the game a hell of a lot better than his counterparts. He is also very, very good under the high ball and he will always chase and more often than not catch his own up and unders. He can also find touch with a monster boot.

beshocked wrote:I've said this a few times now but I still feel the key man for Wales is Faletau. I know Welsh fans believe Warburton can play 8 (still not convinced myself) but if Fatetau is crocked too it leaves the backrow in a real crisis.

Top 3 worst I think would be:

Faletau
Webb
Biggar

You're spot on with Faletau and Biggar, but I wouldn't put Webb on that list. Sure, he's had a wonderful introduction to international rugby, but Gareth Davies is also a great player and was probably ahead of Webb in the pecking order before Webb seized his chance.

If I had to name a 3rd Wales player as being "key", I'd pick Samson Lee.

AWJ is a quality player. But I would not be too perturbed if he was out.

I would be far more concerned if it was Lee, Warburton, Roberts or Halfpenny

Having time to think about it, I am now of the opinion, that if AWJ is out although it would be a massive loss, then it should be time for somebody else to shine. Players have stepped up and made big names for themselves at world cup's. Shane Williams in 2003, Warburton in the last WC, perhaps Bradley Davies will come up trumps. You never know.

LordDowlais wrote:Having time to think about it, I am now of the opinion, that if AWJ is out although it would be a massive loss, then it should be time for somebody else to shine. Players have stepped up and made big names for themselves at world cup's. Shane Williams in 2003, Warburton in the last WC, perhaps Bradley Davies will come up trumps. You never know.

I thought Charteris and Faletau also shone through at the last World Cup, and Charteris and Ball could well form a powerful combination if called upon. As you say, Davies is a good player also.

I wouldn't put AWJ on the top three key player list. Not because he isn't a top class player, but rather that it's one position where Wales are relatively well stocked.

Lee, Faletau and Biggar. You'd be Donald Ducked if one of those guys couldn't play.

I know this will be seen as the dreaded commentators curse but Faletau very rarely gets injured and he very rarely gets subbed. He's like the duracell bunny as just keeps going, he played every game last WC and I expect him to do the same this year.

majesticimperialman wrote:Biggar is the only player we REALLY cant afford to lose.


WHY? It is not like he takes any kicks at goal it is?

Have a day off

AWJ is not that key a player for us. With the way Cement Head has stacked the squad, I would say (if nothing changes before the RWC), the three key players are Faletau, whichever hooker starts and Biggar. Then probably one of the centres, as what's behind the two starters isn't that experienced either in general international wise, or at centre full stop.

majesticimperialman wrote:

munkian wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Biggar is the only player we REALLY cant afford to lose.


WHY? It is not like he takes any kicks at goal it is?

I'd like to see his league kicking accuracy vs Ford


EDIT

His kicking accuracy for 2014/15 in the Rabbo was 86.96 % - 2nd highest in league behind Ian Madigan...

Cant see a recent one for George

munkian.

We are talking about international rugby. Leigh Halfpenny (Normaly) kicks the goals for Wales. and Not Dan Biggar.

Because point kicking is harder in International rugby ? I'm going to bet Biggar's completion rate is still rather tidy.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

beshocked wrote:I've said this a few times now but I still feel the key man for Wales is Faletau. I know Welsh fans believe Warburton can play 8 (still not convinced myself) but if Fatetau is crocked too it leaves the backrow in a real crisis.

Top 3 worst I think would be:

Faletau
Webb
Biggar

You're spot on with Faletau and Biggar, but I wouldn't put Webb on that list. Sure, he's had a wonderful introduction to international rugby, but Gareth Davies is also a great player and was probably ahead of Webb in the pecking order before Webb seized his chance.

If I had to name a 3rd Wales player as being "key", I'd pick Samson Lee.

How many caps has Gareth Davies got though? It's not many is it?

As for difference between club place kicking and international place kicking - just because you have a good record at club level doesn't mean it will be the same at international level.

Think the biggest news is that Wales are now above England in the rugby and football world rankings. Dark days! The latter is obviously more surprising.

beshocked wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

beshocked wrote:I've said this a few times now but I still feel the key man for Wales is Faletau. I know Welsh fans believe Warburton can play 8 (still not convinced myself) but if Fatetau is crocked too it leaves the backrow in a real crisis.

