Japan v Wales

[Welsh Exile]

What's Sherratt been smoking?

Japan: Takuro Matsunaga; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Malo Tuitama; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Shuhei Takeuchi, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Amato Fakatava.

Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Keijiro Tamefusa, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shuntaro Kitamura, Ichigo Nakakusu, Halatoa Vailea.

Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Joe Roberts.

 

[dullonien]

Yeah, another few odd calls here.

Personally I would have selected Ratti over Carter who's never really proven himself, even at regional level.

I quite like Mann, but when you have Wainwright and Plumtree (who was excellent for Scarlets during the second half of the season) available, I don't get that selection either.

Happy to see Macleod at 7 though, but it's no secret that I don't rate Reffell highly at all.

Costellow recovered some confidence for Scarlets in the league run-in, but can't believe Dan Edwards isn't starting.

Not sure I've seen Johnny Williams play 13 much, would have preferred to keep him at 12 and partner him with his regional teammate, Joe Roberts. Both looked good for Scarlets recently.

Finally, I hate 6:2 benches! Already bit us on our arse once under Gats. Also means there's no space for Dan Edwards. Rhodri Williams over RMW is silly. Joe Roberts covering wing again, where he struggled last time out, maybe Page would have been a better option?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Yeah, another few odd calls here.

Personally I would have selected Ratti over Carter who's never really proven himself, even at regional level.

I quite like Mann, but when you have Wainwright and Plumtree (who was excellent for Scarlets during the second half of the season) available, I don't get that selection either.

Happy to see Macleod at 7 though, but it's no secret that I don't rate Reffell highly at all.

Costellow recovered some confidence for Scarlets in the league run-in, but can't believe Dan Edwards isn't starting.

Not sure I've seen Johnny Williams play 13 much, would have preferred to keep him at 12 and partner him with his regional teammate, Joe Roberts. Both looked good for Scarlets recently.

Finally, I hate 6:2 benches! Already bit us on our arse once under Gats. Also means there's no space for Dan Edwards. Rhodri Williams over RMW is silly. Joe Roberts covering wing again, where he struggled last time out, maybe Page would have been a better option?

I agree with pretty much everything you say but strong bench though. They could be thinking it's going to be a very tight game especially in the heat so having those replacements coming on second half should help us see the game out.

 

[AlRums]

Wales and Japan to have water breaks and longer half-time

Wales and Japan will be given water breaks and an extended half-time period to help combat the heat and humidity in Kitakyushu on Saturday.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[dirty harry]

Here we go, tea in hand, knees knocking...

8 new Japanese players, they were beaten well last week...

And Ben Carter knocks himself out in 20 seconds, poor bugger.

 

[dirty harry]

Yeah, another few odd calls here.

Personally I would have selected Ratti over Carter who's never really proven himself, even at regional level.

I quite like Mann, but when you have Wainwright and Plumtree (who was excellent for Scarlets during the second half of the season) available, I don't get that selection either.

Happy to see Macleod at 7 though, but it's no secret that I don't rate Reffell highly at all.

Costellow recovered some confidence for Scarlets in the league run-in, but can't believe Dan Edwards isn't starting.

Not sure I've seen Johnny Williams play 13 much, would have preferred to keep him at 12 and partner him with his regional teammate, Joe Roberts. Both looked good for Scarlets recently.

Finally, I hate 6:2 benches! Already bit us on our arse once under Gats. Also means there's no space for Dan Edwards. Rhodri Williams over RMW is silly. Joe Roberts covering wing again, where he struggled last time out, maybe Page would have been a better option?

This reminds me of a Pivac selection, desperation for a win over building for the the next World Cup!

 

[Welsh Exile]

This reminds me of a Pivac selection, desperation for a win over building for the the next World Cup!

Can you blame him?

 

[dirty harry]

Can you blame him?

Actually no. This isn't a run of his own making like Pivacs form, and he desperately wants to get the monkey off his back.

It's a shame there are a large group of clubman in the swuad

 

[Welsh Exile]

Actually no. This isn't a run of his own making like Pivacs form, and he desperately wants to get the monkey off his back.

It's a shame there are a large group of clubman in the swuad

to be fair, I would be playing an even stronger side. No way I'd start Mann who could be seen as a building for the WC player.

 

[dirty harry]

to be fair, I would be playing an even stronger side. No way I'd start Mann who could be seen as a building for the WC player.

I get it, but for Mann there is 5 elderly players not needed (Falatau excluded).

 

[dirty harry]

Japan has some issues at the scrum, and coming off the bench is some bulk too

 

[dirty harry]

Why not have a cracking at their scrum again mun?!?!?!!

 

[dirty harry]

4 kicks out of hand by Costelow, all 4 trash!

 

[Welsh Exile]

4 kicks out of hand by Costelow, all 4 trash!

His first kick (which to be fair we scored from the lineout) was awful. Could t even get near the 5 meter line.

 

[Welsh Exile]

First attack. Too easy.

 

[dirty harry]

Conceding off first phase...

Lineout has let us down, decision to go to corner 5m out after a scrum penalty was stupid, back 3 caught out of position for 3 kicks, and conceding off first phase...

Comedy of errors under no pressure

 

[Welsh Exile]

Conceding off first phase...

Lineout has let us down, decision to go to corner 5m out after a scrum penalty was stupid, back 3 caught out of position for 3 kicks, and conceding off first phase...

Comedy of errors under no pressure

On the plus side we're carrying well and have dominance in scrum. Feeling more optimistic than I did an hour ago

 

[dirty harry]

Q

On the plus side we're carrying well and have dominance in scrum. Feeling more optimistic than I did an hour ago

Ye me too.

This is such a dangerous game. Lose to an understrangth Japan team and the confidence and RWC ramifications are devastating.

With scrum dominance, I just dont understand why they'd kick to the corner 5m out after a scrum penalty!!!!

 

[dirty harry]

That's a penalty try must be!

 

[Welsh Exile]

WE'RE GOING TO WIN A GAME OF RUGBY