2011 Squad Predictions

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Very premature but with 7 rounds played in the Super 15, I am happy to think of a squad.

1. Gurthro Steenkamp
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Willem Alberts
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10.Morné Steyn
11.Bryan Habana
12.Jean de Villiers
13.Jaque Fourie
14.Bjorn Basson
15.Francois Steyn

This starting 15 was fairly easy. The first 5 are pretty secure with John Smit on the bench. Brussow has to stay injury-free and Alberts replaces the injured Smith. The Bulls-pairing at half-back is also obvious but the wings... That's where it gets tricky. Can Habana get back to his old form? If not, I see serious chances for Lwazi Mvovo or JP Pietersen. On the other wing, I pick Bjorn Basson who really stepped up to the next level in the Bulls squad. Center-pairing is no mindcracker either with de Jongh to replace either one of them if necessary. Francois Steyn at full-back since we don't have a better option yet. I prefer Louis Ludik or Conrad Jantjes but Helium de Villiers won't budge.

16. John Smit
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Andries Bekker
19. Ryan Kankowski
20. Ruan Pienaar
21. Juan de Jongh
22. Patrick Lambie


For the scrum-half position, things are unpredictable. Hougaard plays as a winger now again so he is no option. Pienaar is the best alternative since he is a utility back as well. Sarel Pretorius is someone to watch this season and, if he performs well enough, might get an invitation to be the 3rd choice scrumhalf.

In a squad of 30, we need 8 more to complete the squad. It would be nice if some young talent get's a chance.

23. Gary Botha
24. CJ van der Linde
25. Flip van der Merwe
26. Danie Rossouw
27. Sarel Pretorius
28. Peter Grant
29. Gerhard van den Heever
30. Lwazi Mvovo

 

[LittleGuy]

Is Matt Evans back from injury yet? he played one game for Dragons and hasn't played since due to injury.

He has had some recurring injury issues, but he has been mostly playing with the Newport "A" squad, with a couple of 7's tournaments with Canada thrown in there.

 

[LittleGuy]

Stop the press ... whats the problem with Ed and his availability issue?

His new job as an investment banker, Its hard for him to take a lot of time off work, last year he only played in the Canada vs. Uruguay game at the Churchill cup. Although I think its a cover for what Olyy said!!!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

France 30 men (a mix between what I would like and what I think Lièvremont will pick):
Props: Marconnet, Poux, Mas, Ducalcon (assuming Domingo won't be fit on time... oh how we'll miss him. If he recovers, drop Poux)
Hookers: Servat, Servat and Servat (Szarzewski and Guirado in case one of them gets injured)
Locks: Nallet, Pierre, Milo-Chluski and Thion
Backrowers: Harinordoquy, Bonnaire, Picamoles, Lapandry and Dusautoir (if fit on time, if not, Ouedraogo or Chabal, god forbid)

Scrum-halves: Parra, Yachvili and Dupuy (if Michalak can find form, it's an alternative as he can play 10 as well. In that case, drop Dupuy)
Fly-halves: Trihn-Duc, Beauxis
Centers: Jauzion, Marty, Mermoz
Outside backs: Médard, Clerc, Malzieu, Rougerie
Utilities: Traille, Poitrenaud

 

[Draggs]

Is Matt Evans back from injury yet? he played one game for Dragons and hasn't played since due to injury.

He has been playing centre lately for Newport RFC.
His one appearance for us at fullback was not the prettiest performance.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I hope he gets some gametime now Thomas is out, as Harries is far sharper when on the wing and he while not particuarly solid under the high ball, he is a good counter-attacker.

Anyway, didn't have time this morning to comment on other Wales squads. I'd certainly make sure Gatland has a look at Adam Hughes (Or Aled Brew, he deserves it, a poor game against Fiji or not) and Biggar is starting to deserve another shot, although Priestland should still be third-choice 10 in my eyes. Robinson would probably be above Biggar, though, I'd forgotten about him.

Andy Powell is another man I'd forgotten about! McCusker would probably make way for him. I only included him really because he's starting to play in the second row, and offers another dynamic option at 4 or 5.

