So Wales can make the World Cup Final. Here's why. | Rugby World Cup 2023
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- Опубліковано 11 жов 2023
- They’re going to lose to Argentina by a record margin on Saturday, but the hypothetical will always remain alive: After coming through the pool in impressive style, Wales are genuine contenders to reach a World Cup Final. So, how did they do it, how big was their win over Australia, and why might Cymru pose more problems to Ireland or the All Blacks than expected?
If you've enjoyed any of the channel's content, you can also support Squidge Rugby on Patreon by visiting / squidgerugby , so I can keep finding this mad trip. It’s my third World Cup and I’ve never seen Wales lose a RWC game live. - Спорт
You are great with game analysis…not as much with predictions 🤣
Poor squidge, we were this close, then we discussed the possibility,... the mere possibility of Wales going further than we expected. And now here we are again.
Yeah I really felt for your boys. Argentina is a class outfit and it is by no means an embarrassment to lose against them, but you did feel that England unlocking them the way they did and the way that you guys smashed the Ausies that Wales could do it.
Unfortunately (but understandably) the match will forever be overshadowed by two of the greatest rugby matches of all time on the same weekend, but the Wales v Argentina game was an absolute cracker.
Finally a video on Wales this world cup mate. Been waiting patiently :D (This isn't a complaint or anything, I'm just grateful its here finally)
I was about to write the same thing i love squides videos with how well we have been preforming glad to finally see a video!
England and Wales are both dark horses. They only need to win one tough game and they're in the final.
@@aightm8 england should be miles ahead of us in terms of resources and depth of pickings. I think we are two countries with a bad club setup and it showed particularly in the 6 nations. Not dissimilar to Australia's state of affairs.
Get a life
@@aightm8loooool
Has aged like a fine wine
I know exactly what you mean about never thinking any Welsh team can win any game!😂
Except wales have won as many grandslams since 2005 than than the other 5 nations combined!
Possibly the worst thing that couldve happened to Wales this RWC, was to come up against such a diabolically poor, inexperienced and incompetent Wallabies team (coached by good old EJ) and to give them a thrashing ... thus creating a false sense of security / confidence. Commiserations to Cymru .... sincerely, from an Aussie
Lol there goes this whole video thanks to Argentina 😂😂
This aged well. Sorry. Saludos desde Argentina. 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
Mike Forshaw is also an important influence and massively compliments Gatland's coaching team regarding tactical and strategic insight. Gatland has always said that the reason he enjoys working with Welsh players is because they are completely dedicated to executing the game plan and preparations. They would literally run in front of a bus if instructed. It's this cohesion and clarity that produced the 40 - 6 win over Australia. Although I'm not too fond of gambling, a lot of money has recently been placed in Wales. Wales are happy to stay under the radar, they have every possibility of progressing well and they are known as prolific overachievers in world rugby. For me, with all the basic skills aside, do they have a unique attacking edge? Well, rumor has it that they have the fastest rugby player in the world and possibly the best full-back in the world, not to mention one of the most experienced 10s. If you look at all the factors, no wonder the bookies are paying attention! Ireland may very well be severely impacted by injuries such as the challenge of their draw. There is one area of the stats that may surprise a few: the set-piece. Of the eight quarter-finalists, the team with the best scrum success is Wales (98%), while traditional set-piece powerhouse Argentina has the worst (80%). Not only have Wales averaged the most tackles per game of the final eight with 166.8 - 42 more per game than the next best - but they have managed the best tackle success (88%) as well, which shows how much they trust their process. Finally, match fitness is an important factor in terms of sustaining a high level of performance for the entire match. The stats suggest that Wales really is one of the fittest teams in the tournament.
No where near the best full back in the world.
One of the best, not the best@@LT-wi7so
When will Squidge be doing another one of his analysis videos discussing the great Welsh defence?
Just want to put it in my calendar, thanks.
Well that didn’t age well
I just wanna say congratulations from Buenos Aires to the 2023 rugby world cup champions WALES!!! It's inevitable you are gonna thrash my pumas and go all the way to lift the webb ellis cup. Truly deserved. Well done
When you lose you can always cry about the Falklands again.
