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I do like the way you get in SA look knackered – just getting your excuses in first in case Scotland win?
Not at all, same reason for Wales beating Aus.
We have this fast and loose gameplan which suits the players and gets wins but against SA we decide to go toe to toe.
We should run them ragged for 60mins then apply the pressure.
The current SA team might be big and physical, but they are also quick and pretty fit. The backs are very quick in broken play. This year they have tended to concede points at the beginning of games and win them at the end. Trying to run them ragged would probably play into the way they currently like playing.
What's the Scottish feeling on Horne at 12? Every time I watch him play (for Scotland mostly) it seems a miracle he was picked. Seems to have a knack for a brainless blunder at every crucial moment. Are there really none of the other wonder centres fit?
You've got to be happy to not see Faf on the team sheet too! A tough task for Scotland but they've got to feel in with a shout
Not sure if this has already been posted but Welsh side for Tonga:
Jonah Holmes; Liam Williams, Tyler Morgan, Owen Watkin, Steff Evans; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright, Ellis Jenkins (capt), Seb Davies.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Aled Davies, Rhys Patchell, Josh Adams.
It will probably be a scrappy mess of a game but I am genuinely excited to see what the individuals in this team can do at the weekend.
Peter Horne very much divides opinion amongst scots fans. Myself I like him. A very wholehearted player, good defensively, very elusive runner, handy back up 10. However he has made some high profile blunders in attack taking the wrong options and meaning scores are missed. Also has created a lot of scoring opportunities.
the whole team seems better when he is on the pitch somehow. A second playmaker at 12 does work it seems. also a versitile player who can play pretty much anything from 10-15
Other scots fans will tell you he should never be near the international side again and are angry about his inclusion
I don't think he will get many more chances however
We do have a lot of broken centres most of who most of us would prefer to be playing. townsend is trying out combinations in this series.
With that team, if Wales start to lose against Tonga there is no-one they can bring off the bench to impose themselves. (I'm struggling to think of a different way of saying what I'm thinking here..)
Edit : and they've got Holmes and Moriarty! 🙂
With that team, if Wales start to lose against Tonga there is no-one they can bring off the bench to impose themselves.
Evans, Elias and Francis off the bench should ensure scrum dominance. Patchel would increase the running threat at 10 or add an extra play maker at 15. Moriarty too could up it but I hope and expect he wont be called on unless its an emergency as he is our only 8 and he's really a 6.
They should beat Tonga fairly comfortably.
Good player, very good player... almost 40% as good as AWJ 😀
Really great video as always
Good Vid 🙂
Have you seen the oddity that is this weeks England team. I hope we win, bloody hell. Although, I think some lesson have been learned - 2 days rest for all players and benched senior players. He's making sure he's in the best place to make statement against Australia if you ask me.
Love a bit of Squidge!
Although, I think some lesson have been learned – 2 days rest for all players and benched senior players. He’s making sure he’s in the best place to make statement against Australia if you ask me.
Trying to recreate the world cup and rest player whilst making sure of a good win.
That’s a good point.
Saw these on another site and thought it deserved a repost!
I'd forgotten about that! Brutal
It does also remind me of one obvious omission from the team sheet for these kind of games... normally Gatland selects Hook out of the blue to get smashed for 80 minutes 😀
It will probably be a scrappy mess of a game
I can guarantee that as I'll be there.
Jones’s team this week makes sense; teams will need to be rotated in the WC and against a lower ranked teams would be the time to do it. Pleased for Ted Hill to earn a place on the bench following a good season so far with Wuss. At 19 he’s got a bright future and strengthens our back row options.
Watched Gloucester vs Tigers tonight; thought Gloucester’s attack was very impressive martialed by Cipriani who had a cracking game. His role in the disallowed try was brilliant. Tigers were shit and their backs generally looked slow and dimwitted compared to Gloucester’s. Watching Cipriani tonight it does seem nuts that his not getting picked by Jones given his vision in attack plus he can kick his goals unlike Ford.
Gloucester did look good but to be fair to Tigers (yes I am a fan) they had their entire first choice back line out on international duty or injured. Youngs, Ford, Tuilagi and May away with England, Toomua with Aus, Holmes with Wales and veainu injured. Add to that polota-nau with Aus, Ellis Genge injured and losing guy Thomson in the first half its not a great time to be playing any team in the top half of the table!!
We are shit but its not a level playing field sometimes at this time of year.
Cipriani missed 2 of his conversions as well.
So predictions for today? all fairly predictable 😉
Scotland / SA - very hard to see anything other than an SA win. SA have a decent run of results, High scoring match, SA by 10
England should see off Japan without too much trouble but will trundle and creak to victory rather than romp England by 10
Ireland will struggle. Low scoring game but NZ by 5
Wales / tonga - again hard to see past wales winning but tonga might give them a scare or two. Wales by 10
When you back line has the pace and verve of Gareth Owen at 13 you know your in trouble!!
Tonga to unleash worlds heaviest international rugby player on Wales
Ben Tameifuna, who played in the same Junior All Blacks team as Beauden Barrett and Welsh No.10 Gareth Anscombe, was a mere 23st 4lbs before joining Top 14 heavyweights Racing 92 in 2015.
But since then the 6ft Auckland-born tighthead prop has seen his weight spiral to 24st 1lb (153kg), making him the heaviest player in Test rugby.
