Team announced

['twyn]

Originally Posted by Fabric

Easy to answer:

1. Rees played very poorly in the last test match. Strong coaches back their players and don't drop them after one poor performance. He's trusted Rees to put it right this week.

2. Dropping Davies would rid Wales of its tightest ball carrier and just allow the Aussie defence to drift even further outwards. There's a case for dropping AWJ, of course.

3. Picking Hook would be utterly pointless. He can't be trusted to be as disciplined as Priestland and the lack of Welsh runners means that whoever is selected at 10 is on a hiding to nothing.

True, we haven't been very creative in the backs and the Aussies have outshone us in this respect. I'm hoping that we can bring North and Cuthbert more into the game like Ioane does for Oz. Still, I'm hoping for a win, going down to Sydney tomorrow for a long weekend.

[fatterfullback]

Originally Posted by 'twyn

True, we haven't been very creative in the backs and the Aussies have outshone us in this respect. I'm hoping that we can bring North and Cuthbert more into the game like Ioane does for Oz. Still, I'm hoping for a win, going down to Sydney tomorrow for a long weekend.

we need to get in a position first!!

Originally Posted by Shaun Edwards

"Last weekend was a good example. I think they [Australia] had nearly five minutes in our 22 and we had one minute in their 22. In that minute we scored a pretty powerful try from George North.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Originally Posted by Fabric

Easy to answer:

1. Rees played very poorly in the last test match. Strong coaches back their players and don't drop them after one poor performance. He's trusted Rees to put it right this week.

2. Dropping Davies would rid Wales of its tightest ball carrier and just allow the Aussie defence to drift even further outwards. There's a case for dropping AWJ, of course.

3. Picking Hook would be utterly pointless. He can't be trusted to be as disciplined as Priestland and the lack of Welsh runners means that whoever is selected at 10 is on a hiding to nothing.

1. If this was a blip from Rees, I might agree with the decision. But Rees has never been rock-solid as a thrower. Who would you have as hooker?

2. Sure, I'd like to see Evans starting. Not too worried about who they drop. Who would you play?

In fact, what team would you like to see?

[Son of Mathonwy]

Originally Posted by fatterfullback

the problem with the kicking is down the the territory and possession stats...

we rarely had the ball, and when we did this was in our half...

this was (in part) due to no faith in keeping the ball at ruck/tackle and not being able to contest and ruck/tackle as such we kind of had to kick the ball as trying to run it from our half was a recipe for disaster

It's something of a two-edged sword. Some of the lack of possession was down to kicking the ball away (and not regaining it, naturally).

I feel that our kicking has been so ineffective that we should either change the kicker or make a change in tactics (ie kicking less, running more). We'd have to put more effort (and manpower) into the breakdown. I'm not saying don't kick the ball, but reduce the kick/pass ratio a little.

[Y Fferret]

Originally Posted by Fabric

Easy to answer:

1. Rees played very poorly in the last test match. Strong coaches back their players and don't drop them after one poor performance. He's trusted Rees to put it right this week.

2. Dropping Davies would rid Wales of its tightest ball carrier and just allow the Aussie defence to drift even further outwards. There's a case for dropping AWJ, of course.

3. Picking Hook would be utterly pointless. He can't be trusted to be as disciplined as Priestland and the lack of Welsh runners means that whoever is selected at 10 is on a hiding to nothing.

Agree with 2 and 3. My personal choice for 2nd row would be Davies and Evans. AWJ to come off the bench.

But for point 1... I know I'm only going off internet speculation, but I was under the impression that the Welsh coaches quite often drop players for one poor game (or rather defensive blunders). The only one I can remember right now is the rumoured dropping of Owens due to Genia's try (or rather break through the line before the try). But I'm sure I remember hearing of others...

[Billyfish]

Originally Posted by Son of Mathonwy

It's something of a two-edged sword. Some of the lack of possession was down to kicking the ball away (and not regaining it, naturally).

I feel that our kicking has been so ineffective that we should either change the kicker or make a change in tactics (ie kicking less, running more). We'd have to put more effort (and manpower) into the breakdown. I'm not saying don't kick the ball, but reduce the kick/pass ratio a little.

Kicking is fine as long as the defensive line gets up (which it has been doing, though our chasing hasn't been good overall) and we can compete in the ensuing ruck.

Running the ball instead of kicking is fine as long as we can compete and get quick ball from the ensuing ruck.

The problem is the ruck.




And the reffing of the ruck, but I think enough has been said about that.

[The Dude]

On the whole I agree with not changing the side apart from Evans should be in the engine room.
And it's about time Rees and Priestland had a big game.

[Hooky]

Whilst I agree that Bradley is probably our best tight carrier, I'm not sure he's considerably better than Evans in this respect. Not sure that an AWJ/Bradley combo would be far superior in this respect to an AWJ/Evans combo.

Can see the logic of wanting both though - perhaps Brad/Evans is our best combo for this match.

[Hooky]

Originally Posted by Son of Mathonwy

1. If this was a blip from Rees, I might agree with the decision. But Rees has never been rock-solid as a thrower. Who would you have as hooker?

2. Sure, I'd like to see Evans starting. Not too worried about who they drop. Who would you play?

In fact, what team would you like to see?

Rees' throwing improved immeasurably from his first few games. He became a colossus and our captain - one of the best hookers in the world. The injury has set him back somewhat and he seems to have got the jitters again. I see the reasoning Fabric has pointed to but I still would have gone for Owens, it is so important we secure our ball from first phase.

[Fabric]

Originally Posted by Son of Mathonwy

1. If this was a blip from Rees, I might agree with the decision. But Rees has never been rock-solid as a thrower. Who would you have as hooker?

2. Sure, I'd like to see Evans starting. Not too worried about who they drop. Who would you play?

In fact, what team would you like to see?

1. Rees. He's been solid during the last couple of years.

2. Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Davies, Williams, North, Priestland, Phillips, Warburton, Tipuric, Jones, Evans, Davies, Jones, Rees, Jenkins