59 replies to this topic

[Weather Ship]

keithlucky, on 17 March 2012 - 20:14 , said:

The rugby Wales play may not contain the flair of past Wales teams ,but Gatland has turned Wales into a hard aggresive unit, playing defence is the best form of attack,if the home nations England tried to open the play up Wales would have won easier.Winning mentality is hard to get now Wales have got it a few more grand slams will come to this exciting young Wales side.

That's an understatement considering the sad news concerning Merv. This side doesn't compare with the one of his era. Gerald Davies, Edwards, J.J., Bennett, etc. They are a good side and deserved the grand slam although they were a trifle lucky to beat England.

Regarding England they are improving and Lancaster should definately get the job. I can't remember the last time an Irish pack has been so destroyed in the scrums.

[Jackone]

I was pleased we won don't get me wrong, but I am underwhelmed with the style of the Welsh performances generally since the World Cup,

There is currently very little creativity in the Welsh backs, with Shane now retired and James Hook not being utilised.

If we look at the Welsh back line, Halfpenny, North, Roberts, Davies And Cuthbert, these are all big players, with decent feet, but not that much flair, either that or we are using too much crash ball, and Phillips is ponderous at the breakdown, notice how much quicker the ball got out when Webb came on last week and Lloyd Williams today.

I was ecstatic when we won the Grands Slam in 2005, we played some great rugby that year, and 2008 also had some good moments, not so today, although the revenge aspect against Le Bleus was gratifying.

It is difficult to compare rugby in different eras, defences are far better now, and there is less space than was the case in the 1970s.

Wales are set to tour Australia in the summer and if we can win that series then that would be brilliant progress.

I'd give Lancaster the job as well, and even in the RFU are not entirely sure about his long term credentials a 12 month contract is a must.

[coram]

Jackone, on 17 March 2012 - 22:12 , said:

I was pleased we won don't get me wrong, but I am underwhelmed with the style of the Welsh performances generally since the World Cup,

There is currently very little creativity in the Welsh backs, with Shane now retired and James Hook not being utilised.

If we look at the Welsh back line, Halfpenny, North, Roberts, Davies And Cuthbert, these are all big players, with decent feet, but not that much flair, either that or we are using too much crash ball, and Phillips is ponderous at the breakdown, notice how much quicker the ball got out when Webb came on last week and Lloyd Williams today.

I was ecstatic when we won the Grands Slam in 2005, we played some great rugby that year, and 2008 also had some good moments, not so today, although the revenge aspect against Le Bleus was gratifying.

It is difficult to compare rugby in different eras, defences are far better now, and there is less space than was the case in the 1970s.

Wales are set to tour Australia in the summer and if we can win that series then that would be brilliant progress.

I'd give Lancaster the job as well, and even in the RFU are not entirely sure about his long term credentials a 12 month contract is a must.

I would agree with your assessment of Wales. Without doubt they were worthy Grand Slam winners, but I would go for Hook at fly half to add that extra bit of flair. My only complaint would be the nauseating commentary by Eddie Butler. He manages to combine verbal eloquence with pathetic bigotry. They should get rid of him.

A superb performance by England. Ireland were destroyed, particularly up front. I am sure that Lancaster will now be given the job.

Scotland were woeful and it is time that Robinson was put out of his misery. Nick Mallet, having been the favourite for the England job, may be persuaded to take on the Scotland job.

[Scorcher]

I like Eddie Butler as a commentator but he should not be commentating on Wales games- it's ridiculous that the BBC had too blatantly biased Welsh commentators on for the games yesterday. It's the kind of thing that would provoke complaints from Welsh and Scottish viewers if there were two partisan English commentators on for an England game. I felt that it was actually Jonathan Davies who was letting his emotions run away with him yesterday- not all of us were too fussed who won the game, and in fact I knew plenty of people who wanted France to win, so it was slightly annoying to have to listen to it.

[Jackone]

Most Welsh fans do not consider Eddie Butler to be Welsh biased, indeed he is very Anglicised. Jonathan Davies the commentator is an idiot though.

As for England Brian Moore and Dallaglio are biased, although I do like Brian Moore, he can rise above it at times, and is very funny.

[Scorcher]

Jackone, on 18 March 2012 - 11:09 , said:

Most Welsh fans do not consider Eddie Butler to be Welsh biased, indeed he is very Anglicised. Jonathan Davies the commentator is an idiot though.

As for England Brian Moore and Dallaglio are biased, although I do like Brian Moore, he can rise above it at times, and is very funny.

Agree I think Jonathan Davies is the issue, he's actually very insightful when Wales aren't involved however. Maybe I should have re-phrased what I said before, Eddie Butler isn't obviously biased but his commentary seems more animated when Wales are playing. Brian Moore is a bit biased but usually has Eddie Butler or the Scottish commentator alongside him to provide balance.

[ajpoolshark]

Enjoy your moment in the sun boyos, the English are coming to getcha in Cardiff next year!

[keithlucky]

Wales must now show the belief to go to Australia and win at least a test ,this side is strong enough time now to show this a special team.

[Weather Ship]

keithlucky, on 22 March 2012 - 20:12 , said:

Wales must now show the belief to go to Australia and win at least a test ,this side is strong enough time now to show this a special team.

