Why did Wales pick such a rubbish team yesterday?

Question

They only have a few games left before the world cup so what were they really going to learn by playing a 3rd string team against England, they should have known they'd get destroyed.

Is there any reason for choosing such a sub-standard team? what do you think Gareth Jenkins was hoping to learn?

Answer 1

I think that he was hoping to finding out more about the fringe & new players than the players that are already been inked in for the World Cup in France.

It was a very very poor performance from Wales & some players have played their way out of the squad for the tournament that starts in 6 weeks.

Answer 2

It was tragic to watch, i hope things improve for the world cup

Answer 3

I wonder if this gives them an excuse to write off the game to some degree.imagine how demoralising to field a first team and lose at Twickenham.

That or they have a secret weapon of a team they don't want to reveal... hmmmm

Not sure how reassured I am for England, we'll see next week, wont be so easy

Answer 4

All that come out of the game on saturday for Gareth Jenkins was he now knows who not to take to France, it was their last game before the World cup so you would have thought he would have fielded his first choice 15 but like someone has already written 'if they were beaten at Twickenham then it would have lost confidence in beating England 'if' they faced them in the QFs'.

Also at least 6 players in the Welsh team would be picked in Wales first string so to say its a third string is just wrong they also had more first teamers on the Bench which when were bought on actually let more tries in. I also think that Wales are definately capable of upsetting England on their day but when it comes down to the result on saturday it only says one thing....England will go into next week with extra confidence and a belief that they can upset France at Twickenham and if they can beat France then they are not far of competing against the other big boys. .

Never underestimate England as they have a monster pack that on its day can starve any of the top teams of ball and without the ball you cant win a rugby match.

My tip for the world cup is Argentina, I think they will cause an upset.

Answer 5

He has had a lot of flak..but the fact of the matter is, Ruddock, Hanson and henry (if faced with the same set of circumstances) would have done exactly the same thing.

Answer 6

Maybe he wanted to have a look at players he doesn't usually pick so he can see if they are worth a place in the world cup squad.

Answer 7

Wales would have lost whatever team they put out. England's forwards bullied the Welsh off the park!

Answer 8

The excuses have started,  England could have put out a third rate team,  and still beaten Wales

Answer 9

some guy bit my ear off

Answer 10

He has to drop ten players from the squad by next week so he picked all the players who were borderline about whether they were going to be dropped or not. Now he can drop them without anybody questioning whether they should be in the squad or not. There were some players in the team that we all could have told him aren't good enough for the world cup squad.

Answer 11

Well I don't think Jenkins expected to get absolutely blown away. Alright, it wasn't a good Wales team but you don't expect you're team to loose by so much surely? I'm sure he was just trying a combination of tactics that may have payed off but obviously didn't. That's what these games are for. To try and find out your best combination of players and tactics. Jenkins knows what he did was wrong, and I'm sure he'll overhaul the squad for the next game. He's no mug that's for sure and I doubt we'll see a Wales team as bad as that for a long time to come (i.e. play James Hook).

Answer 12

Excuse me.  When I read the question my mind translated, "...rubbish ...", as rugby.  I see now

my error and beg the Welsh to forgive me.

Answer 13

To lull England into a false sense of security.When England play their strongest team Wales will win like in the last 6 nations match.

Answer 14

Blame everything on dumb *** Jenkins!

For a full explanation on the matter just read my question entitled 'Where do I start?'.

Thanks

Answer 15

look at least when england lost they did not come out with ( well what did you expect we played our 2nd/3rd string) just face it wales would of lost even with all the big guns playing

because england now look like they are getting back to playing a good standard of rugby,ok they might not retain the world cup but hey at least they won it.

England have not played well since winning the world cup and they`d be the first to admit it......so please can we stop hearing all the c**p about (weak team selection e.t.c) after all the welsh players are professional players so they must come  to the game with some credentials.

Answer 16

Being a g*y man all i know is Rugby is a game played by 22 BIG men with odd shaped balls...!

Wales haven't been much cop since the 70'S when we were UNBEATABLE!  JPR...Gareth Edwards...

but then we won the triple!!! that was great

we  also used to be so good at snooker once ... Ray Reardon ..Terry Griffiths....

Mind you I quite like the Player Gareth Cooper.......i don't know why.................

Answer 17

thay are just rubbish any way

Answer 18

Resting there players for the Rugby World Cup.