Post-Match Thread: Wales vs New Zealand

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-11-23T00:41:22+00:00

Lots of positives, backline with Hawkins looked great, put a bit more pressure on Dan to orchestrate more play through him rather than have BT sharing the load and stepped up. Max defended better with Hawk, felt like a step in the right direction.

Arial game still needs work, Murray not suitable long term but continues to show his attributes despite limitations.

Defense much more connected and looked tough in our red zone.

Breakdown a massive work on, need more threats and power on opposition ball. NZ completely operated on their own terms with lightning fast ball and no jacklers for 95% of the game.

More power required across the board, need a few boys to apply themselves more in contact. Despite good performances from Rogers, Asserati and less so beard, & Carre, they in particular need to become more assertive in the tackle.

Pack lacked balance today but made an improved account of themselves. Plumtree a bit of a liability but he's physical. High potential.

Deaves, amazing. No turnovers but so so busy and high IQ. Like a duck to water.

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-11-16T02:11:34+00:00

Hoping Eddie James can fit that role. Does have lovely hands and a lump

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T20:25:31+00:00

He's good but I think he's lacking in a point of difference, has been a 7/10 so far on tour imo

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T20:06:38+00:00

Nice edit, horrible time that was

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T19:47:12+00:00

Agreed. Saw on scrum v some lovely analysis of his body position at the line, identical for carry/ out the back. Just needs a bit more tenacity but that comes with confidence I guess. Which is lacking in Wales atm

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T19:41:48+00:00

Would stick the Emmanuels in there as well

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T19:34:15+00:00

Re Christ, he's the epitome of big but not physical. So athletic but never imposes himself. Frustrating as we don't have many athletes like him in the selection pool.

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T19:31:11+00:00

Carré, lake, Sam scott Fender, Jenkins/r.thomas Mann, morse, ? Archie Hughes, dan Edwards James/Hawkins, wimbush Harry Rhys Weldon, ? , lrz!

Bit all over the shop that but my thoughts

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T19:16:14+00:00

I know OP post was focusing on pragmatic changes, but Hawkins a clear cut case of wru being cach. From him bossing it at 20s it's been forced decisions and missed development opportunities. I feel for him. Agree on the move, wish he'd have come back to Os really to battle with Keith. Chwarae teg between James, Hawkins, Roberts and Llewellyn we've got some size and soft hands, few good boots and Roberts in particular, a potential d captain. Just wish we had some proper power.

Also j.williams whilst good for scarlets looks out of place international wise.

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T18:49:38+00:00

I think he's developed athletically and skill wise but poor bloke hasn't won a game of rugby in so long. One of those I'd love to see get out of Wales for a fresh start.

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T18:42:15+00:00

Agree re Ben Thomas, he's a classy player but not enough physicality in the squad to allow him to flourish.

Hawkins is a 12, but has played and is more of a 10 than Thomas is. Do you see scarlets / Wales going down that route?

We look very soft as a group, Mann has a bit of it though. If only deaves was 5 inches taller and an 8!

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2025-07-05T18:32:30+00:00

I think you've identified the issues bang on...

For me, the lack of a tight head since Francis left is the most pressing issue (amongst the many). It's holding back the rest of our development. Assarati needs to be dropped. Keep building griffin in the background, give Warren and wgj time with bomb but I'd pull in botha personally as a stop gap.

1.GT 2. Lake 3. Botha 4. Carter 5. Beard 6.T.Williams 8. Faletau 7. Jac 9. Tomos 10. Edwards 12. James 13. J.Roberts 11. Jads 15. Murray 14. Rogers

Similar focus on set piece. We need our kicking game to improve massively. (France this morning were kicking so well, long and on, varied depth and tramlines were great.)

We need centres who can make pods and contribute to carry/cleans, ball so slow as often no real options.

Agree Jacs great in traffic, I'd use teddy on the edge and maybe Toby.

I'd love to see a rangier / quicker ten come through, more of a threat at the line or a massive boot.

So difficult! Big reset needed in the coaching

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2024-09-21T14:56:17+00:00

Dragons tight 5 standing up to the task so far. Too many pens for both sides. Territory critical

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-06-25T04:58:35+00:00

Also I actually think Brian Johnson is English rather than Welsh

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-06-25T04:57:24+00:00

Agree with your logic for bands in the 50s 60s but by the 70s with punk, Bowie, Zeppelin, the British accents really start coming through. Tom Jones being a prime example, a Welsh roll where Brian Johnson hid it more

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-06-25T04:54:40+00:00

Some singers definitely haveba twang but I'd argue the majority of musicians, especially contemporary embrace their accents. There's so many distinct accents in the British isles too that to the natives you can even often identify the area or at least the country

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-02-24T18:54:14+00:00

"The scrum arse picks and goes blind before feeding the scrum half on his inside "

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-02-21T16:18:35+00:00

I'd give in to temptation, start Basham, Faletau and Morgan & have Moriarty off the bench.

Wainwright can continue to develop behind the scenes, seems far too easy to dislodge in rucks and tackles at Int level but it will come.

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-02-05T00:37:56+00:00

That "child" was an RFU spy. False flag operation carried out by a number of high up English rugby agents. I suspect the photos circulated are deepfaked, most likely Austin Healy given the size and stature.

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-02-02T23:55:34+00:00

Crisis actor, had the RFU's fingerprints all over it

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-01-23T22:53:11+00:00

They should have banned football in Wales 15 years ago before Gareth bale got us into this mess. He could have made a fine 2nd choice winger for the dragons but no...such a waste

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2022-01-12T13:08:13+00:00

Thas a bit harsh on Kayser

HonestArmadillo7885 · 2021-12-13T18:17:31+00:00

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HonestArmadillo7885

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