I don't think it's a special team yet.

[Scorcher]

I think Wales will probably lose in Australia, no matter how well they do against Northern Hemisphere teams, they seem to struggle against Southern Hemisphere teams. Australia beat them at home fairly recently. They've still not beaten New Zealand for 59 years. They were unremarkable in terms of performance in this Six Nations- they were lucky to beat England and were unimpressive for long periods against France and Italy. A grand slam yes but not one of the more impressive ones I've seen.

[Weather Ship]

Scorcher, on 22 March 2012 - 20:40 , said:

I think Wales will probably lose in Australia, no matter how well they do against Northern Hemisphere teams, they seem to struggle against Southern Hemisphere teams. Australia beat them at home fairly recently. They've still not beaten New Zealand for 59 years. They were unremarkable in terms of performance in this Six Nations- they were lucky to beat England and were unimpressive for long periods against France and Italy. A grand slam yes but not one of the more impressive ones I've seen.

I would basically agree with that assessment. It's certainly doesn't compare with great side of the 70s. Some memories.

[keithlucky]

Scorcher, on 22 March 2012 - 20:40 , said:

I think Wales will probably lose in Australia, no matter how well they do against Northern Hemisphere teams, they seem to struggle against Southern Hemisphere teams. Australia beat them at home fairly recently. They've still not beaten New Zealand for 59 years. They were unremarkable in terms of performance in this Six Nations- they were lucky to beat England and were unimpressive for long periods against France and Italy. A grand slam yes but not one of the more impressive ones I've seen.

Rugby has change a lot you must complete physically Wales can now do that you must have strength in depth Wales has got that Wales have a cutting edge with tries scored from different players ,all the ingredients are there .This team has great potential and how many other UK players would get in a Lions 15 at this present time bar croft and denton not many

[Weather Ship]

O'Driscoll.

[Jackone]

Scorcher, on 22 March 2012 - 20:40 , said:

I think Wales will probably lose in Australia, no matter how well they do against Northern Hemisphere teams, they seem to struggle against Southern Hemisphere teams. Australia beat them at home fairly recently. They've still not beaten New Zealand for 59 years. They were unremarkable in terms of performance in this Six Nations- they were lucky to beat England and were unimpressive for long periods against France and Italy. A grand slam yes but not one of the more impressive ones I've seen.

I don't think we were lucky to beat England to be honest, although I don't massively rate the current Welsh Side. As for Southern Hemisphere sides, Wales played well against South Africa in the World Cup and had a narrow loss, in a game we should have won,

We deserved to lose both games against Australia, but one was a 3rd place play off, and the game at homes should never have been played, Wales were simply not up for it.

The last series we played against Australia away with a much weaker side was in 2007, Wales were winning into injury time in the 1st test, but blew it (23-29), before being blown away in the 2nd (31-0).

The test for Wales is to convert narrow losses into wins.

As for New Zealand, lets not even mention 1978.

[Scorcher]

I'm pretty sure all of England's front row would be in the Lions squad. By the time the tour comes around players like Farrell, Tuilagi, Parling, Ben Morgan, Foden, Youngs and Ashton will all be in there as well. Admittedly there will be a lot of Wales players in there, however.

[Jackone]

weather ship, on 22 March 2012 - 21:02 , said:

I would basically agree with that assessment. It's certainly doesn't compare with great side of the 70s. Some memories.

In terms of style it certainly doesn't compare, even with the 2005 & 2008, however this is a much strurdier pack then the 2005&2008 and as a result it should compete better with the SH teams.

[Scorcher]

Jackone, on 22 March 2012 - 22:09 , said:

In terms of style it certainly doesn't compare, even with the 2005 & 2008, however this is a much strurdier pack then the 2005&2008 and as a result it should compete better with the SH teams.

Agreed, this Welsh side certainly will be able to compete size-wise, but is the guile there that is needed to win in the SH? There is lots of pace and power in the back line but just trying to bulldoze through the opposition can only get you so far.

[Weather Ship]

I think they have a weakness in the half back positions.

[Jackone]

weather ship, on 22 March 2012 - 22:54 , said:

I think they have a weakness in the half back positions.

Scorcher, on 22 March 2012 - 22:30 , said:

Agreed, this Welsh side certainly will be able to compete size-wise, but is the guile there that is needed to win in the SH? There is lots of pace and power in the back line but just trying to bulldoze through the opposition can only get you so far.

There are a lot of players at scrum half who can get the ball out much quicker notably Lloyd Williams and Rhys Webb. At outside half there is a certain James Hook, who certainty has quite a lot of flair,

[keithlucky]

Scorcher, on 22 March 2012 - 22:30 , said:

Agreed, this Welsh side certainly will be able to compete size-wise, but is the guile there that is needed to win in the SH? There is lots of pace and power in the back line but just trying to bulldoze through the opposition can only get you so far.

Phisicality is the way foreward in world of rugby im afraid, South Africa have played this way for yrs.Dont you think Alex cuthbert George North Jonathan Davies showed flair to score some excellent tries in the six nations?

Edited by keithlucky, 23 March 2012 - 20:46 .