Your Current Test Lions (tour performance only)

MichaelT wrote:Gatlands Wales played South Africa 14 times and won 5. I am not sure that is having the measure of them during his run. When South Africa had their dip after RWC 2015 until Erasmus took over there was a good deal of success, but most teams beat South Africa then. This is a completely different team with their mindset, tactics, selection policy and form.

I also think the Japan method works because they have better half-backs, which is something - particularly scrum-half - we are lacking. Conor Murray doesn't worry the fringe defence, Gareth Davies and Ali Price aren't consistent enough but are quicker. Farrell and Biggar aren't running threats and Russell looks to be injured. Not sure Smith is the answer either but he's been playing and is there for cover for the first two now I feel. With the lack of remaining games, he might not even get a match day squad place.

MichaelT wrote:Gatlands Wales played South Africa 14 times and won 5. I am not sure that is having the measure of them during his run. When South Africa had their dip after RWC 2015 until Erasmus took over there was a good deal of success, but most teams beat South Africa then. This is a completely different team with their mindset, tactics, selection policy and form.

Tramptastic wrote:It always comes down to the discussion of how you play an opponent - match them at their strengths, thereby maybe playing in to their game or play around their strengths (The Japan Method).

I also think the Japan method works for Japan because they have better half-backs for a quicker game, which is something - particularly scrum-half - we are lacking. Conor Murray doesn't worry the fringe defence, Gareth Davies and Ali Price aren't consistent enough but are quicker. Farrell and Biggar aren't running threats and Russell looks to be injured. Not sure Smith is the answer either but he's been playing and is there for cover for the first two now I feel. With the lack of remaining games, he might not even get a match day squad place.

LordDowlais wrote:

MichaelT wrote:Gatlands Wales played South Africa 14 times and won 5. I am not sure that is having the measure of them during his run. When South Africa had their dip after RWC 2015 until Erasmus took over there was a good deal of success, but most teams beat South Africa then. This is a completely different team with their mindset, tactics, selection policy and form.

Tramptastic wrote:It always comes down to the discussion of how you play an opponent - match them at their strengths, thereby maybe playing in to their game or play around their strengths (The Japan Method).

I also think the Japan method works for Japan because they have better half-backs for a quicker game, which is something - particularly scrum-half - we are lacking. Conor Murray doesn't worry the fringe defence, Gareth Davies and Ali Price aren't consistent enough but are quicker. Farrell and Biggar aren't running threats and Russell looks to be injured. Not sure Smith is the answer either but he's been playing and is there for cover for the first two now I feel. With the lack of remaining games, he might not even get a match day squad place.

Why are you going back 14 years ? Thats a little far isn't it ? We were all but in turmoil before Gats took over and made us more professional.

Lets look at more recent history, Wales have won 5 of the last 7 meetings, and every game has been close, with one or two points in them, accept for the game in 2016 where Wales won by 14pts.

In fact, all the games during Gatlands tenure with Wales have been very close affairs, compare that to any other team in the NH and it really does seem as though Gats has a "way" of playing the Boks.

LordDowlais wrote:

MichaelT wrote:Gatlands Wales played South Africa 14 times and won 5. I am not sure that is having the measure of them during his run. When South Africa had their dip after RWC 2015 until Erasmus took over there was a good deal of success, but most teams beat South Africa then. This is a completely different team with their mindset, tactics, selection policy and form.

Tramptastic wrote:It always comes down to the discussion of how you play an opponent - match them at their strengths, thereby maybe playing in to their game or play around their strengths (The Japan Method).

I also think the Japan method works for Japan because they have better half-backs for a quicker game, which is something - particularly scrum-half - we are lacking. Conor Murray doesn't worry the fringe defence, Gareth Davies and Ali Price aren't consistent enough but are quicker. Farrell and Biggar aren't running threats and Russell looks to be injured. Not sure Smith is the answer either but he's been playing and is there for cover for the first two now I feel. With the lack of remaining games, he might not even get a match day squad place.

Why are you going back 14 years ? Thats a little far isn't it ? We were all but in turmoil before Gats took over and made us more professional.

Lets look at more recent history, Wales have won 5 of the last 7 meetings, and every game has been close, with one or two points in them, accept for the game in 2016 where Wales won by 14pts.

