World Cup Special Scrum V

The Rugby World Cup 2011, everything to play for. Everything

to lose. 20 teams fighting to survive. In the land of the Long

White cloud. First up, the world champions South Africa in the

opening pool clash. It was a magnificent performance. So close

for Warren Gatland's team. But the dens in heartbreak. I knew as soon

Good evening and welcome. The final word of Wales's defeat. What a game.

Just one point in it and fans had plenty to say about that. It was

stolen. Get it. They did us proud that they gave it away with silly

mistakes. They played magnificent. The days will be get third. South

That is the view of the fans, let us get the feel of our guests.

Jonathan Davies, Tom Shanklin, and Welcome to the first special of the

World Cup. We did not win, you're a reaction. A bit flat after today.

What more could you do? We gave 100% commitment and effort and

passion. It was the best Welsh performance I have seen in a long

time. I am bitterly disappointed. The game was dominated. But we did

not get enough points on the board. We should have won the game.

Everybody is feeling low. What they said his right. In terms of

performance, that is as good as anything I have seen in 20 or 30

years as far as effort. But yet again, we are talking about a

narrow defeat. We have to overcome the obstacle between winning and

losing put up they will be shattered and disappointed at the

moment. They will have a huge game now. Delighted to welcome you to

Scrum V. We are the defending world champions. We take the points that

are on offer. A penalty of a drop goal could have sealed the game.

Wales constricted s but the couple of opportunities we did have, we

scored. That is the key difference between the defending world

champion side and a contender. is disappointing. The Springboks

looked out on their feet. There were situations where we dominated

and controlled position. Rhys Priestland got the ball from stand-

off Andy started to control the game and opening -- and opened up

the defence. But we did not keep away or whip put up we were very

narrow so it was easier for the South Africans to defend. We should

have won that game by 10 or 12 points. It is just devastating that

the last five minutes were going and we could not get back. Now, it

puts a different complexion on the whole tournament. The pressure will

now be on s for the next game. If we would have won today, the route

could have been about the semi- final and the final. Now, it is

down the tough route. Imagine how What a match, Wales did everything

but win. There must be a whole range of emotions among the players

and coaching staff. This is the team hotel. After the game, I was

gutted. Even tonight, it is still quiet around the team. Tomorrow, we

will pick ourselves back at. We have a short turnaround before

Samoa next weekend. Tomorrow, we will have a look at it. At the

moment, the boys are just gutted. We have put a lot of work into this

over the summer. It was therefore as. -- it was there for us. Tell us

about the drop goal, struck I knew as soon as I had struck it was not

there. I'll have to put that to the back of my mind and work hard. If I

get the chance again, hopefully I can do better. If we had scored

when we had our chances, we would have had them reeling. We worked

hard in training this week and everyone gets on well. We will have

to speak our minds where we think we can improve and do a better job

next week. It is the result which counts even though mentally we can

take a lot of positives from this. Sam Warburton, Luke Charteris,

I was a proud Welshman today. It all started with the set piece. Let

us look at the statistics. The front row were outstanding in the

scrum. They were outstanding throughout the 80 minutes. The

line-out, very unusual about -- against South Africa. We were

clinical. It was wonderful to see Wales in charge of the ball for

such long periods. South Africa made more tackles than we dared

because we were in control for 60% of possession and territory, it

is a massive step at. They dominated the whole game. All apart

from the scoreboard. But South Africa dominated in the last 10

minutes and they closed down the game. You cannot fault anyone. Sam

Warburton was magnificent. Rhys Priestland reads the game very well.

Everything was right. Momentum is a big thing in sport was up when you

have the momentum, we just did not score enough points. Sometimes, you

will not score a brace of tries so you have to take the points when

you're in possession. South Africa came back when they had a chance.

It is all about winning, nothing else matters. The performance of

Jamie Roberts reminded me of the Lions tour. He carried the ball so

well. He was immense. He ran so many good angles. I was thinking

perhaps they used him too much but he got over the gain line. We had

just scored and there was a great break by Toby Faletau. We lost the

ball in the similar position a few times. Sometimes, when there is a

quicker ball, gamey get on top of each other. We could not recycle

the ball and every time South Africa were five metres out, they

would score points. That is the only thing I can see where we did

not come away with anything. You'll never have the perfect game.

