Wales team vs Barbarians

First topic message reminder :

15. Liam Williams
14. Harry Robinson
13. Andrew Bishop
12. James Hook
11. Aled Brew
10. Dan Biggar
9. Lloyd Williams
8. Ryan Jones
7. Justin Tipuric
6. Josh Turnbull
5. Ian Evans
4. Alun Wyn Jones
3. Rhodri Jones
2. Matthew Rees (c)
1. Rhys Gill.

Reps: R Hibbard, P James , A Shingler, M Williams, Webb, A Warren, W Harries

With the following 16 going to Australia tomorrow:
Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Ashley Beck, Alex Cuthbert, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau

martyr_94 wrote:Well the sin binning didn't help. I still think 3 tries is a decent effort imo, the Baa Baa's actually defended quite well imo. I think its also due to the fact that this was a second XV team for Wales, who were all playing together as a team for the first time, with only a week to prepare for it. I was happy with the 3 tries tbh.

Yeah, fair enough. I guess in some cases the Baa Baa's games aren't flowing games with loads of tries anymore.

maestegmafia wrote:

martyr_94 wrote:I don't think he show boated, I think that he had so many options to his left and right that by the time he was thinking of playing the pass he was literally on the try line, so dived over himself. Cracking kick to convert his own try near the touch line also.

I thought it was a great try, he completely turned Tagicakibau and Heymans inside out. Great skills by Hook.

I think it was somewhere inbetween. Given the size of the overalp after hapless defending Wales wouldve been complete turkeys not to score. Hook did well and was never in a position where he needed to have passed, although couldve done it if he was ever in danger of being tackled. I dont believe it was unreasoanble for him to be greedy there...passing the ball always carrying a risk of benkay hands.

martyr_94 wrote:Well the sin binning didn't help. I still think 3 tries is a decent effort imo, the Baa Baa's actually defended quite well imo. I think its also due to the fact that this was a second XV team for Wales, who were all playing together as a team for the first time, with only a week to prepare for it. I was happy with the 3 tries tbh.

Yeah this was a genuine second string welsh side, and the game was tight all the way through. The BBs only really started getting silly once they had the lead, and Wales took advantage.

Its a game they could easily have lost, but in the grand scheme of things largely meaningless. No-one seriously believes that the England backline is a serious attacking threat despite their win over the baabaas or that Tindall is an underated attacker following his 2 tries in 3 games. These games prove nothing, I wouldnt read too much into Wales' A team (without the other Shingler) failing to score more than 3 tries. 3's pretty decent if anything.

martyr_94 wrote:Well the sin binning didn't help. I still think 3 tries is a decent effort imo, the Baa Baa's actually defended quite well imo. I think its also due to the fact that this was a second XV team for Wales, who were all playing together as a team for the first time, with only a week to prepare for it. I was happy with the 3 tries tbh.

Unless injuries occur the only player in yesterday's team that will likely be in the starting line up in the first test is Matthew Rees.

No disrespect to the Barbarians though who looked one of the best BaaBaa teams for a long while, well certainly until Richie Rees was subbed for Lawson who did not have his best game. The BaaBaa's struggled without Rees' quick ball..

Yeah, I agree with the above comments. Underbaked Baa Baa sides against 2nd string home sides really doesn't tell us a lot.

I think the Baa Baa's continued place in rugby seriously needs to be re-evaluated.

Capping these games should also be stopped. Plain odd.

It's actually been a nice little earner for the WRU over 50.00 paying customers paying at least £25 each for a ticket. The WRU has probably made £2m on this game.

Seagultaf wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Since Howley had already decided who was going & who wasn't it is more of a reason perhaps for a 'scratchy' display.
Howley therefor didn't need any further indicators for players to put their hands up & didn't get any. It's always hard in these disjointed games. I do think in the end he will be relieved with the win but slightly disappointed in the lack of cohesion and ability to create chances.
I still can't fathom out why Biggar played 10 if there was no intention of taking him & then let Hook take the kicks.
Unless of course Biggar is a worse centre than Hook is at fly half (joke!)

Is there any evidence to say that Howley had already made up his mind? I would be suprised if he had. Unfortunately for Dan Biggar he had a poor game, but so did Lloyd Williams. I think that Robinsons try and darting play in the first half convinced Howley to give him Biggars place. I would have done the opposite.

Hook looked good at 10 when he switched at the end of the game, but I cringed during his run in for his try. Completely unmarked players either side of him and he persisted in showboating, which fortunately for him, came off.

The interview in the article about the players being dropped

"They were told earlier in the week - each player at a different time - so they could focus on the preparation and I have huge respect for these guys."

