I am very excited about this Wales team for the Baabaa's match

It seems to be a mix of untested youth & players coming back into form.

Liam Williams - Very exciting prospect from what I've seen he has been awesome & I also prefer Halfpenny on the wing so who knows what the future holds.
Harry Robinson - Apparently he is amazing so will wait and see
Andrew Bishop - In very good form
James Hook - In very good form (10 for Perpignan), but he still players great for Wales as a 12, but can be a defensive liability.
Aled Brew - Will be interesting to see if he can do it for Wales
Dan Biggar - Playing amazing
Lloyd Williams - Not sure
Rhys Gill - Seems to be doing good for Saracens
Matthew Rees - Missed a lot due to injury hope he makes it unscathed
Rhodri Jones - Seems to be a good prospect
Alun Wyn Jones - Playing amazing
Ian Evans - Playing amazing
Josh Turnbull - Needs more Wales opportunities to see what he's about
Justin Tipuric - Playing amazing
Ryan Jones - Playing amazing

All things considered I would not begrudge seeing Ryan Jones ahead of Faletau and Tipuric ahead of Warburton. Faletau and Warburton are not out of form or playing poor but the other guys are outstanding the the moment and pushing them all the way. I guess form is going to be considered, but tactically we have to play the best team that will be able to cope with Australia.

Apparently AWY and IE are staying for a wedding, thats why they are getting this game.

Good player management.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Apparently AWY and IE are staying for a wedding, thats why they are getting this game.

Good player management.

Oops completely forgot!

gimp,

You have more faith than me. The forwards don't worry me but I think we will be out classed with that back line.

gimp... Nice name.

Family commitments first with Gatland (and Howley) though Ian Evans is missing his honeymoon fly out , devotion to the cause and this will keep his energy levels up too

It's not a bad side and I for one am looking forward to the match.
It's not that long ago that we would have struggled to field a decent first XV but our strength in depth has cetainly improved.


I'm travelling down to Cardiff tomorrow anybody else going to the match ?

Morgannwg wrote:gimp... Nice name.

Cheers it stands for

Girth is most pleasurable.

bedfordwelsh wrote:gimp,

You have more faith than me. The forwards don't worry me but I think we will be out classed with that back line.

If England can score 57 points then I think the Wales backline will have something to say about that.

Is this one being televised?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Is this one being televised?

BBC

The Australia tests are all on the devils channel (Sky).

gimp wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:gimp,

You have more faith than me. The forwards don't worry me but I think we will be out classed with that back line.

If England can score 57 points then I think the Wales backline will have something to say about that.

What sort of line up did England have out, was it first choice?

And the irish didn't even get theirs televised..

Anyway, looking forward to watching this one.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

gimp wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:gimp,

You have more faith than me. The forwards don't worry me but I think we will be out classed with that back line.

If England can score 57 points then I think the Wales backline will have something to say about that.

What sort of line up did England have out, was it first choice?

I don't see much difference between the England team that played last Sat and Wales' team for Sat. It's kind of a Wales 2nd string, but then again it isn't. You can't call the likes of Hook 2nd string and the pack looks very good and packs win matches.

This match is a perfect opportunity for fringe players to put their hand up.
Play well Saturday and it could see earn them a place in one of the Australian tests.

Gimp,

I said that its not the pack that worry me but none of those back and yes I include Hook, can be classed as first choice.

Dont get me wrong I hope they all prove me wrong but the back line does worry me.

Gimp,

Looking at the Baa Baas team I rest my case the only weak links there are Tindall & Rees

15. M Muliana
14. I Nacewa
13. M Tindall
12. C Laulala
11. S Williams
10. S Donald
9. R Rees

I don't rate Donald

I fear Wales' backs will be outclassed from 11 - 15. Hook and Liam Williams might put up a fight, but Mils has the class and experience and Laulaula is just all class.

Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

This team looks great but is also clearly a team comprised of the select oral issues for the final squad for oz.

Plenty of guys pushing for places.

The only certainty is Martin Williams won't be going but will come on as a sub at some point.

Should be a great game.

Wish I was there.

pontylad wrote:Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

Yep, I hear that Shane character is a promising up and comer. That Leinster lad isn't too shabby from what ive heard.

Yes the Barbarians have class but it all depends how much socialising they have been doing

pontylad wrote:Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

He's OK but far too small for International rugby.

SubsBench wrote:

pontylad wrote:Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

He's OK but far too small for International rugby.

He might make a decent Scrum Half.

SubsBench wrote:

pontylad wrote:Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

He's OK but far too small for International rugby.

They said the same thing about Shane.

Cymroglan wrote:

SubsBench wrote:

pontylad wrote:Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

He's OK but far too small for International rugby.

They said the same thing about Shane.

You might want to re-read that.

Cymroglan wrote:

SubsBench wrote:

pontylad wrote:Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

He's OK but far too small for International rugby.

They said the same thing about Shane.

Cymro, I dont know if your adding to the joke or have missed it?

Adding The comeback should have been Whose Shane

Cymroglan wrote:Adding The comeback should have been Whose Shane

Shane Who surely?

Rees is still a good player, Donald is the weak link in that team, as he has been for the other games, shame Stephen Jones is out.

wales606 wrote:

Cymroglan wrote:Adding The comeback should have been Whose Shane

Shane Who surely?

606 you are taking this thread far too seriously

Cymroglan wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Cymroglan wrote:Adding The comeback should have been Whose Shane

Shane Who surely?

606 you are taking this thread far too seriously

JOKES MUST BE DONE CORRECTLY AND IN AN APPROPRIATE FASHION!

Here's a question. What if Martyn came on early due to a Tipuric injury and put in a MoM performance, the likes which neither warbs or tipuric could/hace done? Anyone reckon he might get thrown on the plane? If we suffer an openside injury who is our fall back now?

Looseheaded wrote:Here's a question. What if Martyn came on early due to a Tipuric injury and put in a MoM performance, the likes which neither warbs or tipuric could/hace done? Anyone reckon he might get thrown on the plane? If we suffer an openside injury who is our fall back now?

If Tips was out and Martyn put in an excellent performance, then he should go - pick on form.

I think Martyn has agreed to be on standby for just such an eventuality ,that is injury to another openside not the form point as he is far too modest to assume that.

pontylad wrote:Lethal looking young winger turning out fo the Baa Baas the one that plays for Leinster isn't too bad either.

Shane who

The Welsh back 3 is the most worrying.. Could be very pacey and exciting with ball in hand but they'll have a hard time dealing with the experience and class of the Baabaas back 3..

If Hook wants to be taken seriously then he has to have a good game on Saturday, he's got the perfect skill set to take on Tindall (no disrespect to him) and hopefully Bishop has played Laulala enough times to know how to deal with him.

Biggar and Williams are both contenders for starting shirts this season, so no worries there. Looks like it'll be a high scoring game, can't wait!

CUrly,

I agree with the back 3 and the centres don't fill me with confidence. I am assuming that Beck has gone ahead to Oz with doubts still over JD and Williams.

If so what does that say about where Hook is currently in pecking order.

Fortunately the Cardiff weather seems OK for Saturday.

Roof open or shut ?

Yeah, just shows where our lack of depth is at the moment, but to be fair, Bishop had a stormer in the Rabo Final and Hook's always had the potential, just missed the consistancy. Could go either way!

Let's hope for a decent crowd this time around, anyone going down?

I'm travelling down tomorrow staying three nights in the Future Inn.