Everybody makes mistakes. The only thing with the South Africans, you

look at the whole tournament to date, England played poorly and New

Zealand did not play as well as they can. South Africa did it today

the top the topsides have the ability to do that but we have not

quite got the ability to do that. In terms of performance, we are

We have the confidence with our history with Wales. We know that

when the chips are down that we can generate a win. That comes from

building a team spirit and building confidence. It is a massive loss

for Wales today, but it is a great learning opportunity for Wales and

the team. Of course, the whole of Wales will be gutted about the fact

they lost, but this is a key learning opportunity for them. They

need to take what they can learn from today and he's to make sure

that next time, they take that. Let's talk about the penalty that

never was. I think it is pointless talking about that. It was early in

the game. Yes, maybe it was over, but that is not one lost the game.

We had chances to win the game. We cannot look back at the pet -- that

penalty decision. What about the referee today? I thought she did

well. Talking about that penalty, it is difficulty. James kicked the

ball so far that it looked like it was over. The linesman had the best

ale and it was not over. I thought the referee was good today. It was

there. I don't think Wales could have played any differently. We had

a good game plan, me played it tight. We had a great go forward in

the centre channel. It was one., one penalty.

Are I think the South African coach is under pressure. I thought they

played very well today, however. I thought, personally, a feel of

the replacements should have started. I thought Bismarck du

Plessis should have started. They came on and they created the

turnover and slows the ball down. That is how we regained that

momentum. They were really strong and powerful. He is very quick and

profile. Because he can play as in number nine, he can step in. Sam

Warburton was immense today. In those last 10 minutes, he was able

to get that ball. Were you ever a scrum half and a win? -- and a win?

I never quite had the pace, but I would have done the job. There is

plenty to talk about. Lisa is at the bar, there is no change there,

she has got some tweaks. Thank you, you cheeky Monkey. Brian

had banner has said that it was not pretty but it was a win nonetheless.

-- Bryan Habana. Scott Quinnell said that we should have, could

have, did. Will Carling, who was standing next to Nelson Mandela in

his trip to a photo, bloody hell what happened?! Will Greenwood says

the value of experience in World Cup. Matt Dawson, who was sitting

next to earn enormous dinner in his photo, Wayne Barnes is making

friends again. I'm delighted to now to be joined by a man who knows all

about played for Wales at the highest level. It is, of course, a

Johnathan Thomas. How do you feel after that match today?

I think like most of the boys have already said, absolutely gutted

with the loss. The boys as a bird and the effort was immense. I was

just absolutely gutted that we could not get the win in the end.

Why can't they just get that big win?

I think they have nailed the -- I think they have hit the nail on the

head. We have not got the winning habit at the moment. There are many

young players there and who feel the time you will develop that and

start beating these teams. It is so frustrating because it was such a

great performance. We did everything we could have apart from

in the game. How difficult is it as a player to pick yourself up after

something like that? It is difficult to will lose by a point.

They know they should have won. The players have to pick themselves up,

obviously. It is a tough game against Samoa next week. They will

take two or three days to recover from the mental scars of losing the

game. We're hear more from you later. We have got a question from

Gareth Taylor. He wants to know if you are surprised at our

physicality a strength at the break down and they believe we can start

Australia of possession? I a pretty sure you will. I think it was an

impressive performance by Wales. I was very impressed by this strength

at the breakdown. Warren Gatland said earlier in the week that South

Africa was predictable and they knew that they were going to bring

physicality. I think the defence as I said earlier was the introduction

of Bismarck du Plessis caused an extra up all poacher -- extra ball

poacher. South Africa stride and creating turnover ball. You got to

be very clear air that you are not allowed them to poach that ball. If

you get those guys play from turnover ball when there is a

disjointed defence, that is dangerous. Victor Matfield said

last week that this was very tough. He knew Wales would be physical

just like Fiji and Samoa. Yes, Samoa and regaining form. They had

a good result against Australia. They will take a lot of confidence

out of that game. What impressed me with that game was that they were

very impressive in depend -- defence. There were very

disciplined and stayed in their defensive lines and still made

those big hits. It just shows that you cannot send your second team

down to compete against teams such as Samoa and Fiji. You need your

best after us and that up the risk of them getting injured. If you

want to compete against any of the top sides, we need to send out your

top players and that is where the risk comes in a wave Samoa and Fiji.

That is a slippery slope if you do not approach it correctly. Still to

come, we go omission to find out more about Wales was map next

opponents, Samoa. They're great in top-level rugby.