Against the Baa-Baa's, I'd go for- (Not Wales' strongest team by any strech)

1. Gethin Jenkins/Paul James
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Scott Andrews (Craig Mitchell if fit)
4. Bradley Davies
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Ryan Jones
7. Martyn Williams
8. Toby Faleatu

9. Dwyane Peel/Richie Rees
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Morgan Stoddart (Presuming Shane is out)
12. Gavin Henson
13. Jonathan Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny/Dan Fish/Rhys Priestland (Stephen at 10)/Will Harries (We need to try someone other than Byrne or Hook- Who won't be avalible anyway.)

16. Matthew Rees/Ken Owens
17. Duncan Jones
18. Luke Charteris
19. Dan Lydiate
20. Tavis Knoyle
21. Stephen Jones
22. Adam Hughes/One of the people not starting at Fullback

I'd be unlikely to bring on Stephen, so he can start his 100th cap.

 

[Draggs]

I think I would cry if Aled Brew plays for Wales again.
Magners League player at best. (And lucky to get that try against Treviso.
For me, Harries is the better choice, as he offers a more Shane-like style and seems to be regaining his form of last year.

I'd like to see Roberts at fullback, he started his professional career in the back three didn't he? Decent boot if I remember rightly.

Might avoid Stephen Jones and Martyn Williams as we know what they can do. I'd rather see someone like Robinson or Tipuric get a shot and perhaps give us more depth for the RWC.

 

[lucky number 7]

Stall it guys.....who said Ed Fairhurst might not be playing ...

 

[Draggs]

Stall it guys.....who said Ed Fairhurst might not be playing ...

Its propaganda put out by the Canadian Rugby Union. The opposition think Fairhurst is not playing and get a false sense of security.
Then...

boom

 

[LittleGuy]

Its propaganda put out by the Canadian Rugby Union. The opposition think Fairhurst is not playing and get a false sense of security.
Then...

boom

The legend speaks about his new career and casually deflects the extra effort needed to keep in playing shape before last year's Churchill Cup.

 

[Blackie252]

Probably wishful thinking but I hope they give Hape the wrong flight date and just grab any passer by in an England shirt to play. I'm sure any ****** up Englishman can play better than him!

 

[Draggs]

Probably wishful thinking but I hope they give Hape the wrong flight date and just grab any passer by in an England shirt to play. I'm sure any ****** up Englishman can play better than him!

I sure a few on here would have a whip-round and send him down there first class.

 

[Shaggy]

Its propaganda put out by the Canadian Rugby Union. The opposition think Fairhurst is not playing and get a false sense of security.
Then...

boom

The Date ... Sunday 18th September 2011

The Venue ... McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand

The Event ... Chabal V Fairhurst ... er, I mean ... Canada V France

 

[Darius Viljoen]

1.) Tenderai Mwtarrira
2.) Bismarck Du Plessis -( Not Smit)
3.) CJ van Der Linde
4.) Flip van der Merwe
5.) Andries Bekker
6.) Schalk Burger (c) - No one Else!!!!!
7.) Willem Alberts
8.) D Vermeulen
9.) Fourie du Preez
10.) Morne Steyn / Patrick Lambie
11.) Bryan Habana / Francois Hougaard
12.) The king - Jean De villiers
13.) Jacques Fourie
14.) Bjorn Basson
15.) Gio Aplon

16.) Gary Botha / Tiaan Liebenberg
17.) Guthro Steenkamp
18.) Victor Matfield
19.) Heinrich Brussouw / Juan Smith
20.) Francois Hougaard
21.) Peter Grant
22.) Juan de Jongh

 

[psychic duck]

Backs:
Certainties: Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, James Hook, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips

Other contenders: Two scrum halves will go between Dwayne Peel, Richie Rees and Tavis Knoyle. I am still quite unsure about what's in Gatland's mind about Peel, due to his situation over training camps and availability due to playing for Sale, but if all that is sorted I think he'll be there. It's hard to judge Rees' form as he has just come back from a ban, it looks like a straight shoot out between him and Knoyle in the last 3 or so matches of the season and the summer tour for selection.

