South Africa v Wales! What do you reckon is Warren Gatland method here then? A few surprise changes is it not?

Question

Wales team to face South Africa: James Hook (Ospreys); Mark Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Dragons), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Gareth Delve (Gloucester).

Replacements: T Rhys Thomas (Blues), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Warren Fury (London Irish), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Tom James (Blues).

Hook as full back????

Roberts at centre????

Mind you, I did hear he was thinking of playing Our Shane at scrum half!

Saying that, he may do a better job than Cooper!

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

I was a bit surprised when I first saw the team but don't think it's bad move. As Gatland said Hook's too good to leave on the bench and Jamie Roberts will beef up the midfield a bit.  Agree about Cooper but not sure if Fury has the experience to deal with the Boks. I have a feeling we may well see Shane at scrum half before the end of the match with Tom James coming in on the wing. Which may be a good thing as we seem to do better when Shane comes in to the centre a bit.

Answer 2

its a big gamble.

Answer 3

It is Jamie Roberts who played fullback last week who is playing inside centre, Jamie Robinson, the Blues centre is not on the tour as far as I know.

A Gatland decision that may well bear fruit, even if not this Saturday.

Answer 4

Wales made more handling errors in the first game than they did in the last 6 nations.  Professional rugby players who can't catch won't beat the world cup winners on their own patch!  Gareth Cooper is not an international scrum half, good club player but not able to step up to next level.  Forgetting the above "Come on WALES"

Answer 5

I suppose that Stoddard is still young and hasn't much experience so playing against the Springboks in South Africa isn't the best way to improve his defence but I'm suprised he isn't on the bench in case Hook at full back doesn't work. Hook is a good attacking player and has a good boot so he should make a good full back. Plus he won't have to make as many decisions as he would have at outside half so there's less pressure on him.

I always thought that Roberts was a centre for Cardiff or am I thinking of the wrong Roberts?

Answer 6

I hope it works  - big surprise in full-back

Answer 7

We need a kicking 15 at altitude..and as Stoddart and Roberts can't kick (at least I haven't seen enough of them to think they can kick well) ..then hook utilized for his kicking is really a great option..

As parker is injured..so  Roberts is a good option to put into midfield.

Arranging the deck chairs on the titanic though..our problems lie in the forwards..If we don't step up massively there, retain possesion and use it wisely...and get passed the first line of defence in midfield (Roberts) then we are on for a hammering.

Answer 8

The time for experimentation would be against Italy, Russia, Spain etc...not the world champions.I hope it does not mis-fire for them. It's a shame they haven't got their best XV out there, Martin Williams etc....they could give South Africa a shock. I doubt that this team can...I sincerely hope I'm wrong.