RWC QF 1 WAL v RSA (Twickenham) 18th Oct 0200 AEDT

[JJJ]

Jesus Heyneke enjoyed that try. I was a bit uncomfortable watching how much he enjoyed it. Not family-friendly viewing.

 

[Bairdy]

So Cuthberts clanger of a defensive read was the difference in the end. SA definitely finished stronger and deserved to win it, but Biggars boot kept Wales in it till the end.

And his inefficient assisted clean out of the jackal De Allende when the Welsh were on the attack in the South African half

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Nana Nap time and back for the 6am game. Night Night Gents.

 

[I like to watch]

Wales did well to finish so close,given the small percentage of possession.
Boks need to go up a couple of levels to be competitive next week.

Best on field for the Boks were the 8 & 9, closely followed by Cuthbert.
Who's got to have goat photos of Gatland.
That can be the only explanation.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Scant consolation for Wales but what an incredibly brave performance. Fair play to SA, their sportsmanship over Japan has stood to them.

 

[Wales Fan]

Wales ran out of steam at the end but a heroic defensive performance. SA looked like they'd still be playing next week before getting close to scoring but one of the few touches of class with a wonderful offload to score the try.
We didn't help ourselves by fluffing a gilt edged chance in the 1st few minutes of the game then handing the Boks some stupid penalties to keep them in it early on.
SA showed their character & their poor coach looks like he's ready for a heart attack at any moment - poor bugger.
It's been fun while it lasted.

 

[jollyswagman]

Jesus......Wales are doing their best to relieve the AB's of their chokers tag. How many times can a side let a tight match slip? They could have taken that one from a very flat Saffa side. That's quarter finals footy for you I guess.

 

[Chunderstruck]

Jesus..Wales are doing their best to relieve the AB's of their chokers tag. How many times can a side let a tight match slip? They could have taken that one from a very flat Saffa side. That's quarter finals footy for you I guess.

They did get up over England in a tight one

 

[qwerty51]

What a game.

Alex Cuthbert.

 

[jollyswagman]

They did get up over England in a tight one

Yep, well aware the result of that one but it doesn't change the fact that NUMEROUS times that have put themselves in a position to win a tight game and seemingly thrown it away by inviting a team to take it from them. Their inability to make the necessary adjustments at critical points in the match have cost them again. Against the Wallabies we saw Roberts and Co. continually trying to bash their over the line in tight and today we see them continually kicking away possession. A simple adjustment may have reaped big rewards for them but instead they just kept on doing the same thing when it clearly wasn't working. If I was a Welsh fan I would be gutted and frustrated as they have had a very good team for quite a few years but continually come up short.

 

[whatty]

Just enough. Nothing spectacular just RWC winning knockout Rugby. With that possession and territory and a few missed kicks should never have been that close.

 

[Wales Fan]

Yep, well aware the result of that one but it doesn't change the fact that NUMEROUS times that have put themselves in a position to win a tight game and seemingly thrown it away by inviting a team to take it from them. Their inability to make the necessary adjustments at critical points in the match have cost them again. Against the Wallabies we saw Roberts and Co. continually trying to bash their over the line in tight and today we see them continually kicking away possession. A simple adjustment may have reaped big rewards for them but instead they just kept on doing the same thing when it clearly wasn't working. If I was a Welsh fan I would be gutted and frustrated as they have had a very good team for quite a few years but continually come up short.

Unfortunately that's what you get with Gatland & his coaches. We play an abrasive style which works (pretty much anyway) against NH sides. What he does he does well but there is little or no variation to our play which will always hold us back on the biggest stage.
The biggest downside for us in this tournament was the only players we have who are capable of transcending Gats game plan - Jon Davies, Scott Williams, Rhys Webb & especially Eli Walker (who could've replaced Cuthbert) were all injured.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Unfortunately that's what you get with Gatland & his coaches. We play an abrasive style which works (pretty much anyway) against NH sides. What he does he does well but there is little or no variation to our play which will always hold us back on the biggest stage.
The biggest downside for us in this tournament was the only players we have who are capable of transcending Gats game plan - Jon Davies, Scott Williams, Rhys Webb & especially Eli Walker (who could've replaced Cuthbert) were all injured.

And Bandy legs.

 

[Wales Fan]

And Bandy legs.

Forgot about him & 1/2p - although 1/2p doesn't offer too much in Gatlands game plan.

 

[Dewald Nel]

Sorry Wales. Valiant effort and I think it was a respectable and clean battle. Your defence was immense. We had almost nothing on you on attack, except for one brilliant offload in the tackle.

Sad that a tournament has to end so suddenly for a team.

 

[jollyswagman]

Unfortunately that's what you get with Gatland & his coaches. We play an abrasive style which works (pretty much anyway) against NH sides. What he does he does well but there is little or no variation to our play which will always hold us back on the biggest stage.
The biggest downside for us in this tournament was the only players we have who are capable of transcending Gats game plan - Jon Davies, Scott Williams, Rhys Webb & especially Eli Walker (who could've replaced Cuthbert) were all injured.

Yes, it must be frustrating and I really feel for you guys. I wonder if it isn't time for a management change also? He seems to have had a fair suck of the sav now.....how many years has it been with Gatland in charge?

I thought Wales played pretty well overall but the persistent hacking away of the ball in a desperate attempt to gain some field position was awful. Anyway, well played Wales and I sorry to see you go. You did valiantly well considering all the injuries.

 

[Wales Fan]

Yes, it must be frustrating and I really feel for you guys. I wonder if it isn't time for a management change also? He seems to have had a fair suck of the sav now...how many years has it been with Gatland in charge?

I thought Wales played pretty well overall but the persistent hacking away of the ball in a desperate attempt to gain some field position was awful. Anyway, well played Wales and I sorry to see you go. You did valiantly well considering all the injuries.

Thanks for that, it is frustrating at times I'll admit but still proud of the effort from all the squad.
Take your point about a change but if it's not Gatland to go I'd be happy if they just freshened up his backroom staff to get some new ideas in there.
Australia knew they needed to beef up their forward pack & brought in a specialist to do that. Wales undoubtedly need to have different ideas in attack - go get someone to fill that role.

 

[Blue]

As expected. Close shave but got through in the end.

Commiseration to Welsh fans. A bridge too far. Not enough strike power in the end. We controlled the gain line for most of the time which is where, as expected, the thing was won.

I hate the Bok game plan. Just playing for penalties. No variation to try and score. Just a process of wearing down the defense into a penalty. There were so many opportunities outside but we never chanced it.

It will not work against Australia or New Zealand.

 

[Blue]

Thanks for that, it is frustrating at times I'll admit but still proud of the effort from all the squad.
Take your point about a change but if it's not Gatland to go I'd be happy if they just freshened up his backroom staff to get some new ideas in there.
Australia knew they needed to beef up their forward pack & brought in a specialist to do that. Wales undoubtedly need to have different ideas in attack - go get someone to fill that role.

Australia needed to freshen everything and did.The backroom staff pale into insignificance if you look what Cheika brings.

After what, 10 years, Gatland has not really made much progress against SH teams. Surely it is time for a change?I mean, what do you measure him by? Another 6N? He has done that.

 

[I like to watch]

Thanks for that, it is frustrating at times I'll admit but still proud of the effort from all the squad.
Take your point about a change but if it's not Gatland to go I'd be happy if they just freshened up his backroom staff to get some new ideas in there.
Australia knew they needed to beef up their forward pack & brought in a specialist to do that. Wales undoubtedly need to have different ideas in attack - go get someone to fill that role.

Except I don't get the feeling that Gatland thinks they need to change anything.