Not only the players themselves, but the coaches do. It is not going

to be difficult to win the game. Backs to the rugby World Cup in

just a moment after we round up the latest action from the RaboDirect

Pro12 League. The Dragons were in action on

Friday night but we had to wait Friday night but we had to wait

until early in the second half for the first try of the match. That is

a lovely pass. He is going for the corner. That is the first try of

the game. A try by Ian Madigan extended Leinster's lead. That is

good support. Back infield and at the Dragons best move of the match.

It was not enough. It has a comfortable win for the home side.

-- it was a comfortable win for the home side. The Scarlets had a windy

afternoon in Galway on Saturday. The support offload I have there is

cent des put their win in for the try. -- better the support offload

from the centres but the wing in for the try. The Ospreys working

for the second successive home when but Edinburgh went into an early

lead. After Dan Biggar and Greg Laidlaw exchanged penalties, the

scrum half went in for his second try of the season. Most of the

spectators had settled for a draw until the final play of the match.

A Tom Isaacs break but the captain Justin Tipuric a way. He managed to

cross the line for his late winner. -- for this late winner. The Blues

were in action today. After a win at Edinburgh, they were looking for

another bonus point win this afternoon. Martyn Williams got

their third try early in the second half but they have to wait endear

injury-time for Dafydd Hewitt to put them top of the table. They're

put them top of the table. They're in action and next Friday night at

7:00pm on BBC Two Wales. That is the very latest from the RaboDirect

Pro12 League. Let's go over to Lisa again.

Let's go over to the New Zealand Mr rugby. He has created some fabulous

cartoons that reflect a Q E sense of humour. -- A Q E sense of humour.

Welcome to the rich you McCaw facts. We have got some Fairfax for you

from our team of experts. When Schalk Burger goes to bed every

night he looks for Ritchie McCaw. Fax number two is that ritual calls

it with real rocks and you went to sleep. He has also failed first

rock and magma. He can do a weekly on a unicycle. Some people can Pez

their name on the snow, he can Pierce's name in concrete.

Welcome to a scrum five, it is great to have you here. What is

your reaction to New Zealand's opening game to Tonga. It was great

that they did not have their heads taken off. Anyone who plays against

a Polynesian team knows that they are pretty tough. We did not look

too flash, we did not look like the best car on the share, but we got

through and we got things under way. It was pretty lacklustre and no one

was packing each other -- patting each other on the back after that.

It was a Tom King of Tonga, to be fair. How important is rich in the

quarter the New Zealand team? a little bit like oxygen, really.

If we do not have him, we are in trouble. If we do not have Dan

Carter, are we have no Lunn's -- we have no lungs. They're very

important to us. He is certainly the stand out loose forward in

world rugby and has been for the best part of 10 years. What you

think of Sam Warburton? I saw them come to the fore last night. He was

courageous and he takes a hell of a battering. He is a super player.

Three young guy like that to step up as captain, he is a great player

in rep -- in world rugby. He is the man. Will New Zealand choke in his

World Cup? I n just winding you up! I cannot believe you would say

something like that to me. It has been lucky. Thank you very much for

joining us. Let's stay with New Zealand. You may remember during

the 2007 Rugby World Cup, All Blacks legend Justin Marshall

saturate fear and promised to wear a New Zealand joke ere if he is fit

-- if his team failed to win the trophy. They were knocked out in

Cardiff against France. What the hell are you wearing around your

I made a prediction and it did not The fans' favourite, Mr Justin

Marshall. We caught up with and this weekend. Will come. I am back

in a New Zealand now but I miss you. It is not being bad being backed

and I love my new role. I know Jonathan Davies cheated on that

passing thing. You were a couple of strides closer than I was. Secondly,

if we do not win this World Cup I will be back over and they will

wear my Chalker because I am a man Did you here that? He will be back

on this sofa if New Zealand failed to win the Rugby World Cup. He has

laid down the gauntlet. Do you want to will meet him for a face-off?

It is done, I beat him. Let's Talk about the Rugby World Cup and back

to the All Blacks. Will they choke this time? Possibly. They are still

probably the number one bet. They did not play particularly well and

they didn't necessarily have a full-strength side out. But there,

like the other top nations, have not started particularly well. But

the tournament goes on and I expect them to be there at the end. Let us

have a chat about England. They have gone into this World Cup quite

confident. England played poorly yesterday. Johnny Wilkinson missed

and he is there to kick. I have not seen that before. They blame the

ball. Her was a roof on that stand. The key issue for Argentina was

fully begun to pour me going off. He was the one that controls the

game for them. But they did very well. England were very lucky to

They must have thought they would beat Japan in their first game.

