The Ospreys have travelled to South Africa with this squad...
as they prepare to face the Vodacom Bulls this Saturday, November 26th a6 1pm and the Cell C Sharks on Friday, December 2nd at 17.10.
As the above picture shows, we are down to the bare bones in some positions and have been forced to borrow former loosehead prop, Marc Thomas, from Cardiff RFC. Rhys Henry could provide cover there in an emergency.
I think the Squad for the Bulls on Saturday will look something like this:-
M Thomas G Phillips S Parry S Baldwin T Botha B Warren B Davies H Sutton J Regan E Roots H Deaves M Morris T Davies
R Webb (c) RMW J Walsh D Edwards K Giles K Williams T Thomas-Wheeler L Morgan M Nagy M Protheroe/M Collins
with a likely starting XV of
G Phillips S Baldwin T Botha B Davies H Sutton E Roots H Deaves M Morris
R Webb J Walsh K Giles K Williams TTW L Morgan M Nagy
Discuss
But both conversions where from the same position.
Should have learned from his first miss
I agree that Walsh's kicking from hand and from the tee needs to improve, it has and can cost us dearly.
He missed both conversions that could have given us a 3 point lead with the Sharks in all probability would have taken a shot at goal rather than going for the corner, from where they scored late on.
With the match day squad we had I know the sharks are not playing particularly well but the young players played very well. There was very little experience in the team for them to turn to but they stuck at it, not the result we needed but the overall performance under the circumstances as good as we could expect.
A harsh result for us, considering the 2 sides fielded and what was on the bench, that was an outstanding performance from us, probably the only complaint from me is Jack Walsh's kicking from hand. Myler needs to work with him from 6am to 6pm from Monday to Friday to iron out the problems he has, he doesn't seem to have learnt from his first long kick early in the season.
I think the 2 Irish lads can be good additions to our squad going forward and it could release a good chunk of money if BBBD is released or added to the Coaching squad. I thought some of the other youngsters showed up well, Florence, Aubrey, Sutton and Deaves gave good accounts of themselves. Shoot me down if you want to but there's my opinion.
Ah well, as I thought the TMO gives the try and that makes it 23-10 with the final conversion to come. The scoreline is harsh on the Ospreys. 25-10.
TMO decision - onfield no try but he will probably give it. Unlikely to make a difference as time is probably up.
Ospreys restart and win the ball with great work from Deaves but concede another penalty which is missed to touch. The Ospreys try to run it back but concede another breakdown penalty. The Sharks go to the corner. 30 seconds left.
Ospreys concede another penalty close to their own try line and the Sharks kick to touch to set up the rolling maul which is repelled but the Sharks maintain possession and under advantage Bosch scores the likely match winning try. The conversion could deny Ospreys a losing BP. 18-10 with two minutes left.
Ospreys concede a penalty and Curwin Bosch has indicated a shot at goal from almost 55 metres into the wind.
TRY Ospreys as Morgan Morris crashes over. 11-10 with the conversion to some.
Missed the first 43 minutes, but when I turned the TV it was 6-0 to the Sharks so I must assume that it was a close 43 minutes. The Ospreys then scored a good try but pretty much conceded straight away. 11-6 as it stands after 58 minutes.
Sounds like the rumours of sickness in the camp were correct.
Two late changes for the Ospreys as both Rhys Webb and RMW ruled out (no idea why) so Matthew Aubrey starts the game and Tom Florence comes onto the bench.
How can we lose both 9s just before the game starts?
I was hoping we could match Cardiff and get a much needed win but given the strength in that Sharks team, I would settle for a losing and try BP.
Here is the Sharks side who include several returning Springboks...
