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I’m glad the whole Howley thing has been quiet - it could easily have cast a media shadow over Wales
I agree. But odd that Jones is invisible in the media too and hasn't had a single mention in any player interview, opinion piece or anything. Massive effort to pretend nothing happened which has to be for the best for the team but takes quite some doing
I’m sure I’ve heard jones interviewed on some welsh rugby podcast since he arrived in Japan.
SA fans on Twitter proper wound up over Garces reffing the SA v WAl game.
BIL flying out tomorrow to watch both semi-finals. He's a massive fan with twickenham debenture tickets and has mates already out their and they've managed to get tickets for him .... Lucky guy!
I'm glad the Howley thing had died a bit as the poor bloke obviously has an addiction. Engerland fans; Owen Slot in the Times has 9 stout, English Yeomen in his combined team, and no room for pesky colonials such as Retallick. I wonder if that might be pinned to a dressing room wall on Sat?
To be fair, you could pick any of the 8 or so eng/nz locks in a world XV without too much argument.
I wonder if we might see Cockanasiga involved at some point in the SF?
Personally I’d have Watson at 15, Big Joe & May on the wing with Nowell on the bench. There is some serious depth in this squad now, with players like Wilson, Launchbury, Genge, Cockanasiga not even making the 23.
Whilst NZ are favourites, recent games have been decided by a point here and there.
Saracens burying their salary cap inquest. Don't want to upset things in Japan, you see.
In other news, oooh look, a squirrel!
I wonder if we might see Cockanasiga involved at some point in the SF?
He'd be turned inside out and spat out by NZ. May, Watson and Daly as back 3 you need wingers that can defend v NZ
if so why did they look at it, with the tmo, as if it was an issue?
See below:
LAW11 Knock-onorthrowforward
5. The ball is not knocked-on, and play continues, if:
b. A player rips or knocks the ball from an opponent and the ball goes forward from the opponent’s hand or arm.
You’ve read that the wrong way around. It means that the carrying player doesn’t commit a knock-on if the ball is ripped from him. The ripper still needs to make the ball go backwards to avoid a knock-on.
He’d be turned inside out and spat out by NZ. May, Watson and Daly as back 3 you need wingers that can defend v NZ
Agree although Daly’s defence is pretty suspect too.
I’m looking forward to Saturday morning but I’m not giving is much chance. If the AB’s tune up in that sort of mood again they’ll walk it.
If the AB’s tune up in that sort of mood again they’ll walk it
I don't think the English pack will lay down and die like the Irish did so it won't be a walk in the park for the ABs.
If England get a couple of scores ahead the ABs have the ability to pull it back whereas if the opposite happened then there'd be no way back.
As an England fan I want us to win but, as a pure rugby fan, I'd also be happy enough with NZ doing it. Can't lose really. 😊
As an England fan I want us to win but, as a pure rugby fan, I’d also be happy enough with NZ doing it.
+1
Great then you can show your moral superiority by cheering for Wales after we beat SA 3:0 with two red cards to SA!!
Read back. I've been supporting Wales - and Japan - the during their matches for ages. I shall be cheering for Wales on Sunday.
I wouldn't quite have described the Irish performance as "laid back and died" but then in a lot of your posts you've had a pop at the Irish. I really hope the All Blacks have a good win.
I wouldn’t quite have described the Irish performance as “laid back and died”
Nor me, had they laid back and died the set piece would have failed and both scrums and lineouts held up well, they just got smashed by a better team.
Hoping to see more of Lamour next year, he's quality. Him, Hogg, Daly, Liam could be a massive battle to be Lions 15.
Read back. I’ve been supporting Wales – and Japan – the during their matches for ages.
I know, like I said morally superior.
