lewys33
Well-Known Member
Been off the grid for the past few weeks but here it goes........
Firstly Wales - I was screaming at the TV at the Australia game. Not scoring any points when the opposition team is down to 13 men is unacceptable at international level. Why on earth they didn't get the ball out to the wings is beyond me. Wales have only done well in this tournament because of our defence. Attacking options have been very poor, with most points coming from Biggar. You could blame the injuries but I think for the past few years we have been reliant on supreme defence and just grinding away to get points ourselves, with the odd master-class game thrown in for good measure.
The south africa game was pretty devastating, quite similar to the england game I guess but the opposite way around. I thought Wales were quite dominant but 5-10 minutes of brilliance from SA (the try was sublime) and we were finished. The ref didn't help us in the first half but he SA kicker missed a fair few chances so I won't complain. SA deserved the win in the end. Part of me is glad we lost to them in such a close manner. I really don't fancy a semi against those all-blacks. They were unreal ......
Ireland - I turned the tv on and 10 minutes had been played. 17-0?! What the actual fuck?! The argies were amazing. Again don't think any northern hemisphere would have beat them yesterday. They really have come on leaps and bounds and playing in the championship down there is really helping them progress.
Scotland were so unlucky. They played brilliantly and the aussies were just expecting an easy ride. I can't believe they were knocked out by essentially a dodgy referee decision. Could go on about that one for days but unfortunately it is one of them. I was jumping for joy when they took the lead with that last interception try, but it just wasn't meant to be.
So an all southern-hemisphere semi-final line up, first ever, but it's not a surprise. I think the gap between the north and south is bigger than it has been for a while. The southern hemisphere really do play to the very edge of the fine line of breaking the rules, but essentially, they ensure quick ball for themselves, and slow it down for their opposition. The other notable difference is how much more mobile/better the southern hemisphere packs are at actual open play. Several times New-Zealand had props/flankers on the wing, and they are getting the ball and running with it!
Still going to stick with my prediction of a NZ - Aussie final. However after the way NZ played at the weekend, it would be silly to not think they could walk this if they play like that.
Firstly Wales - I was screaming at the TV at the Australia game. Not scoring any points when the opposition team is down to 13 men is unacceptable at international level. Why on earth they didn't get the ball out to the wings is beyond me. Wales have only done well in this tournament because of our defence. Attacking options have been very poor, with most points coming from Biggar. You could blame the injuries but I think for the past few years we have been reliant on supreme defence and just grinding away to get points ourselves, with the odd master-class game thrown in for good measure.
The south africa game was pretty devastating, quite similar to the england game I guess but the opposite way around. I thought Wales were quite dominant but 5-10 minutes of brilliance from SA (the try was sublime) and we were finished. The ref didn't help us in the first half but he SA kicker missed a fair few chances so I won't complain. SA deserved the win in the end. Part of me is glad we lost to them in such a close manner. I really don't fancy a semi against those all-blacks. They were unreal ......
Ireland - I turned the tv on and 10 minutes had been played. 17-0?! What the actual fuck?! The argies were amazing. Again don't think any northern hemisphere would have beat them yesterday. They really have come on leaps and bounds and playing in the championship down there is really helping them progress.
Scotland were so unlucky. They played brilliantly and the aussies were just expecting an easy ride. I can't believe they were knocked out by essentially a dodgy referee decision. Could go on about that one for days but unfortunately it is one of them. I was jumping for joy when they took the lead with that last interception try, but it just wasn't meant to be.
So an all southern-hemisphere semi-final line up, first ever, but it's not a surprise. I think the gap between the north and south is bigger than it has been for a while. The southern hemisphere really do play to the very edge of the fine line of breaking the rules, but essentially, they ensure quick ball for themselves, and slow it down for their opposition. The other notable difference is how much more mobile/better the southern hemisphere packs are at actual open play. Several times New-Zealand had props/flankers on the wing, and they are getting the ball and running with it!
Still going to stick with my prediction of a NZ - Aussie final. However after the way NZ played at the weekend, it would be silly to not think they could walk this if they play like that.