@@jamesknight502 what the fuck do the falklands have to do with anything here? This is just a simple jinxing each other banter and you come with your political bs. What for??? In 1982 both governments were on the brink of collapse and they sent bodies to murder each other so they could keep on milking the cow of the state. This is a great time to say fuck wars, fuck political corruption, go sport, go healthy competition. If you find political issues interesting then go outside, join an ngo and make the world a better place. This is a rugby channel
@@jamesknight502 you can reply now m8, what's stopping you?
@santiagoremedi7385 Qué grande Santi la mufada que les metiste a estos salames. Qué lindo que es cerrar upites, jajaja
this aged well
1:10 I've never heard anyone describe so perfectly what it feels like to be a true Wales fan! 🤣
😂 sorry maybe next time !!!
VamosArgentina 🇦🇷
Welshman here, Arg are hot favourites against Wales imo.
It would be a miracle for us to reach the semis
The real title should be- "So Jac Morgan can make the World Cup Final. Here's why."
The way Wales have the potential to turn around what has been a poor Calendar year of rugby is quite something. Good luck to them… although I do wish it was us 🏴
I'm gutted Scotland were dealt a top heavy pool, I was rooting for you 🏴
@@_.norzie._We could learn alot from Wales in terms of manipulating defences through kicking (which we got right in 6N, but not the WC!).
Of course you were ya little snake just like you gave the World Cup to France instead of Ireland
They nearly lost to Fiji
@@DM-rp9ik anyone would be proud to lose to Fiji the way they are playing rugby right now
This video aged well 😅
Wales under Gatland play rugby like Homer Simpson boxes and I love it.
If Wales play Ireland I fully expect Mike Phillips to respawn basketball in hand to score a late winner
We will beat one man team Ireland
@@sljones9103Tell us that you have not been properly following Irish Rugby without telling us.
We have multiple key players other than Sexton. There is Ringrose, Aki, Keenan, VDF, Crowley, Hansen, Doris etc.
Jack Crowley has also been proving quite well so far that Ireland can survive without Sexton at 10.
Sam Prendergast is also coming through over the next few years and Irish fans expect huge things from him.
Philips was such an underated player and unfairly criticized. He was such a clinical player and genuinely world class
@@dragoncelt3897not to mention Peter O'Mahony who I think is every bit of an important figure to Ireland as much as Sexton. His dogged mentality really sets an example for the rest of the team
@@bppmurphy Fully agree
Been waiting for this and boy am i really happy for this video Squidge! Many thanks mate really enjoyed.
Narrator: They could not beat Argentina
Well this video aged like fine 3 day old milk
This could be his greatest prediction since predicting Eddie Jones could lead England to world cup glory
Or that Scotland's tactics might be perfect for beating South Africa 😅
Or that George Ford is the world's best ten or that Tane Bashum is the world's best number 7 or that Jack Morgan is the world's best.......oh wait we aren't at that bit yet.
Have to say these videos are too class. Only recently gotten into rugby just after the 6 nations. By far the best account to watch breaks everything down and it’s not like it’s all for old fans my knowledge of the game has now gotten much better thanks to you bud. Keep doing what you doing and Coybig 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
He hates Ireland though 😅
@@devanman7920 well he can dislike my country all he likes not gonna change anything
@@ryancullen2887 it's an ongoing joke on this channel
@@devanman7920 let me just watch more videos and I’ll catch up on all the inside jokes 😂😂
"2nd choice random hard man from wigan" killed me
The bookies seldom get it wrong and have Wales are 22/1 to win the RWC and would be blown away by any of the top four.
Great vid. Viva Wales !!! Finally a vid o Wales. More content pls Squidge !!
As an England fan I'm not jealous of Ireland's class or Frances brilliance. I'm jealous of Wales and Warren ball. I don't need fancy fast paced attacking rugby, all I want is players that give everything. Players that pride themselves on fitness and defence. With Gatland in charge anything is possible for Wales. Lost by 2 points with a red card in 2011, lost by 3 points in the last minute in 2015, lost by 3 points in 2019. I'm not Wales fan but it would be quite the sight to see Warren ball down Ireland or the ABs.
I agree. England do not kill themselves for their team. Don't know why. It is like they don't believe.
