Hook to pivot for Wales
13 Oct 2011
James Hook has replaced the injured Wales flyhalf Rhys Priestland ahead of Saturday’s World Cup semi-final at Eden Park.
Hook is the only change to the starting line-up that fronted Ireland last week. Stephen Jones comes onto the bench.
Wales – 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Shane Williams, 10. James Hook, 9. Mike Phillips, 8. Toby Faletau, 7. Sam Warburton (c), 6. Danny Lydiate, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 4. Luke Charteris, 3. Adam Jones, 2. Huw Bennett, 1. Gethin Jenkins.
Subs: 16. Lloyd Burns, 17. Paul James, 18. Bradley Davies, 19. Ryan Jones, 20. Lloyd Williams, 21. Stephen Jones, 22. Scott Williams.
33 Comments
13 Oct 2011, 04:25 am
I am hooked.
13 Oct 2011, 04:58 am
one hooked dragon
13 Oct 2011, 05:00 am
Kind of hoping that France will take this, and of course wanting THE MIGHTY MEN IN BLACK to overcome the wobblies, and set up a France v NZ finale,
Now, just wouldnt that be grand?!
13 Oct 2011, 05:29 am
Going to be a very close game I think.
Maybe Wales have gone as far as they could? Can they keep up the good performances, or is going to a World Cup final a step too far?
I’m going to go for Wales, but think France will take it narrowly.
13 Oct 2011, 07:21 am
Hook is inconsistent. This injury might cost Wales.
Would be an injustice if France reached the final after throwing the Tonga match.
13 Oct 2011, 07:34 am
Surprised about this, hook is a bit flaky.
13 Oct 2011, 07:41 am
frogs will take this game of that i have no doubt.
i’ve also got a feeling its gonna be france – oz in the final.
ab’s have more key player problems than they’re admitting and its gonna find them out i think.
in that case i want france to win rather than ozz.
13 Oct 2011, 08:38 am
This is a big blow for Wales. Hopefully they will still win because World Cup finals involving France tend to be one sided dour affairs.
2007 final was like watching paint dry. 2003 was better. 1999 was all Australia. 1995 final was captivating for non rugby reasons. 1991 final was like being forced to watch *** porn. 1987 final was never in doubt.
If Wales make the final against either of our antipodean cousins it has the potential to be the best final of all time. Of course that is probably why the Kiwi’s and Aussies are hoping France can deliver 2 weeks in a row.
Amazing how your perspective changes when you become a neutral observer, something our Kiwi mates understand all too well.
13 Oct 2011, 08:43 am
are you seriously not allowed to use the word G A Y on this site? Oh well let my reiterate – 1991 RWC final was like being forced to watch same *** porn which involves moustaches, cowboy outfits and biker leather (please understand I have no knowledge of this particular sublect matter but I can only surmise that it is heavily influenced by Village People).
13 Oct 2011, 08:43 am
IMO Wales have been outstanding in this WC , i did think they were a flash in the pan against the Boks but the way they played against Ireland was breath taking – i hope they do make it through to the final but do they have the BMT to match the southern hemisphere giants ???
13 Oct 2011, 08:44 am
last attempt- same gender porn
and thats my final word on the subject.
13 Oct 2011, 08:44 am
@stew(stew)-10: Yes they were awesome against Ireland. Their defence was outstanding.
13 Oct 2011, 10:38 am
I live in Wales, and these folks have already taken out the Brasso to polish the cup. It’s becoming a tough choice this Sat. Can I live with the Welsh if they win – the banter already is non-stop, do I want the Worcester and Saldanha All Black fan club to be happy or will we ever hear the end of it from John O’Neill if Oz take it? That just leave France, who surely don’t deserve it on their showing so far.
13 Oct 2011, 11:05 am
End of the road for Wales & Gatland.
Hook is not a flyhalf,or at least not a consistent one. One thing about Priestland is that he has good distribution skills,mixes up his play very well with short and long kicks and good decision maker for one so young.More steady that Hook who struggles in controlling a game.
France as diabolical as they can be still have a better pack and better outside backs.They will make Finals as long as they dont implode.Then will get belted there.
13 Oct 2011, 11:45 am
@JEZ(DEE DAH)-11:
Arsebandits is okay.
13 Oct 2011, 11:48 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-14:
I would like to see Wales take this one.
They are a great Rugby Nation, and a win would be great for all those dour folk in the Valleys.
Go the Boyo’s.
8)
13 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@cane(cane)-16: lol of course you would, easier potential final for NZ (if they can make it past Oz). If France get through they will be a very different proposition in the final, they’re picking their best team now for a start.
13 Oct 2011, 12:50 pm
@cane(cane)-15:
kinda rips the ring out of censorship doesn’t it
13 Oct 2011, 13:28 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-17:
Hello Biggles, If you are still around.
I hope Marty keeps his job. He is trying hard.
Rome was not built in a day.
13 Oct 2011, 13:38 pm
@cane(cane)-19:
Have you noticed that Twickenham being referred to as Rugby HQ has been quietly dropped by England fans in the last few years?
13 Oct 2011, 13:45 pm
@David(David)-20:
Sorry your Boks have departed the Tournament David.
I see lot of craap now being written (here) about unwise selections and players being over the hill.
