PREVIEW: Wales v Pacific Islanders
By Paul
November 9 2006
In 1987 Wales were relieved only to be playing the Western part of Samoa, fast forward nearly twenty years and they have to contend with all three Pacific second tier nations.
Saturday could prove to be something of a watershed ahead of the World cup, with a clear intention of developing a squad Gareth Jenkins has made the sort of radical selection overhaul only really deployed by the All Blacks of late. Is it a second string Welsh side? Quite possibly yes. With the likes of Michael Owen at lock, Gavin Thomas at openside and Lee Byrne as a winger would suggest so, however elsewhere the selections are not quite as clear cut. On there day most of those selected could no doubt push for a starting spot.
Jenkins has already acknowledged his full strength team will be picked to face World cup group rivals Canada next week, you already get the feeling rotation is going to play a large part of tenure as Wales coach.
This is a difficult match to prepare for psychologically. As a barbarian type side the Islanders go either way, a lack of organisation has traditionally proved Pacific Island sides undoing and as a scratch side will in most cases struggle at this level, nevertheless the side to face Wales is packed with pace, flair and not to forget rather a lot of power. Cacau may have lost is passport, but Tagicakibau is nearly as fast.
The physicality will worry Wales the most, last week they deliberately attacked off only a handful of phases, and I would expect this to continue, a word of caution though the Islanders relish expansive games as much as we do.
For Wales it is a game that should prove a real barometer to their strength in depth, for the islanders it is a battle for credibility.
11 Nov 06
14:30
Millenium Stadium
Wales |
Pacific Islands |
|
Duncan Jones |
1 |
Justin Va'a |
Rhys Thomas |
2 |
Mahonri Schwalger |
Chris Horsman |
3 |
Tevita Taumoepeau |
Michael Owen |
4 |
Simon Raiwalui |
Robert Sidoli |
5 |
Daniel Leo |
Alun Wyn-Jones |
6 |
Semo Sititi |
Gavin Thomas |
7 |
Nili Latu |
Alix Popham |
8 |
Hale T-Polei |
Mike Phillips |
9 |
Moses Rauluni |
Ceri Sweeney |
10 |
Tusi Pisi |
Mark Jones |
11 |
Sailosi Tagicakibau |
James Hook |
12 |
Seilala Mapasua |
Sonny Parker |
13 |
Seru Rabeni |
Lee Bryne |
14 |
Lome Fa'atau |
Kevin Morgan |
15 |
Norman Ligairi |
Huw Bennett |
16 |
Aleki Lutui |
Adam Jones |
17 |
Census Johnson |
Gethin Jenkins |
18 |
Ma'ama Molitika |
Jon Thomas |
19 |
Epi Taione |
Gareth Cooper |
20 |
Junior Poluleuligaga |
Gavin Evans |
21 |
Seremaiai Bai |
Shane Williams |
22 |
Kameli Ratuvou |
Picture by: David Davies/PA/EMPICS