@@knoll9812 Aren't England the only Northerners to win the world cup?
@@barrierodliffe3452 that England team left nothing on the field. The current team need to find that.
Not knocking England but puzzled with England as they should be top team every year
@@knoll9812 I agree England should be a top team every year but still England have better World Cup and Six Nations records than Wales
Word for Word Squidge !! 😂 Brilliant!! Gives me a lot of hope !!
I completely agree with gatland when he said wales feel they have had a lack of respect in both the fiji and Australia games. This video shows that he's absolutely spot on.
Our physicality, work rate, patience and determination is the bedrock of our style and some dangerous players with creativity.
Regardless what happens in the knockouts, theyve brought pride back in the jersey and the country thats been a laughing stock on the world stage for 18 months/2 years. Ive fallen in love with this new crop of players (especially Jac Morgan) and im proud beyond measure. Yes we are still here....
I was at that Fiji game. There's a reason Squidge barely touched on it in this video: it's because large parts of it contradict the thesis completely.
Wales are genuinely hard to beat again ...... if you're Australia or England
Meanwhile within the last year or so, South Africa and New Zealand have put 50 points on you, Scotland and Ireland have put 35 points on you, and France have put 40 points on you
In other words, the current top 5 ranked sides in the world have beaten wales easily in their most recent match ups
Now in a knockout WC game, those margins are going to shrink drastically, but you're still odds-on to lose a semi final to either Ireland or NZ I'm afraid
Wales could easily get to the semi final by riding your luck against a clueless Fiji, battering an atrocious Aussie team, and grinding past a bang-average Argentina team ...... and while that's a great achievement by Gatland and the players (based on where you guys were) it simply doesn't justify the idea that wales are good enough to make it to the final
Wales realistically wouldn't have gotten out of pools A or B so this video is a maybe a little premature?
Your ability to make each video a bit emotionnal at the end is incredible. Keep up the good work, I now kinda hope that we (France) meet Wales on final !
All the best lads. Cheers from NZ.
Great video, shame the vid strikes have made things difficult.
Im truly impressed with Gat's handling of wales, when you look back to the disorder, both on and off field, from the 6 nations and after, i think its nothing short of a miracle. Admittedly theyre not on ireland's level but everyone else is there to be beaten.
But, like yourself, I'm not expecting anything. One can hope though...
Not really a strike with the videos, it's world Rugby saying no to Squidge using clips to promote their tournament!😂 They are bonkers! And like most unions seem to be struggling to get out of the 1950's. If they haven't destroyed the game already, they may well conspire to do so soon.
@@IdyFfid They are trying their best!
hope you are well, my friend. great video. i hope you're right about Wales...i'd love to see them do a wee bit more than just clear the pools.
My prediction is Wales get the bronze.
Wales beat Argentina but lose to Ireland in the semis.
England beats Fiji but loses to France in the semis.
Then Wales beat England in the bronze final.
I think we somehow beat Ireland… that is if they go through. I can see NZ doing a number on them. Would defo rather play Ireland over nz in the semifinals
@@sully3174 to me both France and Ireland seem strongest so I see them in the finals.
Though it seems blasphemous to suggest that England and Wales will get to the semis or even the finals whilst South Africa and NZ will get knocked out in the quarter.
@@sully3174all you're doing is re-enforcing the mental block and fear Wales have for NZ. Ireland have beaten NZ 3/4 games, and south Africa 3/3.
The team that regularly beats Ireland recently is France
@@aightm8 you’re not wrong
Hahahaha tell me that you are European without say that you are European? Hahah is ridiculous your predict, always in rugby will won the team from the south hemisphere bro.
'Eternal god king, to whom the brecon beacons are promised' - I'll march to battle for this man
Granite valley bastards ! What a great line think youll enjoy this Annalise. ❤👊
talk about a jinks
Hope you're feeling better after your fall, Squidge!
I guess Australia are that bad.
They are .... from an Aussie
Wales can beat Argentina. And, on paper, they really should.
Then, it's only 80 minutes until the final.
I am doubtful, but, it's definitely possible.
Yeah only 80 mins against All Blacks or more likely Ireland. This Wales team has no chance vs either one, but there is no harm in being hopeful I guess.
