Fiji v Wales

[Welsh Exile]

And to counter Harry’s argument that you need a 80min man in there like Mann as apparently all our other back rowers are super unfit then the good thing is that we have loads of players better than Mann. So you can start Kane James and if he gets tired bring on Plumtree. You could start Reffell and bring on Kane James. ****, I’d rather have Basham coming off the bench as long as one of James, Reffell, Plumtree or Botham was starting

 

[Welsh Exile]

This is from the 6N website. I assume they’re somewhat accurate. Mann doesn’t come anywhere in any of these stats apart from topping the table for successful tackles (Jenkins in 2nd) but this is massively boosted by the fact we did nothing but defend against England and France and then, tbf to him, put in a solid game in D against Ireland with 32 tackles or whatever it was. Interestingly he doesn’t come in the top 10 for tackle success percentage and Botham, among others, outperforms him in dominant tackles.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https:...gQFnoECCIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2jW8CFGc1acZGmPqk3cB7L

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bloody hell, even taking away the closed stands it looks like there's more empty seats than full

 

[Gavin]

To be fair the build up to the match has been excellent on the pitch.

Think of the atmosphere of it was in Fiji but it was all about the money to build a new stadium, so I heard.

 

[AlRums]

Certainly brought a Fijian flavour to this game.

 

[AlRums]

Bloody hell, even taking away the closed stands it looks like there's more empty seats than full

With Wales's recent record?

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

With Wales's recent record?

spent yesterday with some welshmen visiting America and I think the WRU is the most hated sporting body in the world. not surprised it's not well attended.

 

[dirty harry]

You know I love you @dullonien but Mann is not a great player. I can’t see how that is even up for debate. Great? Really?

As o say, if you ask someone what is Mann great at, or even just good, it’s “His engine” or “he’s great at winding people up” “he’ll meet you in the car park for a fight”

Ok great. What else? Errrrrrr. Silence.

As I have shown in the Italy and Scotland games, Mann didn’t even come top 3 in tackles completed and certainly not dominant hits (which was Botham) so again, I would ask, what is he elite at? It’s not power, it’s not speed, it’s not skill, it’s not rugby IQ (remember the grubber he did when he had a 4 man overlap) it’s not his amazing work rate in D.

It’s just like the Beard situation with people saying he’s the goat at maul defence and his weight in the scrum. We only had to drop him for Carter, ******* Carter, for us to realise how ineffective and useless Beard was I’d argue any one of Botham, Reffell, James and Plumtree offer so much more than Alex Mann.

You know what, ill give you some credit, i juat went to have a look at the stats, and they are very similar, when Botham gets picked this year.

Aside from the Ireland game, Bothams stats in the other 2 starts are slightly better.

Id still start Mann over Botham for 2 reasons, Botham plays tighter when not at 7 (he isnt a 7 ffs), and gets dragged into lock work at times. And secondly, Mann is shote out wide, but Botham has been atrocious this season, infact Cardiff have stopped using him there for Lawrence and Mann instead..

The caveat to Bothams stats is that he played 7 in those games, thats always a stat boosting position.

Manns selection still makes sense here, id rather he and Morgan hunt those midfield freaks than Morgan and Botham.

 

[dirty harry]

spent yesterday with some welshmen visiting America and I think the WRU is the most hated sporting body in the world. not surprised it's not well attended.

Doesnt help when there is a player payment row the week leading up to the game... 5 days ago the players union were still talking strike.

The WRU are the biggest ******* morons in world sport honestly!!!

Its like every ******* year, the clock ticks midinight in the lead up to an international match, and the WRU think 'how can we **** with the team, fans and nation the most in 7 days'

 

[Gavin]

Fiji look on it.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Gotta love Fiji.

 

[AlRums]

Great start and try.

It's going to be a long day for Wales.

 

[dirty harry]

I was half way to typing all wales have to do is start solid... do not go deep from the off, challenge everything, every kick has to be contested

 

[Demfad]

Compete ordering Welsh fans to chant “Go Fiji Go!” Is funny. Properly taking all home advantages.
Jesus, thought I saw Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses haring up the wing!

Edit: he scored!!

Excellent try by Fiji

 

[dirty harry]

WHY ARE WE TRYING TO PLAY TOUCHLINE TO TOUCHLINE FROM THE OFF?!?!?!?!?!

thats ridiculously stupid

 

[AlRums]

Wales should have a scrum there

 

[big ginger 8]

A Fijian back rower or outside back is the dream Leinster signing.

 

[Gavin]

I hate the AI advertisements on the field.

Big damn Boots Hearing Care. Looks so off-putting.

Either traditional painted adverts, or none at all.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I thought these were just given now. A check isn’t going to see a grounding.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Oh, looking for blockers as well.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

A Fijian back rower or outside back is the dream Leinster signing.

God you wanna be Sale so badly

 

[Welsh Exile]

Waste of time.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Mann on the pitch Fiji scores. Botham on we score. Just saying.

 

[dirty harry]

I hate the AI advertisements on the field.

Big damn Boots Hearing Care. Looks so off-putting.

Either traditional painted adverts, or none at all.

Oh you **** now thats all i can see hahaha

 

[dirty harry]

Wales need to sharpen up the attacking breakdwon, fiji contested every one in that phase...

And his hands were on the floor

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Gutting not to see the stadium full. Not a good look, really need a strong Welsh team and supporter base.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Mann back on. Fiji will score.

 

[dirty harry]

Wales need to change breakdown strategy, Fiji all over every ruck, theres no need to play so wide where theres less support.

Same as the lineout, catch and drive mun!!!!

 

[dirty harry]

Gotta look at a clearout there..

 

[big ginger 8]

God you wanna be Sale so badly

The only sale I want is a Brown Thomas one.