Wales Tour 2013: Japan

[Draggs]

So then:

15 WilliamsLB/Prydie
14 Prydie/Williams O/Howells
13 Williams S/Williams O
12 Beck
11 Robinson
10 Biggar
09 Williams LD

01 Bevington
02 Phillips
03 Mitchell
04 Davies
05 Coombs
06 Shingler AC
07 Navidi
08 Pretorius/McCusker

16 Baldwin
17 Gill
18 Andrews
19 King
20 McCusker/Pretorius
21 Knoyle
22 Shingler SC
23 One of the outside backs/Patchell
Uncapped in ~23: Owen Williams, Dafydd Howells, Emyr Phillips, Josh Navidi, Andries Pretorius; Scott Baldwin, James King, Steven Shingler, Patchell

If both Scarlet Williams' are out, we could see a very inexperienced backline (Prydie, Howells, Robinson back three; Owen Williams centre)

Very mobile pack, not a big backline either. (Prydie/Biggar ~6'2", Shingler/Patchell/Owen Williams/Beck 6'3")

 

[psychic duck]

Very mobile pack, not a big backline either. (Prydie/Biggar ~6'2", Shingler/Patchell/Owen Williams/Beck 6'3")

Prydie is 6 foot 4. And does a backline full of players mostly ranging 6'0" to 6'4" really count as not big?

 

[Draggs]

Prydie is 6 foot 4. And does a backline full of players mostly ranging 6'0" to 6'4" really count as not big?

Seen that stat, no way he is 6'4". JWC had him as 188cm last year, they are normally pretty accurate.
He has been listed as 6'4" since 2010. This was v NZ in 2010:

6'4" Jamie Roberts.

Just shorter than 6'3" Lee Byrne.

These were 2010, but he looks about the same. Big is also relative. Much different than our 6'4 (Roberts, North) and 6'6" (Cuthbert) backs.

 

[dullonien]

He looks slightly taller than Byrne in that second photo Draggs!

 

[Draggs]

He looks slightly taller than Byrne in that second photo Draggs!

Yeah... My laptop was a bit slanted so my perspective was off. Angles, etc put it off further. I was trying to find a lineup for the anthems photo to use that was better. I suppose we will see in Japan. All stats have to be taken with a bit of leniency. NGD player stats at the start of the season added nearly a stone to the last reported weights of some players.

Regardless, I'd be skeptical of Prydie being 6'4". It doesn't help that he is a bit thinner than others.

 

[webbyinjapan]

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/26847.php#.UZJKcpUTNeV

Looks like Scott Williams is a no go,,,,

 

[TRF_Cymro]

[h=1]WALES[/h]
Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)
DoB: 9.12.88. 6'0" / 1.82m. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
International record: 9 caps (W 4, L 5)

Rhys GILL (SARACENS – Cap No 1,073)
DoB: 30.10.86. 5'11" / 1.80m. 17st 12lbs / 113kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

Sam HOBBS (CARDIFF BLUES – Uncapped)
DoB: 13.05.88. 6'4" / 1.93m. 19st 5lbs / 123kgs
International record: Uncapped

Ken OWENS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,088)
DoB: 03.01.87. 6'1" / 1.86m. 17st 3lbs / 109kgs
International record: 15 caps (W 9, L 6)

Emyr PHILLIPS (SCARLETS – Uncapped)
DoB: 22.02.87. 6'0" / 1.83m. 16st 1lb / 102kgs
International record: Uncapped

Scott BALDWIN (OSPREYS – Uncapped)
DoB: 12.07.88. 6'3" / 1.90m. 17st 5lbs /110kgs
International record: Uncapped

Scott ANDREWS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,083)
DoB: 01.08.89. 6'2" / 1.88m. 18st 7lbs / 117kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 1, L 5)

Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS – Cap No 1,068)
DoB: 03.05.86. 6'1" / 1.85m. 18st 11lbs / 119kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 10, L 4; 5 pts – 1T)