Expect to see Wales looseheads knees tremble at scrum time.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WRy72Yy4mXE
I reckon SA will have too much for Scotland....maybe SA by 7
NZ Ireland, heart says Ireland, head says NZ by no more than 5
England v Japan, whom cares? England by 25
Wales v Tonga, again whom cares? Wales by 20
When you back line has the pace and verve of Gareth Owen at 13 you know your in trouble
And being marshalled by the not so good Ford brother!
I am finding these games more difficult to call than the past couple of weeks.
Scotland v SA could go either way. Not a high scoring game, less than 10 difference.
England by 20+
Wales by 15+
I have a gut feeling NZ will make a statement prior to the World Cup - NZ by 15+
Although my heart is with Ireland, I too fear an AB’s backlash. They will want to ensure they’ve made a mark in the NH before they leave.
England game feels a little like the warm up match to that for me.
I'm leaning the same way as gauss on the predictions... but sport isnt played on paper and it would be great to see something unexpected
Interesting stat: I knew England missed a lot of tackles last weekend but what I didn't realise was Farrell missed 11!
When you back line has the pace and verve of Gareth Owen at 13 you know your in trouble!!
He did look a bit a bit of a donkey against some of the swift Gloucester backs. Thorley made a chunk of ground through his channel and he’s doesn’t often make the 23 when all are fit. Thompstone looked pretty sluggish too.
Nick Berry is a ref now!
Every loser wins!
Seems a bit harsh!
England shambles right now. 14 men and losing.
Utter shambles. Scored after two minutes, then haven't had the ball since. Looks like me out there trying to tackle ffs.
Japan playing really well
Ashton looks ****ed too, excellent.
Just when you thought we couldn't get worse than the first half v SA.....
Jeez. What an absolute shower of shit from us. Fair play to Japan who are inventive and playing really really bloody well. So much for smashing them.
....Jones has basically come full circle now, actually, we're possibly in worse nick than when he took over!
We're probably going to be heading into the world cup niw with at least 50% of positions either filled with an out of form senior player, or a form player with about 8 caps.
Good performance in the end from Wales. Well done boys.
COME ON JAPAN!!!
1 farsand!
Jesus that is a proper dicking handed out by Wales today. Sheesh.
Sky's coverage is more one sided than Inverdale could ever dream of.
COME ON JAPAN!!!
Never in doubt. Honest.
Two scorelines that didn't tell the whole story.
COME ON IRELAND!
EDIT:
I meant Scotland. Thought it was the ABs today!
Jesus that is a proper dicking handed out by Wales today. Sheesh.
The scoreline doesnt tell the full story. Wales raced to a 24 to 3 lead after about 15mins. By 5 mins after half time it was 24 all! Tonga imploded after about 50mins.
Exciting first 1/4 in Scotland v SA!
Scotland team is led by idiots!
Scotland decision making is woeful
Did Kilisi just headbut someone?
Hogg really is a damn fine rugby player! Is there a better kicker from hand in rugby?
Also, judging by the posts I take it that it's not just me that has been watching rugby since 1pm?!
What was the bad decision?
I'm working so only seeing bits
I’m not normally a fan of Hogg’s, but he’s been very good in the first half.
Still not a fan of Russell though.
Thats an unbelievable decision 🙁
What was the bad decision?
Scotland scored a try and then tried to run it out of the 22 from kick off. Got turned over and conceded a try!
That’s a shit descion by the cheese eating surrender monkey.. 🤯
Terrible never a deliberate knock on. Scrum play on.
Russell having a shocker.
Poite having a stinker. Actually Poite working to his usual standard.
Jantjies on for the Boks, Maybe they don't want to win this.
What was the bad decision?
3 points behind with 15 to go and they kick to corner!!
Trying to run out of 22 again!!
That’ll do. 👍
Balls, good game though. The usual glimpses of genius foiled by just mucking it up.
Ach...that was the usual crap. Still;ticket was free, and a hotel in Edinburgh after being out with guys I have known since we were 12. Good atmosphere today, but poor decision making and the odd brain fart.
NZ forwards have had their weetabix this morning!
This commentator could have done with one less coffee before the game.
Aye but Bestie had an Ulster Fry
I thought exactly the same re the commentator a_a....it's not Heaslip is it?
Why was there no debate about Kearney playing the ball on the floor for his potential try? Are you allowed to catch and place the ball? I thought you were supposed to be out of the game?
Will Ireland rue not taking 3 points? NZ do a great job of spoiling Ireland's momentum and seem to suck teams in to feeling a need for a try
NZ are clearly being well tested and I hope Ireland can continue to keep them under the pump in the second half.
Ireland are playing wonderfully well but they are not easy on the eye are they...still I'll never see Wales beat NZ so, well, you know.
Dan I think we will rue it. Especially after I ridiculed Scotland for the same thing!
NZ are clearly being well tested and I hope Ireland can continue to keep them under the pump in the second half
Fingers crossed. It’s an abrasive game plan, let’s hope Ireland don’t tire and let the AB’s through. Awesome stuff.
Classic Ireland, quite simple but equally very unpredictable and unusual move. Awesome!
Ireland are playing wonderfully well but they are not easy on the eye are they…still I’ll never see Wales beat NZ so, well, you know.
Whilst iit would be nice to see Ireland win, because they’re a very good team. From a selfish viewpoint I think it would give Wales a big psychological boost to see a NH team beat them so close to the World Cup.
POM is officially hard as nails!
How on Earth is there nearly 20 minutes left?! Will feel like an eternity for Ireland
Hell of a game this Ireland vs nz. Ireland really on it.
Top 2 teams in the world and showing it. The intensity is superb.
Yeeeeoooo awesome