Wales Vs Romania Preview
By Lestyn
August 26 2003
Wednesday's game is the final chance for any fringe players to force themselves into reckoning for a place in Steve Hansen's World Cup squad. It's clear that this will be treated very much like an A team game for Wales.
It's a good job Ruddock is stepping in, after Saturday's hammering at the hands of England's second team Hansen finds himself under an almost intolerable amount of pressure to resign before the World Cup. Ruddock who has seen his Gwent Dragon's side lose twice over the bank holiday was one of the leading contenders to replace Graham Henry a year and a half ago, but instead of the then Ebbw coach, the WRU opted for Hansen and the rest is history.
Even if the Kiwi won't be in charge on Wednesday, he still picked the team.
"The nation badly needs a victory and we have to strive for that," said Ruddock, "We have some exciting youngsters who will have a chance to push for the World Cup.
"It's very much a Steve Hansen side - the selection, patterns of play and calls all come from the national camp.
"We won't try to change that, but there are certain things I would like to impose on the side."
The starting fifteen contains six players who were key members of the Grand slam winning under 21's team. Out of those only Nicky Robinson and Gavin Henson have really featured regularly for their clubs, Henson slotting in at full back where Robinson played against Ireland, so much for continuity. Henson could still feature at outside half at sometime with no outside half replacement on the bench. Other under 21's include scrum half Mike Phillips who will be looking to cement the World cup squad third choice scrum half spot, the slightly more experienced Andy Williams will also be looking to do the same.
At last Shane Williams gets more of the international recognition he deserves and with Gareth Wyatt on the bench we should get to see some real pace at last out wide. Neither are considered real contenders for World cup spots, bur their presence highlights the lunacy of Hansen picking two centres on the wings' for the Scotland game. I don't really understand how Nathan Brew deserves to be picked ahead of Gareth Wyatt, but possibly it could be down to Brew offering a slightly more bulky alternative to Shane Williams.
Andy Marinos need's a massive display having not featured in Welsh colours for more than a year, I can't help but think it's just too late for him to have any real hope of making it. Playing outside Marinos in the centre is Matthew Watkins, the Llanelli player will be starting the first of his two internationals in four days. Watkins starts on Wednesday in his preferred position, but on Saturday against Scotland he'll be out on the wing. Rather than seeing which role he's stronger in, this could be just a chance to regain match fitness, having been out since April due to injury.
Ospreys prop Paul James who captained the under 21's is given a start, James is one to look out for even without much first class rugby experience. On the other side of the front row Ben Evans will be desperately trying to find some form ahead of the World Cup. Celtic Warriors hooker Mefin Davies unsurprisingly gets the captaincy, but his inclusion in the side suggests that Gareth Williams is ahead of him in the hooking pecking order.
Now a qualified Welshman Brent Cockbain starts alongside Ian Gough in the second row. In the Summer internationals so far Wales have really lacked a spark in the front five, Cockbain's aggressive style could be just what we need. Goughie's physical and lineout presence should help us dominate up front. The back row is a real weak point Gavin Thomas at open side has never really performed in a Welsh jersey, Jonathan Thomas and Alix Popham are too light weight to have that much affect. There needs to be a balance between pace and power and I don't think Hansen's really found it.
It will be interesting to see Jon Bryant play international rugby at long last along with James Bater and Paul Young he's been on the fringes of the national team for quite a while. Another player on the bench Chris Anthony has a point to prove to Hansen and Deniol Jones will be looking to show how much he's matured over the last year.
Fresh from a hammering by France on Saturday, Romania find themselves struggling yet again. To top that 56-8 defeat, the Oaks have lost five players to injury, including influential Grenoble flanker Florin Corodeanu. Coached by French man Bernard Charreyre, they have improved a fair bit since being embarrassed by England a year and a half ago 134-0. Although they did suffer a major set back losing to Portugal in the European nations cup in February this year. Ionut Tofan is one to look out for. The outside half has an accurate boot, and usually kicks most of the goals he rarely has. Prop Petru Vladimir Balan who players in France is also highly rated.
Last November when the two sides met at Wrexham, we saw a Romanian side trying to kill the ball at every possible opportunity, I would expect no different this time. With Nicky Robinson at outside half Wales will be a lot more attacking minded than they have been with Stephen Jones, however Robinson does have the tendency to switch off and lose concentration, the visitors may will try and expose his lack of experience. The combination of Watkins's line breaking and Shane Williams's pace should be too much for the Romanians to handle, Brent Cockbain and Ian Gough should dominate up front, I do worry about the rest of the pack though.
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Venue: The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
kick off: 1905
TV: Live on BBC2 Wales,
BBC2W and S4C From 7PM
Radio: Live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru from 7PM
Last Match between teams: Wales 40 - 3 Romania - Cardiff (Autumn 2002)
Wales Team Sheet:
Position |
Player |
Region /Club |
Caps |
Points |
15 |
Gavin Henson |
Neath-Swansea Ospreys |
||
14 |
Nathan Brew |
Newport Gwent Dragons |
||
13 |
Matthew Watkins |
Llanelli Scarlets |
||
12 |
Andy Marinos |
Newport Gwent Dragons |
||
11 |
Shane Williams |
Neath-Swansea Ospreys |
||
10 |
Nicky Robinson |
Cardiff Blues |
||
9 |
Mike Phillips |
Llanelli Scarlets |
||
8 |
Alix Popham |
Leeds Tykes |
||
7 |
Gavin Thomas |
Neath-Swansea Ospreys |
||
6 |
Jonathan Thomas |
Neath-Swansea Ospreys |
||
5 |
Brent Cockbain |
Celtic Warriors |
||
4 |
Ian Gough |
Newport Gwent Dragons |
||
3 |
Ben Evans |
Cardiff Blues |
||
2 |
Mefin Davies (Captain) |
Celtic Warriors |
||
1 |
Paul James |
Neath-Swansea Ospreys |
||
Bench |
||||
16 |
Paul Young |
Newport Gwent Dragons |
||
17 |
Chris Anthony |
Newport Gwent Dragons |
||
18 |
Deniol Jones |
Celtic Warriors |
||
19 |
James Bater |
Neath-Swansea Ospreys |
||
20 |
Gareth Wyatt |
Celtic Warriors |
||
21 |
Jon Bryant |
Celtic Warriors |
||
22 |
Andy Williams |
Neath-Swansea Ospreys |
Romania Team: T.B.C