Home Nations Left in World Cup.

[flytie]

You mean there was actually a plan??

willie_gunn

Quite!

I firmly believe that this stems from the top down. With all the shenanigans going on at the RFU there is no structure. If Martin Johnson is to retain his place then surely some of the coaches (Buses?) must go.

Brian Ashton had a marginally better win ratio than Mr Johnson, took us to a world cup final, and still lost his job.

If you look at the consistant factor with the decline of Clive Woodwards side, through Andy Robinson, Brian Ashton and now Johnno it's the coaching staff. Who are they screwing to stay in place?

Amongst all the English bleating of the Welsh peple on the forum, I say good luck to you, well played, well managed. Nice to see you behaving so gracefully

Simon

 

[willie_gunn]

If you look at the consistant factor with the decline of Clive Woodwards side, through Andy Robinson, Brian Ashton and now Johnno it's the coaching staff. Who are they screwing to stay in place?

More to the point, how come Rob Andrew is still there??

 

[flytie]

More to the point, how come Rob Andrew is still there??

Rob Andrew, I think, came in after the Robinson debacle. But I take your point. Over-rated as a player, seemingly as a man too.

Simon

 

[Eyefor]

Amongst all the English bleating of the Welsh peple on the forum, I say good luck to you, well played, well managed. Nice to see you behaving so gracefully

Simon

I'm Scottish.

What other country charges you to get in and is free to get out (a la Severn Bridge?)

Iain

PS Well played

 

[paul k]

I'm Scottish.

What other country charges you to get in and is free to get out (a la Severn Bridge?)

Iain

PS Well played

The same country that charges us to come home but let's us leave for nothing only the tolls are nothing to do with Wales or the Welsh Government, the tolls are on the English side so it's more like a tax to leave England but get back for nothing.

 

[Eyefor]

The same country that charges us to come home but let's us leave for nothing only the tolls are nothing to do with Wales or the Welsh Government, the tolls are on the English side so it's more like a tax to leave England but get back for nothing.

1 - 0

 

[flytie]

I'm Scottish.

What other country charges you to get in and is free to get out (a la Severn Bridge?)

Iain

PS Well played

That reminds me of what a chap I used to work with said, in a pub bar on oyestercatcher road Swansea, and this was to the landlady. Mr Green, "There's only two good things come out of Wales". A deathly hush ensues and sweeps over the bar! "Beautiful women and good rugby players". A smile comes over the now coquettish landlady, and then he finshes, "And what position do you play love". Mayhem ensued

In all seriousness, and back to rugby, Warren Gatland and his team have managed to instill the ability to play "heads up rugby" in their team. They have taken a unprepossessing squad from several years ago, worked on their skills and discipline and brought on some very talented youngsters. Melded it with some very clever tactics and are now reaping the rewards.

I am a huge fan of Adam Jones, and have thought him the best tighthead in the world for some years, even though he is injury prone (possibly from being over-plyed). The thought of him packing down against Tony Woodcock is mouthwatering for an old has-been prop like me. I hope the Welsh beat the French, then the Blacks. Even though the one-eyed racists will bleat about it for ages, I think the team deserve it.

Simon

 

[Eyefor]

I hope the Welsh beat the French, then the Blacks. Even though the one-eyed racists will bleat about it for ages, I think the team deserve it.

Simon

+1 on that but (very unfortunately) I think the French might just do it. They have played crap for some time but seem to like the big occasions.

Watching the Kiwis struggle against Argentina was very worrying?

 

[wilf2]

Whats the difference between Martin Johnson and Warren Gatland?

About 11000 miles!!

Sorry!

 

[paul k]

+1 on that but (very unfortunately) I think the French might just do it. They have played crap for some time but seem to like the big occasions.

Watching the Kiwis struggle against Argentina was very worrying?

