EOYT: Wales v Samoa, 16/11/2012

[SelimNiai]

I made 2 just reading the article

 

[Super Sub]

Strange call by the Samoan coaches to leave Lilomaiava out after he scored 4 tries on his debut.

Where is James So'oialo? He got several kicks from the touchline against Canada and looked a decent player.

Paul Williams back in the side ahead of Sa adds quite a bit to the side, as does the inclusions of Fotuali'i and Fa'asavalu. Tekori is immense in the Top 14 so I'm surprised he's only on the bench, but then the Samoan pack did okay without him starting last week, so hard to argue with the Samoan selectors.

Lilomaiava is not really a winger, he's a midfielder, his very first match at wing was against Canada. I think it's a smart move to play him off the bench as I doubt he'd have the positioning totally worked out on the wing yet.

So'oialo was suspended for a shoulder charge - I didn't even think it was bad, especially when you compare it to Ian Evans head high against Argentina that got nothing. The good thing is Tusi Pisi is actually a good kicker himself, so hopefully we don't lose too much. I initially thought Autagavaia would get the fullback duties before the tour began anyway, but So'oialo's goalkicking is a match-winner, so I was willing to see him there again this weekend. They're appealing the suspension and hoping he can get off and play, so fingers crossed.

I said in another thread that Tekori hasn't started for Samoa for a few years now, so I'm not surprised he's not starting again.

I would've liked to have seen Ti'i Paulo in the starting line-up, but he might still be carrying an injury. I also would've liked to have seen Lemalu in there as he's our best jumper, especially with Thompson out, it's important we have a good jumper in the lineout. Besides those two players, the starting team looks exactly how I imagined it.

 

[Draggs]

I made 2 just reading the article

He came into my house and took my TV.

...and his ****ing laptop, townie *******!

 

[willrobinson]

Really happy with the first xv I think that there has been vast improvements with the decisions

I am glad Bigger is starting and i just hope he can take his chance and play well. He has played club level with phillips a few seasons ago so there should be at least a little bit of a partnership between are halfbacks.

Havent seen to much of beck but he always seems to be spoken of in high regard so hopefully he will play well as we seem to be crying out for centres at the moment. Not sure why Robert's is starting I personally would of rested him as a precaution in preparation for the All Blacks. Possibly move north to 13, Halfpenny to 11 and Williams at 15

Glad they have dropped Beavington he seems like he cant cope with powerful scrums, its hard to tell if James is the ideal 3 replacement if Jarvis goes off as when james was at 3 he didn't have a proper second row last week.

There isn't much cover for the backs though Two specialists and one fullback/winger so hopefully there isn't any injuries in the centre

 

[Maxwell]

Tekori is a bad exclusion, a very destructive world class forward. Leo I would have on the bench but with no Thompson faie enough. Tii Paulo is a big loss and So'oialo as well with kicking we havent had since Darren Kellet & Silao Leaega

 

[dullonien]

There isn't much cover for the backs though Two specialists and one fullback/winger so hopefully there isn't any injuries in the centre

You're getting your Williams' mixed up! Scott Williams is on the bench, not Liam Williams. Scott Williams can cover both centre positions and wing at a push. Priestland covers 10 and fullback, with Halfpenny pushed to the wing if one of North/Cuthbert goes off. The cover is there but Hook offers more options than Priestland. Not convinced by the impact off the bench though, apart from Gethin Jenkins, Charteris, and possibly Warburton that is. Ken Owens could provide good impact, but is off-form at the moment, so not sure what he'll offer off the bench.

 

[Draggs]

North to outside centre is thrown about twice a season, and one of the most stupid calls I have heard. This is coming from the man who wanted Ryan Kankowski to play centre and Halfpenny at fullback, hang on.
He is a wing, plain and simple. It isn't like wings level up to become centres. North's best asset is his pace and strength, scoring tries. Those help for a centre, but more important is distribution and awareness of space. North is getting better, but I still feel he would cut off his wings. Simply not a centre, but could be a very good wing given time.

I think Beck could do the job at centre. His passing is better than Davies', and I think he would actually use his support. Furthermore, his lines could be a bit more set, allowing him to actually be written into the game. Davies is very much instinctual, I feel. We need to develop Jack Dixon as a centre, and Robling as a second five.

 

[Jbobo]

Agree with Yoe, people shouldn't start writing Wales off as a result of a loss against a very good Argentinian team and an especially rusty performance from the Welsh. I think with the changes made to the squad and with improved execution with the ball in hand, we should take this one.

26 - 18 Wales.