They were not beat New Zealand in the group stages. When it comes to

the knockout stages, they will rabbit up a couple of stages. I do

not think they will win it but they will turn someone over as they

usually do. I want to ask about Australia. Have they been plotting

this campaign? There was a lot of talking the try Nations, trying to

deflect all the attention. The try Nations was a clear dress-rehearsal

for the World Cup. A lot of guys were tested out and rested. You

could see the combination so being tested. They definitely will be

contenders. The scrum has always been the Australian Achilles heel.

The All Blacks felt confident they could beat them but they're out

muscled the All Blacks in the try Nations. The Australians did that

to the All Blacks. They should be serious contenders. Matthew Rees

said on Friday that it he is amazed how they have turned the scrum

around. It is a World Cup beer and they have got it right. They are at

for that. They will be a massive threat. Can you see Ireland getting

out of their pool? Ireland will go through. Everyone has had a rusty

start. Everyone will start to improve. Jonathan Thomas said they

have been in Queenstown on the lash. I am sure they will have been in

Queenstown having a good time. They would be a bit rusty and then they

will ramp it up again. Thank you very much. Lisa has a celebrity in

the audience. I am very happy that sitting next to me there's David

Davies the swimmer. Could you possibly enjoy the game or was it

sad torture? It was very intense. I was gutted not to see a victory.

You are up very early in the morning so I guess you'll catch all

the games. Or is your money on? big ones are always there. New

Zealand are expecting to win but I do fancy Australia. It is all on

He would make a great rugby pundit. There is space over here. Next up

it is Samoa. The population is one and 93,000. They played their first

international at 18th August 1924. Wales have played them several

times. They have won four and lost three. During the 1991 World Cup,

Wales lost to Western Samoa. It's back the jock thank goodness we

were not playing the whole island. But we did lose the next time we

I grew up in New Zealand. I remember watching the Lions with

Barry John and Gareth Jenkins -- A popular manager is to draw the

South Sea islands into a technical game in order to beat them. They

were do that at their own peril. There was a time when the red mist

would come down. But they know what it is now. They know it is

important that everyone stays within the system. The guys are all

technically sound. We will take them on physically. Those are big

factors in the game. I am pretty sure it will come down to a little

bit of magic. And a little bit of luck. What happened in a 1991 is

often overlooked. It sticks. 20 years in all. Cards on the table,

who will win next weekend? I will go off for a 28-25. Both teams know

how to score and how to defend. Both have got a good goal kickers.

I will be watching it with my Welsh friends. You won't have any after

I believe a Wales can do well against Samoa. Controlling the ball,

third and 4th phase. Samoa will not being as strong as South Africa in

that area. This meant a lot of time in the opposition 22. 10 minutes,

that is an impressive statistic. Wales have to convert that pressure

into points. I would not advocate any changes. They have earned a

vote of confidence. Every single player gave 100%. The same team

Very interesting stuff there. He says no changes. Do you agree could

work and no, I would not. James Hook is like a deck out of water at

fullback. Rhys Priestland was very good today. It is a straight call

between those two. We need a full back who will kept angles. We need

a game with a bit of vision to stand back and hit the angles. If

we were narrowed defensively, it is easier to defend. We need to spread

them out a little bit. If we play narrow against Samoa, we have to

change it. I think everyone deserves the place. No changes. It

was a tight game. Samoa will be open. At the start of this

tournament, I would not change it. No changes. I would stick with the

team. We need to be very structured against Samoa. We cannot go

throwing the ball around as we would like because it is food and

drink to them. We have to be very tight had everyone deserves their

place. James Hook at 15 or 10? wants to play at Ten. You could see

that in his performance. The high ball that went up actually led to

the South African try. Can you play him at 10 add height someone else?

All the best teams, their best attacking position is full back.

You have a guy who can hit holes. That is where you create the space

inside and make sure. Lee Byrne is not playing well at the moment.