Rhodri JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,093)
DoB: 23.12.91. 6'3" / 1.91m. 18st 11lbs / 119kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)

Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6'6" / 1.98m. 19st 4lbs / 122kgs
International record: 38 caps (W 15, L 22, D 1)

Lou REED (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,091)
DoB: 10.09.87. 6'6" / 1.99m. 19st 4lbs / 122kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

Andrew COOMBS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,099)
DoB: 27.10.84. 6'4" /1.94m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 3, L 1)

James KING (OSPREYS – Uncapped)
DoB: 24.07.90. 6'4" / 1.93m. 16st 7lbs / 105kgs
International record: Uncapped

Aaron SHINGLER (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,090)
DoB: 07.08.87. 6'5" / 1.96m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 7 caps (W 4, L 3)

Dan BAKER (OSPREYS – Uncapped)
DoB: 05.07.92. 6'3" / 1.91m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs
International record: Uncapped

Rob McCUSKER (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,075)
DoB: 10.12.85. 1.95m / 6'4". 15st 11lbs / 100kgs
International record: 5 caps (L 5)

Andries PRETORIUS (CARDIFF BLUES - Uncapped)
DoB: 26.09.85. 6'4" / 1.93m. 17st 4lbs / 110kgs
International record: Uncapped

Josh NAVIDI (CARDIFF BLUES - Uncapped)
[h=1]DoB: 30.12.90. 6'1" / 1.85m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs[/h] International record: Uncapped


Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,086)
DoB: 30.11.89. 6'0" / 1.83m. 14st 1lb / 89kgs
International record: 13 caps (W 10, L 3; 10 pts – 2T)

Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)
DoB: 02.06.90. 6'1" / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
International record: 9 caps (W 3, L 6)

Aled DAVIES (SCARLETS – Uncapped)
DoB: 19.07.92. 5'9" /1.76m. 13st 7lbs / 86kgs
International record: Uncapped

Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)
DoB: 09.01.87 6'0" / 1.82m. 15st 0lbs / 95kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 11, L 11; 53 pts – 1T, 12C, 8PG)

Dan BIGGAR (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,063)
DoB: 16.10.89. 6'2" / 1.88m. 14st 1lbs / 89kgs
International record: 16 caps (W 9, L 6, D 1; 62 pts – 10C, 13PG, 1DG)

Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6'0" / 1.83m. 15st 13lbs / 101kgs
International record: 20 caps (W 12, L 8; 30 pts – 6T)

Ashley BECK (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,097)
DoB: 15.04.90. 6'3" / 1.91m. 15st 13lbs / 101kgs
International record: 4 caps (L 4; 5 pts – 1T)

Owen WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Uncapped)
DoB: 02.10.91. 6'3" /1.90m. 15st 1lb / 96kgs
International record: Uncapped

Jonathan SPRATT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,069)
DoB: 28.04.86. 6'2" / 1.88m. 16st 1lb / 102kgs
International record: 2 caps (W 2)

Dafydd HOWELLS (OSPREYS – Uncapped)
DoB: 22.03.95. 6'1" / 1.85m. 15st 1lb / 96kgs
International record: Uncapped

Liam WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,095)
DoB: 09.04.91. 6'2" / 1.88m. 13st 6lbs / 86kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)

Harry ROBINSON (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,094)
DoB: 16.04.93. 5'10" / 1.78m. 12st 13lbs / 82kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1; 5 pts – 1T)

Tom PRYDIE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,074)
DoB: 23.02.92. 6'4" / 1.94m. 13st 8lbs / 86kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 1, L 3; 5 pts – 1T)

Steven SHINGLER (LONDON IRISH – Uncapped)
DoB: 20.06.91. 6'3" / 1.90m. 13st 12lbs / 88kgs
International record: Uncapped



International record: Uncapped

Rhys PATCHELL (CARDIFF BLUES - Uncapped)
DoB: 17.05.93. 6'2" / 1.88m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs
International record: Uncapped


Sam PARRY (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Uncapped)
DoB: 17.12.91. 6'1" / 1.86m. 16st 11lbs / 107kgs
International record: Uncapped

 

[dullonien]

Scott Williams officially ruled out now as well. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22488528

Who will be called up to replace him? Adam Warren would be my guess.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Scott Williams officially ruled out now as well. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22488528

Who will be called up to replace him? Adam Warren would be my guess.

