RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019
- Thread starter PGFWhite
- Start date
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Well that is what you get playing these high risk games going into the WC.. Should never have played a game with a high risk of injury for both sides and another 3 games to come that has a strong possibility of more players losing their chance of going to the WC.....I would play a full uncapped side in remaining games and look for stand out players rather than risk players we need for the WC.
Its finding the right balance Dai.
You can't go in undercooked with no game time.
Equally, 4 games in 5 weeks against top tier opposition is a big ask. could have done with a game or two against europes tier 2 sides playing a mixed team, building to a full strength side against England or Ireland.
Saying that, you can pick up serious injuries (especially knees) against anyone. We lost Faletau in training FFS.
Its a fine line. Last WC we lost Webb and 1/2p in the warm ups.
It is what it is, though 4 tough games is likely the wrong answer.
What if Anscombe picks up that injury at the start of the WC? What if, what if, what if. Gatland seems to know what he's doing so I'll go with his judgement.
Agree with that DG.
The Swans and Cardiff played pre-season friendlies, with the majority / all of their first teams playing.
You need to get match fit as well as physically fit and mentally ready.
The team can't go into the WC with no game time together. You also need the intensity of a full international against a strong team. I still think 2 games against England and 2 against Ireland is pushing it though.
8 and 10 are probably the areas where we have least cover, so losing Anscombe is a blow. As you say, the injury could have been picked up in the 1st 5 mins of the fist game. At least Gatland has a month to give Patchel and / or Jarrod Evans some game time, rather than them getting thrown in cold if called up once the tournament has started. Big chance for one or other to step up. Can see Gatland going for Patchell because he can cover 15 as well.
Would have preferred the injury not happen at all though.
Additionally, Southern Hemisphere teams have only just finished their equivalent of the Six Nations so if we hadn’t played competitive warm ups we would have been slaughtered. It’s very rare that International rugby teams have their strongest team out as serious injuries are part and parcel of the game these days.
There was no need to play these games at all with the WC looming....What for ? You dont gain anything but you risk a lot as have been proven....All game plans can be done on the training pitch by Gatland and his players.....Why play England and Ireland that we have beaten already and not that long ago either. All we have achieved is loss of confidence and a couple of injuries......Can't see any benefit playing these games so close to getting on the plane to Japan......
At least with the 6 nations, players have been playing club games.
Most of our squad wont have played a competative match since April, a few of them May.
Shingler hasnt played for a year.
It’s about getting ‘match fit’ as opposed to physically fit.
That’s the reason given to me by ‘top’ coaches & Senior Management (of ‘First Class/Pro Clubs)
They are already match fit. Playing England and Ireland wont make them any fitter and only put them at risk....You could tell they never put in a full shift and i dont blame them.....Rugby Union is the most physical demanding sport in the world and the players should do their practicing on the training ground where it is controlled..Wales need to take the strongest team they can muster and not put players through a risk at this stage....
Dai - I had the very same discussion with a former Neath RFC captain today.
There’s physically fit and there’s match fit.
It’s 12 weeks since the Ospreys played the Turks in the PRO14 play-off. Those players hadn’t played a match since then. Other squad players, hadn’t played for longer
Happy to agree to disagree.We are talking about the WC here.....We will have to agree to Disagree taff...
How can you be match fit if you haven't played any matches you donkey!
They are professionals you ass......
You clearly have no understanding of how athletes prepare for sporting competition.
As a former rugby player i have plenty of understanding..I dont have a problem playing lesser sides as warm up but i do have a problem playing two of our greatest rivals where the risk of injuries is much higher as have been proved....We dont need to play games like these so close to going to Japan. It is as plain and as simple as that. The players dont want it and any knowledgeable fans dont want it...We want our best players to be there....
I dont have a problem playing lesser sides as warm up but i do have a problem playing two of our greatest rivals where the risk of injuries is much higher as have been proved....We dont need to play games like these so close to going to Japan. It is as plain and as simple as that. The players dont want it and any knowledgeable fans dont want it...We want our best players to be there....
Every nation is doing it - Scotland are playing France (twice), Wales are playing England twice as well as playing Ireland.As a former rugby player i have plenty of understanding..
The ABs, Oz, Saffers and Argies are playing full on matches in the Rugby Championship.
Moreover, the risk of injury is just as great - if not greater - playing so called’ lesser teams’