Wales V Japan

[dirty harry]

Basham has been more effective in the 3mins of rugby he's played for Wales in his career than Beard and Mann put together. I wouldn't think twice about having Basham over Mann and I recognise Bashams career has taken a nosedive over last year or so.

Basham cant get into the cardiff starting line up...

Harsh on Beard, 4/5 years ago he was a top player, and deserved lions tourist imo. The demands of international rugby moved on a bit and well he hasnt lets be honest.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Basham cant get into the cardiff starting line up...

Harsh on Beard, 4/5 years ago he was a top player, and deserved lions tourist imo. The demands of international rugby moved on a bit and well he hasnt lets be honest.

Well it’s not like anyone listens to me anyway. I’ve already emailed Tandy what he needs to do and I haven’t got a reply.

I’ll just have to accept that Thomas, Mann and Beard will play and we’ll lose to Japan.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Actually, not being funny, but I reckon Deaves sparks out Beard in the cage.

 

[dirty harry]

Another thing i noticed on replay, and i cant put my finger on whether its a lack of motivation or a lack of knowledge positionally, but when caught in transition players didnt seem to bust a gut to remidy their mistakes....

Morgan, and Tomos aside, who both went through a massive amount of work, most players just seemed to go through the motions, especially in the scramble.

Its almost as if they expected not to win, i would have hoped for players like Wainright and Mann who both have engines to run theor socks off in every direction, going forward Wainright looked effective, but he and Mann moved like tired locks in defence, as did Ben Thomas, Adams etc...

I honestly think the play now is to identify who are the key players, and potential for the RWC, put them in their strongest positions and build a team of potentials around them...

Lake, Jenkins, Morgan, Wainright, Tomos, Edwards, Llewellyn, LRZ...

 

[wombles]

Head says Wales, heart says Japan. I’m torn with this one. Wales did show glimpses of play against Argentina that makes me think that they can overcome the brave blossoms. However it would be remiss to ignore how competitive Japan were against Ireland for 65 minutes last weekend. If they can keep the tempo high and go for 80 minutes then Wales will struggle (especially in the forwards if it is fast with high ball on play time). Japan do have enough to beat Wales there is no doubt.
Long gone is Warrenball and a team fit and physical enough to strangle the life out of the opposition. But I think some structured set piece play and pragmatism may be Wales best chance. Of course being able to dictate the game enough to achieve that will not be easy either. There is also the Eddie Jones factor, and he will have his charges well up for this test.
This is a test match that could go either way!

 

[Welsh Exile]

Wainwright is OK thankfully. Reading between the lines I think LRZ will start and will probably be the only change in the backline in my opinion.

 

[dirty harry]

Head says Wales, heart says Japan. I'm torn with this one. Wales did show glimpses of play against Argentina that makes me think that they can overcome the brave blossoms. However it would be remiss to ignore how competitive Japan were against Ireland for 65 minutes last weekend. If they can keep the tempo high and go for 80 minutes then Wales will struggle (especially in the forwards if it is fast with high ball on play time). Japan do have enough to beat Wales there is no doubt.
Long gone is Warrenball and a team fit and physical enough to strangle the life out of the opposition. But I think some structured set piece play and pragmatism may be Wales best chance. Of course being able to dictate the game enough to achieve that will not be easy either. There is also the Eddie Jones factor, and he will have his charges well up for this test.
This is a test match that could go either way!

I honestly think Japan will be favourites

 

[Welsh Exile]

I honestly think Japan will be favourites

I've decided if Deaves starts (and he should do really seeing as we have no 7s in the squad) we win.

 

[dullonien]

I'd go for the following side against Japan

01 Nicky Smith
02 Dewi Lake
03 Kieron Assiratti
04 Rhys Davies
05 Adam Beard
06 Taine Plumtree
07 Harri Deaves
08 Aaron Wainwright

09 Tomos Williams
10 Dan Edwards
11 Blair Murray
12 Joe Hawkins
13 Max Llewellyn
14 LRZ
15 Jacob Beetham

16 Brodie Coughlan
17 Rhys Carre
18 Archie Griffin
19 James Fender
20 Morgan Morse
21 RMW
22 Jarrod Evans
23 Louie Hennessey

It's one of Beard or Jenkins for me. Neither are physical enough to play at the same time, and I worry Jenkins has really lost his way both for Wales and Exeter. Ideally I'd dump Beard too, but maybe I'd keep him for his experience for this one.

