Wales V Japan

[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

 

[Welsh Exile]

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

Deaves will fix everything when he starts on Saturday, scores 4 tries and wins 19 turnovers.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I honestly think Japan will be favourites

Japan are 7/2. Think I’ll have some of that. It’s basically free money unless Deaves starts.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Apparently only 2 changes. LRZ starts and Cracknell comes in for Morgan with Mann moving to 7.

Very uninspiring. Might stick £50 on Japan at 7/2.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I don’t think I’ve looked forward to a team announcement and game as little as I do for this game this weekend which considering how **** we’ve been for 2 plus years that is some achievement.

If you said to me in the summer (when things were awful) we’d have Beard, Cracknell and Mann starting a must win game against Japan in the autumn I would’ve told you we need to pack it in and stop playing rugby.

 

[dirty harry]

I don't think I've looked forward to a team announcement and game as little as I do for this game this weekend which considering how **** we've been for 2 plus years that is some achievement.

If you said to me in the summer (when things were awful) we'd have Beard, Cracknell and Mann starting a must win game against Japan in the autumn I would've told you we need to pack it in and stop playing rugby.

I think we probably have, if you travel to Cardiff, Swansea and Newport Rugby has become a bit of a niche sport these days, especially within schools. I heard last sunday Brentford v Newcastle were on the big TVs in a few Newport pubs instead of the game

 

[Welsh Exile]

Just kill me now.

Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Wainwright, Mann, Cracknell.

Replacements: Belcher, Carre, Assiratti, F Thomas, Plumtree, Hardy, J Evans, Tompkins.

 

[dirty harry]

Feel for Rogers, he was probably the best of our back 3.

RIght, time for positivity...

Japan lack size up front, Smiths a better scrummager and Beard is huge.

Glad to see Plumtree on te bench, some grunt 2nd half, and Tompkins is exciting ball in hand at least, could create late on...

Thats all i have tbh, we wont have a lineout again, scrum will go ok, i think the backs will be better, and Murray in broken olay, which Japan will create, is exciting.

Thats all i have

 

[Welsh Exile]

I wish I won the euro millions, I’d buy the WRU and bin off this game and put Rhys Davies and Beard in the cage. Now that is something I could get excited about. Well, for the 30 seconds it took Rhys Davies to spark out Beard anyway.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Feel for Rogers, he was probably the best of our back 3.

RIght, time for positivity...

Japan lack size up front, Smiths a better scrummager and Beard is huge.

Glad to see Plumtree on te bench, some grunt 2nd half, and Tompkins is exciting ball in hand at least, could create late on...

Thats all i have tbh, we wont have a lineout again, scrum will go ok, i think the backs will be better, and Murray in broken olay, which Japan will create, is exciting.

Thats all i have

I'll counter your positivity by saying Beard is big but the weakest person in our squad. Murray's power to weight ratio probably far exceeds Beards.

Smith is a better scrummager and I agree with this pick.

Grunt and Plumtree and not 2 words I would put together.

Tompkins is more a safe pair of hands than exciting ball in hand. Jarrod will provide that off the bench.

The set piece will be crap.

 

[Welsh Exile]

From my perspective, I actually couldn’t think of too many worse starts for Tandy than this. I feel so low and despondent. I was optimistic about Tandy and co a few weeks ago and now I couldn’t give a ****. Obviously early days and I won’t write him off but as I say, terrible start and I have little faith in him if these are his picks

 

[dirty harry]

I'll counter your positivity by saying Beard is big but the weakest person in our squad. Murray's power to weight ratio probably far exceeds Beards.

Smith is a better scrummager and I agree with this pick.

Grunt and Plumtree and not 2 words I would put together.

Tompkins is more a safe pair of hands than exciting ball in hand. Jarrod will provide that off the bench.

The set piece will be crap.

Only way to settle it, put them in an octagon hahahaha

I wouldnt call Tompkims safe, hes erratic and makes errors, but hes been breaking lines and offloading for fun this year with sarries.

Scrum will be fine, i thought it did better than expected last weekend. Well have no lineout, or high ball defence.

 

[dirty harry]

From my perspective, I actually couldn't think of too many worse starts for Tandy than this. I feel so low and despondent. I was optimistic about Tandy and co a few weeks ago and now I couldn't give a ****. Obviously early days and I won't write him off but as I say, terrible start and I have little faith in him if these are his picks

I think this is harsh, my criticism of Tandy would be that hes come in, and seemingly just listened to Sheratt and thought, if this guy can be on the end of record defeats, his game plan must be a banger.

And well we saw what Sheratts wide attacking game plan heralded... again!!!!

I think Tandy needed to be more pragmatic, stamp his own style on the squad from the off. I cannot imagine that a rough, dynamic defence coach came in and said 'lets play total sexy rugby', no thats Sheratts plan and team last weekend.

