Pool D - Match Thread - Wales v Uruguay - 13/10/19 - K/O 9:15 GMT+1

[Guest]

Hopefully this game is going ahead but you never know...

Wales



Pool: 1st, 14pts. 3-0-0.

Team:

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Justin Tipuric (c), 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Nicky Smith

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Wyn Jones, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 James Davies, 22 Tomos Williams, 23 Gareth Davies

Uruguay



Pool: 5th, 4pts. 1-0-2.

Team: Mieres; Leivas, Cat, Vilaseca, Freitas; Berchesi, Arata; Sanguinetti, Kessler, Arbelo, Dotti, Leindekar, Gaminara (capt), Civetta, Nieto.

Replacements: Pujadas, Echeverria, Rombys, Magno, Diana, Ormaechea, Inciarte, Silva.



Venue: Kunamoto
Referees: Ref - Angus Gardner (Australia); AR - Luke Pearce, Karl Dickson (England); TMO - Rowan Kitt (England)

[RiscaGame]

Having gone to the WC cup in 2015 (Wales v Uruguay), I have to say their supporters are brilliant. I suspect this might be a tough game for our 2s, but hopefully we do enough to seal top.

[Guest]

Not only are Wales battered and bruised from the Uruguay game, but we've got a likely QF v France a mere 7 days later - a France team that is big, strong, hard to read, and well rested.

For this game we're missing Biggar, almost certain to be missind JD2, and guaranteed to be heavily rotating the team for the QF next week.

Here's the team I'd go with:

1. Nicky Smith
2. Ryan Elias
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Bradley Davies
5. Adam Beard
6. Aaron Shingler
7. Justin Tipuric (C)
8. Ross Moriarty

9. Aled Davies
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Hal Amos
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Owen Watkin
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

With injury worries over Josh Adams and Jon Davies, I'd opt for the other starters in their positions, although Parkes' broken hand might cause problems and we could end up with a real makeshift backline if he's not fit to play.

16. Elliot Dee
17. Rhys Carre
18. Wyn Jones
19. AWJ
20. James Davies
21. Tomos Williams
22. Gareth Davies
23. Liam Williams

With the bench, there's not much option but to select some big names and have them come on for the final 20-30 minutes - a good warm up for France against a tired Uruguay, or a potential injury waiting to happen? I can't see him resting AWJ completely tbh. I'm sure he'll be on the bench.

Not too many backs replacements and he might go with a 6:2 split forwards:backs. Heard him mention it in the press conference so presumably that's going to happen. In which case who knows where he'll go? Will it be an extra front rower in Tomas Francis, or, more likely, will it be Aaron Wainwright filling in alongside James Davieson the bench, covering second row and lock, with Cubby covering the wing if necessary (something I didn't consider pre tournament but now, when you think about it, makes perfect sense - he got called up because he could cover as an outside back if desperate, which we are).

[Guest]

Also, if the game is cancelled and 2 points awarded for a draw, Wales are guaranteed 16 points, the maximum Australia can achieve with a bonus point win v Georgia. That means Wales can only finish second by losing v Uruguay and failing to pick up 2 LBPs - seems unlikely.

[majesticimperialman]

Any news on the welsh injured?

[Pie]

After this week i'm predicting Uruguay easy winners and we lose both Patchell and Biggar just to be on the safe side

[majesticimperialman]

Making 13 changes could well be Uruguay winning the game. That would a laugh. 

Still you never know any thing could happen in a game of rugby, bounce of the ball you know.

[maestegmafia]

Making 13 changes could well be Uruguay winning the game. That would a laugh. 

Still you never know any thing could happen in a game of rugby, bounce of the ball you know.

Stop trolling it’s not funny you just annoy people

[maestegmafia]

Team announced with Tips as skipper

Wales:

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Justin Tipuric (c), 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Nicky Smith


Replacements:

16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Wyn Jones, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 James Davies, 22 Tomos Williams, 23 Gareth Davies

Considering injuries, rest and the make up of the squad chosen it’s little surprise to see the team selected for this game with such a short turn around between matches.

[mikey_dragon]

Making 13 changes could well be Uruguay winning the game. That would a laugh. 

Still you never know any thing could happen in a game of rugby, bounce of the ball you know.

Stop trolling it’s not funny you just annoy people

We could make 23 changes and still win the game.

[mikey_dragon]

Team announced with Tips as skipper

Wales:

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Justin Tipuric (c), 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Nicky Smith


Replacements:

16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Wyn Jones, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 James Davies, 22 Tomos Williams, 23 Gareth Davies

Considering injuries, rest and the make up of the squad chosen it’s little surprise to see the team selected for this game with such a short turn around between matches.

Good team. Tips captain as expected, but could get hooked 40-50 mins in to save him for France. Good to see Shingler back at 6, I expect a few driving mauls. Carre also being lined up for a place in the 23 against France. Two scrum halves on the bench? We're scraping the barrel then.

[RiscaGame]

It's a good side for Wales. Pretty similar to what I picked, without knowing Adams was fit and North wasn't really.

