Shane Williams fit for Fiji

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/15045857.stm

Ok so Wales seem about 80% sure that Shane will be available for the Fiji game but would you pick him? or go with Halfpenny & North on the wings? or possibly all 3 of them with HP at full-back?

personally i'd like to try out a back 3 of HP, Shane and North but would be abit worried that startin 3 different FBs in 4 games may be to much chopping and changing and could possibly unsettle the back-line

Wasn't Shane williams playing the last time Wales lost to fiji in the WC?

PNM,

I wouldn't risk him even if 100% fit, I would go with a back three of North Halfpenny Brew but suggest (and would be happy) that he will go with North Byrne Halfpenny.

Either of those back three should be good enough to do the job over Fiji if the WHOLE team play as we know they can.

Great White wrote:Wasn't Shane williams playing the last time Wales lost to fiji in the WC?

He scored a pretty awesome try

I'm sure he was all aglow as he sat on his early flight home....

I reckon North and 1/2P are shoe ins, but not sure about the remaining position.

Halfpenny has done so well after injury, he has played excellently (his workrate against Namibia was second to none, and he was unlucky not to get a chance to score), IMO, Halfpenny is a more reliable winger than Shane, but Shane can produce magic occasionally (and some shockers occasionally).

Id play

11. Shane Williams
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

as Byrne's form is too unreliable for a WC 1/4 final

i would play shane if he is fit. also byrne needs to play himself into form for the knockouts. north would complete my back3.

1/2p is such a good impact player. he is a great player and he covers the back3. bench for 1/2p.

I think I'd play
Halfpenny
North
Byrne

As much as I don't trust Byrne's form at the moment I think we should give him a chance to rediscover his form, as he didn't look bad against Nambia (I know it's not the same as Top6 opposition). I think there's less risk in this game, if it was the Q/F there's no way i'd choose him (unless he has a great game against Fiji).

Leave Shane to recover ready for the Q/F game. Halfpenny looks really good and sharpe and I think he's going to be a big asset for the team.

IronMike wrote:

Great White wrote:Wasn't Shane williams playing the last time Wales lost to fiji in the WC?

He scored a pretty awesome try

That was the one with the arrogant swan dive wasn't it?

gelodge wrote:That was the one with the arrogant swan dive wasn't it?

Yes he took the ball in his own 22, sprinted past their backs, then side stepped the full back with the winger doing one last lunging dive at him, before doing the dive, world class player... in 2007.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnFItPHZSss

I would not bother with Brew, he has had his chance again and the same failing keep appearing. I would not pick Shane to start and have 1/2penny and North on the wings and Bryne at FB. Give Shane 20mins at the end of the game or earlier if things are going pear shaped.

That was the one with the arrogant swan dive wasn't it?

Chris Ashton, eat your heart out.

I'm affraid Shane has dropped down the pecking order, maybe he should have retired before the world cup

BATH_BTGOG wrote:I'm affraid Shane has dropped down the pecking order, maybe he should have retired before the world cup

If he had we would have been in big trouble after Stoddart's injury.

After the WC, the only back 3 players I would be happy seeing play for Wales are North, Halfpenny and Stoddart.

Our depth in the back 3 is now non-existant after Shane retires and Byrne goes off to France.

Im really hoping a new FB/wing puts himself forward -

Czekaj has been excellent so far this season,
I really want M.Thomas to find form,
Prydie need a LOT of gametime,
Dan Fish is still being brought into regional rugby,
Fussell doesnt quite have what it takes at FB, he doesnt seem like an international winger atm either.
Tom James may get another chance if his attitude improves, and his form continues to return
Alex Cuthbert has started the season well and Gats likes throwing winger in at the deep end.
Will Will Harries return for the Dragons?
Adam Hughes should be a centre, not a winger
Brew hasnt impressed in a Wales shirt.
Maule is more of a centre than a winger and wont have much gametime at the Scarlets.

Bench Shane until the last 30? unlike samoa and SA the Fijians are looking like the team of old not like their well drilled 2007 line up. it will open up to suit Shane lat eon i just think he can be found out in possession against the bigger sides...Fiji aren't very structured defensively and his inclusion will invite them to kick away possession...it a moot point play him, bench him or rest him?

AlynDavies wrote:

gelodge wrote:That was the one with the arrogant swan dive wasn't it?

Yes he took the ball in his own 22, sprinted past their backs, then side stepped the full back with the winger doing one last lunging dive at him, before doing the dive, world class player... in 2007.

Yes, that was just before the final whistle went and he looked like he was about to burst into tears (as usual) and just a few hours before he packed his ickle bag to get on a big plane home. Which was before the Q/F...

Leave Shane alone you bullies..!!

1/2p, North and Byrne to start, Shane on for last quarter to finish off the game against the Fijians.

Gethin is showing good form, ran around like a man possesed against Namibia. I only see a Welsh win and a run out in the Q/F.

There were some saying Shane shouldn't play against Samoa. It's a good job he did. Again. He's been written off at most stages of his career, and yet somehow managed to make it to the 3rd highest international try scorer ever.

Having said all of which, there's no way you'd leave out George North, and, for a tight game, Halfpenny's long-range penalties are very valuable. If Lee Byrne is in form, it's a nice problem to have. Plus we've 3 competing hard for 2 spots in the centre.

15 Byrne
14 Giganto
11 1/2p

Shane likely to return soon but its a nice problem to have - If we get the chane to move 1/2 p to FB at some stage that might be useful as ideally when all are fit and if we get a 1/4 final spot I'd like to see

15 - 1/2p
14 - Giganto
11 - Shane