Top 3 worst I think would be:

Faletau
Webb
Biggar

You're spot on with Faletau and Biggar, but I wouldn't put Webb on that list. Sure, he's had a wonderful introduction to international rugby, but Gareth Davies is also a great player and was probably ahead of Webb in the pecking order before Webb seized his chance.

If I had to name a 3rd Wales player as being "key", I'd pick Samson Lee.

How many caps has Gareth Davies got though? It's not many is it?

As for difference between club place kicking and international place kicking - just because you have a good record at club level doesn't mean it will be the same at international level.

Think the biggest news is that Wales are now above England in the rugby and football world rankings. Dark days! The latter is obviously more surprising.

But Biggar does. And if you have a poor club level percentage you are unlikely to have a good international one.

Id be concerned about your hookers staying fit

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/02/wales-australia-could-face-world-cup-sanctions

I'd prefer to only take 2 scrumhalves and keep it with 3 hookers. I really don't get the logic of what gatland and Aussies r doing. I almost want it to backfire.

They've probably looked at the stats of previous WCs or previous 6N/TriNations etc - and have come to the scientific conclusion that the odds are they won't need a third hooker. An educated gamble based on the ever increasing use of bloody stats to answer all questions.

Maybe he just went with his Gat instinct Fly

So, Warbs being out for 6-9 weeks was danglies then ?

No9 wrote:Just heard (from a reliable source - don't believe me, just wait and see), that AWJ injury is really a bad one, and he isn't expected to make a recovery before the end of the group stages. Also, Warbs injury is being played down, but advice from the medical teams is saying 6-8 weeks, and it looks like Liam Williams is estimated at another 8 weeks.

Not looking good for those players, but Tips is a good understudy for Warbs and Halfpenny wasn't ever going to be moved from 15, but where are we going to cover Alun Wyn...

I guess the medical team was ejected and Jose Mourinho was brought in to advise on Warburton's injury as he's gone from 6-8 weeks on the side-lines to captaining the team on Saturday

Good news

The Miraculously 'Injured' Warbs does it again. Much too injured always to ever play in any game but the ones the Coaches want him to play in. I guess he'll be back on the 'injured' list straight after the final whistle. That bloody niggle is back. Should be okay for the .......... emmmm, which is first, England or Australia?

Hmmmmm

BBC Wales wrote:@BBCWalesSport: Double World Cup boost for Wales as prop Samson Lee back in full training while full-back Liam Williams to return to full training next week

SecretFly wrote:The Miraculously 'Injured' Warbs does it again.  Much too injured always to ever play in any game but the ones the Coaches want him to play in.  I guess he'll be back on the 'injured' list straight after the final whistle.  That bloody niggle is back.  Should be okay for the .......... emmmm, which is first, England or Australia?

Hate to stop someone mid ill informed rant but he could've played against your shower last week but they chose to rest him just in case.

Are you really one to mock with your team's history of glass back rows ?

Fly doesn't watch much rugby Munk

Made my apologies for being wrongly informed in the OP. Not going to repeat to individual comments..

No9 wrote:Made my apologies for being wrongly informed in the OP. Not going to repeat to individual comments..

Lee is taking part in full training, Williams will be next week and AWJ's injury is a one-week issues

Good news for Wales and their clubs

munkian wrote:

SecretFly wrote:The Miraculously 'Injured' Warbs does it again.  Much too injured always to ever play in any game but the ones the Coaches want him to play in.  I guess he'll be back on the 'injured' list straight after the final whistle.  That bloody niggle is back.  Should be okay for the .......... emmmm, which is first, England or Australia?

Hate to stop someone mid ill informed rant but he could've played against your shower last week but they chose to rest him just in case.

Are you really one to mock with your team's history of glass back rows ?

The auld biter bites. I love thee well for thy Master's sake..... and all that jazz

Point stands. Warburton has a history of being injured (or carrying an injury) right up until he carries off one of his all time great heroic moments of driving through the pain barrier to notch up the miraculously wonderful tackle counts.

On you go. I got eyes and memories here, munkian.....

Like Heaslip after his back was broken or BOD being wheeled out for a Heino match ?

Cast the first stone and all that