I had a bit of a feeling that they might have two scrumhalves on the bench.

Pretty good news on JD2, in that he hasn't been ruled out immediately. Hopefully it is just swelling. Will be a nervy week before whatever QF game it is. Great that Biggar is symptom free currently too.

[maestegmafia]

Two scrum halves on the bench? We're scraping the barrel then.

There aren’t any other backs nor injured what else can we do?

James Davies has played wing for scarlets a few times, Tips can play anywhere bar front row. Four day turnaround is pretty tough.

[maestegmafia]

It's a good side for Wales. Pretty similar to what I picked, without knowing Adams was fit and North wasn't really.

I had a bit of a feeling that they might have two scrumhalves on the bench.

Pretty good news on JD2, in that he hasn't been ruled out immediately. Hopefully it is just swelling. Will be a nervy week before whatever QF game it is. Great that Biggar is symptom free currently too.

Great news so far on injuries, JD2 was looking really good on Wednesday.

[Guest]

Aled Davies to throw 7 intercept tries


Is that all the backs we can put out on the bench???

[LondonTiger]

Aled Davies to throw 7 intercept tries


Is that all the backs we can put out on the bench???  

You took 13 backs - 7 playing, 2 on the bench, 4 unavailable: Biggar, JD2, North & LiamW all having knocks and bangs.

[Guest]

Aled Davies to throw 7 intercept tries


Is that all the backs we can put out on the bench???  

You took 13 backs - 7 playing, 2 on the bench, 4 unavailable: Biggar, JD2, North & LiamW all having knocks and bangs.

It was more an expression of exasperation than a real question, LT! Like "Is that all we can manage?!". Threadbare is an understatement

[Guest]

For those saying that Gatland doesn't rate Tipuric or that his face doesn't fit, have a read of this. Glowing praise for Tips from Gats. And he's made him captain too. I think Gats likes him just fine:

https://www.wru.wales/2019/10/tipuric-getting-better-with-age-believes-gatland/

[RiscaGame]

I don't think Liam Williams is nursing a knock. He's just seemingly rested. Ultimately, two out of three starting back three players aren't fully fit, so we have to protect the one that is. Gareth Davies has proven pretty capable on the wing, to cover if needs must.

[mikey_dragon]

Two scrum halves on the bench? We're scraping the barrel then.

There aren’t any other backs nor injured what else can we do?

James Davies has played wing for scarlets a few times, Tips can play anywhere bar front row. Four day turnaround is pretty tough.

It was just an observation. If Tips and Wainright are required for France then Cubby will probably go to 7, unless we have a few backline injuries.

[maestegmafia]

Two scrum halves on the bench? We're scraping the barrel then.

There aren’t any other backs nor injured what else can we do?

James Davies has played wing for scarlets a few times, Tips can play anywhere bar front row. Four day turnaround is pretty tough.

It was just an observation. If Tips and Wainright are required for France then Cubby will probably go to 7, unless we have a few backline injuries.

Interesting to see Wainwright selected at eight for this one. Could possibly be his position in a few seasons. Strength carrying and ball handling are all his strengths.

[Guest]

Not far off with my team guess, but forgot Moriarty started against Fiji.

Weird one with the props. Wyn Jones was out on his feet after aboyt 50-60 minutes yet stayed on, and Tomas Francis played about 70 minutes against Fiji. Presumably Wyn Jones has a minimum of 10 minutes on the tighthead this game, and then doubles up with at least an hour against France. Tough ask for him - and people ask whether the break benefits teams?! Go talk to the props and see how their calves and hamstrings are feeling with 3 games in 10 days.

Bit of a mix and match team this. Early tries would be good, put the game away early doors then just coast for the ast 60 minutes. Don't want injuries, don't want players having to play hard for 60-70 minutes.

Uruguay are a tidy team though. Physically weak, but they punch above their weight, and aren't bad at moving the ball. I think Wales will get a good test in this match.

[maestegmafia]

Not far off with my team guess, but forgot Moriarty started against Fiji.

Weird one with the props. Wyn Jones was out on his feet after aboyt 50-60 minutes yet stayed on, and Tomas Francis played about 70 minutes against Fiji. Presumably Wyn Jones has a minimum of 10 minutes on the tighthead this game, and then doubles up with at least an hour against France. Tough ask for him - and people ask whether the break benefits teams?! Go talk to the props and see how their calves and hamstrings are feeling with 3 games in 10 days.

Bit of a mix and match team this. Early tries would be good, put the game away early doors then just coast for the ast 60 minutes. Don't want injuries, don't want players having to play hard for 60-70 minutes.

Uruguay are a tidy team though. Physically weak, but they punch above their weight, and aren't bad at moving the ball. I think Wales will get a good test in this match.

Best thing about this RWC is seeing just how good teams like Uruguay, Georgia even Russia are these days. We need World Rugby and our powerful Unions to do much more to bring these teams up to an even higher level.

