posted Aug 28, 2007

fittness levels are not up there! again coaching staff to blame or not? stay off the beer guys!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 28, 2007

downhill after Henry??????? An encouraging RWC 03 and a Grand Slam is not a backward step!

I think Jones is needed back at 10 so that the problematic 12 position can be filled by Hook just for the world cup. Thomas then back at 15

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 28, 2007

Yep agree the top four teams appear to be NZ (the team to beat) SA, Austrialia and France (on there recent form against england and wales) but can they win....doubt it very much they will find it difficult once they meet a team with a serious pack and more importantly backs with Flair. And all that from and Englishman...but there again don't right us off yet we could make the last four.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 28, 2007

Why bring Graham Henry back when Mike Ruddock won them the Grand Slam??

Not enough invention in midfield..Shane Williams,Peely and James Hook seem the only ones capable of conjuring anything..

The grand slam winning side played flowing fast running rugby which started with that heartening performance against the AB in the world cup in 03..

Surely Henson has to be given a chance..whats the worse that could happen..

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 29, 2007

Jenkins said Wales will be ready .
Yes.

Willing.
Yes.

Able.
Err, no.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 29, 2007

Not sure about "willing" either with the likes of Cockbain and Henson leaving the squad.
You've got to wonder whether all the criticism of Jenkins is affecting the morale of the whole group.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 29, 2007

mikeyphil

If the players have a conscience, I think they'll be willing.
They will have the red jersey on which is a proud moment.
Unfortunately, they don't have the class, or the coach to mould them.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 31, 2007

Having been at Cardiff on Sunday, thought the red jerseys had come to watch the guys in blue and white practice their skills for the ensuing wc. You could not say the red jerseys were bad, they weren't that good. 'Dai'o'bolical' just about sums it up.They keep saying that there is a step up from being a good club player to an international player,this must be the same for coaches,afraid GJ does not do it for me his record is abysmal. Watching the the red jersey props walk around he field and looking so unfit was unbelievable. I thought the backs were training to be spiders with their lateral running. They can all certainly run backwards. The WRU should retun all moneys to the paying spectators and be cautioned by the trading standards for misrepresentation by calling it a rugby international. Only one team turned up and they certainly weren't wearing red jerseys.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

itachi22 wrote sarcastically:

"We have beaten a rusty Argentina who almost levelled it at the end but have otherwise been smashed by England and France, which aren't, it appears, as good as NZ, SA, Oz."

France not as good as SA or Australia???

I know overblown national pride is a disease which infects the larger nations, but even through your rose-tinted glasses you must see that no, France are not as good as SA, OZ or even Argentina.

It's a shame, i really like france and the way they play, and I wish some of the northern hemisphere sides could defeat any of the SH sides regularly, but the proof is there, none of us are good enough at the moment.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 12, 2007

Sad but true mate. Things have got to change before the next one. We want at least 2 NH teams going into the tournament with a real chance of winning, not a real chance of an upset, which is what we currently all cling to.

With the exception of France, I can only see Wales and maybe Ireland (although that is a tough group and they weren't good against Namibia) finding form this time around. Wales have the players but not the team. My lot (England) don't even have the players at the moment, let alone the team!

All change for 2008. You need a new coach. We need a new squad.

add comment | complain about this comment