I'm torn. I mean if Wales made the final they'd have a chance v England but none v NZ so yay go England, but I'm not sure I could cope with a loss v England, I'd be watching from behind the sofa and wouldnt come out for a month if we lost to England. And having said all that I dont see us winning v SA anyway, also to top it all Eddie Jones is a complete **** so it would seem right to have him with a world cup win on his CV. So to summarise I'll be supporting the land of my brother in one semi and the land of my father in the other.
but then in a lot of your posts you’ve had a pop at the Irish
I don't really see how pointing out that the Irish were good a year ago but are shite now is having a pop. Try reading the Irish press for a true evisceration of the team and the coaching set-up.
I'd like to see a Wales England final.
I think we're gonna get an SA NZ final
Cane dropped!!!! WTAF?
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read (capt).
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.
Interesting. I’d like to think the AB’s are nervous of something. Sarvea’s a unit but I can help think Curry or Underhill wins the 7 race there. AB’s going defensive?
Scott Barrett will be able to disrupt England's line out from the start. They took England's throw in apart in the second half at Twickenham last year. Plus he's incredibly mobile for a lock and a great ball carrier. His speed is pretty amazing too. I recall him running down Julian Savea from behind in Super Rugby.
Still, it's unusual for the ABs to make a selection to counter their opponents rather than just play their own game but I guess it's a nod of respect to England.
Sarvea’s a unit but I can help think Curry or Underhill wins the 7 race there.
????on which planet???? Both Curry and Underhill despite what the press keep saying are both classic English 6.5's. If England keep their backrow the same its going to put massive pressure on the locks in the lineout or England throw to Curry at the back which will also be high risk.
South Africa: Le Roux; Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Mtawarira, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen
Replacements: Marx, Kitschoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, H Jantjies, Steyn
Looks chunky with 6 chunky forwards on the bench too.....no Kolbe. If our set piece holds up and we can hang in for 60mins........Edwards will be able to plan for this lot much easier......lets hope for another 60min rope a dope followed by a Davies interception
So Ford is back for England, Faz sliding over to 12, Manu back to 13. Slade drops to the bench.
Nowell is bust so misses out.
Big call from Eddie.
lets hope for another 60min rope a dope followed by a Davies interception
I’m hoping for a 77min rope-a-dope, followed by a move never seen before. Tomos Williams does a forward roll underneath two tacklers leaping out of it over the line to score a try. The ref is so shocked by its brilliance that he awards it without checking if it’s allowed (that’s because I presume it’s not). Everyone says Wales lack attacking flair, but the players have it in them. We’re huge underdogs for this game, I’m just praying that something clicks.
had they laid back and died the set piece would have failed and both scrums and lineouts held up well, they just got smashed by a better team.
True but the ABs were happy with parity at the set piece and it didn't really help the Irish much on the score sheet did it?
It was the carrying on the gain line that killed off the Irish pack. All the tip and pop passes by the ABs forwards committed more and more Irish forwards into the tackles until they were worn out by tackling, getting off the ground and repeating.
So Ford is back for England, Faz sliding over to 12
Big call from Eddie.
Yes, that makes me nervous. Its obvious that Eddie sees Youngs & Ford to pin the AB's back and make them run from deep and force pings with the forwards, with Farrell to assist the wide defence / be a 3rd playmaker / kick for goal. Yet, the AB's are going to hit Fords channel hard.
Wilson & Kruis on the bench - hopes of defending a lead in the last 20 I feel. England need to keep their heads though.
So far, AB's adjust for England, England stick with their own game and positional strategy. 1-0 England. Ok maybe 0.1-0 England 🙂
This is the best England side we are going to get onto the field, this really is it - this is Englands RWC and four years prep all tied to this one game - super squeaky bum time.
Is Nowell out? Guardian says he is fit?
Looks like Rennie replacing Chieka.
Youngs need to have a good game but, despite 90+ caps, he often goes missing in the biggest games.
NZ's bench looks superior with Coles, Cane, Perenara and SBW all being players who can make a huge difference.
Tomos Williams does a forward roll
He needs to release the ball while does the roll...
Cane dropped!!!! WTAF?