Scarlets centre Scott Williams has been ruled out of Wales' forthcoming two-test tour of Japan due to a reoccurring shoulder injury.The 22-year-old will return to the Scarlets and receive further assessment on the injury. Williams will not be replaced in Wales training squad.
Head Coach for the Japan tour Robin McBryde will announce a 27-man squad which will travel to Japan, on Tuesday, 21 May.

So the answer no one is.

 

[dullonien]

So the answer no one is.

Forgot about Shingler being in the squad. Four centres is enough for a two test tour. Was a bit odd to have five in the first place, even if Shingler will also cover fly-half.

 

[Draggs]

So then:

15 WilliamsLB/Prydie
14 Prydie/Howells
13 Williams O
12 Beck
11 Robinson
10 Biggar
09 Williams LD

01 Bevington
02 Phillips
03 Mitchell
04 Davies
05 Coombs
06 Shingler AC
07 Navidi
08 Pretorius/McCusker

16 Baldwin
17 Gill
18 Andrews
19 King
20 McCusker/Pretorius
21 Knoyle
22 Shingler SC
23 Patchell/Howells

Slightly updated. If Spratt is in the 23 I might break down. I don't think our midfield can be as bad as the one I watched four years ago (Bishop-Davies/Spratt), so there is that. Wonder if anybody will be called up if Liam Williams is out? Can't see it now, probably Prydie to fullback with Williams or Howells on the wing and Spratt centre (or the first two at 13 and 14 respectively).

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Slightly updated. If Spratt is in the 23 I might break down. I don't think our midfield can be as bad as the one I watched four years ago (Bishop-Davies/Spratt), so there is that. Wonder if anybody will be called up if Liam Williams is out? Can't see it now, probably Prydie to fullback with Williams or Howells on the wing and Spratt centre (or the first two at 13 and 14 respectively).

I nominate myself. Comfortable at fullback and wing (Could play 13 at a push), solid enough, handy sidestep and I'll have only finished my A Levels four days before the first test, which seems to be a key piece of criteria for playing in the Welsh back three these days. And I'd still only be the second-youngest player in the squad. I'm not 6'5", but all the same.

Shame about Scotty, actually. I'd like to see Beck-Williams together if we're getting 100% of the ball, but that won't be the case, and I worry about Williams' defence, especially in the centre. I'm not sure. Might end up plumping for Spratt. To be fair, Biggar/Beck/Spratt has gone quite well for the Ospreys tail-end of the season.

 

[webbyinjapan]

Whatever happened to Matthew Morgan(?) - the young O's and under 20's 10 of a year or so ago? All my friends back home in Wales were all bigging him up as the next coming. Seems to have fallen from grace?

 

[dullonien]

Whatever happened to Matthew Morgan(?) - the young O's and under 20's 10 of a year or so ago? All my friends back home in Wales were all bigging him up as the next coming. Seems to have fallen from grace?

Still involved with the Ospreys, but spends most of his time on the bench. He hasn't really developed as hoped. He's really struggled to translate his devastating running game from amateur level at Premiership and U20 level to professional level in the Pro12. Defences are better , and there's less time, and he's struggled to break them down.

To be fair he has worked on parts of his game, such as his kicking game and his defence, although due to his size his defence is still pretty shoddy.

I'm not sure he'll make it in the 10 position at professional level, at least not to international level. He could try to make a transition to the wing, where his size would be less of an issue, and he can concentrate on his running game.

 

[webbyinjapan]

Still involved with the Ospreys, but spends most of his time on the bench. He hasn't really developed as hoped. He's really struggled to translate his devastating running game from amateur level at Premiership and U20 level to professional level in the Pro12. Defences are better , and there's less time, and he's struggled to break them down.

