Wales v New Zealand - Saturday 30th October 2021 | KO – 17:15

[Ymx]

Will post teams later in week as available.

Wales
https://notplanetrugby.com/viewtopic.ph ... 16#p149816

New Zealand
https://notplanetrugby.com/viewtopic.ph ... 85#p149885

[Ymx]

I’m really getting excited about this.

I’m not reading much in to the US game. Think they were down on numbers plus they’re in a bad place.

More that SA beat us. We are still vulnerable to a solid powerful unit.

[Grandpa]

Don't think it will be close against a weakened Wales side... Ireland and France will be interesting though....

[Kiwias]

I hope Foster picks his best team for this match and pretty much sticks with it for the rest of the matches, making at most 2~3 changes.

My pick

1 Moody
2 Coles
3 Laulala
4 Whitelock (C)
5 Retallick
6 Blackadder
7 Savea
8 Sotutu
9 Christie
10 Mo'unga
11 Ioane
12 Havili
13 ALB
14 Reece
15 JB

Bench
16 Taylor
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tuungafasi
19 T Vaa'i
20 Cane
21 TJP
22 BB
23 Jordan

[Dismal Pillock]

6 Blackadder
7 Savea
8 Sotutu

I like this but it still seems a bit gruntless. Needs some Akira in there.

Yes, would rather Sotutu ahead of Jacobsen, I think his superb lineout work should get him the nod

When all are available, I'm guessing Fozzies 1st choice backrow is still:

6 Cane
7 Papalii
8 Ardie

[Kiwias]

6 Blackadder
7 Savea
8 Sotutu

I like this but it still seems a bit gruntless. Needs some Akira in there.

Yes, would rather Sotutu ahead of Jacobsen, I think his superb lineout work should get him the nod

When all are available, I'm guessing Fozzies 1st choice backrow is still:

6 Cane
7 Papalii
8 Ardie

Has Fozzie ever started that backrow?

[Dismal Pillock]

Has Fozzie ever started that backrow?

Let's not be too quick trying to disseminate what I'm imagining other people are imagining.

[Kiwias]

Has Fozzie ever started that backrow?

Let's not be too quick trying to disseminate what I'm imagining other people are imagining.

Why do I feel as if we are in this scene?

[Gumboot]

Much as I enjoy watching Blackadder play, I'm not sure he has the damaging burst of speed Jacobson showed in scoring both his tries. Akira has it, as did Squire and Kaino. Jacobson's defence and support play are also top quality. I hope he starts at either 6 or 8 in the coming tests.

[Chilli]

Don't think it will be close against a weakened Wales side... Ireland and France will be interesting though....

Pretty much this.

[OomStruisbaai]

Don't think it will be close against a weakened Wales side.

Do they have players out?

[Ymx]

Think Wales are struggling to get their players released from English clubs.

[Ymx]

On Sotutu. Against the US, the guy played most of the game on the wing. Pretty disappointing given what happened against SA where the loosies vanished at ruck time. Lessons learnt etc.

[Gumboot]

On Sotutu. Against the US, the guy played most of the game on the wing. Pretty disappointing given what happened against SA where the loosies vanished at ruck time. Lessons learnt etc.

Yeah, I'm still not sold on him or Papalii, who once again got caught flat footed and missed a simple tackle. Not sure either player has the defensive starch required at test level.

[Kiwias]

I could be convinced that Jacobson should start ahead of Sotutu but I still prefer Blackadder over Ioane, and not for the obvious reason.

[assfly]

This should be one of the most exciting tests of the autumn.

Instead, we've got Wales putting out a B team. What a travesty.

[Gumboot]

1. J Moody
2. S Taukeiáho
3. A Taávao
4. B Retallick
5. S Whitelock (c)
6. A Ioane
7. A Savea
8. L Jacobson

9. B Weber
10. R Moánga
11. R Ioane
12. Q Tupaea
13. A Lienert-Brown
14. W Jordan
15. J Barrett

16. D Coles, 17. E de Groot, 18. N Laulala, 19. T Vaaí, 20. E Blackadder, 21. F Christie, 22. B Barrett, 23. D McKenzie

[SaintK]

1. J Moody
2. S Taukeiáho
3. A Taávao
4. B Retallick
5. S Whitelock (c)
6. A Ioane
7. A Savea
8. L Jacobson

9. B Weber
10. R Moánga
11. R Ioane
12. Q Tupaea
13. A Lienert-Brown
14. W Jordan
15. J Barrett

16. D Coles, 17. E de Groot, 18. N Laulala, 19. T Vaaí, 20. E Blackadder, 21. F Christie, 22. B Barrett, 23. D McKenzie

AB's by +50 at least.

[Sandstorm]

Is the ref French?

[tabascoboy]

Think Wales are struggling to get their players released from English clubs.

