Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs South Africa
By Zippy
November 25 2007
Player ratings as Wales tried to get over the world cup nightmare by playing the Champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Nigel Davies had brought back Gavin Henson for his only game in charge. For details please read on and have your say on the messageboard.
November 25 2007
Player ratings as Wales tried to get over the world cup nightmare by playing the Champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Nigel Davies had brought back Gavin Henson for his only game in charge. For details please read on and have your say on the messageboard.
15. M Stoddart (7) - Great attacking debut and looks a star, will know he needs to work at his defence.
14. M Jones (5) - Really good first half and then vanished.
13. S Parker (5) - Found wanting against a no8 in defence but solid enough generally.
12. G Henson (7) - Wales MOTM, everything he did in attack had a touch of class about it and Wales need to get him confident and playing well.
11. T Shanklin (6) - Ran hard, but we missed Shane.
10. J Hook (5) - In attack will be a game breaker for years to come, in defence he needs to work.
9. D Peel (4) - Poor platform but has been out of form for some time and surely Phillips will be no1 going into the 6N.
8. J Thomas (7) - Lively and ran hard, few loose offloads but looks a lot better player.
7. R ST (5) - Did ok at the breakdown but showed we are going to miss Nugget, will need to up his presence.
6. C Charvis (6) - Top forward try scorer in the game, ran well.
5. I Evans (5) - Coming back from injury, highly rated and I need to see more from him.
4. AW Jones (6) - Runs strong all day for you, few mistakes but one hell of a talent.
3. R Thomas (5) - Bad time at the scrum to start then got into it, carries well.
2. H Bennett (4) - Line out cost us at key times.
1. G Jenkins (5) - Same comments as R Thomas, don't expect to see him captain Wales again.
Subs of note:
Tom James looked bright.
SA Stars:
Fourie and Burger
Overall Comments:
Wales came out for a fight and you can't accuse anyone of lacking spirit, we just leaked points far too easily and looked a class below South Africa.
The scoreline therefore flattered them a bit and we could of scored a few more points.
More +ve than -ve.
The Gatland era now begins......
Match Summary:
Wales 12 (5)Tries: Charvis, Stoddart
Cons: Hook
South Africa 34 (22)
Tries: Smith, Fourie (2), Pietersen, Kankowski
Cons: Pretorius (3)
Pens: Steyn (1)
Wales: Stoddart, M. Jones, Parker, Henson, Shanklin, Hook, Peel, Jenkins, Bennett, R. Thomas, Evans, A. Jones, Charvis, Sowden-Taylor, J. Thomas.
Replacements: James for Stoddart (69), Sweeney for Hook (76), Phillips for Peel (53), T. Thomas for Bennett (53), D. Jones for R. Thomas (69), Charteris for Evans (53), Popham for Charvis (61).
South Africa: Pienaar, Pietersen, Fourie, Steyn, Habana, Pretorius, Januarie, van der Linde, Smit, J. du Plessis, Botha, Muller, Burger, Smith, Kankowski.
Replacements: Ndungane for Pietersen (75), Olivier for Pretorius (59), Jantjes for Januarie (78), B. du Plessis for van der Linde (75), van der Merwe for J. du Plessis (64), van den Berg for Botha (40), Lobberts for Kankowski (78).
Sin Bin: van den Berg (48), B. du Plessis (77).
Att: 50,000
Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs South Africa
Posted by: The State of Play (IP Logged)
Date: 25/11/2007 15:34
Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs South Africa
Re: Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs South Africa
Posted by: Patrick (IP Logged)
Date: 25/11/2007 19:57
Perhaps I was watching a different game but I found myself (shockingly) agreeing with Guscott after the game. Considering that was a depleted SA team who haven't played any rugby for a month I thought the scoreline actually flattered Wales! With all that posession and territory Wales should have been able to do something with it, especially with SA playing with 14 men for 20 minutes. It does show just how much of a class side SA are though.
I'd give Jenkins and in particular Rhys Thomas lower scores than 5. I've been impressed with Thomas watching him a few times for the Dragons but he showed he was completely out of his depth at international level. A couple of appearances in the loose certainly doesn't hide the pasting he got in the scrum. I'm sure you know more about front row play than me Zip but I wasn't impressed with any of your front row.