Tandy can only really be accused at the minute of a bit of leniency and maybe weakness, cosching team and players clearly expressed their desire to keep the plan as it was lol.

Also, as a side note, im looking at the coaching team, and it all seems to be jobs for the boys, with the greatest of respect to both Lydiaye and Patchell, WTF are we doing?!?!?! I dont want to go into slagging either, but id rather employ my missus as a defence and kicking coach over either of these 2!

Wilson as forwards coach hahahaha, how can you have a lineout with that type of %, infact i went to look at the stats and i am shocked, 80% lineout, 0 scrums lost lol bull ****!!!!

https://eagles.rugby/match-centre/3/2025/946472?utm_source=chatgpt.com&tab=Match-Stats

 

[Welsh Exile]

I think this is harsh, my criticism of Tandy would be that hes come in, and seemingly just listened to Sheratt and thought, if this guy can be on the end of record defeats, his game plan must be a banger.

And well we saw what Sheratts wide attacking game plan heralded... again!!!!

I think Tandy needed to be more pragmatic, stamp his own style on the squad from the off. I cannot imagine that a rough, dynamic defence coach came in and said 'lets play total sexy rugby', no thats Sheratts plan and team last weekend.

Tandy can only really be accused at the minute of a bit of leniency and maybe weakness, cosching team and players clearly expressed their desire to keep the plan as it was lol.

Also, as a side note, im looking at the coaching team, and it all seems to be jobs for the boys, with the greatest of respect to both Lydiaye and Patchell, WTF are we doing?!?!?! I dont want to go into slagging either, but id rather employ my missus as a defence and kicking coach over either of these 2!

Wilson as forwards coach hahahaha, how can you have a lineout with that type of %, infact i went to look at the stats and i am shocked, 80% lineout, 0 scrums lost lol bull ****!!!!

https://eagles.rugby/match-centre/3/2025/946472?utm_source=chatgpt.com&tab=Match-Stats

It’s like Neil Jenkins being our skills coach for years with skills training consisting of fast hands and hot potato.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Only way to settle it, put them in an octagon hahahaha

I wouldnt call Tompkims safe, hes erratic and makes errors, but hes been breaking lines and offloading for fun this year with sarries.

Scrum will be fine, i thought it did better than expected last weekend. Well have no lineout, or high ball defence.

I'm getting all nostalgic to when I was a kid in the late 80s and 90s when we were **** and all I wanted to see was someone knock out their opposite number.

All I want to see is fighting now. I don't care about Rugby. Funnily enough if Tandy just picked a team based on who's the hardest we'd have a much better side. Even you know deep down that Beard would be one of the worst performers for us if we made them all do a round robin cage fight.

 

[dirty harry]

I'm getting all nostalgic to when I was a kid in the late 80s and 90s when we were **** and all I wanted to see was someone knock out their opposite number.

All I want to see is fighting now. I don't care about Rugby. Funnily enough if Tandy just picked a team based on who's the hardest we'd have a much better side. Even you know deep down that Beard would be one of the worst performers for us if we made them all do a round robin cage fight.

Ah the good old 90s...

Convincing ourselves there was only 1 game that counts, then getting depressed when we lost that one too lol.

It could be worse, we could be Scotland, only having 2 clubs and not a championship for 26 years (even 99 had a caveat) and counting, not even in contention on final weekend...

Ooooohhhhh so thats our goal!

 

[Welsh Exile]

Do you know what @dirty harry I think you're turning me into being Anti Sherratt. I'm convinced he's behind the Mann and Thomas selections and think they'll both be 2 of the first names on the team sheet under this regime.

 

[dirty harry]

Do you know what @dirty harry I think you're turning me into being Anti Sherratt. I'm convinced he's behind the Mann and Thomas selections and think they'll both be 2 of the first names on the team sheet under this regime.

Ben Thomas definately, Sherratt loves the 2nd ball player and kicking option, which amazes me because of how poorly he consistently kicks, especially the restarts!!!!

Not sure about Mann but i know Sherratt loves him, ive heard those words come out of his mouth.

Gatland come home, all is forgiven!

 

[Welsh Exile]

Ben Thomas definately, Sherratt loves the 2nd ball player and kicking option, which amazes me because of how poorly he consistently kicks, especially the restarts!!!!

Not sure about Mann but i know Sherratt loves him, ive heard those words come out of his mouth.

Gatland come home, all is forgiven!

Going to swing past the bookies on way back from school run and put £50 on Japan. It’s the only thing o can think of doing that gives us a chance of winning.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Considering 7 has been Wales’ most stacked position for over a decade (and I’d say it still is) it’s very odd that you’ve ended up without a single one of them in your 23.

 

[IT157]

I think it will be a comfortable win for Wales.

With a Beard hattrick.