Comments on: South Africa v Wales second test preview: head to head ratings

By: Banastre

Banastre — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 22:34:19 +0000

Amazing what difference a year makes. If there was a Lions Tour now, how many Welsh players would make the starting line up? North, Alun Wyn Jones maybe, Warburton? Not many others I don’t think.

Wales and Gatland both look like they need a change, ‘Warrenball’ seems to be increasingly unpractical for the capabilities of this Welsh side; ie I don’t think they can physically compete and beat the likes of SA, England and NZ. Too one dimensional and all too predictable now. Several players look like they need a break or an early retirement, Mike Phillips, Adam Jones…is Warburton ever not injured!?

That said end of season tours arent traditionally Wales’ stong point and they are missing quality players and will be all the better when they return. The difference is they don’t have the strenght in depth the best sides have.

By: liam

liam — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:59:56 +0000

How can North be rated an 8? All he does is carry well, other than that he can not defend as well as he should be able to nor can he catch a high ball, he had many opportunities too but never took them

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:57:02 +0000

I wasn’t that too keen on Faletau baring in mind I am an England fan, but what I’ve noticed, certainly when watching Wales vs England last year and this year is that he is definitely quality player. The way he tackles, carries ( sometimes ), the way he’s always there in supportive play, always there to clear a ruck out. He got more to improve on his game, but remember the guy is still young.

By: Tomas

Tomas — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:52:29 +0000

Blub – Some of those players you mentioned above are only good carrying the ball effectively and physically, such as Vunipola, Morgan etc. If they were that good, then they would last the whole 80 minuets of the game, whereas Faletau carries, tackles and gets to nearly all of the breakdowns for a whole 80 minuets. I can’t remember the last time he came off to be subed. Although I do think he needs to improve his ball carrying as that’s what no.8 be, a destructive ball carrier. I’d say my top 5 would be:
Read
Kaino
Parrisse
Faletau
Vunipola

By: mike

mike — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:36:12 +0000

That is my impression of him. No real weakness. Very high workrate (along the lines of Robshaw). Makes a lot of tackles. Carries well, though not as destructive as Vunipola, Vermeulen of Picamoles. Links well with the backs (not as well as Parisse or Read).

Mostly as Jonny says, incredibly consistent and doesn’t make mistakes.

But I would rate at least 4 of those listed above as better No8s. Generally because they bring something special. If Faletau improves he is probabaly the most like Read of the above in that he has a complete game. Just not quite as good.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:27:53 +0000

I didn’t rate Faletau in the past, but now I do. I think his lack of mistakes is what makes him so good. He’s just a very unfussy player.

I concede I don’t have the best knowledge of Welsh rugby, but I don’t know who the second choice 8 is for Wales. Faletau seems to have been there pretty much since his debut, and plays every minute.

I guess he is one of those players that if you concentrate on watching him for a whole game, you begin to appreciate him more.

By: Blub

Blub — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 13:54:22 +0000

Interesting comments on Faletau.

I must admit that I have wondered about him for a long while now, as I have never quite understood why others viewed him as being so good.

leaving aside however he played last week, what is it that makes him a quality player?

Read, Kaino, Parisse, Vunipola, Morgan, Picamoles, Vermeulen, Heaslip, even Easter and Waldrom – I get what they all do well, but Faletau?