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Rugby Union
International Test Matches
[November Tests 2017 EOYT] Wales vs. New Zealand (25/11/2017)
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<blockquote data-quote="MikeTheNative" data-source="post: 881255" data-attributes="member: 74084"><p>Wales had a lot of ball in the first half just going side to side not really bothering the NZ defence. This is because when playing an expansive game you need somebody that's able to challenge the inside shoulder if the defence comes up too fast and exploit the defence. This is where Russell excels for Scotland, he has an excellent passing game and a good running game that challenges the defence both out wide and on the inside shoulder. Biggar simply will not fit in with this system, he just doesn't offer enough threat with the ball in hand to worry about the defence on the inside so they just drift out wide to the obvious runners. This is where Patchell needs to come in as he has shown he can do this for the Scarlets, he might be off form but this game plan would suit Sam Davies and even Anscombe over Biggar. I honestly think Wales will not get any where with this style if the persist with Biggar at 10. Owen Williams didn't help the situation giving too many passes when he should have straightened up and took on the defence, however I think his performance was a positive and will just get better in the role. Scott Williams has the problem that he is just not Jon Davies with the ball in hand, I think he could do a job at 12 with his distribution skills however didn't seem to offer enough threat of making a break for 13. You see it a lot with the Scarlets so I don't understand why they didn't have Steff Evans come in as first receiver a lot more, he has the passing range and the ability to beat the first defender and possibly create a line break. A lot of negative in the post so let's move on to the positives. Line Out was crap but i think the pack was very good in particular Navidi looked like he has played test rugby regularly for the past few years and with Moriarty's injury problem I can see him starting the 6 nations alongside Tipruic. Shingler was also good and didn't look out of place either. Rob Evans played his hybrid 1/10 position very well but offered a lot of threat carrying making yards as well. Hopefully he can get some consistent game time now and show that he is one of the best looseheads in the world, which I believe he can be. Alun Wyn Jones got a lot of criticism this year of being over the hill and not a top tier lock anymore. This new system has gave him a new lease of life, he has always been a decent ball player and can finally show his passing range and offload ability that he has always been capable of. Both Amos and Evans were promising in attack, got a bit schooled in defence though, but i think they showed their worth, especially with the Wales try from a good Amos break (admittedly from a great pass from Biggar). As for NZ I thought they looked a bit lethargic in the 1st half, I know they are missing a load of players in the pack and it showed, Wales had them beat up front in the 1st half although they were a lot more on parity in 2nd (due to a stronger bench). The two players I would single out for NZ is Sam Cane who's every hit knocked back the Wales carriers and he stopped a number of promising attacks with thundering tackles. Also Rieko Ioane who is so good at 20 it's almost unfair. I think it says it all in a team of Barratt, Sonny Bill and Aron Smith that a 20 year old shone the brightest and looked a threat every time he got the ball. Just how good can this guy get?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MikeTheNative, post: 881255, member: 74084"] Wales had a lot of ball in the first half just going side to side not really bothering the NZ defence. This is because when playing an expansive game you need somebody that's able to challenge the inside shoulder if the defence comes up too fast and exploit the defence. This is where Russell excels for Scotland, he has an excellent passing game and a good running game that challenges the defence both out wide and on the inside shoulder. Biggar simply will not fit in with this system, he just doesn't offer enough threat with the ball in hand to worry about the defence on the inside so they just drift out wide to the obvious runners. This is where Patchell needs to come in as he has shown he can do this for the Scarlets, he might be off form but this game plan would suit Sam Davies and even Anscombe over Biggar. I honestly think Wales will not get any where with this style if the persist with Biggar at 10. Owen Williams didn't help the situation giving too many passes when he should have straightened up and took on the defence, however I think his performance was a positive and will just get better in the role. Scott Williams has the problem that he is just not Jon Davies with the ball in hand, I think he could do a job at 12 with his distribution skills however didn't seem to offer enough threat of making a break for 13. You see it a lot with the Scarlets so I don't understand why they didn't have Steff Evans come in as first receiver a lot more, he has the passing range and the ability to beat the first defender and possibly create a line break. A lot of negative in the post so let's move on to the positives. Line Out was crap but i think the pack was very good in particular Navidi looked like he has played test rugby regularly for the past few years and with Moriarty's injury problem I can see him starting the 6 nations alongside Tipruic. Shingler was also good and didn't look out of place either. Rob Evans played his hybrid 1/10 position very well but offered a lot of threat carrying making yards as well. Hopefully he can get some consistent game time now and show that he is one of the best looseheads in the world, which I believe he can be. Alun Wyn Jones got a lot of criticism this year of being over the hill and not a top tier lock anymore. This new system has gave him a new lease of life, he has always been a decent ball player and can finally show his passing range and offload ability that he has always been capable of. Both Amos and Evans were promising in attack, got a bit schooled in defence though, but i think they showed their worth, especially with the Wales try from a good Amos break (admittedly from a great pass from Biggar). As for NZ I thought they looked a bit lethargic in the 1st half, I know they are missing a load of players in the pack and it showed, Wales had them beat up front in the 1st half although they were a lot more on parity in 2nd (due to a stronger bench). The two players I would single out for NZ is Sam Cane who's every hit knocked back the Wales carriers and he stopped a number of promising attacks with thundering tackles. Also Rieko Ioane who is so good at 20 it's almost unfair. I think it says it all in a team of Barratt, Sonny Bill and Aron Smith that a 20 year old shone the brightest and looked a threat every time he got the ball. Just how good can this guy get? [/QUOTE]
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[November Tests 2017 EOYT] Wales vs. New Zealand (25/11/2017)
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