Wales - Six Nations 2012

[TRF_Cymro]

Is Harry Robinson injured or anything? It's just that he's not been involved with the Blues recently, despite Tom James, Mustoe and Czekaj being out injured. Is it just that the Blues management decided that playing Gavin Evans at 12 ahead of Henson was a better option than continuing with Halfpenny at fullback and bringing in Harry on the wing. I really am afraid that Baber and Burnell are going to be the next Holley and Humphreys, not very good.....

He was on the bench for the last Blues game. Not sure whats been happening prior to that.

 

[Draggs]

cuthbert was born in in England, just sayin

Oh ********, I give up. Every nation has players born out of the country. The level of their commitment is what I care about. So yeah, Cuthbert was born and raised in England, but the WRU offered him the sevens contract and he took it. At least it wasn't a grandparent.

I am almost certain Gavin will be selected. He just has the potential to excel, even today. I wouldn't mind seeing Nipper get some time training with the national side, but he still needs to get time with the Ospreys (groan).

 

[psychic duck]

Oh ********, I give up. Every nation has players born out of the country. The level of their commitment is what I care about. So yeah, Cuthbert was born and raised in England, but the WRU offered him the sevens contract and he took it. At least it wasn't a grandparent.

I am almost certain Gavin will be selected. He just has the potential to excel, even today. I wouldn't mind seeing Nipper get some time training with the national side, but he still needs to get time with the Ospreys (groan).

Argentina, Georgia and Romania have no players in their squad born out of the country.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Argentina, Georgia and Romania have no players in their squad born out of the country.

That's besides the point. It's just a bit rich for England to moan about player pinching when they at one point last season had 9 players not born in England on the pitch, if I remember correctly.

Thought Beck had another good game and should really be making that squad. Faletau was obviously excellent, but I feel Martyn Thomas should be in the squad on current form- He's been fantastic the last few weeks and probably deservbes his spot in that back three, even if he is a far bigger risk than the less experienced Cuthbert.

 

[Peat]

That's besides the point. It's just a bit rich for England to moan about player pinching when they at one point last season had 9 players not born in England on the pitch, if I remember correctly.

Thought Beck had another good game and should really be making that squad. Faletau was obviously excellent, but I feel Martyn Thomas should be in the squad on current form- He's been fantastic the last few weeks and probably deservbes his spot in that back three, even if he is a far bigger risk than the less experienced Cuthbert.

Woah there, the man mentioning it has a Scottish flag, not an English one. Don't go blaming us for him.

Not that I'm averse to some wummery over such matters, but I am preserving my powder.

 

[dullonien]

Thought Beck had another good game and should really be making that squad. Faletau was obviously excellent, but I feel Martyn Thomas should be in the squad on current form- He's been fantastic the last few weeks and probably deservbes his spot in that back three, even if he is a far bigger risk than the less experienced Cuthbert.

Yeh, Beck was good yet again. Faletau just seems to be getting better and better. It's simply amazing how good he is behind a retreating pack. I agree about Martyn Thomas, he's been in good form recently, and would be a good option at fullback for Wales.

Matthew Morgan probably played himself out of a chance of getting a call-up. He started well enough with good kicking from hand. Ultimately though, that interception he threw was very costly and probably showed that he's not quite there yet. Biggar was good when he came on, but he can't seem to string more than a couple of decent performances together.

 

[Draggs]

If it wasn't for that appalling miss right in front, and some pointless chips (granted, the chase was poor), I'd say Tovey could look at a spot training with the national side.
Nipper was decent, but I've yet to see an Ospreys standoff excel at Rodney

Toby... I love the man, really.

 

[Me 1]

Matthew Morgan did give away an intercept but I don't think it really dents his chances too much. James Hook's given away a few in his time. I personally think he should be included in the squad based just on his potential, don't think he should play but the experience of being there will do him good.

 

[Draggs]

Hook, Wellies, Biggar have all thrown intercept tries, Morgan is just next in a long line.
Morgan will probably be involved with the U20's, as well as Prydie and Robinson I would imagine.

 

[Darwin]

How has Mathew Morgan been going in defense recently? I remember during the U20 RWC he looked great with the ball in hand, but really struggled in defense (probably due to the fact he is the size of a small child). I hope he does sort out his defense (or has sorted it out already) as he looks to be an incredibly talented young player.

 

[Peat]

My impression is that Ospreys were trying to hide him, although he doesn't lack courage - hurled himself at Lydiate at one stage.

I'm not sure Lydiate noticed though.

 

[Draggs]

How has Mathew Morgan been going in defense recently? I remember during the U20 RWC he looked great with the ball in hand, but really struggled in defense (probably due to the fact he is the size of a small child). I hope he does sort out his defense (or has sorted it out already) as he looks to be an incredibly talented young player.