@@SirMcAwesome I agree- but, I wouldn’t see it as an upset if Wales were to beat Ireland or the all blacks- They all play good rugby. It’s not going to be an easy win for any of the teams.
It’s only 80 mins… Anything can happen…
@@SirMcAwesome Ireland wouldn't know what to do with a semi-final if they caught one.
Hope your head and back are okay dude.
Take your time, rest and recuperate
This aged like fine wine
I see youre wearing a freejacks jersey in France! Thanks for repping the MLR. Love the videos.
Nice to Hear Costelows name! I've known Sam since he was young, Makes me proud asf!!
ahhhh bliss. An 18 min video about the virtues of Warren ball.🙂
Loving the look there Mr Will Owen
Enjoyed the video. Enjoying the comments even more though :D
Are people forgetting before the tournament began, alot of talk was about Aus and Fiji leaving the group with Wales being 3rd? Possibly even losing to Georgia?
Now the narrative has certainly changed it seems. We were lucky against Fiji and played a piss poor Aus side. Right-o
Just enjoy the rugby people, and try not to give yourselves an aneurysm if Wales win more games.
Spot on
They (the English) hate small countries doing well in any sports or any walk of life totally.l forgetting they themselves are a tiny little nation, you won’t hear them telling you that though. Delusion grandeur
It's delightful seeing Eddie Hobgoblin looking like he wants the ground to open up and swallow him.
If we get anywhere it will because the boys prepared, trained, fought and out thought the opposition. Yma o hyd.
Why is no one talking about how much of a style boy Will is?
Wales should be favourites to reach the semi finals over Argentina, which is more than we could have dreamt of after our performances the last couple of years!
Neither Team has enough quality ro even be in the quarters. Enjoy one more game if you are lucky.
@@ricardoprovan5159 Shouldn't the quarters be made up of the top 8 teams? other than Scotland the rest are top 8 so I don't know who you think has more quality. maybe replace Fiji with Scotland and you'd be happy?
Fijian over here. If Fiji get eliminated, I’m supporting wales all the way through. In my eyes, wales have performed the best in the World Cup, love the team as they are. Atm they’re playing absolute class, can see them beating any team in the semis to then the finals.
Go wales 🏴
Ah yes, the traditional Fijian name of Jonathan Morris.
Moron.
Both Fiji and wales were kicked. Now who are you supporting?
@@nahuelolmos2709 rooting for All blacks to win, but I don’t mind who wins as my teams are out 😂
The whole piece great as usual however particularly liked the focus on the 2nd tackler creating time rather than the obsession with 'dominant tackles' which look great but don't always benefit the team....
No, absolutely not. They should beat Argentina who have not been playing well. They will then meet Ireland or NZ. That's all she wrote folks.
Ireland have a shaky record against warren, even when they are the "no.1 side in the world"
Bye bye Wales
In answer to your question squidge NO!!!!
Thanks for jinxing it mate. I'll blame it all on you come Saturday afternoon's tears.
This video aged well 😂
Aged like a fine wine
Hmmmmm no I dont think so but I'm bloody excited to see what happens
You had me at "free jacks jersey"
You left out the Fiji drop pass at the end with an open line in front of him ...Wales should have lost the game!!!!
I'm watching this after it's all over, but somehow this is making me feel positive. I really thought we'd get to the semis.
My definition of Warrenball is a highly effective kick chase game. They send up the bombs and pressurise the catchers very well. The key to it is organisation, they all know whats happening, it isn't a winger hoofing an up and under then chasing after it with the forwards waddling on behind him, the forwards know its coming, where its going and are ready to pounce. They keep doing this until they get enough territory to unleash an attack or the opposition makes a mistake and gifts them even more territory. If the kick isn't on they smash it up until it is on. Some say its boring but for me you can't doubt its effectiveness. It plays to Welsh strengths, their backs have been excellent in the air for as long as I can remember and have good from hand kickers across their backline.
Jonathan Davies' fend is from the GODS. He and Corey Jane were absolute masters of it, though with their own different styles. Hamish Watson is also really good at the fend, but again with a different style.
