Yeah I really think we should be getting more minutes into Kailea's legs. Rolling poor old Slipper out again and again is torture.Looks like Schmidt's selections were pretty well vindicated here, Skelton destroyed the Welsh maul, Uru was great in the lineout and got through a good bit of work (though took a bit to build into the game) and even with the questionable red Kerevi carried and offloaded well and was solid defensively - Sua'ali'i's issues there were on show once he came on.
For the rest of the team I thought it was great to see a few more players really stepping up alongside the regular stars - stoked for Faessler to get reward for all his hard graft, Frost took another big step forward, McReight quieter (for him) but still somehow tackled 22/22 with two dominant and a turnover, Wright really making the jersey his own with Kellaway and Jorgensen supporting him really well and Lolesio shaking off an average start to really make his mark on the game.
I am a bit worried about Bell though, good on the carry but taught a lesson at scrum time and forced to play another 60 minute game with Slipper's head knock. Managing his minutes will be tough for the last two games of tour, particularly with Slipper likely out for a week.
Wilson summed if up nicely but wanted to double down on Uru having a solid game after I'd questioned the selection. Nothing flashy but did his job and no cheap turnovers or moments of passivity in defence.I'll watch in full later this evening but I'm interested in how Uru and Skelton went as a pair?
he offered to resign back in May after losing to Italy and the Wales board said no.Gatland basically conceding his job (jump before being pushed)
If there's one mistake Schmidt made with this squad I think it was not leaving Slipper at home to recover. Should probably be looking at Sio alongside Kailea as the back up right now, or maybe Hoopert. Doesn't help that if there was a game to give Bell a bit more of a rest it was this one.Yeah I really think we should be getting more minutes into Kailea's legs. Rolling poor old Slipper out again and again is torture.
I haven't watched the Aus XV game yet, but reports of Lonergan's performance weren't great and that's what might keep White in the squad for next year.Has this game confirmed Nic White and Samu Kerevi probably won't be in Joe Schmidt's future plans? Injuries notwithstanding.
I thought they were fine tbh. Maybe not standouts but did their job well. Samu's tackle was kak and warranted the yellow, maybe shading into red.Has this game confirmed Nic White and Samu Kerevi probably won't be in Joe Schmidt's future plans? Injuries notwithstanding.
This was a complete pisstake. I applauded Doleman's decision, it's a nice show of compassion and I was fine with it, then Wales just took advantage of his honourable decision, dogs.- How can a player who has been knocked out not go off for a HIA??
Completely agree.This was a complete pisstake. I applauded Doleman's decision, it's a nice show of compassion and I was fine with it, then Wales just took advantage of his honourable decision, dogs.
Respectfully - he stank.Rapid thoughts.
I thought Kerevi was decent. Didn’t light it up, but first game back in ages. Maybe not everyone is like Sua’ali’i who can just kill it instantly. What we’ve learned with this team is the more time together the better they’ve gotten. Maybe it’s the same with Kerevi too. Worth sticking with.
Why did Slipper come off and Bell come on again? Real concerns about Bells minutes. Do we just play Kailea in that bench role next week.
This was a complete pisstake. I applauded Doleman's decision, it's a nice show of compassion and I was fine with it, then Wales just took advantage of his honourable decision, dogs.