If an injury occurs in the centres James Hook will move from fly half to centre, but I still think there will be a reserve centre, Andrew Bishop is pretty much the only option for that spot, as I don't think Tom Shanklin is going to play again, never mind make it for the squad in September.

The last pick in the backs hinge on whether Gatland wants a winger/full back which would be Morgan Stoddart, or a fly half/full back in Rhys Priestland or an unpopular option in Dan Biggar, Priestland has the edge over Biggar at the moment due to the pair's current contrasting form. Chris Czekaj, Will Harries and Tom James seem out of Gatland's mind, as does Aled Brew who Gatland seems to have taken a dislike to, along with Richard Fussell.

It seems a bit harsh on Aled Brew who is the leading Welsh try scorer this season with 12, and has been consistently good for the last 2 seasons. James and Czekaj obviously aren't good enough to go, but my own personal preference I like Will Harries, but I can see why Gatland doesn't want two 5" 7"" wingers with him and Shane.

There could be one more slot if Gatland sacrifices a loose forward.

Forwards:
Certainties: Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun-Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones, Paul James, Richie Hibbard, Craig Mitchell, Jonathan Thomas, Andy Powell

Other contenders: I know Hibbard and Bennett are sh*t but there are no other options, which is why they are certainties, what happened to Ken Owens this season? He was in the Magners League dream team 2009/10.

John Yapp is the favourite to get the fifth prop slot, Ryan Bevington is the other contender, Yapp will probably go because he can play both sides of the scrum but the spot is still up for grabs. My personal choice would be Duncan Jones.

Jonathan Thomas covered reserve lock on the bench in the 6 nations, but if another lock does go it will be the dependable Ian Gough, or possibly Deiniol Jones, or maybe even Luke Charteris.

Where there are lots of spots to play for towards the end of the season is in the back row, Toby Faletau, Rob McCusker, Josh Turnbull and the veteran Martyn Williams will be playing for 1, 2 or 3 places depending on whether a reserve lock or back is selected, add into that a wildcard in Justin Tipuric it is tough to pick. I would like to see Martyn Williams in the squad but I don't know whether that is a sentimental decision or whether his form is better than Tipuric and Turnbull. Williams is past his best, and Turnbull had some good games in the H Cup, but I would still go with Martyn for this choice.

If an extra lock or extra back is not picked I would go for Martyn, Faletau and Turnbull.
If one of the two is picked I would go for Martyn, and Faletau.
If an extra back and extra lock is picked I would have Martyn.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Backs:
Certainties: Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, James Hook, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips

Other contenders: Two scrum halves will go between Dwayne Peel, Richie Rees and Tavis Knoyle. I am still quite unsure about what's in Gatland's mind about Peel, due to his situation over training camps and availability due to playing for Sale, but if all that is sorted I think he'll be there. It's hard to judge Rees' form as he has just come back from a ban, it looks like a straight shoot out between him and Knoyle in the last 3 or so matches of the season and the summer tour for selection.

If an injury occurs in the centres James Hook will move from fly half to centre, but I still think there will be a reserve centre, Andrew Bishop is pretty much the only option for that spot, as I don't think Tom Shanklin is going to play again, never mind make it for the squad in September.

The last pick in the backs hinge on whether Gatland wants a winger/full back which would be Morgan Stoddart, or a fly half/full back in Rhys Priestland or an unpopular option in Dan Biggar, Priestland has the edge over Biggar at the moment due to the pair's current contrasting form. Chris Czekaj, Will Harries and Tom James seem out of Gatland's mind, as does Aled Brew who Gatland seems to have taken a dislike to, along with Richard Fussell.

It seems a bit harsh on Aled Brew who is the leading Welsh try scorer this season with 12, and has been consistently good for the last 2 seasons. James and Czekaj obviously aren't good enough to go, but my own personal preference I like Will Harries, but I can see why Gatland doesn't want two 5" 7"" wingers with him and Shane.