Lord of Bannau Brycheiniog - Jac Morgan (it's not known as Brecon Beacons anymore)
Totally agree with your prediction about Argentina, they will smash Wales.
Nobody does analysis like you Squidge. Another fantastic video mate!
Wales are under the radar, nobody is even talking about them. I forgot they were even still in the tournament lol.
Media and pundits are obsessed with Ireland... I can't imagine how the Irish pundits and media will react if they lose on Saturday
I think your kicking example from the 6 nations is more of an example of how bad England's attack was (is?).
I can't imagine kicking the ball croasfield to Iteland, France or South Africa ( wait a second what side of the draw are these teams on?) Only for them to receive it on the opposition 10 metre. Those sides would all be disappointed not to score a try from that chance and furious if they didn't at least force a penny
Or a penalty
Editors note this was written before Squidgey conceded this point at the end of the video
Only way I see Wales reaching the final is if Ireland or NZ pick up a red card in the first half of the game and if Wales have an easy game against Argentina while the Irish and Kiwis smash each other so much they lose 5/6 starting players.
Anything can happen in knockout rugby though!
I cant see us beating the all blacks, too much history pressure and individual talent. But against a more team based/structured game like Ireland I can see wales disrupt the game plan, and beat them in a scrappy game, out tackle them and our back three are just as good as any, the two fastest wingers in the comp, and Zammit is in a try scoring mood. Obviously i dont think that will happen i just think it could.
Dunno about anything can happen. International rugby might be the most predictable team sport on planet. Might be 1 or 2 major upsets all year 😅
They beat Ireland in 15, 17, 19 and 21.
Like squidge concluded. They aren't better than them, but they are good enough to beat them
Just shut up man no you’re not. Only way you can beat Ireland is if they’re exhausted after the New Zealand match. That’s literally the only way Wales ever beat Ireland. You’ve got to put your feet up for the whole tournament because you got gifted the easiest draw I’ve ever seen in my life and still should have lost to Fiji and now you’re talking about beating the best team in the competition.
@@aightm8 Wales winning against Ireland in 2021 was a disgrace
I'm so jealous of Warren as a coach. Why can't we find someone of that quality sob!
Hope you are right squidge ive got a tenner at 11/1 to reach the final now down to 7/1, its not about the money now it's about seeing them in a world cup final for the first time 🤞.
I don't see Wales making the final personally. Argentina will be a tough match and they ususally overperform at World Cups. They then have to beat either the All Blacks for the first time since 1953 or an Ireland team who battered them earlier this year. If they do play us, it will be a lot closer than it was in February but I think we've improved since then as well. Wales to finish third IMO.
Third? Beating even SA or France at home? I just dont see it
1953
They wouldn't have to. They'd only have to beat the winner of the England v Fiji game to finish 3rd, wouldn't they? Providing they lose their semi of course
@@elgido3207 true. Got confused for a sec
@@wolfburner2262 Third would be beating England, surely?
One win away from fourth place.
Never expected that.
I’d be really pleased with that
Wales is definitely in with a shot at their first rwc final, they'll be underestimated in the semi by a beat up Ireland team.
Nice freejacks shirt!!
This aged well
Wales have improved immensely since their pre World cup loss to Georgie, and I think they will have Argentina's number. BUT then they will face the AB's who they have never beaten in the professional era or Ireland who are player for player better than them. Cant see that upset happening, unless those above mentioned teams lose at least 4 or 5 key players to injury prior to the Wales semi
Ireland are a better unit of players, but Gareth Davies is a match for Park, Zammit, Adams & Liam Williams match the Irish easily, same for the centres in Saracens' boy Tompkins & certainly George North.
Ireland's main advantage is in their forwards, but with the likes of Morgan at 7 and Will Rowlands playing so superbly well, they really only dominate the front 3, and even then Tomas Francis would be in with a shout of making it into that front 3, and certainly Dewi Lake once he sorts out the lineout throwing.
Man-for-man, Ireland & Wales are pretty similar. Man-for-man, NZ beat almost every team on the planet aside from perhaps the French.
@@TrezenENthere is no way you think Tompkins and North are anywhere near Ake and Ringrose? Let alone Liam Williams anywhere near Hugo Keenan at this point
@@danielkinghorn6745 Absolutely. Put North and Tompkins in that side and they'd shine even brighter than their current centres do. Same situation with Liam Williams who's ceiling is definitely higher than Kennan's.
