NPR

penguin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 5:02 pm

Theflier wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 4:56 pm Good to see there's no vitriol directed at Johnny Williams' capping, he's not good enough, but you wouldn't want to see someone who's parachuted staright into the national team over welsh bred lads to be at the end of scathing personal attacks.

I wonder why he's not at the mercy others have been? Odd that.

Well we all know why someone like Willis Halaholo received stick when Johnny McNicholl didn't, and frankly you can disagree with residency as a rule, but fuck people who gave Willis abuse. Seems like a thoroughly decent guy and didn't deserve the abuse. Hope he gets another crack soon.

Bit different for the guys with a Welsh parent...and Johnny Williams does have the virtue of being born with the right name John Bleddyn Rhys Williams...JBR Williams. Good naming there by Williams senior.

I meant Anscombe(welsh parent, named after best welsh player ever), I was just going for my daily attack on the inward looking tribalistic areas of our country, rather than anything else

Georgia team

11 Adze's
4 Vili's

Theflier wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 5:11 pm

penguin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 5:02 pm

Theflier wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 4:56 pm Good to see there's no vitriol directed at Johnny Williams' capping, he's not good enough, but you wouldn't want to see someone who's parachuted staright into the national team over welsh bred lads to be at the end of scathing personal attacks.

I wonder why he's not at the mercy others have been? Odd that.

Well we all know why someone like Willis Halaholo received stick when Johnny McNicholl didn't, and frankly you can disagree with residency as a rule, but fuck people who gave Willis abuse. Seems like a thoroughly decent guy and didn't deserve the abuse. Hope he gets another crack soon.

Bit different for the guys with a Welsh parent...and Johnny Williams does have the virtue of being born with the right name John Bleddyn Rhys Williams...JBR Williams. Good naming there by Williams senior.

I meant Anscombe(welsh parent, named after best welsh player ever), I was just going for my daily attack on the inward looking tribalistic areas of our country, rather than anything else

Ah, right. Fair enough.

Halaholo back under the knife for his knee. Guess that's his chance of caps gone, poor bugger

Theflier wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:33 am Halaholo back under the knife for his knee. Guess that's his chance of caps gone, poor bugger

God that's shit

That's a real bugger. Get well soon

Yep, I don't think its as bad as last time, but any knee surgery is a minimum 4 weeks for a basic clear out op, think it will be longer, tough for him

I feel like a girl who's given her boyfriend blue balls for 3 weeks and knows its about to end, we're fucked next week

Theflier wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:51 pm I feel like a girl who's given her boyfriend blue balls for 3 weeks and knows its about to end, we're fucked next week

A wonderfully poetic analogy if I may say so.

Someones gonna have to tell me what makes Hardy a good SH without quoting from the fail

Ok, how bad was it?

Well the last time we played them we were hanging on at 13-6 and we went on to the RWC SF a couple of years later so everything is wonderful. Glass half full and all that.

frodder wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:43 pm Ok, how bad was it?

Very.

Very, very.

Looking forward to Jeff's All New By Christ Why do I bother player ratings...

frodder wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:43 pm Ok, how bad was it?

Conditions played a big role tbf. Selection still is way off, we had enough ball to win by 30, if I was picking a green team, it wouldn't have been that. No one apart from the only player already guaranteed to play(who is now injured) should start vs England.

Johnny Williams didn't let himself down which was a plus. Sanjay still does nothing more for our attack than 1/2p, LRZ looks hungry and fast.

The big problem we have is our fit BR choices are now Davies, maybe not toby, SLH, Wainwright and Botham, meaning either Davies or Botham has to start at 7....

Next week we could be looking at Wyn, Dee, Francis, AWJ, Ball, Botham, SLH, Big Ron, Lloyd, Biggar, Adams, Johnny English, Watkin, Lightning, 1/2p

Lord...

I think Wales will win.

We are in a great place psychologically to face England.

I think we play great when we are absolutely terrified of losing heavily.

It is one of the only "certain" things that inspires us.

Country, Nationality, Pride, Family are for shit when compared to just the terror of complete humiliation at the hands of the English..

England will be arrogant on the surface. but get in their faces and their doubts will begin to creep in quite quickly.

Line6 HXFX wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:54 am I think Wales will win.

We are in a great place psychologically to face England.

I think we play great when we are absolutely terrified of losing heavily.

It is one of the only "certain" things that inspires us.

Country, Nationality, Pride, Family are for shit when compared to just the terror of complete humiliation at the hands of the English..

England will be arrogant on the surface. but get in their faces and their doubts will begin to creep in quite quickly.

I like the cut of your jib

The Ospreys are seriously a dire team. spunking their funding on washed up players like Scott, George, Bradley, Lydiate and Webb have left them having to field really gash players who don't care whether they win or not, I'd hate to know what they pay their squad players too. raid the Mitre, currie and championship witht he 1.5-2m they'll free up

Sprays being exposed badly at home by Treviso... 10-22 with a man sent off for a flying headbutt at a ruck. Quarter of an hour left.

Edit: missed the last ten to watch the Scots vs Frogs and apparently the Os nicked the win!!!