It's so bad we've had to recall Alex Cuthbert

[handyman]

Are Jones and Williams available?

[ASMO]

Think Wales are struggling to get their players released from English clubs.

It's so bad we've had to recall Alex Cuthbert

Jesus, i didnt think anything could be that bad.

[Grandpa]

1. J Moody
2. S Taukeiáho
3. A Taávao
4. B Retallick
5. S Whitelock (c)
6. A Ioane
7. A Savea
8. L Jacobson

9. B Weber
10. R Moánga
11. R Ioane
12. Q Tupaea
13. A Lienert-Brown
14. W Jordan
15. J Barrett

16. D Coles, 17. E de Groot, 18. N Laulala, 19. T Vaaí, 20. E Blackadder, 21. F Christie, 22. B Barrett, 23. D McKenzie

I was a big fan of Akira... I thought he had come of age and was going to be the difference maker... the enforcer we have lacked since Kaino left the scene... but when the big test came.. twice against SA... he turned into Reuben Thorne. So I'm out...

Instead the player who shouldn't be the enforcer, has become are most impressive loosie.. Blackadder... he has got to play every big test for me from now till the WC... he doesn't care how big they are, he'll mess them up... I have developed a rugby mancrush for a damn Crusader!

[SaintK]

Think Wales are struggling to get their players released from English clubs.

WRU knew exactly what they were getting into when they signed up for a match outside the International window.

[Dismal Pillock]

I was a big fan of Akira... I thought he had come of age and was going to be the difference maker... the enforcer we have lacked since Kaino left the scene... but when the big test came.. twice against SA... he turned into Reuben Thorne. So I'm out...

Poor kids only played about 9 tests. It's his first year getting a proper crack

I still prefer Blackadder over Ioane, and not for the obvious reason.

I have developed a rugby mancrush for a damn Crusader!

[GogLais]

Think Wales are struggling to get their players released from English clubs.

It's so bad we've had to recall Alex Cuthbert

It isn’t Cuthbert’s fault if Wales don’t have a better winger available but surely we do in Holmes, unless he’s injured of course but I’m not aware that he is.

[Grandpa]

I was a big fan of Akira... I thought he had come of age and was going to be the difference maker... the enforcer we have lacked since Kaino left the scene... but when the big test came.. twice against SA... he turned into Reuben Thorne. So I'm out...

Poor kids only played about 9 tests. It's his first year getting a proper crack

I still prefer Blackadder over Ioane, and not for the obvious reason.

I have developed a rugby mancrush for a damn Crusader!

[Kiwias]

I hope Foster picks his best team for this match and pretty much sticks with it for the rest of the matches, making at most 2~3 changes.

My pick

1 Moody
2 Coles
3 Laulala
4 Whitelock (C)
5 Retallick
6 Blackadder
7 Savea
8 Jacobson
9 Weber
10 Mo'unga
11 Ioane
12 Havili
13 ALB
14 Reece
15 JB

Bench
16 Taylor
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tuungafasi
19 T Vaa'i
20 Cane
21 Christie
22 BB
23 Jordan

Totally forgot about Weber, he has to start and this means TJP can be shifted from the bench to left right out.

[Kiwias]

I was a big fan of Akira... I thought he had come of age and was going to be the difference maker... the enforcer we have lacked since Kaino left the scene... but when the big test came.. twice against SA... he turned into Reuben Thorne. So I'm out...

Poor kids only played about 9 tests. It's his first year getting a proper crack

I still prefer Blackadder over Ioane, and not for the obvious reason.

Work rate not affiliation.

[Grandpa]

I hope Foster picks his best team for this match and pretty much sticks with it for the rest of the matches, making at most 2~3 changes.

My pick

1 Moody
2 Coles
3 Laulala
4 Whitelock (C)
5 Retallick
6 Blackadder
7 Savea
8 Jacobson
9 Weber
10 Mo'unga
11 Ioane
12 Havili
13 ALB
14 Reece
15 JB

Bench
16 Taylor
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tuungafasi
19 T Vaa'i
20 Cane
21 Christie
22 BB
23 Jordan

Totally forgot about Weber, he has to start and this means TJP can be shifted from the bench to left right out.

After a long lay off do you think Coles is fit enough to start? Also I'd like Taukei’aho on the bench... he looks like he will be the next All Black starting Hooker at some point... I'd also have Jordan starting. He's a try scoring machine... and the more games we can give him the better he will be...

[OomStruisbaai]

Think Wales are struggling to get their players released from English clubs.

WRU knew exactly what they were getting into when they signed up for a match outside the International window.

Next week they'll take revenge against a rusty Springbok team.