On and off really. I remember seeing him play against Connaught in November, and he really looked to get stuck in. Obviously he couldn't bring anyone down by himself, but he got in the way and at least slowed down the opposition. He also was working on ripping the ball in contact, which worked pretty well. Tonight he wasn't great in defence, but he certainly wasn't exploited as everyone seems to think he will every time he starts. Last week against Cardiff he had some great touches, watching him run is a sight. Effortless, much like Henson in his prime. Goal kicking is on and off as well. I've seen him stick some long range shits over at a tough angle, and then miss a relatively simple shot ~35m out.

 

[dullonien]

On and off really. I remember seeing him play against Connaught in November, and he really looked to get stuck in. Obviously he couldn't bring anyone down by himself, but he got in the way and at least slowed down the opposition. He also was working on ripping the ball in contact, which worked pretty well. Tonight he wasn't great in defence, but he certainly wasn't exploited as everyone seems to think he will every time he starts. Last week against Cardiff he had some great touches, watching him run is a sight. Effortless, much like Henson in his prime. Goal kicking is on and off as well. I've seen him stick some long range shits over at a tough angle, and then miss a relatively simple shot ~35m out.

The Ospreys have been doing a good job of hiding him recently. Morgan tends to line up defensively on the wing, in a similar way that Austrailia hide Cooper. I'd say Morgan is a much better runner than Henson ever was. His pace and ability to change direction is more aking to Shane Williams than Henson. His goal kicking consistency will hopefully improve over time, just as Priestlands has.

I brought this up a while ago, but anyone think that Morgan may have more chance of playing international rugby on the wing? His defense would be less exposed, but he could still roam the pitch in attack like Shane has done his whole career. He deserves a genuine chance at outhalf, because he's shown that he could be trully awesome, but if it doesn't work out, then he could make an excellent winger. Afterall where would Shane have gotten if he didn't move away from scrum-half? He may have turned out to be one of the best 9's ever, we don't know, but shifting to the wing certainly didn't limit his impact on the game. Wales are probably more in need of wingers than outhalves at the moment aswell. Could be a good way for him to be introduced to international rugby at least.

Silly idea?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I brought this up a while ago, but anyone think that Morgan may have more chance of playing international rugby on the wing? His defense would be less exposed, but he could still roam the pitch in attack like Shane has done his whole career. He deserves a genuine chance at outhalf, because he's shown that he could be trully awesome, but if it doesn't work out, then he could make an excellent winger. Afterall where would Shane have gotten if he didn't move away from scrum-half? He may have turned out to be one of the best 9's ever, we don't know, but shifting to the wing certainly didn't limit his impact on the game. Wales are probably more in need of wingers than outhalves at the moment aswell. Could be a good way for him to be introduced to international rugby.

Silly idea?

I have mentioned this to the old man one or twice. Similar traits to Williams ... so who knows.

 

[psychic duck]

poor game today by Morgan, I think his creativity would be wasted on wing, I would try him at full back first

to be fair, he's not the first 10 who isn't a great tackler, Hodgson, O'Gara etc have all made good careers

bt the way Biggar had a good cameo after replacing him today

 

[Draggs]

Nipper doesn't really have the top end speed for a wing. Shane isn't the fastest full out, but certainly faster than Morgan.
I agree, his skills would be better used as an inside back. Put Henson at 12 and Roberts 13 and we can shore up the defence.
Biggar wasn't bad, except for the missed kicks!

 

[Peat]

Personally, if I was going to move Morgan, it would be to scrum-half. Less head on tackling than any other position in the team. Fairly sure he's got the technical skills and brain to adapt. Could snipe fairly well. Plus a scrum-half who can kick at goal in a pinch is not to be sniffed at.

 

[Draggs]

Personally, if I was going to move Morgan, it would be to scrum-half. Less head on tackling than any other position in the team. Fairly sure he's got the technical skills and brain to adapt. Could snipe fairly well. Plus a scrum-half who can kick at goal in a pinch is not to be sniffed at.

Yes, but I do feel his skills are best suited as a 10. His passing might not be international class for a Welsh scrum half either. His tackling can be improved. It looks like he has bulked up a bit since he has emerged, and regular gametime will help. He isn't our 'great redeemer' yet, but certainly not worth throwing away.

 

[Peat]

Yes, but I do feel his skills are best suited as a 10. His passing might not be international class for a Welsh scrum half either. His tackling can be improved. It looks like he has bulked up a bit since he has emerged, and regular gametime will help. He isn't our 'great redeemer' yet, but certainly not worth throwing away.

Ten would definitley be his best position - but if he's not going to make it there, it will be solely due to defence imo, which is why I thought of scrum-half - lots of tackling, but all side on. And if he doesn't make it as a defender, I'm pretty sure, it will be down to being tiny. There is, as mentioned, a fairly low bar for fly-halves' defence anyway. I'd have thought his passing would be good enough though, he's got a lovely pass from what I've seen and I'm sure he could learn the floor apss.

 

[dullonien]

Nipper doesn't really have the top end speed for a wing. Shane isn't the fastest full out, but certainly faster than Morgan.

I'm not so sure. From what I've seen he's normally one of the fastest players on the pitch. Rugby is all about acceleration, the first 40m, and Morgan is as fast as they come in that regard, hence why he's so good at the outside break from 10.