Cell C Sharks
Ox Nche
Bongi Mbonambi
Carlu Sadie
Vincent Tshituka
Gerbrandt Grobler
Sikhumbuzo Notshe
Jeandre Labuschagne
Phepsi Buthelezi (c)
Jaden Hendrikse
Curwin Bosch
Makazole Mapimpi
Ben Tapuai
Francois Venter
Marnus Potgieter
Boeta Chamberlain
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Khutha Mchunu
19. Hyron Andrews
20. James Venter
21. Grant Williams
22. Nevaldo Fleurs
23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
The Ospreys now face the Cell C Sharks tomorrow who will be smarting after their bad loss to Cardiff last week. They are also without a coach after he stepped down, I expect a reaction from them.
Here is the Ospreys team
Here’s how they line-up:
15. Max Nagy
14. Luke Morgan
13. Michael Collins
12. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
11. Keelan Giles
10. Jack Walsh
9. Rhys Webb ©
1. Rhys Henry
2. Sam Parry
3. Tom Botha
4. Bradley Davies
5. Huw Sutton
6. Ethan Roots
7. Will Hickey
8. Morgan Morris
Replacements:
16. Scott Baldwin
17. Garyn Phillips
18. Ben Warren
19. Jack Regan
20. Harri Deaves
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
22. Luke Scully
23. Cai Evans
Are any of the internationals going out to SA for the second game?
When they kept hold if the ball the Bulls looked rattled, I know we lost heavily but it was a far better performance than expected. Prob luc wythnos nesa bois.
The game ends with an Ospreys knock on. 43-26.
Try Bulls but it doesn't really matter as the game was gone ages ago and we still have our try BP.
Great carry from Parry and a little juggle from Rhys Henry who goes over from 70cm (be metres tonight) and the Ospreys get a deserved TRY BP.
Ospreys penalty that Walsh kicks to the corner. We need to score here.
Finally the ref recognises the early pushing from the Bulls scrum
TRY Bulls. Too big, too strong, too fast. 38-19 with ten minutes left to find a 4th try.
Cai Evans on for Keith and RMW on for Webb.
Ref is killing us (I know we are doing it) but he is letting the Bulls do what they like at the breakdown.
TRY Ospreys Keith after good determination and strength. Bulls should be at least a YC warning.
Ospreys continue to attack and win two successive penalties. One is tapped and the second one is called for a scrum. Best chance of the second half here.
Ospreys should have scored but the ref somehow says that the ball was knocked backwards....No TMO intervention either which is baffling as the ball clearly went forwards.
Rhys Henry on for Garyn Phillips.
Bulls start the second half on the attack but Du Plessis is held up saving another try.
Jack Regan on for BBBD.
TRY Bulls right on half time. Tackling optional from the Ospreys defence.31-14.
Good possession and drives from the forwards before Walsh dabs through a kick for TTW to score our second try that Walsh converts to add to his earlier try and conversion.
24-14 just before half time.
We are highly unlikely to win this game but we could get the Try BP.
Comedy of errors as we lose the ball at our own ruck and the Bulls capitalise and Nagy cannot stop Kriel. BP 4th try after 32 minutes. Ospreys looking puffed already.
Shocking defence as the Bulls fullback breaks but Walsh is there to hold the ball up and save his teammate's blushes.
Bulls seemingly able to score at will so this is going be a long afternoon but as I type TRY Ospreys.
Try Bulls. 17-0 after 20 minutes.
Better defence from the Ospreys as Keith wins a penalty. Walsh clears towards half way.
Garyn Phillips back on
A 6 (Carr) beats Luke Morgan in open field and the Bulls have their second try. Ref missed a blatant in the side clear out in the build up though.
Was just about to say that our scrum was looking strong but we concede a penalty that the Bulls kick deep into our half.
Try Bulls as we bite on a pass and they outflank us with ease.
Rhys Henry on already for Garyn Phillips HIA
Here is the team/matchday squad
Not too bad a guess, 14 of the 15 starters and 18 of the 23. I fear this could be a long afternoon against a strong Bulls side.
It would have been handy if Rhys and Nicky could have been released to this trip but many congratulations to Joe. I reckon Joe is one for after the RWC but if he gains experience without too much damage then well and good.
Has Moore left the region?