RugbyRebels

Nicky Robinson speculating today that Gatland will pick a strong team for the bokke, so he can get close to his best team some game time together before Fiji. That wouldn’t leave opportunities for any other players, except possible Jonny Williams and Cuthbert.

I suspect we will see (based on injury):
1. Thomas
2. Dee
3. Francis (prefer Thomas)
4. Beard (Gatland loves him)
5. Rowlands
6. Lydiate
7. Morgan
8. Wainwright
9. Williams (close call I think)
10. Biggar
11. LRZ
12. J Williams
13. North
14. Cuthbert
15. Liam Williams

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 3:22 pm Nicky Robinson speculating today that Gatland will pick a strong team for the bokke, so he can get close to his best team some game time together before Fiji. That wouldn’t leave opportunities for any other players, except possible Jonny Williams and Cuthbert.

I suspect we will see (based on injury):
1. Thomas
2. Dee
3. Francis (prefer Thomas)
4. Beard (Gatland loves him)
5. Rowlands
6. Lydiate
7. Morgan
8. Wainwright
9. Williams (close call I think)
10. Biggar
11. LRZ
12. J Williams
13. North
14. Cuthbert
15. Liam Williams

I'd be tempted to rest LRZ and give Grady a pop on the wing, he looks very dangerous ball in hand, I wouldn't mind to see how Carter goes as he works very well in tandem with Rowlands at the Dragons, I think familiarity between hooker and both second rows could be important for the lineout where SA are probably the best in the world defensively.

One more look/ give them a game 23

Domachowski, Dee, Thomas
Rowlands, Davies
Teddy, Basham, Wainwright
Hardy, Costelow
J Williams, Roberts
Grady, Cuthbert, C Evans

B: Parry, Smith, Assirati, Carter, Tshiunza, Davies, Williams, LRZ

I'd like to see if Grady is a good international winger rather than just someone who can cover wing. Rather see this than Cuthbert.

Hardy needs to get some game time.

The rest, yeah if he wants to go strong that would be the way.

Fail predicting Grady and J Williams in the centre. That would be a sizeable combination.

Now confirmed:

Wales: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Mason Grady, 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Kieran Hardy, 1. Corey Domachowski, 2. Elliot Dee, 3. Keiron Assiratti, 4. Ben Carter, 5. Will Rowlands, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Jac Morgan (capt), 8. Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 16. Sam Parry, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Teddy Williams, 20. Taine Basham, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Max Llewellyn, 23. Cai Evans.

.

Wales: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Mason Grady, 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Kieran Hardy, 1. Corey Domachowski, 2. Elliot Dee, 3. Keiron Assiratti, 4. Ben Carter, 5. Will Rowlands, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Jac Morgan (capt), 8. Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 16. Sam Parry, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Teddy Williams, 20. Taine Basham, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Max Llewellyn, 23. Cai Evans.

It'll be interesting to see how the inexperienced front row goes against the Saffers and good to see Grady given another chance, Cai evans being the back up 10 for this match by the looks of it.

Taine Basham on the bench may be a bit premature.

Whoops, beat me to it.

Numbers wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:18 am
It'll be interesting to see how the inexperienced front row goes against the Saffers and good to see Grady given another chance, Cai evans being the back up 10 for this match by the looks of it.

I assumed Grady was the back up 10. Doesn't he cover every position from 4 to 15?
.

Graigwen wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:36 am

Numbers wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:18 am
It'll be interesting to see how the inexperienced front row goes against the Saffers and good to see Grady given another chance, Cai evans being the back up 10 for this match by the looks of it.

I assumed Grady was the back up 10. Doesn't he cover every position from 4 to 15?
.