I think they decided they needed to strengthen their lineout.
A.B's looking very strong and as noted above, they have a lot of talent on the bench. It's disappointing to see George Kruis on the bench, he is a local lad but Lawes has been playing very well. Just need to trust Eddie's selections. Very difficult to call but i think NZ will edge it. I am really really looking forward to this match.
S.A v Wales is another cracker. I have Wales as favourites and I fully expect Wales to win, with their superior game management and superior fitness.
Wales overall favourites to win the final too, obvs IMO.
Meh , we've got the A.B's so rattled they have resorted to spying on Eng training camp this week with a telephoto lens from a balcony lol.
And being underdogs and written off suits Eng just fine from a pyschological point of view - it takes the pressure off if everyones expecting Eng to lose....
Trophy no. 2 is virtually in the bag , i can almost taste the gold 😉
S.A v Wales is another cracker. I have Wales as favourites and I fully expect Wales to win, with their superior game management and superior fitness.
Wales overall favourites to win the final too, obvs IMO.
I'll have half a pint of what he's drinking please!
I’ll have half a pint of what he’s drinking please!
Wales simply know how to win. That is what they are good at and continue to keep winning. Look at their recent matches against England, France & Australia. They've even transferred their excellent home form to away games. A superb coach and captain and a team that work incredibly hard for each other. Right balance of experience and youth. Wales have been ranked in the top 3 for quite some time now.
The only negative for Wales is if they sustain injuries.
Wales simply know how to win.
That's traditionally been the case with S.A., especially at the WC. Not sure about this team, they are rebuilding from a bit of a low, but I think Wales vs S.A. is pretty 50-50. Wales will have to lift their game a lot from that effort against France.
Meh , we’ve got the A.B’s so rattled they have resorted to spying on Eng training camp this week with a telephoto lens from a balcony lol.
Nothing new there, and I’d be surprised if the English camp weren’t doing the same.
There’s an amusing story in Alan Phillip’s book (iirc) about when Hansen was coach of Wales. They set microphones to eavesdrop on the French preparations, but then realised that they didn’t have a French speaker.
I've alot of respect & admiration for the Wales team , but they needs to muster a performance twice as good as their game against France or the Springboks will give them a right good kicking.
but I think Wales vs S.A. is pretty 50-50.
The bookies have got Wales as favourites, haven’t they? (PaddyPower are showing 25:1 for a draw. How does that work in a SF where one side will win? 🤔 )
The only negative for Wales is if they sustain injuries.
Like to Anscombe, Faletau and Jenkins?
The other major negative is that our players are as good as the other 3 teams who are still in it.
I’ve alot of respect & admiration for the Wales team , but they needs to muster a performance twice as good as their game against France or the Springboks will give them a right good kicking.
This!
The bookies have got Wales as favourites, haven’t they?
You'd be better of asking Rob Howley, I wouldn't know.
The bookies have got Wales as favourites, haven’t they?
Odds from William Hill 5/2 Wales, 4/11 SA....
Like to Anscombe, Faletau and Jenkins?
And that is the point, Wales know how to win with the tools they have and they keep winning. Gareth was injured before the WC, as was Taulupe and Ellis. I'm not saying that Wales wouldn't be a better team with that trio but with what they have, they play very well and know how to win.
With regards to the France match, Wales didn't play to their full potential but still got the result. They didn't ship points when Ross was yellow carded, they didn't panic when behind and did exactly what they had to. They won.
Wales just need to win their next 2 matches and they are world champions.
the Wales team , but they needs to muster a performance twice as good as their game against France or the Springboks will give them a right good kicking.
I think in many ways you are right, but I think Wales were better in that game (blinkered or what?!) than some are giving them credit for. France were capable of playing some fine, strong rugby that would have challenged a lot of teams. Gatland was generous when he said the best team lost; whilst France were dominant a good team does not miss the opportunities France did, top teams esp Wales do not miss that many kicks, a good team does receive such a stupid red card. I don’t see how you (France in this game), can say you were the better team, but not acknowledge the discipline, accuracy and composure of Wales.
