BBC Sport – Rugby World Cup 2011: South Africa v Wales

by Lyn Posted on September 10, 2011
Wales will have four-times capped Rhys Priestland at fly-half and James Hook at full-back in their World Cup opener with reigning champions South Africa.

Hook has talents (well, a side-step and a hand-off) but can’t run a game. Rhys, whilst inexperienced at international level, has played a lot of european rugby for the Scarlets.

Warren Gatland is without 100-times capped international Stephen Jones on Sunday but British and Irish Lions full-back Lee Byrne is overlooked.

Shame about Jones. Not sure when we’ll see Lee Byrne in this tournament, makes you wander why he went at all?!?

The Springboks are without injured lock Bakkies Botha as they begin their World Cup defence in Wellington.

Erm… Good.

But South Africa do have 11 of their 2007 World Cup winners in their team.

We have Lee Byrne… Means nothing.

The Springboks, who have shown their intentions by having five forwards on the replacements bench, have named the most experienced starting XV in their history as the line-up boasts 815 combined caps.

Magic sponge anyone?

Wales fly-half Jones, forward Ryan Jones and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins are out because of calf injuries.

Sound like it went airborne. Can we issue masks for the boys?

Gatland’s side also have the World Cup’s youngest captain, and Wales’ second-youngest to the great Gareth Edwards, as Sam Warburton hopes to emulate Wales’ third placed finish the last time the World Cup was in New Zealand 24 years ago.

I don’t think he’s dreaming of third place, do you?

Wales can also call on the experience of Lions players such as prop Adam Jones, lock Alun Wyn Jones, scrum-half Mike Phillips, centre Jamie Roberts and wing Shane Williams.

Whilst we have a few young players, some of these boys have been around a while.

It’ll be a though game for Wales to win, but I think they’re good enough to do it. Dewch mlan bois. Cymru am, byth!

via BBC Sport – Rugby World Cup 2011: South Africa v Wales.

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BBC Sport – Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales opt for Rhys Priestland at fly-half

by Lyn Posted on September 8, 2011

That was my choice as well!

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Wales have opted for Rhys Priestland at fly-half in Stephen Jones’ injury-enforced absence for Sunday’s World Cup opener with champions South Africa.

James Hook is preferred to Lee Byrne at full-back, while George North gets the nod on the right wing ahead of Leigh Halfpenny, who makes the bench.

Luke Charteris partners Alun Wyn Jones in the second row, with Bradley Davies among the replacements.

Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau join captain Sam Warburton in the back row.

via BBC Sport – Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales opt for Rhys Priestland at fly-half.

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Another must win game for Wales!

by Lyn Posted on February 12, 2011
So we lost the first “Must win game” against England, so the game
against Scotland must be a must, must win game.

A few injuries still and a few changes. I hope Hook proves me wrong,
if he doesn’t I hope Gatland replaces him soon enough. That said, it’s
a team game and you can’t hang it all on the 10 – our weakness at the
moment is actually at 9 where Mike Phillips is really off form (hasn’t
looked great since returning from injury a while back).

Good luck boys, play like a team and use the top 2 inches.

Pob lwc. Cymru am byth! 8)

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