Haha, it's good to see that Lake and Plumtree seem to be still in the selection mix: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... B7mOSEz0XE

So
Has 1/2p played his last game for Wales?
Cuthbert could play himself into the 33 as outside of Zammit none have actually performed that well
I hope that centre partnership succeeds. Max on the bench v Kieran suggests it’s a 3 way comp between Tompkins, Williams and Llewelyn for the 2 IC spots
That could very well be the starting front row, given injuries, goes that mean no place for Lewis or Francis?
Carter deserves his chance to start after a positive bench impact. Play Rowlands for 30 secs then get him off. Pleased for Teddy. He could still fill the 4/6 hybrid role if he gets a chance to shine
They clearly want another look at Basham .. what does that mean for the make up of the back row we take ?
I have no issue with Cai Evans having game time, he’s been in the squad all summer so let’s see if it’s had an impact

So
Has 1/2p played his last game for Wales?
Cuthbert could play himself into the 33 as outside of Zammit none have actually performed that well
I hope that centre partnership succeeds. Max on the bench v Kieran suggests it’s a 3 way comp between Tompkins, Williams and Llewelyn for the 2 IC spots
That could very well be the starting front row, given injuries, goes that mean no place for Lewis or Francis?
Carter deserves his chance to start after a positive bench impact. Play Rowlands for 30 secs then get him off. Pleased for Teddy. He could still fill the 4/6 hybrid role if he gets a chance to shine
They clearly want another look at Basham .. what does that mean for the make up of the back row we take ?
I have no issue with Cai Evans having game time, he’s been in the squad all summer so let’s see if it’s had an impact

Oh, and Jac Morgan will be Wc captain then

Saffers

South Africa: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 1. Steven Kitshoff, 2. Malcolm Marx, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. RG Snyman, 6. Siya Kolisi (capt), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Franco Mostert, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Duane Vermeulen, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Damian Willemse.

MrK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:12 am So
Has 1/2p played his last game for Wales?
Cuthbert could play himself into the 33 as outside of Zammit none have actually performed that well
I hope that centre partnership succeeds. Max on the bench v Kieran suggests it’s a 3 way comp between Tompkins, Williams and Llewelyn for the 2 IC spots
That could very well be the starting front row, given injuries, goes that mean no place for Lewis or Francis?
Carter deserves his chance to start after a positive bench impact. Play Rowlands for 30 secs then get him off. Pleased for Teddy. He could still fill the 4/6 hybrid role if he gets a chance to shine
They clearly want another look at Basham .. what does that mean for the make up of the back row we take ?
I have no issue with Cai Evans having game time, he’s been in the squad all summer so let’s see if it’s had an impact

I did wonder about 1/2P myself. Gatland doesnt strike me as sentimental but maybe it was a farewell a couple of weeks ago.

Other than that, it looks like this squad, like the last two, is to give everyone who can play a chance to put their hand up.

Interesting team.

It could also be that Gatland wants to see those player against good opposition. The England team in Cardiff was poor (their firsts weren’t much better) but against a strong opposition, he will really be able to see if some of our newer players can hold their own.

But, I do wonder if some of our established forwards are at high risk of not touring.

UKHamlet wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:53 am Saffers

South Africa: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 1. Steven Kitshoff, 2. Malcolm Marx, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. RG Snyman, 6. Siya Kolisi (capt), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Franco Mostert, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Duane Vermeulen, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Damian Willemse.

There’s some experience and power in that squad and it’s will be interesting to see how our newer players stand up to the pressure.

Gatland is putting a lot of faith in the two new Cardiff props and a hell of a lot (literally) rests on their shoulders. If they can gain some sort of parity and platform then I’d love to see what backs like Williams and Grady can do.

Wales need a real performance to kick off their campaign in France.

Let's see what this front row can do against top opposition. Hope Dee's impressive showing 2 weeks ago wasn't a fluke.

Interesting re Beard - Gatland has seen enough but is that in a good way or a bad way?

Back row should be a tackling machine. I guess this is a final check on Lydiate, the other 2 are clearly already in the 33.

Great to see Johnny Williams on the pitch at last. Hope he doesn't break.

Last/only chance for those wingers to make their case.they're in direct competition with each other although it's possible that neither make the squad.

Good to see Bashan get another go. Well, good if his head is OK.

Gatland's made his unsurprising choice over K Williams. Looks like he'll need to enjoy his regional rugby unless he can grow a couple of inches.

Cai Evans, why the hell not I guess.