Ian Evans was quiet, Shanklin should never be put on the wing again, Stoddart had a mixed bag for a newcomer, his defence must be a huge worry, Hook continues his run of poor form (surely Stephen Jones is the inform 10?). Henson was pretty decent, started brightly then seemed to get involved less and less as the game went on though. Was Sonny Parker playing? AWJ is class though, he's definately a star for the future.
And whoever's idea it was to launch fireworks in an inclosed 'roof-on' stadium, well that was a bit silly.
Doesn't matter at the end of the day and will have absolutely no bearing on Eng v Wales in Feb. Though I'd like to see Sheridan v Thomas please ;o)
I'd give Jenkins and in particular Rhys Thomas lower scores than 5. I've been impressed with Thomas watching him a few times for the Dragons but he showed he was completely out of his depth at international level. A couple of appearances in the loose certainly doesn't hide the pasting he got in the scrum. I'm sure you know more about front row play than me Zip but I wasn't impressed with any of your front row.
Ian Evans was quiet, Shanklin should never be put on the wing again, Stoddart had a mixed bag for a newcomer, his defence must be a huge worry, Hook continues his run of poor form (surely Stephen Jones is the inform 10?). Henson was pretty decent, started brightly then seemed to get involved less and less as the game went on though. Was Sonny Parker playing? AWJ is class though, he's definately a star for the future.
And whoever's idea it was to launch fireworks in an inclosed 'roof-on' stadium, well that was a bit silly.
Doesn't matter at the end of the day and will have absolutely no bearing on Eng v Wales in Feb. Though I'd like to see Sheridan v Thomas please ;o)
Re: Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs South Africa
Posted by: Zippy (IP Logged)
Date: 26/11/2007 22:01
Quite the post Pat!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7112643.stm
Ieuan took the positives from the game at least, thinks Gatland is a miracle worker.
Wales attack play was poor but the major plus was ball rentention which was shocking, I'm sure using the big forwards more effectively will create space and I don't see us having so much trouble to score.
The problem area is defence and the ease at which sides cross the gainline against us and gives them so much opportunity.
On Rhys Thomas, the whole scrum creaked a bit but they gained parity after 20mins or so, for a tight head he is still very young and no doubt power and technique will come, unlike Horsman and A Jones he does work around the park and why we're investing in him.
http://www.bredinheaven.co.uk/
Feed me till I want no more!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7112643.stm
Ieuan took the positives from the game at least, thinks Gatland is a miracle worker.
Wales attack play was poor but the major plus was ball rentention which was shocking, I'm sure using the big forwards more effectively will create space and I don't see us having so much trouble to score.
The problem area is defence and the ease at which sides cross the gainline against us and gives them so much opportunity.
On Rhys Thomas, the whole scrum creaked a bit but they gained parity after 20mins or so, for a tight head he is still very young and no doubt power and technique will come, unlike Horsman and A Jones he does work around the park and why we're investing in him.
http://www.bredinheaven.co.uk/
Feed me till I want no more!
Re: Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs South Africa
Posted by: Isaac Dix (IP Logged)
Date: 27/11/2007 21:41
I thought that Wales did ok considering? Yes South Africa had players missing but hang on...so did Wales?? Rhys Thomas (NOT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD), Stoddard, RST. They have loads of caps don't they?? Nah! Shanklin on the wing again? WTF?? Daft mun! I thought Guscott was a little OTT.
Have to agree about the defence. A pile of dogs mess. We used to be quite good in defence.
I don't think Wales need many changes in personnel but they do have to change their game plan. More patience is needed. We tend to throw it about too much.
Have to agree about the defence. A pile of dogs mess. We used to be quite good in defence.
I don't think Wales need many changes in personnel but they do have to change their game plan. More patience is needed. We tend to throw it about too much.
Re: Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs South Africa
Posted by: Exile~ (IP Logged)
Date: 02/12/2007 03:43
I was pretty unimpressed by Wales, too long ago to comment on individuals so I'll have to force myself to rewatch it.
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