South Africa v Wales

[pseudolus]

After the long wait, this weekend Wales step into the international Test arena.


Just out of interest, why are they not playing 3 tests? Playing a few warm up matches which is a good idea I think. Saffas only the two as well?

[Bobcock]

Only playing one warm up match.

Dunno why it's only two tests, presumably with so many players in France and England they didn't want to get into the folly of playing the first test with a bunch of unknowns. Not exactly the playing numbers that England have. Though with Scotland going there as well, which I think was announced some time before Wales' confirmation which was only in March, there is just not enough weekends.

We're going to SA without a recognised openside, don't fancy our chances...... 2-0 South Africa.

[pseudolus]

Possibles v probables as well would be included, no?

Turnball has at least played in the position a hand full of times for the Scarlets, although he's not a 7 for sure.

Who would be in your starting line up for Saturday?

[Bobcock]

No.

at 7 or the whole 15?

[pseudolus]

Whole 15 - based upon who is available, rather than who you wish was available for selection (so no picking Robshaw for a start....)

[Bobcock]

as if.......

Liam Williams at 15, Cuthbert and North of the wings with Doc and Jiffy Junior in midfield. Biggar at 10 with Rhodri Williams at nine (Phillips on the bench).

Adam, Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins in the front row with Alan-Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris behind. Lydiate, Faletau and I guess Turnbull.....

[pseudolus]

not tempted to put Lydiate or Toby at 7 then? Both have just as much experience at 7 than Turnbull? Barker or Shingler starting perhaps?

[bobo746]

SA v Wales wake me up when its over.

[Bettyboo]

Still a good Welsh team. The Bokks are strong, so if Wales get close, a draw or a win they'd have done really well.

I reckon the Bokks front row are vulnerable (on recent showings), as is their lineout, so Wales could get better field position than you'd usually expect in SA and do well. Hope not...

[pseudolus]

Are the Bokke still picking The Beast?

The most over rated pile of pish IMHO. So bad, he would struggle to get into the Aussie team.

[Bettyboo]

^ the Sharks front row hasn't been going that well, looked very average in the warm up game at the weekend too. I'd expect Wales to get on top in the front row. Having said that, in Bokkland, no easy task...

[david44]

Cymru am Byth, The Paddys have zero chance againsta renascent boks good luck to the Taffys they have so many reasons to be cheered up.

[pseudolus]

Geth would be on the bench though, surely? Start a couple of props that will last more than 30 minutes before they run out of puff?

[Necron99]

This was the Saffa side that trashed the World XV.

Lot of names in there.

Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw; Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira

[pseudolus]

World XV.

Indeed - but it was a World XV team. In their day, some of these players were good. Not good enough today for their test teams though....

James O'Connor; Drew Mitchell, Rene Ranger, Wynand Olivier, Hosea Gear; Matt Giteau (capt), Rory Kockott; Roger Wilson, Steffon Armitage, Mamuka Gorgodze; Alistair Hargreaves, Juandre Kruger; Carl Hayman, Craig Burden, Sona Taumalolo

Replacements: Andrew Hore, Schalk Ferreira, Pat Cilliers, Joe Tekori, Alexandre Lapandry, Jimmy Cowan, Francois Trinh-Duc, Stanley Benson


I hope The Beast carries on until the RWC in the same way as I hope McCheat does as well.

[Bettyboo]

This was the Saffa side that trashed the World XV.

Did you watch the game? The score was not indicative. In the first half the Bokks were outplayed, especially in the scrum and lineout...

[Waid]

Wales = heart, skill
SA = brawn, no brains

[pseudolus]

Wales = heart, skill
SA = brawn, no brains

Not with Gatland at the helm.

[pseudolus]

Turnball put his hand up then. High work rate as well.

[flashbang]

The cheating bastards robbed Wales at the last world cup. If that penalty was given Wales would have easily won the world cup and dominated/humiliated every team since then.

[Bobcock]

What penalty?... even the Welsh don't know what you are whittering on about?

[flashbang]

Listen: I'm the authority on rugger round ear


.

[Bobcock]

Can't see You Tube, but I guess you are talking about the one that missed.... why would we have been awarded that?

[flashbang]

I guess you are talking about the one that missed

Missed what? Iz u blind, bro?

[flashbang]

Everyone knows that kick went over and Wales should be world champions. If you don't know that then quite frankly you are a spanner.