Matthew Morgan is achieveing the rare feat of getting shitter at every aspect of play as he heads into his prime

Theflier wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:00 pm Matthew Morgan is achieveing the rare feat of getting shitter at every aspect of play as he heads into his prime

He seems to be slowing down... which, errr... kind of begs the question.... what is he doing on the pitch?

Ali Cadoo wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:04 pm

Theflier wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:00 pm Matthew Morgan is achieveing the rare feat of getting shitter at every aspect of play as he heads into his prime

He seems to be slowing down... which, errr... kind of begs the question.... what is he doing on the pitch?

His error rate is so high, he reminds me when I stepped down to intramural games, and played with guys who countless times per game made a poor choice, but lived by the belief they were good enough to have been pros and every error was their first

Ray Prosser Goonne.
Pontypool coaching legend and former Wales and British and Irish Lions prop Ray Prosser has died aged 93.
Sad day for Welsh rugby one of the best homegrown coaches.

RIP Ray.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55038356

Few things from the Scarlets game...how bad was their kicking at goal? How good was Jac Morgan? How many times did they fail to collect a high ball? For all the good things they did they kept shooting themselves in the foot.

My main gripe though was how did the Ulster player not get a straight red? Not only was it straight shoulder to head with no mitigating factor (their argument that it was minimal force undermined entirely by the fact that it knocked Sebastian out), but the Scarlets and many others have lost players to exactly the same thing this season and it has been straight red every time. What was the difference here? Tom Shanklin on commentary was saying he'd have only given yellow but that is all based on what he wants to see so that games aren't 'ruined'. The way that law is being reffed generally it was red every time. Plus Sebastian was then out for the rest of the match, so Ulster did well out of it (not that the ref should factor it in, but further making it a tough call for the Scarlets).

Christ, I missed the Ulster coach suggesting Javan Sebastian 'led with his head'!

I understand coaches want to defend their players but still...

Cliches that will make you all feel a little better.

Wales are due a good strong performance.
Wales have to click at some point.
Wales never know when they are beaten.
Wales at home, is worth at least 10 points.
Wales always get up for the England game.




There is always "blind drunkenness" if it all goes to shit.

Line6 HXFX wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:03 pm Cliches that will make you all feel a little better.

Wales are due a good strong performance.
Wales have to click at some point.
Wales never know when they are beaten.
Wales at home, is worth at least 10 points.
Wales always get up for the England game.




There is always "blind drunkenness" if it all goes to shit.

As if that isn't my go to move every time.

Judge us on the world cup!

Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Dan Biggar, Lloyd Williams; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau

Holy shit

frodder wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 10:43 pmHoly shit

Actual image of Pivac and Jones selecting the squad

That's an appalling back row if true.

35 points plus

I guess if Tipuric and Navidi aren't fit then it makes sense, but it's a big step up from Georgia. Botham's a talented kid but this is a huge ask.

The main gripe I have is Elias...what the fuck does he have to do to play himself out of a place? Dee may have been less than perfect in bad conditions against Georgia, but I'd take him and Parry over Elias every time right now.

If not Botham, then who?
Jac Morgan? He fits in well in the Hamilton, Boyde, Macleod, Thomas, Young club. Nuggety annoying little fucks, who clearly lack the athleticism and size required.
Dragons pair? Never seen Griffiths live up to hype, and Basham is great, at standing out in an always beaten team, but his strengths just won't translate

SLH is well worth his place. Faletau is there by the same reasons as Botham.

The pack, as shit as it is, really selected itself, Francis and any other hooker in Wales are the ones to feel slgihtly aggrieved
Our locks are piss poor, Teddy Williams remains the great white hope

penguin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:25 am I guess if Tipuric and Navidi aren't fit then it makes sense, but it's a big step up from Georgia. Botham's a talented kid but this is a huge ask.

The main gripe I have is Elias...what the fuck does he have to do to play himself out of a place? Dee may have been less than perfect in bad conditions against Georgia, but I'd take him and Parry over Elias every time right now.

Cardiff Blues glasses firmly on, the way Pivac claims he wants to play, Dacey is the best fit*

*Provided you do not care of the result of any scrum in the game

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (28 Caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (16 Caps)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (44 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (48 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (141 Caps) (CAPT)
6. Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)
7. James Botham (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (79 Caps)
9. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (30 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (86 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (28 Caps)
12. Johnny Williams (Scarlets) (1 Cap)
13. Nick Tompkins (Dragons) (7 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (2 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (92 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (31 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (50 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (Wasps) (3 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (25 Caps)
21. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (35 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) (2 Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (28 Caps)

2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (16 Caps)

3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (44 Caps)

4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (48 Caps)

5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (141 Caps) (CAPT)

6. Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)

7. James Botham (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)

8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (79 Caps)

9. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (30 Caps)

10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (86 Caps)

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (28 Caps)

12. Johnny Williams (Scarlets) (1 Cap)

13. Nick Tompkins (Dragons) (7 Caps)

14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (2 Caps)

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (92 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (31 Caps)

17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)

18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (50 Caps)

19. Will Rowlands (Wasps) (3 Caps)

20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (25 Caps)

21. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (35 Caps)

22. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) (2 Caps)

23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)

Noticeable lack of back 3 cover, given his initial selection, his hands were tied, hard to contend bar hooker imo