 

[aucklander]

Game of the week. What can I say, I have never felt so confident with Samoa going into a test match when you have a good half back,fly half combination. Tusi Pisi was missing in the RWC and we will see what a difference he will make directing the backs in this match.

Samoa for the win 28 - 19.

By the way I am not writing off Wales because of their performance against the Puma's, but because Samoa have finally got things right with their set pieces/discipline/kicking. Also having the right coaches in the team definitely helps. What an influence Tom Coventry has made with the forwards.

So excited. Good luck Wales.

 

[TVH11]

Well this is the selection that "most" have asked for. Its kind of make or break now. i've always moaned about Biggar being given opportunities amongst an experimental/weak side, well after friday I wont be able to defend him any longer. Considering injuries/form, its arguably the strongest lineup he could be playing alongside. Quite surprised that Howley and co have had the b!!!s to drop Warburton to the bench and start Tipuric, again its a big call that I hope, at least for the players sake, pays off. Beck given a chance should be nice. Is he 12 or 13?? Never really liked Wales with a "Crash ball 12", always liked a creative 12, and crash 13.

But hey what do I know, I'm only a fan with a keyboard and an opinion!! I'm actually more exited for this match than last week for some reason. I guess the loss helps. Pob lwc and I'm expecting a fast and furious battle!

 

[Superalexmarket]

Rwy'n gobeithio y gallant adennill Cymru yn erbyn Samoa ac ennill y gêm!

 

[Thingimubob]

Rwy'n gobeithio y gallant adennill Cymru yn erbyn Samoa ac ennill y gêm!

Gonna assume you Google translated that, I understand the general gist of what you're saying, but sentence structure and grammar are off points for effort though. One of my 'things to do before I die' is to go to Puerto Madryn and Trefelin in Patagonia and meet some Welsh speaking Argentinians


Make or break time for Wales, tough game, and Samoans have every right to be confident of a win. Let's hope Tipuric ruins their day at the breakdown and Biggar and Beck show us what they can do in a Wales shirt. Cannot wait for this one, loved (and half hated, because of the tenseness) the game between us in the world cup, hope this is another cracker!

 

[Sam Owen]

I saw some lapses in our defence in the small highlight footage against Canada. We did really good.

Its going to be tough to beat Wales and the Pumas didnt do us any favours by beating them. I wonder if the Pumas injured a lot of them?

 

[Superalexmarket]

Gonna assume you Google translated that, I understand the general gist of what you're saying, but sentence structure and grammar are off points for effort though. One of my 'things to do before I die' is to go to Puerto Madryn and Trefelin in Patagonia and meet some Welsh speaking Argentinians


Make or break time for Wales, tough game, and Samoans have every right to be confident of a win. Let's hope Tipuric ruins their day at the breakdown and Biggar and Beck show us what they can do in a Wales shirt. Cannot wait for this one, loved (and half hated, because of the tenseness) the game between us in the world cup, hope this is another cracker!

Thanks man, I like welsh people, and all celtic countries in general. They have a rich history and culture...

 

[willrobinson]

You're getting your Williams' mixed up! Scott Williams is on the bench, not Liam Williams.

Ahh thanks for clearing that up the website that I used just said williams and I just assumed because Liam Williams started on the bench last week. It makes a lot more sense now.

 

[Big Ewis]

I saw some lapses in our defence in the small highlight footage against Canada. We did really good.

Its going to be tough to beat Wales and the Pumas didnt do us any favours by beating them. I wonder if the Pumas injured a lot of them?

yep. Good point. They'll be hungry as fk, at home, will pour their hearts out there. There's no way, no way they're losing a couple at home in a row...

 

[dullonien]

So there's a slight worry over Ian Evans for tomorrow's game as well. According to WalesOnline he's had some issues with his back in training, and didn't train today at all. He'll need a late assessment tomorrow to see if he's fit to play.

If he's out, obviously Charteris will come in to start, but it'll be interesting to see who takes over on the bench. Would Lloyd Peers come straight into the 23 man squad, or would Howley go for someone like Shingler, shifting Ryan Jones forward if needs be? Could be a tough one. Ryan Jones might not last the 80 having just come back from injury, so having him as sole second-row cover would be risky, but I can't see Peers being ready for international rugby yet either! I thought second-row was becoming a strong position for us with 4 quality players (have shown quality at some point in the last couple of years anyway), but we need another couple of options to cover things like this.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Is this match not being shown anywhere? That's annoying

 

[j'nuh]

Is this match not being shown anywhere? That's annoying

BBC2 Wales (so should be available online) and S4C.

 

[dullonien]

If anyone is interested. I noticed the other day that Virgin has now started carrying S4C, although I've yet to see if English commentary is available on rugby.