That is the dilemma. You have played against Samoa, how tough are

they? They are extremely physical but they potentially pose a bigger

threat than South Africa today. South Africa are big and physical

but Samoa can offload as well. It is a tough game for the boys on

Sunday. We have not done too well against them over the last 10 or 20

years. I am sure the boys will prepare for it this week and we

should get off to a win. Is your mobile phone switched on now? Are

you ready for a call? Yes, I am ready. Do not go yet. I am on

standby. If you are the boys are on standby as well. We will wait and

see. You do not wish injuries upon Thank you very much indeed. Ladies

and gentlemen, Johnathan Thomas. If you're looking for another team to

support during the Rugby World Cup, may ere suggests Russia. -- May I

suggest Russia. Welcome to team Russia. A large

majority of the squad to play for a team in the Moscow region. I am

very fortunate to get some really good help with experience. One of

these players played with me in Ebbw Vale. An English rugby player

trains their backs. They also have a rush and prop training them. Two

weeks ago, we train to the Olympic wrestling team. That was an

incredible experience. I got for on the deck by a double gold medallist.

-- I got thrown on the deck by a double gold medallist. Disease be

Christian? It is no problem. He understands the players. -- does he

speak good Russian? They have done a tremendous job to qualify and it

is a great achievement for the country. I'd just done just -- I

just hope that they do not throw the towel in. We played the USA and

15th September and they want to win. They want to win against the USA,

they want to win against everyone. I know that that is a massive game.

Kingsley-Jones joins us now. How are you doing down there New

Zealand? Good to. Good to see a. Preparations for the USA are under

way. Are you enjoy yourself? Yes, we have been yet almost a week and

we are settling in well. Every has got worse Cup fever and everyone is

looking after rest. We have may anxious players now who are keen to

get the game under way. We're looking forward to play our first

match. Did you see Wales today? it was absolutely fantastic from

every player. The unit, the scrum, the lineout were absolutely

fantastic. I would not say that we lost. We did not manage to win. I

hope we carried that momentum forward against the other teams. We

should not use that as a setback. We can beat them all if we play

like that. I am sure that your Russian is much better than mine.

Mind you very much indeed. -- thank you very much indeed. In case

you're wondering, I said, and nice to see you, Kinsley. -- Kingsley.

to see you, Kinsley. -- Kingsley. Next day a look at the group's. --

Australia and Ireland meets next Saturday. That is a huge game. They

both recorded wins in this first matches. Wales are third in the

matches. Wales are third in the Group. Fiji and on their way to

Wellington for their next match. There we are. That is how the

review World Cup is looking now. Tom, you know many of these players,

how will they be feeling now? hard. Pete they need to have a good

week now. Andy Powell will pick everyone up for obvious reasons.

You have got Bradley Davies, the champ. You have got Stephen Jones.

These are the boys that you turn to. There is not much to change. They

played very well. They just need to be sharper. They need to kick the

penalties and take points when they are in the opposition's 22, but

they do not need to win match. you concerned that Wales have

peaked too soon? I mean the performance today was as good as

anything as I have seen. I'm not sure if we can play much better. It

is not a case of taking a step forward and improving on Robbie had

today. We need to match that. That is the challenge that Warren

Gatland has. We need to get some downs time -- down time this week.

Next Saturday is a huge, huge game. They have sent a message to the

rugby world. Yes, I think we can be better. We Mac South Africa with

everything they did. -- we matched South Africa with everything they

did. We can play good football. It is a pressure game now and we have

to do the same as we did today and score more points. I think that it

is one of these things that because we have known how tough this group

has been, maybe winning today would have been a massive bonus. The next

three games are crucial. If we can repeated today's performance

against Australia, why cannot beat them? I think we can be to

Australia. I have already had a couple of message -- messages from

many of the players and they are targeting many of the games. They

were not targeting only Wales, they're for the challenge. They're

up for the competition. You're playing Fiji next. I would rather

be play Fiji than some lower. They rise the -- the right to the

occasion when it comes to the World Cup. I think if we really key poll

structure, we will be an to frustrate them and get the win.

promised myself that I was not going to talk about Fiji to you.

do not like Fiji. You do not like Samoa either. We have got to go out

with a full-strength team. It has got to be. They feel that buyers

can have a rest against Namibia. They will be battered after that.

We are playing a bit of catch-up now. If we had gone -- if we had

won the first game, I think we could have gone through to the

semi-finals, no problem. We have played against the most physical

side in the world and now we have to go in against Samoa and

absolutely bash them. Send Jamie Roberts and George North in and be

physical. In the till lists their elbows up and cop a few of them.