[Guest]

Yes. Tough old RWC for WR in lots of ways, but now there's also the issue of the global season and the restructuring of the rugby calendar to get on with. I'm a big fan of a 'Euros'/Copa America style competition involving tier 2 during the Lions season, restructuring to a more global season, and then leaving everything else as is. You can't 'make' countries something they're not - Italy are treading water and as such appear to have backwards, but that's a sign of how fast things move at the top.

Lots of benefit from thie RWC comes, in my opinion, from continuity. Phil Davies with Namibia, Milton Haig with Georgia, and playing personnel as well. Lots of 'same' faces from 4 years ago and they look a lot better for it. WR have to take credit for that, as that's where they put their money. That's worked - so do more of that. Argentina's decline in the RC is evidence that promoting teams to competitions they're not ready for has mixed results, so don't rush in to that.

A 7s style cup/plate/bowl style tournament in Lions Summers would be the only change I'd make. You're never going to 'beat' the French clubs and have Fijians getting full release during the domestic season. The Lions tournament is obviously where you can play around with things - why not extend it out to include the rest of the world in some way. That's what I'd try to do.

Wrong thread I know, but the RWC has to remain the pinnacle. All this talk about helping others out is a bit isguided - you can't recreate the RWC every season. It's special for a reason - or several reasons. Love seeing Georgia punch above their weight every 4 years, although they've probably struggled this season a little bit. Tough old group. Taken apart by Fiji - shows where they really are as a rugby nation where, with a better draw, they might nick a win v Samoa, say, and everyone would be championing them to play in the 6Ns because of that one result.

I love the RWC because it's special, and the whole calendar seems to build in 4 year cycles towards it.

That's why the cancelled games are so devastating, and that's why I don't think you can 'improve' each season to be like a RWC tournament - but you can recreate something similar in the Lions Summers without treading on the toes of the proper global tournament 2 years later.

[maestegmafia]

Definitely food for thought their mate

[Guest]

This should be comfortable enough...yes?

[Guest]

Had to suffer through years of Catt producing the goods against Wales - let's hope his namesake doesn't pull off a similar performance today.

[BamBam]

Dear Lord did anyone see the girl in the crowd during the Welsh anthem? Didn't know they made them like that over the Severn 

[RiscaGame]

Hope we get the win. Not concerned about a BP etc. I do fancy a few big performances from some of the fringe players, with the carrot of a place next week. Would love to see a good game from Amos today.

[RiscaGame]

Should've held that.

[Guest]

4 handling errors from Wales in 4 minutes!

Thought Aled Davies was through there but very slow.

[mikey_dragon]

Must be embarrassing for Aled Davies, knowing that front rowers can complete the 100m in a much quicker time than he can.

[mikey_dragon]

Wow all the handling errors.

[RiscaGame]

Was just thinking Gareth Davies would've scored there.

Playing some nice stuff, but also forcing things too much. Breaking tackles for fun. Just stick to the phases.

[majesticimperialman]

I see Halfpenny in playing today. As he been injured? only normally he was all ways in the team a head of Liam Williams.

[Guest]

Yep, it’ll come. We’ve had a number of line breaks already so I’m sure the tries will come soon. But need a bit more patience and build the phases.

[mikey_dragon]

Has to be a card now surely...

[BigGee]

Uruguay are defending like their lives depend on it, but surely it will takes its toll eventually

[Guest]

Aled Davies’ passing is not great. Players having to check their run on the crash ball and taking the pace out them. Some high passes, some behind the man. Needs to be more accurate.

[RiscaGame]

Should've had a card there.

[majesticimperialman]

Great defence by Uruguay, but Wales finaly get the try.

[mikey_dragon]

Aled Davies’ passing is not great. Players having to check their run on the crash ball and taking the pace out them. Some high passes, some behind the man. Needs to be more accurate.

Needs to be faster too.

[tigertattie]

Here’s a question for you. Ref warns Uruguay that the next penalty given away will see a card. They give away another penalty but wales score the try. Just because the try was scored it doesn’t change the fact that Uruguay infringed again. Why then does a yellow not get shown after the try is scored?

[majesticimperialman]

Wales turn to go off side.

[LondonTiger]

Here’s a question for you. Ref warns Uruguay that the next penalty given away will see a card. They give away another penalty but wales score the try. Just because the try was scored it doesn’t change the fact that Uruguay infringed again. Why then does a yellow not get shown after the try is scored?

Probably pity.

[majesticimperialman]

Nice try by Wales.

[RiscaGame]

Forward pass?

[majesticimperialman]

whoops forward pass.

[Guest]

Why do they always go on about Hallam Amos training to be a doctor so much? It was the same with Jamie Roberts previously. I’m sure lots of players are doing degrees on the side! If someone was training to be an engineer why not mention that too?! All you hear is Dr this, medic that!

[RiscaGame]

Here’s a question for you. Ref warns Uruguay that the next penalty given away will see a card. They give away another penalty but wales score the try. Just because the try was scored it doesn’t change the fact that Uruguay infringed again. Why then does a yellow not get shown after the try is scored?

Totally agree.

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