Wales have made one change from the side that beat Argentina a fortnight ago to face South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
WALES TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA:
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (65 Caps)
14. George North (Northampton Saints) (64 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (58 Caps)
12. Scott Williams (Scarlets) (40 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (Scarlets) (37 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (50 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (21 Caps)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (128 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (44 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (16 Caps)
4. Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (70 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (104 Caps)
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (59 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (45 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (11 Caps)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (27 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (6 Caps)
18. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (28 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (2 Caps)
20. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby (61 Caps)
21. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (28 Caps)
22. Sam Davies (Ospreys) (2 Caps)
23. Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (85 Caps)
How do you feel about this selection?
Interesting that Owens is back in as I thought Baldwin was one of Wales best players last weekend?
I’m just happy for Wales fans that Cuthbert is nowhere near the 23.
With Faletau fit again I would have been tempted to start him with Moriarty at 6 as he is a better ball carrier than Lydiate. Unless Faletau is not fully fit, in which case why is he on the bench?
0
Falateau has passed a fitness test but he hasn’t played a full 80 in a long time (55 minutes was his most recent game). So I’d imagine they’re keeping him on the bench for as long as possible so he can make the biggest impact possible if / when he does come on.
0
Still think there is a lack of invention in this team. Halfpenny isn’t offering enough of a running threat at the moment, and Dan Biggar couldn’t get a Kiwi back line moving.
Good pack though, I expect them to beat an equally limited SA side.
0
Roberts on the bench, moving Liam W to accommodate HP and the continued picking of Biggar. don’t really get it.
0
Personally think this is Wales best backline, possibly Webb excepted. Howley really needs a good coaching performance now to unleash them.
0
Big fan of Webb, I think he’s a good player. I don’t rate Biggar though. I’d want to give Sam Davies a run if I was Welsh, he looks to be a real talent that can actually play with ball in hand.
0
I’m with you on that one Jacob. With this centre combo Wales would be much better starting with Sam D and then bringing Biggar and Roberts on to close out the game. You need a fly half who will get the backline moving and keep SA guessing what’s coming next. Biggar is not that fly half.
Unless Biggar is replaced early on I can see SA winning this one as they are desperate for a win whereas Wales have won the last two narrowly.
0
Agreed. Although I don’t think Roberts and Biggar have much of a future at test level the way they are currently playing.
Blunt instruments like Roberts, and 10s without a running/passing game do not work anymore. The WC showed that up, and England/Scotland/Ireland have all gone away and worked on that. Wales seem determined to make Warrenball work when you need to score more tries and move the ball around more to beat the top side.
0
Without Warbuton, and with Tipuric and Liam Williams in the team South Africa by 10 points.
Tipuric will not be affective in his ‘primary role’ and Williams will continue to throw miracle balls. Just cannot see this team winning with these two in the team. I really hope to be eating humble pie, but just cant see this happening.
0
Williams miracle balls are symptomatic of a stagnant attack rather than the root cause of Wales issue. he is the best attacking player in that backline
Biggar is the bigger issue
0
Williams whilst a gifted player is just as liable to gift a win the opposition, tackle against the All blacks, as he is to aiding a win.
0
Wales talents really are going to waste! I think they have some v good players, with L Williams, G North, J Davies, R Webb, G Davies, Faletau, Warburton, AWJ all likely to go with the Lions. Moriarty is also excellent.
However, I am please to see the Biggar bubble is finally bursting. Whilst admirably combative and a very good kicker, he is not a FH to ignite the backs. Out of the World Cup, Biggar, Scotland and Argentina all emerged, to varying degrees, overrated.
Halfpenny and Roberts also look quite limited these days, especially if you have a solid kicker to remove most of what Halfpenny offers.
0