RBS 6 Nations - Wales vs France 17/03/2012 - 14:45

[SelimNiai]

im still confused as to why Priestland keeps making first choice fly half, he's been awful, iknow they are probably aiming for the future with him, but if we are going to challenge the southern hemisphere, we have to pick the players on form, not giving bad players so many chances

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Preistland was superb, his kicks put France under pressure and if we didn't collect the ball then we gained plenty of territory with each kick

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Preistland got better as the game went on yesterday. His kicking to touch and goal kicking still needs work mind.

 

[cyRil]

I honestly thought Priestland was diabolical. What I was saying post-match was along the lines of 'I can't believe we've won the Grand Slam with that useless gyppo at 10'...

 

[Feicarsinn]

Truth be told I wasn't overly impressed by Priestland either. I'm not saying that he's a bad player, but I'd have him as the 3rd or 4th best ten in the tournament. He was good against Ireland, but I never thought he put in a complete performance.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Truth be told I wasn't overly impressed by Priestland either. I'm not saying that he's a bad player, but I'd have him as the 3rd or 4th best ten in the tournament. He was good against Ireland, but I never thought he put in a complete performance.

Not going to defend him but when you got Mike Phillips serving you rubbish like he did yesterday hardly helps. Thinking back to it yesterday in particular, his distribution left much to be desired for.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This is what Mike Phillips was spitting his dummy out about:

I think they've been fairly tame there...

 

[Robert Prosser]

This is what Mike Phillips was spitting his dummy out about:

I think they've been fairly tame there...

Should of sad he was diabolical and keeps slowing the game down too much also adding to that with poor distribution, when Lloyd Williams replaced him Wales had a bit more zip in their game.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Different ratings to their website: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyn...against-france-player-ratings-91466-30560927/

More From Phillips and his drunken tweets:

mike phillips @mikephillips009 <iframe class="twt-follow-button" allowtransparency="true" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets/follow_button.html?align=right&button=grey&screen_name=mikephillips009&show_count=false&show_screen_name=false&lang=en" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Welsh rugby jog on ! pic.twitter.com/dNWsjC6Z


18 Mar 12

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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/js/vendor/twt/dist/twt.min.js" async="" type="text/javascript" id="LR1"></script><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Come to cowbridge to hang out with the grand slam winners ! But I was only 5 out ten so !!!!!!!!!!</p>&mdash; mike phillips (@mikephillips009) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikephillips009/status/181386697664245760" data-datetime="2012-03-18T14:28:53+00:00">March 18, 2012</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="181393456437010434"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJonesOnline">RyanJonesOnline</a> you are a tool fair play</p>&mdash; mike phillips (@mikephillips009) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikephillips009/status/181395970284716034" data-datetime="2012-03-18T15:05:44+00:00">March 18, 2012</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>With a legend!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523reg">#reg</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/mikephillips009">mikephillips009</a><a href="http://t.co/50wgfzwe" ***le="http://twitpic.com/8y3igx">twitpic.com/8y3igx</a></p>&mdash; Liam Williams (@SanjayWills) <a href="https://twitter.com/SanjayWills/status/181421625298788352" data-datetime="2012-03-18T16:47:40+00:00">March 18, 2012</a></blockquote>
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[welshglory]

But we've seen how the team plays when Lloyd starts and Mike doesn't. He's still an incredibly important player for us regardless of his dips in form

 

[TRF_Cymro]

But we've seen how the team plays when Lloyd starts and Mike doesn't. He's still an incredibly important player for us regardless of his dips in form

What game was that? He's only ever started one game for Wales. He started against Australia in Novemember last year, was hardly poor performance from the boy.

 

[welshglory]

Wasn't great though and we missed Phillips badly that day.

Lloyd for me doesn't challenge the opposition enough. He's got a sweet pass on him, don't get me wrong. But he doesn't run enough and doesn't take the right options at the moment. His kicking can also be 50/50

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Lloyd for me doesn't challenge the opposition enough. He's got a sweet pass on him, don't get me wrong. But he doesn't run enough and doesn't take the right options at the moment. His kicking can also be 50/50

Oh really. How about a scrum half who can provide quick service, organise players and not lose his head in the moment. Williams has pace to snipe. I can't fathom your response to be honest. If you want to talk about kicking, why does Phillips box-kick neither go high enough or far enough most of the time?

 

[welshglory]

Oh really. How about a scrum half who can provide quick service, organise players and not lose his head in the moment. Williams has pace to snipe. I can't fathom your response to be honest. If you want to talk about kicking, why does Phillips box-kick neither go high enough or far enough most of the time?

No need to get touchy. The point im trying to make is that Phillips's running game takes the pressure off the rest of the backline and creates a lot of space for them. He is instrumental to the way we play IMO. Also, his kicking might not always be accurate but its big and he usually gets it away no problems, keep in mind that the kicking strategy of the team is to belt it long and keep it in field

I've watched Lloyd's games for the Blues this season and he hasn't been great. He will be a great player one day but he isn't there yet.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

No need to get touchy. The point im trying to make is that Phillips's running game takes the pressure off the rest of the backline and creates a lot of space for them. He is instrumental to the way we play IMO. Also, his kicking might not always be accurate but its big and he usually gets it away no problems, keep in mind that the kicking strategy of the team is to belt it long and keep it in field

I've watched Lloyd's games for the Blues this season and he hasn't been great. He will be a great player one day but he isn't there yet.

Not touchy at all, if you want an argument then you are getting one.

Phillips running game has caused problems a host of times for Wales. He scores miracle tries but then bombs others. When you say space for the backline, not always. His backward step tends to cost even more space for the backs because the defence are allowed that extra couple of steps because of Phillips step then pass manoeuvre.

The kicking tactic may well be to belt it long, but give it height also to allow the Wales players to challenge / re-set their defensive line.

 

[welshglory]

If you say so. I'd much rather see Phillips starting than Lloyd though

 

[bushytop]

I assume Phillips is executing the plan Gats wants him to.

Imo the ball is being released slowly but we looked comfortable in the tight against France and the conditions weren't ideal for much more than that. Phillips will keep the jersey for a while yet.

 

[Robert Prosser]

I assume Phillips is executing the plan Gats wants him to.

Imo the ball is being released slowly but we looked comfortable in the tight against France and the conditions weren't ideal for much more than that. Phillips will keep the jersey for a while yet.

Many times if Priestland got the ball he was getting hammered because the ball is and was so slow from Phillips for me Phillips was one of our worst players in the six nations.

 

[MlleJuju]

Congratulations to Wales, they had an amazing tournament and most definitely deserved to win!
I must say I am a bit disappointed by France's almost comical decision to play football instead of rugby in the first half.
Second half was a lot better, but it seemed as if they did not want to finish their good actions. They could have scored one or two tries, had they wanted to.
Once again, you NEVER know what to expect from France. It used to irritate me, but I've learned to enjoy this unpredictability.
I was relieved to see some very promising young players, such as Fofana, Maestri, Fritz... Hopefully Saint-André will quickly come up with a strategy to sort this team out!

 

[SelimNiai]

I must say I am a bit disappointed by France's almost comical decision to play football instead of rugby in the first half.

That reminds me:

Beauxis was el terriblé

 

[MlleJuju]

I don't get why he was selected? Surely Parra kicks just as well or better...