Chiefs v Wales

[Mellsblue]

Don't worry folks, the players are to blame and they will be replaced for Saturday.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... d-11469786

On the plus side, he did say the inside centre should pass. That's a huge step forward.

[stud muffin]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... gory%20p$2

Player ratings

[WaspInWales]

Ohhh ffs...I thought this was tomorrow morning!

It looks like Wales did too.

[Numbers]

Not surprised by the result, I am surprised by the margin.

What annoys me most about this is that we have been using players needed for the second test and we didn't take enough players to start off with, the numbers have never made any sense, maybe someone needs to get an abacus to Gatland.

[Lizard]

I didn't watch the game, but I kept getting updates via an app. The suggestion was that we had plenty of opportunities to score tries, but failed to do so, other then from a driving maul from a lineout. At one point, the commentary mentioned that we looked clueless with ball in hand.

Can someone who actually sat through the game confirm if that is accurate?

You had possession close to our line but apparently no clue how to close it out. To be fair the Chiefs defence was rabid.

The telling point for me was just after half time when Wales remained in possession but went from our line back to the 22.

[Sandydragon]

I didn't watch the game, but I kept getting updates via an app. The suggestion was that we had plenty of opportunities to score tries, but failed to do so, other then from a driving maul from a lineout. At one point, the commentary mentioned that we looked clueless with ball in hand.

Can someone who actually sat through the game confirm if that is accurate?

You had possession close to our line but apparently no clue how to close it out. To be fair the Chiefs defence was rabid.

The telling point for me was just after half time when Wales remained in possession but went from our line back to the 22.

Ive just read the Fail writeup which mentions 3 wasted scoring opportunities due to selfish play. FFS.

[Sourdust]

So, what went right?

* Priestland looked quite sharp in patches.
* We bossed the scrum... until we stopped getting scrums.
* Eli Walker played for 80 minutes without breaking anything.
* Nobody insulted the Maori ancestors, accidentally killed a spectator, or contracted bubonic plague.
* I had to be up early anyway.
* Fuck it.

[scuzzaman]

yeah, that could have gone better...

[Sandydragon]

So, what went right?

* Priestland looked quite sharp in patches.
* We bossed the scrum... until we stopped getting scrums.
* Eli Walker played for 80 minutes without breaking anything.
* Nobody insulted the Maori ancestors, accidentally killed a spectator, or contracted bubonic plague.
* I had to be up early anyway.
* Fuck it.

Given Gatlands comments in the fail, the chances of Priestland getting anything more than a cameo appearance are pretty slim. Shame really as he looks a bit more like his old self.

[morepork]

Gatland says:

"They were a lot better than us in attack and defence and that was disappointing."

You can't teach that sort of wisdom. It's natural.

[iLovett]

Weren't the Chiefs missing 20-odd players as well? 20! What are you doing Wales... in fairness, not many teams would do well against the Chiefs, but a decimated chiefs vs a supposed top tier national team, ouchy!

[Buggaluggs]

In what areas were the Chiefs better?

That big green area out there

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I really can't believe that the lesson he took from that game when interviewed by Sky was that you had to win more collisions. For the sake of Welsh Rugby he's got to go.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Oh and if he coaches the Lions, he'll make SCW's tour seem like paradise.

[morepork]

I really can't believe that the lesson he took from that game when interviewed by Sky was that you had to win more collisions. For the sake of Welsh Rugby he's got to go.

Wawwen is a bit of a Neanderthal like that.

[Sandydragon]

From what I understand, we looked better when Jamie Roberts was on the field doing his thing. The problem with Warrenball is that its so dependent on Roberts getting over the gain line followed by a fast clear out.

In 05 we played harum scarum rugby which was nothing if not entertaining. We needed to get a more physical edge since it was too easy to shut us down via the forwards, as teams quickly learned to do. But we seem to have gone too far the other way. On Saturday, All Black locks were passing the ball better than our centers, yet in 05 we had our forwards pass the ball with ease and looking comfortable at basic skills like drawing the player rather than just running into contact.

