Could be worse. Canada got pulped by Chile, a team that very recently Canada was favoured to beat in a WC qualifier (we didn’t). It blows my mind that Chile has been able to catch Canada, I mean no insult when I say the standard of top Chilean club rugby was not much better than some intermural university in Canada 35 years ago (the fact that there was such a thing back then speaks volumes).
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I was at the game. A day out in Dublin is hard to beat, but the game was awful. No atmosphere at all which was probably a combination of the poor match and average ticket price of over €100. Just made me want to get back to Anfield
Nice, been so long since I’ve been to a test match. Always enjoyed Dublin, Edinburgh too. Yeah not a great game. The Wales Fiji game was more entertaining even if the result was a frustrating one.
Odd, both times I have been to the Aviva the atmosphere was excellent. Was it a full crowd?
Yeah tickets were like gold dust. Always better in 6 Nations, especially when the Welsh or Scots are over
Been a fabulous weekend of rugby to be honest. Managed to watch England vs South Africa, France vs All Blacks and now the Wales vs Australia game.
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Were you thinking that 13 points ago?
Hmm concerned back then and still am but enjoying the game regardless.
I’ll elaborate on my concerns later i think, i want to see if they continue through the second 40.
The other games i’ve seen have been really fascinating. I like the tactical nuances of the game.
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Why is every Australian player named Santos?
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Kerevi Santos red card
Where to start after that? 
Six Nations looking…ummm…challenging…
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We’ve got South Africa next week yet. That will be a mauling even with a list of reserve players.
I’ve been trying to figure out what we’re doing under Gatland and i cant see it.
I dont know where we go from here. The issue is far deeper than the Wales coach. It goes all the way down through the clubs.
I blame the 20mph speed limit.
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Na, its not that we’re going slow although arriving late into contact situations is a problem but that comes from poor organisation.
I recognize very few of the players names who have played recently. Is the most likely explanation that this generation of players just aren’t good enough to adequately replace the old guard who have now largely moved on?
Thats certainly part of it. You reap what you sow WRU but accountability must also lie with Gatland.
I’ve been looking into our last games a bit and some other stuff like watching the All Blacks the other night.
Firstly the on pitch organisation is way off. As soon as we lose our thread in a pattern of phase play we turn to shit. That shouldnt happen at this level. There’s a reset of some description and you’re back on game plan. We dont.
Secondly Gatlands team selections are off. The 6-2 bench and Costelow on the wing debacle is on Gatland. Thats a scenario you run and are prepared for when you select the team.
Secondly, and most importantly is the side balance and in particular ball carriers. Dewi Lake played 40 minutes against Australia but was still second on ball carrier stats. Where are the others? Gatland is not selecting a blend of players that gives you ball carrier options across the entire 80 minutes.
Beyond first phase I’m still trying to suss what we’re trying to do. There’s an effort to get the blind side winger round the back, and have a back rower out there too, to create the extra body but you need something else to compliment that. We’re too easy to isolate as individuals, drift too far off plan and variation is poor. We have 2 attack coaches! Why?
Also, previous Gatland sides have always been about hard work as a unit. We’re now off on that element as well which could be a confidence issue, fitness or whatever. But other sides are now putting the effort in as well so we need to go higher again. Not sure thats possible in the timeframes.
I’ve been hoping for something new. Something that compensates for the lack of ability and lack of size. Something that means we can remain in a very organised and stable attacking shape that means no one gets isolated but i’ve seen nothing along those lines at all.
And why is Elias still in the squad?
So excuses in early.
Looking at the team Gatland has selected to face South Africa