Harry Robinson's try had nothing to do with it - I imagine Bishop and Brew would be the next to be chopped are Robinson and Li.Williams are being developed for the future.

Whilst on things Barbarian, I see their coach got a knighthood this morning. Sir JK.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Whilst on things Barbarian, I see their coach got a knighthood this morning. Sir JK.

Was it for his charity work?

I went sailing with him in Auckland once in a fundraiser for people with depression.

Great bloke.

Maesteg
yes, it was his services to health work.

Unless you have met him, he is a hard person to explain to those that havent, he has some pretty hard line opinions on some things (especially All Black related) with out being Over the top.

hes also a pretty free/independent spirited guy, when he was young hed go surfing in winter, and now he thinks nothing of going off on his lonesome to teach/coach rugby anywhere in the world, and doesnt worry about little things like the implications of things like a foreign language.

aucklandlaurie wrote: Maesteg
yes, it was his services to health work.

Unless you have met him, he is a hard person to explain to those that havent, he has some pretty hard line opinions on some things (especially All Black related) with out being Over the top.

hes also a pretty free/independent spirited guy, when he was young hed go surfing in winter, and now he thinks nothing of going off on his lonesome to teach/coach rugby anywhere in the world, and doesnt worry about little things like the implications of things like a foreign language.

We didn't discuss rugby, more a shared love of sailing. Great guy and deserved of the honours bestowed on him. He has made a difference to many lives through his work.

maestegmafia wrote:

martyr_94 wrote:I don't think he show boated, I think that he had so many options to his left and right that by the time he was thinking of playing the pass he was literally on the try line, so dived over himself. Cracking kick to convert his own try near the touch line also.

I thought it was a great try, he completely turned Tagicakibau and Heymans inside out. Great skills by Hook.

Tagicakibau was no where near Hook, he was back tracking and only came back into the picture to watch Hook dive over. If Heymans had gone for the man with the ball (Hook) instead of trying, unsuccessfully to cover all 3 Welsh attackers, Hook may very well have been very embarrassed. It was 2 or3 on one overlap, if he had passed early to Brew, he would have strolled over, as I said showboating!

I think Hook was actually hesitant as opposed to showboating and by the time he actually made his mind up the red sea and parted and it was a stroll in. Have to feel for the guy a little, every move he does is magnified and Priestland has been poor lately yet seems to have the halo effect

RubyGuby wrote:I think Hook was actually hesitant as opposed to showboating and by the time he actually made his mind up the red sea and parted and it was a stroll in. Have to feel for the guy a little, every move he does is magnified and Priestland has been poor lately yet seems to have the halo effect

Yep, Hook looked to pass left but was afraid the pass was being cut off, so looked right, and fooled Heyman's so he could cross himself. It was the best way to finish, if Heyman had gone for him he would have passed out and still would have scored - making the pass was a risk.

RubyGuby wrote:I think Hook was actually hesitant as opposed to showboating and by the time he actually made his mind up the red sea and parted and it was a stroll in. Have to feel for the guy a little, every move he does is magnified and Priestland has been poor lately yet seems to have the halo effect

I agree, I thought Hook did brilliantly for that try. He had his options but backed himself wonderfully. If he didn't think he could have got there himself, he would have passed it out. No idea why he is being criticised for scoring a fantastic try..

Seagultaf wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

martyr_94 wrote:I don't think he show boated, I think that he had so many options to his left and right that by the time he was thinking of playing the pass he was literally on the try line, so dived over himself. Cracking kick to convert his own try near the touch line also.

I thought it was a great try, he completely turned Tagicakibau and Heymans inside out. Great skills by Hook.

Tagicakibau was no where near Hook, he was back tracking and only came back into the picture to watch Hook dive over. If Heymans had gone for the man with the ball (Hook) instead of trying, unsuccessfully to cover all 3 Welsh attackers, Hook may very well have been very embarrassed. It was 2 or3 on one overlap, if he had passed early to Brew, he would have strolled over, as I said showboating!

Brilliant.

First time in the last ten years that anyone has attempted to criticise balanced, fast running with the ball held in both hands.

(And he knew full well that if he'd thrown it to Brew, chances were that Brew would have dropped it!)

Yeah, that is a bit strange. Scores a brilliant try and gets criticised.

The whole event was sickening IMHO.

But to be fair to Martyn Williams he looked like he still had something to offer, whilst Shane looked like he'd given up.

I'd say Hook was hesitant, waiting for Heymans to make a move, which he never did.

Hooks running is bamboozling, ball in 2 hands, balanced and very agile, if not that quick.

Hook has a track record for showboating both for the Ospreys and Wales. Numerous times he has hung onto the ball when there is a clear overlap, only to get tackled. Remember when young Prydie was outside him against Italy, and again when he an Jamie Roberts were together in the centre.