Bring Deaves straight into start, the lads all heart and aggression, with a good dose of skill to boot. I'd also bring Plumtree in at 6 for his extra physicality, but admit he and Deaves could be a penalty conceding issue waiting to happen.

Hawkins in at 12, and mix up the back 3, bringing Beetham's size in at fullback to bolster the aerial game. I considered dropping Murray entirely, but would like to see him on the wing where he can be slightly less exposed.

I'm not 100% myself with the bench, but I've opted to give some opportunities to Coughlan, Fender, Morse, and Hennessey - I also think they can bring genuine impact that alternatives lack. I'd be happy with either Evans or Sheedy at 22.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I'd keep Jenkins. I didn't think he was terrible against Argentina or anything. He put in a shift and he's young, he's certainly worth persisting with unlike Beard. I'd like to see this:

Smith
Lake
Assiratti
Jenkins
Davies
Wainwright
Deaves
Morse

Williams
Edwards
Murray
Hawkins
Llewellyn
LRZ
Rogers

Coughlan, Carre, Griffin, Thomas, Plumtree, Hardy, Evans, Hennessy

If Reffel had been called up (which is criminal that he’s not in the squad and Mann is) then I would have him at 6 and move wainwright back to 8 and have Morse on the bench but alas Tandy seems to think Mann is worthy of a place in the squad over Reffell.

 

[Welsh Exile]

We actually have no 7s. Again, thanks to Tandy selecting 108 blindside flankers.

I honestly don’t see how Deaves doesn’t start. Who else do you play at 7 if not him?

 

[Welsh Exile]

I just watched the Morgan try again and I swear it’s ******* Beard that dislocated Morgan’s shoulder. I initially thought it was just an awkward grounding but now I’m convinced it’s Beard. Eject him into space.

 

[dirty harry]

We actually have no 7s. Again, thanks to Tandy selecting 108 blindside flankers.

I honestly don't see how Deaves doesn't start. Who else do you play at 7 if not him?

Mann is an out and out 7, he just cant get gametime there, and his discipline isnt up to the position. A bit like Pollock he bullied at u20s, and got away with things, but is really struggling to make the step up to pros (unless you consider his career appearances then hes excelling).

 

[dirty harry]

I'd go for the following side against Japan

01 Nicky Smith
02 Dewi Lake
03 Kieron Assiratti
04 Rhys Davies
05 Adam Beard
06 Taine Plumtree
07 Harri Deaves
08 Aaron Wainwright

09 Tomos Williams
10 Dan Edwards
11 Blair Murray
12 Joe Hawkins
13 Max Llewellyn
14 LRZ
15 Jacob Beetham

16 Brodie Coughlan
17 Rhys Carre
18 Archie Griffin
19 James Fender
20 Morgan Morse
21 RMW
22 Jarrod Evans
23 Louie Hennessey

It's one of Beard or Jenkins for me. Neither are physical enough to play at the same time, and I worry Jenkins has really lost his way both for Wales and Exeter. Ideally I'd dump Beard too, but maybe I'd keep him for his experience for this one.

Bring Deaves straight into start, the lads all heart and aggression, with a good dose of skill to boot. I'd also bring Plumtree in at 6 for his extra physicality, but admit he and Deaves could be a penalty conceding issue waiting to happen.

Hawkins in at 12, and mix up the back 3, bringing Beetham's size in at fullback to bolster the aerial game. I considered dropping Murray entirely, but would like to see him on the wing where he can be slightly less exposed.

I'm not 100% myself with the bench, but I've opted to give some opportunities to Coughlan, Fender, Morse, and Hennessey - I also think they can bring genuine impact that alternatives lack. I'd be happy with either Evans or Sheedy at 22.

Id be on board with 99% of this team, Jenkins needs a shock to the system, hes too comfortable IMO, he hasnt been above a 6 in a wales shirt for a long time, it almost feels like hes protecting himself for Exeter sometimes, which is sad to say.

I cant see what Belcher has done wrong, infact i wouldnt argue agaimst a Belcher start, considering his lineout is better than Lakes (so is mine ffs).