Overall it's pretty strong but I fear for that front row, particularly Assiratti against the Boks.

Hope they've been practicing their lineouts.

Can we get through the game without losing a good player please?

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 2:53 pm
Great to see Johnny Williams on the pitch at last. Hope he doesn't break.

Indeed, he's had rotten luck with injuries. It's nearly 3 years since he made his debut and I think this is only his 5th cap.

Mind you, given his current hair style he's not lacking in confidence!

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 2:53 pm Let's see what this front row can do against top opposition. Hope Dee's impressive showing 2 weeks ago wasn't a fluke.

Interesting re Beard - Gatland has seen enough but is that in a good way or a bad way?

Back row should be a tackling machine. I guess this is a final check on Lydiate, the other 2 are clearly already in the 33.

Great to see Johnny Williams on the pitch at last. Hope he doesn't break.

Last/only chance for those wingers to make their case.they're in direct competition with each other although it's possible that neither make the squad.

Good to see Bashan get another go. Well, good if his head is OK.

Gatland's made his unsurprising choice over K Williams. Looks like he'll need to enjoy his regional rugby unless he can grow a couple of inches.

Cai Evans, why the hell not I guess.


Overall it's pretty strong but I fear for that front row, particularly Assiratti against the Boks.

Hope they've been practicing their lineouts.

Can we get through the game without losing a good player please?

Beard ..its always a hard one to decide on , personally I felt he was exposed last week , but Gatland does like players who can disrupt the maul , but i just think he is exposed when the game is fast paced.

Basham just is something different., ticks bixes but is great with ball in hand..His versatility across the back row may be what gets him on the Eurostar.

This is a very strong Boks front row .. it is certain to be amongst the strongest pack the two props will have come across in their careers . On positive note it would be awesome if they can hold their own , but it will be a learning experience

Lastly , I give a nod with the coaches for giving all these newer players this shot. .I am exited by the selection, tinged with some nervousness, but hey ..thats what gets me gripped to the box

ALunpg wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 4:07 pm

Son of Mathonwy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 2:53 pm Let's see what this front row can do against top opposition. Hope Dee's impressive showing 2 weeks ago wasn't a fluke.

Interesting re Beard - Gatland has seen enough but is that in a good way or a bad way?

Back row should be a tackling machine. I guess this is a final check on Lydiate, the other 2 are clearly already in the 33.

Great to see Johnny Williams on the pitch at last. Hope he doesn't break.

Last/only chance for those wingers to make their case.they're in direct competition with each other although it's possible that neither make the squad.

Good to see Bashan get another go. Well, good if his head is OK.

Gatland's made his unsurprising choice over K Williams. Looks like he'll need to enjoy his regional rugby unless he can grow a couple of inches.

Cai Evans, why the hell not I guess.


Overall it's pretty strong but I fear for that front row, particularly Assiratti against the Boks.

Hope they've been practicing their lineouts.

Can we get through the game without losing a good player please?

Beard ..its always a hard one to decide on , personally I felt he was exposed last week , but Gatland does like players who can disrupt the maul , but i just think he is exposed when the game is fast paced.

Basham just is something different., ticks bixes but is great with ball in hand..His versatility across the back row may be what gets him on the Eurostar.

This is a very strong Boks front row .. it is certain to be amongst the strongest pack the two props will have come across in their careers . On positive note it would be awesome if they can hold their own , but it will be a learning experience

Lastly , I give a nod with the coaches for giving all these newer players this shot. .I am exited by the selection, tinged with some nervousness, but hey ..thats what gets me gripped to the box

It'll be a tough test in the scrum, Dee isn't the best scrummaging hooker we have by any means so the props will have to be on their game to maintain parity.

Two changes for Wales on Saturday - liam Williams and biggar both out, Cai evans starts Costellow comes in at 10.

Rogers comes onto the bench, which does suggest 1/2p may have played his last game for Wales.

Maybe, or Gatland is still looking at options. We don’t seem to have any fly half cover anywhere so hopefully Costelow doesn’t take a knock or have a shocker.

Bradley Roberts has been called into the wider squad too, as cover for the weekend.