It entirely depends on the French state of mind, on their day they can beat anyone...but I now think so can the Welsh. We've exceeded expectations and it's all a bonus now however we're only a game away from the World Cup Final ... who'd have thought

 

[paul k]

That reminds me of what a chap I used to work with said, in a pub bar on oyestercatcher road Swansea, and this was to the landlady. Mr Green, "There's only two good things come out of Wales". A deathly hush ensues and sweeps over the bar! "Beautiful women and good rugby players". A smile comes over the now coquettish landlady, and then he finshes, "And what position do you play love". Mayhem ensued

In all seriousness, and back to rugby, Warren Gatland and his team have managed to instill the ability to play "heads up rugby" in their team. They have taken a unprepossessing squad from several years ago, worked on their skills and discipline and brought on some very talented youngsters. Melded it with some very clever tactics and are now reaping the rewards.

I am a huge fan of Adam Jones, and have thought him the best tighthead in the world for some years, even though he is injury prone (possibly from being over-plyed). The thought of him packing down against Tony Woodcock is mouthwatering for an old has-been prop like me. I hope the Welsh beat the French, then the Blacks. Even though the one-eyed racists will bleat about it for ages, I think the team deserve it.

Simon

As a former No.3 I heartily agree with you. On the Lions tour all we heard about was "The Beast" until Adam got given the position and completely cancelled him out, in the first game of the World Cup he did the same again and the Beast was off at about 60 minutes. The biggest step that he has taken is that he can now play 80 minutes without needing to be replaced, injuries are a worry but if he's fit he's possibly the first name on the team sheet which says something in the present squad. With him playing Wales have a scrum success rate of 88%. I'm also delighted to see Gethin back on the other side as he may not be the best scrummaging Loose Head (no slouch) but he's like another flanker in open play. How many props run in a World Cup try from 30 metres with a dummy and step (50 if you listen to Gethin) or tactical kick 50 metres?

A couple of other stats that tell a bit of a story: Wales have scored 26 tries but 20 were by backs, so effective attack from open play but their tackle success rate is 90% so equally resolute defence.

 

[User00023]

Oh, that Grav could have seen this.

Being such a gracious person, I think he would be the first to concede that sometimes "North is best!"

 

[willie_gunn]

On a somewhat related matter, did anyone read the report in yesterday's Telegraph about the Boks v Wallabies game (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...should-be-ashamed-they-play-like-England.html)?

It's worth a read, not least because the Aussies are now up in arms about his comment that the Wallabies looked like England in disguise and should now be known as the Dullabies.

willie_gunn

 

[SC243]

As an Ulsterman I was supporting Ireland all the way, now they are out and (although I hate to admit it) to a better team. I will be giving Wales my full support for the coming weeks! I hope they go all the way and bring the world cup back to the British Isles!!!

 

[flytie]

On a somewhat related matter, did anyone read the report in yesterday's Telegraph about the Boks v Wallabies game (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...should-be-ashamed-they-play-like-England.html)?

It's worth a read, not least because the Aussies are now up in arms about his comment that the Wallabies looked like England in disguise and should now be known as the Dullabies.

willie_gunn

Dom, I know we both have read that some of the players (past and present) do not rate John Reason, or his limited tactical awareness of a game. But I honestly think he has now justified his existance whatever gripe folks have had with him. Anything that upsets the Aussies like that has to be good news, but it means they will up their performance in the next match.

Unfortunately they will probably go away and re-structure their game after the world cup and actually learn from the experience too, as they have in the past. Oh that we could do the same.

Simon

 

[User00023]

Seems the French know less about the Welsh than is good for them - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15250395.stm .

Anglo Saxons???!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ( in Welsh!!!!)

 

[willie_gunn]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ( in Welsh!!!!)

What, you mean "Yllyngrwrycmnllgogoch!!"

willie_gunn

 

[derek.snr]

think wales will beat france ,all blacks without carter ,tight game ,pressure,aussie win then wales win final --easy

 

[User00023]

What, you mean "Yllyngrwrycmnllgogoch!!"

willie_gunn

Aye. Or ufferngachwrgocoffrainc.

 

[paul k]

Oh, that Grav could have seen this.

Being such a gracious person, I think he would be the first to concede that sometimes "North is best!"

He would have been in tears of joy and pride!