I felt sorry for Moriarty, it looked to me like he was about to make a decent tackle, when the France player moved down and towards him, in the time he had there was little he could do. I understand that was likely due to poor(ish) technique. However, when he was off France scored a try (perhaps 10 pts, I cannot remember), without which France may have lost their tempo. Small things can have a big effect I guess.
So for me Wales have a ~35% chance in this game. They may just limp through and people will say (not necessarily here) that they’ve won again unconvincingly, but for me you don’t have to beat every team by 40+ points to be the best team; you have to win consistently - and so far Wales have done that. [the only team to have won all their games so far, unless I’m mistaken].
They didn’t ship points when Ross was yellow carded,
Well there's a lot wrong with your post but this is just wrong, they conceded a try.
Odds from William Hill 5/2 Wales, 4/11 SA….
Ha, I read the odds the wrong way around! 🙄
Like to Anscombe, Faletau and Jenkins?
Jenkins isn’t a mainstay of the Welsh team. No argument with the other two, though.
so far Wales have done that. [the only team to have won all their games so far, unless I’m mistaken].
Yes, you are mistaken. 😁
so far Wales have done that. [the only team to have won all their games so far, unless I’m mistaken].
Yes, you are mistaken. 😁
How so?
Jenkins isn’t a mainstay of the Welsh team.
MoM last time we beat SA wasnt he?
How so?
NZ and England have not been beaten.
MoM last time we beat SA wasnt he?
Excellent player, but he’s only got 11 caps, all on summer tours iirc. Never played a 6N game.
South Africa won the rugby championship, I definitely think Wales can win but surely on just the level of competition regularly played south Africa must start favourites
How so?
NZ and England have not been beaten.
indeed, but NZ drew with Italy and England drew with France. Wales are the only team to have won all their games so far : )
Excellent player, but he’s only got 11 caps, all on summer tours iirc. Never played a 6N game.
MOM in autumn game when we beat SA, regularly plays flanker for Blues ahead of Navidi.
indeed, but NZ drew with Italy and England drew with France. Wales are the only team to have won all their games so far : )
No they didn’t, they were given a bye with the same points as a draw. The only team to have lost a match in the SFs is S.A.
No they didn’t, they were given a bye with the same points as a draw. The only team to have lost a match in the SFs is S.A.
Well, Wales really were beaten by France, they were just lucky enough to have more points at the end.
indeed, but NZ drew with Italy and England drew with France. Wales are the only team to have won all their games so far : )
No they didn’t, they were given a bye with the same points as a draw. The only team to have lost a match in the SFs is S.A.
Ah, I guess a bye is different to a draw, so I was mistaken. It was only tongue in cheek when I said Wales were the only team to have won all their games ; )
Well there’s a lot wrong with your post but this is just wrong, they conceded a try.
It is expected that if a player has a 10 minute sit down their team loses around 7 points, so not exactly shipping points as I have pointed out. Wales have done exactly what they have needed to do, and in my opinion will continue to do so. They have form.
Well, Wales really were beaten by France, they were just lucky enough to have more points at the end.
Wales aren't the only team to win a match after being behind either! Lots to look forward to, I can't wait!
Well, Wales really were beaten by France, they were just lucky enough to have more points at the end.
Oh well if that’s your attitude then Wales are the only ones to play and win all their games and England, NZ and SA don’t deserve to win the RWC! 😛
Is Nowell out? Guardian says he is fit?
BBC day that he’s not recovered from a hamstring injury.
I think Wales need to step up a gear against SA. They’ve got the results needed but they’ve not convinced doing so. But, they do have it in them.
PaddyPower are showing 25:1 for a draw. How does that work in a SF where one side will win?
It will be probably be the score at the end of 80 mins rather than no side.
England, NZ and SA don’t deserve to win the RWC!