[Line6 HXFX]

This year (in a post lions season) is usually terrible for Wales.
It is like the players put off surgeries to try to get on the Lions and just completely fall off a cliff when they come back.
They seem to believe that they have made it in rugby and go on a year long break.It would be great if we had 700 top flight pro rugby players to cover but we don't.
Wales have never won a six nations, in the professional era after the Lions tours.
The highest we have come is second (after the last lions tour) only because France and England were complete shit too.

The days of 75 point drubbings and a massive 90s style difference in class between teams are back.
Wouldn't be a bit surprised if we lost Pivac (like Henry and Ruddock before him) after the six nations, in the season after the lions tour.

Best thing Welsh supporters can do is ignore rugby union for 18 months until after this regular as clockwork, forthcoming national humiliation is over, and the players buck up their ideas and their national, professional pride comes back.

You have but the one life.

[Gumboot]

Totally forgot about Weber, he has to start and this means TJP can be shifted from the bench to left right out.

I'm over Perenara. His woeful passing is stifling our attack.

How can an 8-year All Blacks halfback, who's been under the tutelage of one of the best passing halfbacks in history his entire test career, still be so fucking rat-shit at his most important core skill?

The sooner Fakatava's available for selection the better.

[Kiwias]

I hope Foster picks his best team for this match and pretty much sticks with it for the rest of the matches, making at most 2~3 changes.

My pick

1 Moody
2 Coles
3 Laulala
4 Whitelock (C)
5 Retallick
6 Blackadder
7 Savea
8 Jacobson
9 Weber
10 Mo'unga
11 Ioane
12 Havili
13 ALB
14 Reece
15 JB

Bench
16 Taylor
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tuungafasi
19 T Vaa'i
20 Cane
21 Christie
22 BB
23 Jordan

Totally forgot about Weber, he has to start and this means TJP can be shifted from the bench to left right out.

After a long lay off do you think Coles is fit enough to start? Also I'd like Taukei’aho on the bench... he looks like he will be the next All Black starting Hooker at some point... I'd also have Jordan starting. He's a try scoring machine... and the more games we can give him the better he will be...

I liked what I saw of Coles on Sunday and debated over the two Ts for the bench spot, though looking forward to RWC2023 and onwards, Taukei'aho and Aumua will be the starting and bench hookers (not necessarily in that order) so maybe now is the time to make sure one of them is always in the match squad. Jordan over Reece at 14? Toss of a coin but right now, Reece has a stronger defensive game.

[Kiwias]

Totally forgot about Weber, he has to start and this means TJP can be shifted from the bench to left right out.

I'm over Perenara. His woeful passing is stifling our attack.

How can an 8-year All Blacks halfback, who's been under the tutelage of one of the best passing halfbacks in history his entire test career, still be so fucking rat-shit at his most important core skill?

The sooner Fakatava's available for selection the better.

At the moment, I would take Bryn Hall over Perenara, who was never the sharpest or quickest passer but his passing has really deteriorated since his return from Japan.

[Wyndham Upalot]

We're going to be rammed. Even with our first choice players, we'd be outclassed, expect a blitz like score.

[Kiwias]

We're going to be rammed. Even with our first choice players, we'd be outclassed, expect a blitz like score.

Yeah, nah. I'd be happy if we win by something between 10 ~ 20 points.

[Grandpa]

Totally forgot about Weber, he has to start and this means TJP can be shifted from the bench to left right out.

After a long lay off do you think Coles is fit enough to start? Also I'd like Taukei’aho on the bench... he looks like he will be the next All Black starting Hooker at some point... I'd also have Jordan starting. He's a try scoring machine... and the more games we can give him the better he will be...

I liked what I saw of Coles on Sunday and debated over the two Ts for the bench spot, though looking forward to RWC2023 and onwards, Taukei'aho and Aumua will be the starting and bench hookers (not necessarily in that order) so maybe now is the time to make sure one of them is always in the match squad. Jordan over Reece at 14? Toss of a coin but right now, Reece has a stronger defensive game.

Much as I like Reece as a player, I just feel Jordan has more upside... and his defence will improve, the more matches he plays...

I also can't understand why Brynn Hall isn't ever picked... he is surely better than TJP as a backup to Smith... though I still think Fakatava should have been included in the squad.. even if he limped on for two minutes against Italy... just so we can play him next season..

[Grandpa]

We're going to be rammed. Even with our first choice players, we'd be outclassed, expect a blitz like score.

Yet in the 6 Nations you hope to win the whole thing.... so why so pessimistic that even your best team would be hammered against NZ? I hope the Welsh players don't think like this or they are stuffed before they even take the field...

[Uncle fester]

We're going to be rammed. Even with our first choice players, we'd be outclassed, expect a blitz like score.

Yet in the 6 Nations you hope to win the whole thing.... so why so pessimistic that even your best team would be hammered against NZ? I hope the Welsh players don't think like this or they are stuffed before they even take the field...

Wales are a pretty up and down team, even at the best of times.