The onlynother chamge id make is Mann for Deaves, throwing Deaves in from nowhere would be crazy, and setting him up to fail a bit like what Pivac did to Mcleod.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Id be on board with 99% of this team, Jenkins needs a shock to the system, hes too comfortable IMO, he hasnt been above a 6 in a wales shirt for a long time, it almost feels like hes protecting himself for Exeter sometimes, which is sad to say.

I cant see what Belcher has done wrong, infact i wouldnt argue agaimst a Belcher start, considering his lineout is better than Lakes (so is mine ffs).

The onlynother chamge id make is Mann for Deaves, throwing Deaves in from nowhere would be crazy, and setting him up to fail a bit like what Pivac did to Mcleod.

Sherratt said he’s been training like a fan (whatever that means but I like the sound of it) and said his reaction to the call up was priceless. Deaves starts.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Mann is an out and out 7, he just cant get gametime there, and his discipline isnt up to the position. A bit like Pollock he bullied at u20s, and got away with things, but is really struggling to make the step up to pros (unless you consider his career appearances then hes excelling).

Is he? I honestly can’t remember where he played when he captained the under 20s but you’re probably right. Has he played there at all since he’s made the jump up to the Cardiff 1st team?

Either way, I don’t care, you know I’d have Reffell, Basham, Moriarty, Morris, McLeod, insert and back row in wales here over Mann.

 

[Half Pint]

So, i had a little re watch...

<snip> ...

Same with Murray, needs dropping, he cant cope in international rugby with high balls, wherever he is he will be targeted, and well absolutely exploited like sunday. In the first half i counted 14 ariels, and Wales lost 12 outright, with 2 going to touch for Wales throw. Not 1 win!!!! Thats a huge problem!

Yeah, that's pretty damning, and at international level the analysts will work this out and exploit it. Luckily it is a learnable skill, not an innate 'gift' , so there is hope it may get better.

 

[dirty harry]

Is he? I honestly can't remember where he played when he captained the under 20s but you're probably right. Has he played there at all since he's made the jump up to the Cardiff 1st team?

Either way, I don't care, you know I'd have Reffell, Basham, Moriarty, Morris, McLeod, insert and back row in wales here over Mann.

Id certainly agree with Reffell, thebrest is a toss up tbh, poor form and weaknesses. I feel like im only fighting Manns case due to coach comments, and how hes viewed internally, i honestly thought he was useless but on rewatch he was a bit better than i gave him credit for. I could certainly think of a fre back row co.boas without him though

 

[Welsh Exile]

Id certainly agree with Reffell, thebrest is a toss up tbh, poor form and weaknesses. I feel like im only fighting Manns case due to coach comments, and how hes viewed internally, i honestly thought he was useless but on rewatch he was a bit better than i gave him credit for. I could certainly think of a fre back row co.boas without him though

As o said a few days ago, he’s a coaches dream. Works hard, good engine, does as he’s told, probably trains really well, good mentality so I’m not surprised coaches say good things about him. But, and the end of the day, he’s not really any good and he hasn’t got any size to make up for his shortcomings in skill and ball playing ability.

All of those names I’ve mentioned either have something about them or have played well for their regions.

 

[dirty harry]

As o said a few days ago, he's a coaches dream. Works hard, good engine, does as he's told, probably trains really well, good mentality so I'm not surprised coaches say good things about him. But, and the end of the day, he's not really any good and he hasn't got any size to make up for his shortcomings in skill and ball playing ability.

All of those names I've mentioned either have something about them or have played well for their regions.

His discipline and lack of brains would drive coaches nuts, or at least would me, there were a few offsides and stupidity at the breakdwon id love to rollock him for lol.

Like i said Reffell i agree, but Basham has lost form, cant get a start at cardiff, and has proved lightweight when stepping up, Mcleod lost his mojo 2 seasons ago, Morris is going ok but lets be real hes limited and a clubmna, a bit like Lawrence at Cardiff. I think Morris chance was 2 seasons ago wasnt ir really. Mann has plenty of dog, hes physical, but hes like my dog, or my 8 year old daughter playing football, rabidly chasing anything that moves, tongue flapping in thw wind, mindlessly chasing a ball. There is some potential there, but **** knows how to find it