To be fair he has worked on parts of his game, such as his kicking game and his defence, although due to his size his defence is still pretty shoddy.

I'm not sure he'll make it in the 10 position at professional level, at least not to international level. He could try to make a transition to the wing, where his size would be less of an issue, and he can concentrate on his running game.

Ah Cheers young fella,,,,bit out of touch here in the Land of the Rising Cost of Living!

 

[Draggs]

Ken Owens is OUT
http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/26867.php

Massive shame, turning into an excellent player. Really want to see him and Hibbard fighting for the starting position. Think Rees' days have come and gone, for the most part.

02 Emyr Phillips; 16 Scott Baldwin would be likely now.

Looking at quite a few new caps, probably the highest number since Gatland took over. (Five v Barbarians, 2011)
(Could see: Phillips, Baldwin, Navidi, Pretorius, Owen Williams, Dafydd Howells, Steven Shingler, Rhys Patchell; 8)

 

[psychic duck]

Yes, I would honestly say our defence is better than that of Samoa.

Firstly remember this isn't the top team we're talking about. Secondly remember, Samoa actually played a Wales team that was much stronger than this Japan squad and beat Wales at their own bosh game. And also remember that Samoa's defence didn't actually concede a try against either Wales or France in November it was their attack that gave away the tries with an intercept and a charge down.

Whilst it was the Welsh defence that was run over (by a scrum half of all people) and conceded tries. So going on the evidence of that, I would say the Samoan defence is comparable with the Welsh strongest team, never mind the weakened team.

 

[dullonien]

C'mon duck, our defensive structure is usually superb. Yes it struggled in the Autumn, but it seemed to deteriorate slightly along with the rest of our game, but this was the blip, not the other way round. We didn't concede a single try in almost four and a half games of 6 nations rugby, and we only conceded was it 3 in last seasons 6 nations.

Samoa will always put in some big hits like those you've shown above, but in general they are not as disciplined as Wales are. Shaun Edwards should be able to prepare a defensive system that will deal with Japan trying some fancy loop moves, probably behind the gain-line.

I feel you are putting too much emphasis on how well Japan played against a Samoa side which obviously weren't at their best on the day. At the same time you use examples of Wales at their worst during the Autumn. Wales have certainly moved on from that, and their last game was actually one of the best performances a Welsh side has produced in the professional era.

It just seems to me that you're saying that because Japan came within a few points of beating Samoa, and that Samoa beat Wales, that that means that Japan will beat Wales. Using the same logic I can't wait for our next game against the AB's, we're gonna smash them by 60 points on the evidence of beating England by 27 points, who in turn convincingly beat NZ in the Autumn.

The Welsh side will be completely different from that which was used in the 6 nations and in the Autumn anyway, so using any past examples is probably a bit useless. However one thing we do know, and that is Shaun Edwards' capability to quickly get a defensive system in place and all the players on the same page in that regard. An example of this is how he managed to transform Wales defence post RWC 2007 from one that conceded tries against everyone, into one of the best defences in 6 nations history the following spring.

 

[Draggs]

I fully understand what you are saying duck, but I cannot justify anything that happened in the autumn. I can't explain what went wrong, apart from everything.

 

[webbyinjapan]

It will not be as easy as many may think. Japan are obviously not a top tier team, but there are some decent players here, the coach is no fool and our players are relatively inexperienced. Although it is cooler here than I have ever experienced it for this time of year, the games will be played in the incredibly humid tsuyuu - the summer rainy season - - It is like walking around in a hot shower!! It is unbareable. A lot will depend on how some of our younger players cope with this.

I am sure we will win, but there are chances of this series biting us on the arris!! My son and I have our tickets for the Osaka test on the 8th of June and there are about 20 assorted Septics, Japanese, Ozzies and Kiwis going from Fukui....expectations are high, but please God let us play well,,,, and for me to be able to get into my Welsh jersey! ^_^