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[November Tests 2017 EOYT] Wales vs. Australia (11/11/2017)

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I think this could be a bad one for Wales, both sides are really lacking in 10 options and must develop one or two players there in the next two years but I don't see much coming from either side, admittedly not knowing much Australian players outside their international panel.

Wales in particular would really be relying on Rhys Patchell to have a flash in the pan World Cup like Priestland and Biggar have had because outside of that I don't any potential players who could be more than adequate. I don't think they're far ahead of Ireland in class when searching for a second choice 10 (On the assumption it won't be Paddy Jackson) where we have Carbery and Byrne who are unproven but have great potential and would be similar to Patchell and Davies, Bleyendaal who can be good and bad in equal measure similar enough to Williams and Keatley who's just dead weight in an international squad to be used in case of emergency like Priestland. Gatland has always managed to do it in the past but I think he's short sighted himself here, not mentioning other glaring weaknesses, and could struggle to keep up with Europe's top two and potentially even Scotland in the next couple of years. Its really fascinating because I really don't see a whole lot of direction in this squad, and very little at 10 in particular, and while he doesn't have much to work in in some areas I think he could be doing better in others. Aus to win this one and Wales to have a bad enough autumn I think.
 
I think both Patchell and O Williams will be able to make the step up to international rugby, whether they will be world class, I don't know, perhaps not. But I think the will be good enough. Centres and Tight 5 is the issues for Wales going forward. Jon Davies is world class but then who is next in line for the 13 birth? Tyler Morgan looks promising then get's injured all the time, Owen Watkins has looked good but he's coming off a year out injured. There is also a problem where most of the 12's a big hulking beasts at regional level while gatland now want's a ball playing 12 which we don't have , just some 10's who can play there a bit. 2nd Row is an obvious weak spot, Wyn Jones is class but the others are in-between average and decent. Yes there are some up and coming youngsters like Seb Davies but I think next year's world cup may be a bit too soon. At loose head, I believe Rob Evans is class but under that you have Nicky Smith who is great round the park but can't scrummage, then your looking into green players like Wyn Jones with no indication of whether he can make it at this level. Same at Hooker really, Owens is proven quality and some promising youngsters in Dee and Eilias but they need experience and like Seb Davies I think next year's world cup may come a bit too soon for them. Finally come to tight head which is the worse of all, I just don't think Francis is international quality doesn't offer anything in the loose and can't actually scrum that well. Lee when he first come into the team seemed to have the spot nailed down but has been lacking in form in recent years. Leon Brown again promising but needs time. On the plus side they seems to have a million 7s and wingers.
 
Looks like WalesOnline were spot on.

Backs: Halfpenny (Scarlets); L Williams (Saracens), J Davies (Scarlets), O Williams (Gloucester), S Evans (Scarlets); Biggar (Ospreys), G Davies (Scarlets).

Forwards: R Evans (Scarlets), Owens (Scarlets), Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Ball (Scarlets), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), Shingler (Scarlets), Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Faletau (Bath).

Replacements: Smith (Ospreys), Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Brown (Dragons), Cross (Ospreys), Hill (Dragons), A Davies (Scarlets), Watkin (Ospreys), Amos (Dragons).

Disappointed with Halfpenny at FB and Francis playing but it's what I expected, forwards off the bench at looking a bit weak to be honest.
 
Yeah, it's a big ask for Owen Williams. I think in attack he has enough but I'm worried about whether he is going to be good enough defensively at test level. Looks like Aus are going supersize in the centres with Kurandrani and Krevi.
 
As an englishman who watches the AP on a regular basis, i have never thought O Williams is anywhere near international level, hes a good player no doubt but i just cant see the step up working and coming up against england i would be happy that hes there.

It seems to me gatland has paniced post lions that he needs to change his style and picked one of the first names he sees rather tham saying its what he wants and waiting for someone to put their hand up. Maybe i will be wrong but not sure about this one.

Whats does everyone think? Owen williams at 12 for ways, will it work YES or NO?
 
I think I would have preferred to see Patchell at 12 over Owain Williams. Big fast runner, good defence, has the pace, pass and kicking skill set needed. I guess Owain has spent more time at 12 in the AP? Don’t know much about him really.

The big issue for me is the unexperienced bench here, we’ve had a much stronger squad than this and have fallen short. Expecting a comfortable loss but hoping to see wales test a few things out.
 
Own Williams is going to find it tough there with Biggar on the inside of him who isn't exactly know for his passing game. The thing that confuses me is that there is Welsh 12 who is quite a good footballer and has a decent passing game, Scott Williams. It seems after management has played him as Jamie Roberts Mrk 2 over the years so much they have forgot he can actually pass the ball.
 
Bluemoon said:
I think I would have preferred to see Patchell at 12 over Owain Williams. Big fast runner, good defence, has the pace, pass and kicking skill set needed. I guess Owain has spent more time at 12 in the AP? Don’t know much about him really.

The big issue for me is the unexperienced bench here, we’ve had a much stronger squad than this and have fallen short. Expecting a comfortable loss but hoping to see wales test a few things out.
Click to expand...

Patchell is good but I don't think you can thrown him in at test level at 12 without some time there.
 
Aus Team:

Backs: Beale; Koroibete, Kuridrani, Kerevi, Hodge; Foley, Genia.

Forwards: Sio, Polota-Nau, Kepu, Simmons, Coleman, Hanigan, Hooper (capt), McMahon.

Replacements: Moore, Robertson, Alaalatoa, Philip, McCalman, Phipps, Hunt, Speight.

Foly and Genia back which is bad for us. I think they will take it by 10.
 
I’m more surprised by the Welsh back row. I think Navidi is a decent player, but I’d question whether he’s good enough to start at 7 for a tier 1 test side. Particularly when Young or James Davies can’t get in to the squad!

Shingler has massively improved and deserves his shot, but with Cross as the bench cover, it all seems uncharacteristically risky for Gatland.
 
James Davies is injured sadly but I agree on Thomas Young, how he wasn't selected I'd never know. All the 7's injured for this game are: Sam Warbuton, Justin Tirpuic, Ellis Jenkins, James Davies and Ollie Griffiths.
 
To win this game Wales need to dominate the Aussies up front, which I just don't see happening to be honest. They have two fantastic wings in Steff Evans and Liam Williams so they need to get the ball out to them which they haven't seemed to do for years.
 

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