In fact, all the games during Gatlands tenure with Wales have been very close affairs, compare that to any other team in the NH and it really does seem as though Gats has a "way" of playing the Boks.

LordDowlais wrote:Englands record is not so good during the same period, neither is Scotland's or Irelands, so I do not think your argument holds much water, and that is not to say Wales are better, other results against other teams would say different, I just think Gatland has got South Africa's number thats all.

Very much the same as I think Eddie Jones has got Australia's number.

The team that beat Wales in the world cup was very fortunate, and the game had three points in it, the same team who walloped England in the final.

LordDowlais wrote:No 7&1/2 I will reply to you this once, only to tell you I have you on ignore, so please do not waste your time trying to engage with me, as I am not interested in debating with you.

You would be better off trying to get a conversation out of one of the other members, I have asked the mods to let you know, obviously they havent, never mind, please take this as a polite reminder.

flyhalffactory wrote:Meanwhile back at the ranch

It's difficult to assess form as these "warm-up" games haven't actually been normal. I think after tomorrow's game we start putting names against numbers.

In my mind only Adams has secured a spot so far

LordDowlais wrote:Price is good, and he has been good in the warm ups, I just think he is a little bit to erratic. It's a shame we will not see him against decent opposition tomorrow, see what he is like against better sides, he didn't impress me in the 6N, but he has looked good so far on tour.

LordDowlais wrote:No 7&1/2 I will reply to you this once, only to tell you I have you on ignore, so please do not waste your time trying to engage with me, as I am not interested in debating with you.

You would be better off trying to get a conversation out of one of the other members, I have asked the mods to let you know, obviously they havent, never mind, please take this as a polite reminder.

RiscaGame wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:No 7&1/2 I will reply to you this once, only to tell you I have you on ignore, so please do not waste your time trying to engage with me, as I am not interested in debating with you.

You would be better off trying to get a conversation out of one of the other members, I have asked the mods to let you know, obviously they havent, never mind, please take this as a polite reminder.

If you have him on foe, you wouldn’t have seen the post you responded to, without opening it. I get the quote function will still show a foe’s posts, but nothing else will.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:No 7&1/2 I will reply to you this once, only to tell you I have you on ignore, so please do not waste your time trying to engage with me, as I am not interested in debating with you.

You would be better off trying to get a conversation out of one of the other members, I have asked the mods to let you know, obviously they havent, never mind, please take this as a polite reminder.

Just pointing out mistakes or ignorance. No problem not replying, you're not forced to.

The Oracle wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Price is good, and he has been good in the warm ups, I just think he is a little bit to erratic. It's a shame we will not see him against decent opposition tomorrow, see what he is like against better sides, he didn't impress me in the 6N, but he has looked good so far on tour.

Erratic was Gareth Davies the other day!  Which was a shame as for years he has been one of Wales’ best players.  This tour so far I have liked the look of Price.  If we go with Biggar 10, he’s used to playing with more of a live wire, sniping, running, nippy little 9 for Wales (G Davies, Tomos Williams, Rhys Webb, etc.) so Price would be a nice fit in my opinion.  I’m not sure how it would work with a bit of a slower more methodical 9 in Murray.  And if it’s Murray-Biggar-Farrell........ we that’s far too stodgy for me!

TJ wrote:Murray / Biggar/ Farrel /Harris might be worse

hugehandoff wrote:Currently I would go with....but this will hopefully change after Sat's game

Sutherland, George, Furlong
Itoje, Beard
Beirne, Faletau, Watson
Price, Biggar
Henshaw, Harris
Adams, Williams, VDM

Bench
Wyn Jones, Owens, Sinckler
Lawes, Curry, Simmonds
O'Connor
Farrell

lostinwales wrote:

hugehandoff wrote:Currently I would go with....but this will hopefully change after Sat's game

Sutherland, George, Furlong
Itoje, Beard
Beirne, Faletau, Watson
Price, Biggar
Henshaw, Harris
Adams, Williams, VDM

Bench
Wyn Jones, Owens, Sinckler
Lawes, Curry, Simmonds
O'Connor
Farrell

O'Connor? Do you mean Murray?