Comments on: Autumn Internationals 2014: Wales vs New Zealand Prediction

By: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 21:04:35 +0000

Well that was depressing; 70min worth of a solid welsh side; 10minutes of amateur crap; v.depressing. Maybe next time!

By: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 15:43:20 +0000

Halfpenny is great at returning his own kicks though; he not only captures but lands running which is very handy especially against NZ since they have some pretty big lads to take him out when he tries so the extra step or two halfpenny get’s can carry him past them more. I like Williams but prefer Halfpenny. Biggar v.capable and will probably take over the penalties if Halfpenny misses a couple.

By: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:38:57 +0000

Well I reckon NZ have to be considered the stronger side; even missing Carter for the game. However, Wales will beat them within the next Decade and I have to hope they can do it today; hence why I’m dropping a few quid on a small win.

NZ & Wales have both played worse than they are capable of this autumn internationals but when they come together it’s always a good solid match and both teams perform well; so I’m backing Wales to sneak a win by <5

It all depends on how they enter the game; if the first time they get a penalty just at the range of halfpenny if they go for posts over field position then it'll be a NZ win; Wales need to play to win in 7pt increments not 3pts!

By: Benjit

Benjit — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 16:44:24 +0000

How dare anyone suggest that the ABs are beatable!

Sorry Steve but apart from a sublime 10 minutes against England, when you were mostly down a man, I have not been impressed (admittedly by their own high standards). Have NZ done it again and peaked mid world cup?

Fingers crossed England will do a SA from 2007. I seem to recall Jake White almost getting fired during the 2006 AIs.

By: Geat

Geat — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:28:52 +0000

I loved this from Hansen:

“Just reading all the newspaper clippings, they seem to think we are there for the taking, so they obviously have a lot of self-belief.

“When a team is like that you expect them to play well. Saturday will tell us whether we are there for the taking. I will be able to answer that question for you after Saturday.”

Ominous.

By: Big Dia

Big Dia — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:02:38 +0000

Oh I would love to be in the stadium tomorrow to witness history. Just a feeling but how I hope it to be true. Head says AB’s by 10; gut feeling Wales by 8

By: Anarky

Anarky — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:05:15 +0000

Wales will lose comfortably. We’ve only lost by a 7 point margin or better once in the last 10 years – in 2009. In that time we’ve had 3 Grand Slams and a Championship, and run the other ‘big 2′ as close as you can without winning. We’ve never got close to NZ though.

NZ posses a skill set far above that of Wales even when they’re off colour. Wales will need to play absolutely fault free rugby for 80 minutes. 0 missed tackles, 0 intercepts, 0 knock ons, 0 lineout losses etc. to be in with a sniff. With players returning from injury, coupled with the evidence of what we’ve seen so far this campaign I can’t see Wales turning in a performance like that.

We will play better that we did against the Fijians, but it won’t be good enough. NZ by 10-15 points.

Would be more than happy to turn up here on Monday morning though to feast on some humble pie!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:55:20 +0000

I would have kept Williams at 15. He’s a better runner of the ball than Halfpenny, and Biggar is a capable penalty taker.
With the firepower that NZ have, and the nous to close out games, I can’t see Wales beating them this time. Davies and Halfpenny are returning from injury, and will not really be ready for this.

By: Luís

Luís — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:40:32 +0000

I do believe it will be a very tight game but the AB will win, but for 7 or less points.
AB will line-up again with the best squad with returns of Kieran Read, Aaron smith or Julian Savea just to name a few.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:37:03 +0000

I think this AB team is there for the taking. Wales have to win one day, why not tomorrow?

By: Pablito

Pablito — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:28:12 +0000

I think Smith at fullback actually makes them stronger and Piutau is a rather good talent

Surprised not to see Cruden anywhere. is he injured?

Are Halfpenny and particularly J Davies going to be sharp enough after injury to cope with the ABs? Personally i doubt it but am looking forward to finding out

Should be a great game but Wales will need to tighten up a lot from their Aus defeat. I reckon a close game but the ABs will pull away in the last 20 to win by 10 at least