These over the hill players, gave SA 76% possesion.
Sometimes things just don’t go your way.
13 Oct 2011, 13:51 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-17:
Strange, according to Umaga , who we all know well as being someone who has had alot to do with French rugby, the French team that faced the ABs had most of there first choice players.
But we shall see what team they put up against,
If you compare the 22 players of the French team that played against Engalnd and NZ, there were only 4 players different.
So only 4 players different between a QF and a Pool match.As Tana said, we hammered pretty much there A team.
13 Oct 2011, 13:58 pm
@cane(cane)-21:
Thanks Cane. We just couldn’t come up with that bit of extra flair to break down the Aussies defence. No excuse, with all that possession, Ireckon. As I’ve mentioned before, that forward pass wasn’t a missed chance, because if it wasn’t forward it would have been blocked by an Aussie defender. In some ways it’s a relief that it’s over and we can get back to what fans really love, which is picking the players to win the next WC, who should have played in this one.
13 Oct 2011, 15:29 pm
@cane(cane)-19: don’t think he will, but I agree, he has improved things. It may well be the return of Sir Clive, kiwis will be glad to hear
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-22: I didn’t say it was a B team but it definitely wasn’t their best team, Servat and Mas in the front row, Harinordiquy at 8 are all world class players who were left out v NZ, they no longer have Traille (a centre) at full-back either. Meanwhile NZ have lost Carter and McCaw is playing injured. Also, NZ wouldn’t have Rolland to give them a leg up.Any final between the two teams would be much closer.
13 Oct 2011, 19:21 pm
Bad news for Wales
Priestland better be available for the final
13 Oct 2011, 19:55 pm
France got a definite advantage now … pity cos it were looking like Wales could actually go all the way…
Boks should NEVER have lost that g’dam pisseasy quarter final… I blame it squarely at the feet of John Smit, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies and Schalk Burger.. all the f’ng useless glory seeking self worshiping adulators fckd Boks up 6 love – 6 love…
13 Oct 2011, 20:40 pm
All Black team announced:
1. Tony Woodcock (81)
2. Keven Mealamu (90)
3. Owen Franks (29)
4. Samuel Whitelock (23)
5. Brad Thorn (57)
6. Jerome Kaino (46)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (101)
8. Kieran Read (34)
9. Piri Weepu (54)
10. Aaron Cruden (7)
11. Richard Kahui (15)
12. Ma’a Nonu (64)
13. Conrad Smith (53)
14. Cory Jane (29)
15. Israel Dagg (10)
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore (60)
17. Ben Franks (14)
18. Ali Williams (71)
19. Victor Vito (12)
20. Andy Ellis (24)
21. Stephen Donald (22)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (12)
13 Oct 2011, 21:12 pm
@scar(scar)-27:
AB team will look very different in 2 years.
Gone: Woodcock,Mealamu,Hore,Thorn,McCaw,Weepu,Smith.Williams,Ellis,Donald,SBW
NZ 2013
1.Wyatt Crockett
2.Hika Elliott
3.Owen Franks
4.Sam Whitelock
5.Anthony Boric
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Matt Todd
8.Kieran Read(c)
9.Mathewson
10.Dan Carter
11.Zac Guilford
12.Sonny Bill Williams
13.Richard Kahui
14.Corey Jane
15.Israel Dagg
16.Dan Coles
17.Charlie Famuiana
18.Luke Romano
19.Victor Vito
20.Aaron Cruden
21.Rene Ranger
22.Ben Smith
13 Oct 2011, 21:18 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-24:
Agree, if both teams get through the SFs then it will be a tough game, but being the French, it could also be a very easy game, it all depends.
As for Rolland giving the ABs a leg up, it wasnt NZ that needed the leg up in 2007 RWC was it?
13 Oct 2011, 21:24 pm
Boks in 2 years
1.Beast Mtawarira
2.Bismark du Plessis
3.Jannie du Plessis
4.Juan Smith(c)- puff Im coming around to the idea
5.Andries Bekker
6.Heinrich Brussow
7.Schalk Burger
8.Willem Alberts
9.Frans Hougaard
10.Patrick Lambie
11.Lwazi Mvovo
12.Frans Steyn
13.Juan de Jongh
14.JP Pieterson
15.Gio Aplon
16.Chilliboy Rallapelle
17.Coenie Oosthuiyzen
18.Rynardht Elstadt
19.Ashley Johnson
20.Sarel Pretorius
21.Johan Goosen
22.Lionel Mapoe
13 Oct 2011, 21:46 pm
Ab’s go from no centurions to possibly 3 in two years.
McCaw & Mils already on 101 and 100 respectively.
Kevin Mealamu is on 90 and has signed for a futher 2 years with NZRU.so should make it 100 next year with an expanded 4 Nations tournament.
Carter will follow as he is on 80 something already…
For SA….Schalk Burger,Juan Smith,JP Pietersen & Frans Steyn are candidates for 100 Tests in future
14 Oct 2011, 01:46 am
Priestland is a huge blow. Watching last week he was everywhere. Even my 8 year old daughter commented on who is Priestland. I hope Wales make it but I consider this weekend the final especially if Priestland and Wales don’t make it.
14 Oct 2011, 09:30 am
Oh thank God. It’s Hook to start.
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