They certainly don't. They've all won it before, they should let someone else have a turn, especially NZ, greedy sods.
I've got to say that I think Wales got pretty lucky, in their game against France. In a pool game I reckon Moriarty would have seen red*, and with France well on top at that point I doubt they'd have survived the rest of the game with 14 men.
*Initially I thought the French player had dipped into the tackle but in the replay it look as if he was turning/attempting to step Moriarty.
The French player obviously deserved his red, but that meant France were a man down for a lot longer than Wales were and kept in it right until the end. And then who scores the wining try.....
Saying that I hope hope Wales make the final, but then lose by a good 20 points to England!!
Liam Williams is out of whatever remains of the world cup for Wales.
May as well pack up and go home now.
It is expected that if a player has a 10 minute sit down their team loses around 7 points, so not exactly shipping points as I have pointed out
You are now talking your way round in circles, a reasonable thing to do would be to admit you were wrong.
Wales have done exactly what they have needed to do, and in my opinion will continue to do so. They have form
So did they need to concede early tries to France? Did they need to do the same v Fiji?. Apart from a few flashes v Aus Wales have not played well this world cup, your insistence that they should beat SA is bonkers, thats why the bookies have SA as hot favourites, its simple realism. Apart from AWJ not one of our front five forwards would make the SA 23
Is that confirmed Flash, I've seen rumours?
Liam Williams is out of whatever remains of the world cup for Wales.
May as well pack up and go home now.
1/2p is not a bad replacement to have on hand though.
If it was AWJ out I'd have agreed with you though...
So did they need to concede early tries to France? Did they need to do the same v Fiji?.
In those matches Wales needed to win and that is exactly what they did. Unless you can point out where that failed in their objective then you’ll agree. Surely you understand how the World Cup works?
Arse, I've realised that the England Semifinal is on whilst I taking my daughter for her weekly swimming lesson (she 1 so I have to get in with her).
I missed the last 15 minutes last week
Is anyone braving the pub for the england semi final? I've not watched a game at the pub yet due to the rubbish days/times. Looks like weve got a few of us mustered for a cheeky pint or two and a full english come full time.
I missed the last 15 minutes last week
Of her swimming lesson I presume?
Look, if she misses her lesson this week it probably won't prevent her being 100m butterfly champion at the 2036 Olympics.
Just sayin.......
Don’t be late if you are flying from Gatwick to Bari Saturday morning! If I leave early and fly like the wind, I can watch the match on iPlayer before flying home again!
In those matches Wales needed to win and that is exactly what they did. Unless you can point out where that failed in their objective then you’ll agree. Surely you understand how the World Cup works?
I'm not sure you understand how rugby works!! Giving both teams big head starts and then winning the qf with a late very lucky try was certainly not doung whats needed. Care to poibt out why the bookies see sa as firm favourites whilst you think they will win? What have the bookies missed?
Is anyone braving the pub
no. At home in <span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">my pJs with a bacon roll and a freshly ground coffee screaming at the telly, with a bike ride afterward. Same Sunday, a truly Dad orientated weekend in Chateau d’Kryton. </span>
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">
</span><span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> </span>
I’m not sure you understand how rugby works!! Giving both teams big head starts and then winning the qf with a late very lucky try was certainly not doung whats needed. Care to poibt out why the bookies see sa as firm favourites whilst you think they will win? What have the bookies missed?
So you agree that Wales won, although I agree, not by an emphatic performance. Thank you for clearing that up, I'd be lost without you!
If I had wanted to follow the bookies opinions, I would have. Instead I gave my thoughts and added quite clearly "IMO" (that means 'in my opinion'), you even quoted my post.
Anyway, let's stick to Wales V SA, perhaps we shouldn't forget that SA have failed to beat Wales in their last 4 meetings.....
Whatever happens, Saturday will be a great day for rugby and good luck to all four teams.
Saturday will be a great day for rugby and good luck to all four teams.
Sunday.