With England rediscovering their forward power, their traditional strength, Im not convinced our power game is going to get us that far anymore, even in the NH. There were signs of adaptation on Saturday, but it feels like too little too late and I only think that they went down that road because they recognized that it was mission impossible, so bugger it we might as well try and play a bit of rugby.

Since we have extended Gatland's contract then the minimum must be a new attack and skills coach. If Gatland can't adapt to that, then it will be worth paying him off. The only snag is who is available/ I can't think of any top class international coaches who are currently out of work, whilst Welsh coaches have as many question marks over them as positives. Dat Young maybe if Wasps will let him go? I'd take Stephen Jones on board in an instant, but again, would the Scarlets be happy with that?

I have a horrible feeling that the next few years is going to be painful watching for us.

[Mellsblue]

Gatland says:

"They were a lot better than us in attack and defence and that was disappointing."

You can't teach that sort of wisdom. It's natural.

Insightful, wasn't it. I had to read it a few times just to get my head round the complexities of the debrief. Once I managed to comprehend it I had to go for a lie down. Are we sure he's a Kiwi?

[Puja]

Since we have extended Gatland's contract then the minimum must be a new attack and skills coach. If Gatland can't adapt to that, then it will be worth paying him off. The only snag is who is available/ I can't think of any top class international coaches who are currently out of work, whilst Welsh coaches have as many question marks over them as positives. Dat Young maybe if Wasps will let him go? I'd take Stephen Jones on board in an instant, but again, would the Scarlets be happy with that?

I'd've thought Dai would come in an instant if you called. He'd be good for you too.

Actually, best you stick with Warren for a bit longer.

Puja

[zer0]

Weren't the Chiefs missing 20-odd players as well? 20! What are you doing Wales... in fairness, not many teams would do well against the Chiefs, but a decimated chiefs vs a supposed top tier national team, ouchy!

Chiefs players not considered for selection: Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Glen Fisiiahi, Chase Tiatia, Michael Leitch, Maama Vaipulu, James Tucker, Augustine Pulu (All Blacks Sevens) and Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand U20s).

All Blacks: Charlie Ngatai, Brodie Rettalick, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Seta Tamanivalu, Nathan Harris, Aaron Cruden and Damian McKenzie

[Lizard]

On the other hand, the Chiefs did employ a sneaky, surprise Haka. They don't do that in Super Rugby matches.

[Buggaluggs]

On the other hand, the Chiefs did employ a sneaky, surprise Haka. They don't do that in Super Rugby matches.

They played rugby too, which Wales were apparently not expecting. Cheeky buggers.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I didn't watch the game, but I kept getting updates via an app. The suggestion was that we had plenty of opportunities to score tries, but failed to do so, other then from a driving maul from a lineout. At one point, the commentary mentioned that we looked clueless with ball in hand.

Can someone who actually sat through the game confirm if that is accurate?

Hell, yes, that sums it up. Business as usual for Wales. Without a spark of creativity (largely provided by Liam Williams on Saturday) we have no idea what to do with the ball. Ponderous and easy to defend.

[Lizard]

Now that I've sobered up, I've realised that this result has probably F'd in the A any chance of future midweek tour matches, hasn't it?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Now that I've sobered up, I've realised that this result has probably F'd in the A any chance of future midweek tour matches, hasn't it?

Certainly against Wales. We have a fairly active A team so don't need midweek fixtures so much, and haven't shown any inclination to retsart. Shame really.

[Sandydragon]

Now that I've sobered up, I've realised that this result has probably F'd in the A any chance of future midweek tour matches, hasn't it?

Which is a bit of a shame really as I recall the SH teams touring Welsh clubs when I was growing up and they were a great opportunity. They seemed to have died a bit of a death since professionalism came along (except the Lions and even they play less fixtures than they used to).

I don't think the issue is playing the games, the problem is taking a bit enough squad that players aren't playing 2.5 games or more in 8 days.