There could be one more slot if Gatland sacrifices a loose forward.

Forwards:
Certainties: Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun-Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones, Paul James, Richie Hibbard, Craig Mitchell, Jonathan Thomas, Andy Powell

Other contenders: I know Hibbard and Bennett are sh*t but there are no other options, which is why they are certainties, what happened to Ken Owens this season? He was in the Magners League dream team 2009/10.

John Yapp is the favourite to get the fifth prop slot, Ryan Bevington is the other contender, Yapp will probably go because he can play both sides of the scrum but the spot is still up for grabs. My personal choice would be Duncan Jones.

Jonathan Thomas covered reserve lock on the bench in the 6 nations, but if another lock does go it will be the dependable Ian Gough, or possibly Deiniol Jones, or maybe even Luke Charteris.

Where there are lots of spots to play for towards the end of the season is in the back row, Toby Faletau, Rob McCusker, Josh Turnbull and the veteran Martyn Williams will be playing for 1, 2 or 3 places depending on whether a reserve lock or back is selected, add into that a wildcard in Justin Tipuric it is tough to pick. I would like to see Martyn Williams in the squad but I don't know whether that is a sentimental decision or whether his form is better than Tipuric and Turnbull. Williams is past his best, and Turnbull had some good games in the H Cup, but I would still go with Martyn for this choice.

If an extra lock or extra back is not picked I would go for Martyn, Faletau and Turnbull.
If one of the two is picked I would go for Martyn, and Faletau.
If an extra back and extra lock is picked I would have Martyn.

Urm ... Hibbard is not rubbish and is one of the better hooker's Wales has. Ken Owens has been injured, thought you would have known that.

John Yapp did well for Wales when called upon this 6 Nations, scrummaged well if anything. His loose play was a little loose but his scrummaging was good. Bevington won't be included, he was one of those players like Kristain Phillips who was put in the squad to feel what its like to be part of the Welsh international set up. Duncan Jones could go, id like to see him go but Yapp is the man currently in possession of that shirt and has done not much wrong to see it be taken off him.

Martyn Williams has played well recently for the Blues and I would certainly take him to the World Cup, has the experience and if the ground is hard and the weather is good id be tempted to look at Williams. Tipuric won't go as he is still a little raw, think with more gametime he will develop.

Deiniol Jones won't get a look in with Wales he's struggled with the Blues this season and if he was thought of he would have been in the 6 Nations squad for Wales. Ryan Jones and John Thomas will act as the cover come World Cup time.

At this current stage Mike Phillips is not a certainty. He is struggling to even get gametime with the Ospreys. Wales needs Dwayne Peel to start at 9 with Richie Rees coming off the bench to keep a fast an open game going. This is where Rees has been so good for Wales. His ability to change the tempo is second to none.

You missed out Gavin Henson. Continue his form and he will be there or there about for Wales. His performance for Toulon was outstanding, he needs more decent performances like that and Gatland will have to look at him. I still believe as do many of the other media / pundits think that Gatland will select him for the Barbarians game ... I think he will to see if he can play at that level. Another man Wales needs.

Aled Brew is a tough one. He scores for fun at regional level but has seemed a little out of water on the international stage. His positioning was a major question but then he does score tries. On Sunday Gwyn Jones and co on S4C eluded to the way Brew places the ball down for tries, and it has seemingly come a problem this season. If he played for Wales and dropped the ball over the line in a crucial World Cup game there will be no doubt that there will be a lynch mob after him.

 

[psychic duck]

Urm ... Hibbard is not rubbish

Are you alright mate?

 

[Draggs]

Are you alright mate?

Have to give him credit, he has improved massively over the past two years and is rightfully our first choice hooker. Ken Owens will hopefully be our third by September and we will have seen the last of Huw. (I'd take Mefin over him TBH)

 

[psychic duck]

Have to give him credit, he has improved massively over the past two years and is rightfully our first choice hooker.

Hibbard or Matthew Rees

 

[Draggs]

Hibbard or Matthew Rees

Hibbard, and I meant second choice. My mistake.