The game is simple, midfield running patterns are designed to create an overlap for faster players on the outside. A good example was Rees quick give and take to put Robinson in for a try on Saturday.

It is an aspect of Hook's game which still needs work, he needs to play with his head up and create space for others.

sugarNspikes wrote:Capping these games should also be stopped. Plain odd.

Ireland didn't have caps for their game, why do Wales?

The Great Aukster wrote:

sugarNspikes wrote:Capping these games should also be stopped. Plain odd.

Ireland didn't have caps for their game, why do Wales?

... because Wales are trying to break records?

No really, why do Wales get caps for the barbarians games?

It's been answered over and over. I'm not answering as the question "Why do Wales gets caps for the barbarians games" is the wrong question to ask. Just look back over some articles and maybe you'll find an answer as to why the 'Grand Slammers' cap some baa-baa's games.

Why are you being so precious about it? It isn't something I am going to go searching for..

I wouldn't mind knowing, actually. It's only a recent development, after all. Who made the decision?

Some people genuinely don't know, clearly. Including myself. Hence why I was asking.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Why are you being so precious about it? It isn't something I am going to go searching for..

It's been done to death so you should have seen it by now. I'm not too bothered about the Grand Slammers dishing out some caps tbh, the more the merrier.

It hasn't been 'done to death'. If it had, we wouldn't need to ask!

And do you really not mind Wales caps being awarded for non-international matches?

Do you actually know why Morgan or are you going to keep dodging the bullet?

It isn't a recent development.

Wales have capped 4 Baabaas games, including Martyn Williams first cap (which was a pretty long time ago ) and his last.

Caps are normal given for a special event (eg, 100? years of the barbarians last year). Wales have a long history with the barbarian and out of respect to the history of the club they sometimes awards caps to recognise the history between the two and solidify the test like status of a baabaas game. Equally you could ask why the Lions hand out caps.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:It hasn't been 'done to death'. If it had, we wouldn't need to ask!

And do you really not mind Wales caps being awarded for non-international matches?

You must avoid all HERSH related comments/articles then if you think that. Good on you.

I really don't mind. Non-international? I'm pretty sure Wales aren't non-international!

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Do you actually know why Morgan or are you going to keep dodging the bullet?

confused.com

Which bullet would this be?

wales606 wrote:they sometimes awards caps to recognise the history between the two and solidify the test like status of a baabaas game.

That's what I dislike about it: it gives a Barbarians match equal status with a Test match.

Morgannwg wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Do you actually know why Morgan or are you going to keep dodging the bullet?

confused.com

Which bullet would this be?

The question. You refuse to answer for some odd reason. And no, I am not involved in England vs Wales threads.

wales606 wrote:It isn't a recent development.

Wales have capped 4 Baabaas games, including Martyn Williams first cap (which was a pretty long time ago ) and his last.

Caps are normal given for a special event (eg, 100? years of the barbarians last year). Wales have a long history with the barbarian and out of respect to the history of the club they sometimes awards caps to recognise the history between the two and solidify the test like status of a baabaas game. Equally you could ask why the Lions hand out caps.

Thank you for answering.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Do you actually know why Morgan or are you going to keep dodging the bullet?

confused.com

Which bullet would this be?

The question. You refuse to answer for some odd reason. And no, I am not involved in England vs Wales threads.

Well I didn't say at any point I'd give you an explanation . If you read back far enough like I suggested you did you would have seen a similar answer to the one just given. Anyway it's no skin off my nose should the Grand Slammers cap some of their new boys. Roll on Australia . Have erm, fun, out in NZ.

It will be difficult, but I'll try.

Morgannwg wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Why are you being so precious about it? It isn't something I am going to go searching for..

It's been done to death so you should have seen it by now. I'm not too bothered about the Grand Slammers dishing out some caps tbh, the more the merrier.

Right we all know its because the WRU struggles to fill the stadium for these games as it is so trots out guys who were dropped for being past it and hires in a guy whos already had two retirement games (despite not having retired). Giving out caps to anyone willing to come along is cheaper than free pies.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Why are you being so precious about it? It isn't something I am going to go searching for..

It's been done to death so you should have seen it by now. I'm not too bothered about the Grand Slammers dishing out some caps tbh, the more the merrier.

Right we all know its because the WRU struggles to fill the stadium for these games as it is so trots out guys who were dropped for being past it and hires in a guy whos already had two retirement games (despite not having retired). Giving out caps to anyone willing to come along is cheaper than free pies.

Over 50,000 is quite a good turn out considering we were missing 16 Grand Slammers. England would have probably lost if they didn't start half their first team.

yawnn morgs- casting your rod i see...