Playing in a team that is so unbelievably good, and well drilled will make a lot of players look good who would otherwise look bang average.
And that, my friend, is the beauty of this Irish side. How many truly world class players do they have compared to France and NZ? Hardly any. But together, shoulder to shoulder, they are the best.
@@TrezenEN Ringrose and Keenan are the best 13 and 15 in the world and it's not particularly close
@@danielkinghorn6745 fair enough pal. I'm half Irish & half Welsh, so I like to think I see it from a pretty unbiased point of view, and I can admit that Wales generally have always had better backs - they seem to pull them out of the arse or god knows where, but Ireland have stronger forwards and have always tended to.
Ringrose is brilliant, I agree. Liam Williams on Keenan though... you bank one person to catch that high ball, or make that bone-breaking tackle in the corner against an 18 stone Fijian to save the match, or scoop up a bobbling ball with one hand under pressure, then Liam on his day has my bet.
I put a huge bet on after 6N for Wales to get to the final.
I have faith in my countrymen and Gats is a genius at delivering.
Da Iawn bachgen,Cymru am Byth
Gg
This is too scary to think about for an Ireland supporter.
Will try not to think about it at all. 😮
You should do stand up, Squidge! 😂
Your most ambitious video yet
This aged well 🤣
@Squidge. Post Worldcup would love an analysis of All Blacks biggest loss to Springboks in the warmup. Worth a re-run.
They comfortably beat Portugal, smashed Australia and narrowly beat Fiji. They will surely reach the semi-final, but that's it. I can see them putting over 10 points on Argentina, but there's no way they'll get past Ireland or New Zealand. The game will be interesting though.
It wouldn’t be the first time Wales have been underdogs v Ireland in a World Cup but won…
I´d ammend your comment: there is no way Argentina will get past IRE or NZ....
I wouldn't right off Wales vs Ireland. The players know the Irish really well. The Wales vs Ireland rivalry is a bit like South Africa vs Australia. Even when one of the teams look so much better than the other at the moment anything can happen.
@@Envinsablewelsh rugby and i a Welsh man absolutely love the fact they've been written off, that their underdogs being favourites comes the target.
@@Envinsable anything can and dose happen everyday boyo so have some faith.
I always thought it was "Gattyball", not Warrenball, no?
Why not mate, draw has been kind, Gats has done what he does, and done it well. The players are fit, and bouncing. But… injuries might just put a wee spoke in the wheel.
Faletau is a monumental loss. Gatland is a magician so I wouldn’t put some voodoo past him but it’s definitely an outside chance (which is what Squidge is saying tbf).
The gulf between a limited, conservative coach like Borthwick who plays not to lose and has taken his squad backwards and Gatland who has revitalised Wales in the same time is incredible. Borthwick should have cleared house of all the considerable dead wood at the start. But he's such a negative coach.
Every team has a chance in the 1/4 finals Good to see wales get to the 1/4 finals Great coach old 🦊
another great video , i hope youre right
I was already nervous after reading some of the Wales match reports about how they were slowly coming together.
It would be just like Wales, that were Ireland to beat NZ and finally make a SF only for us to get knocked out by Wales.
The loss to Wales in the 2011 QF was the most disappointing spring moment for me a spectator. After topping our pool with only 6 nations teams to beat to get to the final and then we just get crushed. We never really fired a shot.
Don't make me believe Squidge!
Ya bastard!!
Great video, great insight to the Welsh team 👌🏻
Great Stuff but we are all waiting for the Portugal win video >:)
You're lack of confidence in the Wales team is so so accurate haha
73mins in before I was confident we had the win against Australia 😅
this aged incredible well
“… watch out, watch out …” 😂
I didn't think we'd make it out of the pool stages, so I think Cymru supporters have gone from
"We're going home after 4 games"
to
"Bloody Hell, we did it, and if we can do that....then....maybe...if we pray to AWJ...we could..."
I know full well Cymru aren't going to. It's the not the team of 2019. But this tornament has been about seeing how far we can go, while knowing we aren't playing our best.