Weekly Round Up 7th Nov

By Zippy
November 11 2004

Round Up Of Welsh Rugby News from the week ending 7th November. For details of the news included a round up of Wales vs South Africa game read on.

Wales 36 South Africa 38

Zippy's Player ratings:

15- G Thomas (7) - Was strong last line of defence, I feel he is not seen at his best from 15 and would have liked to see him at 12.
14- H Luscombe (7) - Best performance in a Welsh shirt, committed.
13-S Parker (6) - A bit of an average game from someone you have come to expect more from, solid in defence, did the 12/13 partnership work?
12- G Henson (9) - Slipped a tackle for the first try, but strong after that, an elusive dangerous runner, may be more effective from 15?
11- S Williams (6) - Didn't get the ball in space, we need to use him he is class and can prove it against the big teams, give him the ball.
10- S Jones (8) - Classic moment when the "Carthorse" was outpaced by the SA no8 had me in stiches, his game has come on since his move to France, a defensive presence and more dangerous in attack.
9 - D Peel (9) Inspirational, had scrappy ball and made the most of it, must be in the lead for the lions jersey.
8 - R Jones (7) Good debut against a tough pack-should push
in the scrum on own put in though, agree with you there Cook, might need a few more games, but I'd go with Owen at 8.
7 - C Charvis (7) - Always an option as a ball carrier and good defensive work, may play better without the captaincy responsibility.
6 - D Jones (8) My best pack member. Great game, ripped the ball from a maul and gave Montgomery a headache to remember, best game for Wales.
5 - B Cockbain (6) - Part of a faultering line out and scrum, he can do better, seen at his best in the game when niggling with elbows.
4 - M Owen (6) - Worst game for Wales in the 2nd row, improved when moved to 8 and thats where he should stay, big shame Wales have no 2nd rows.
3 - Jones (7) - Lasted a full 80mins worked hard against Os Du Randt, will learn from this.
2- S Jones (5) - Far too light for an international hooker and the line out was a mess.
1- Jones (5) - Has played much better, needs to ball carry as he does with the Ospreys and be a presence in defence.

Rep
M Davies - should of started (see above)
T Shanklin (6) - too slow to be an international wing
L CHARTERIS - only played because we have no 2nd rows in Wales, what we would give to have Victor Matfield?
M Williams - Out of form at the Blues.
C Sweeney - Always plays well when used at centre, good to see we have strength at 10.
G Jenkins - Big and strong, may be in line for a recall.

- We need to sort out the set piece, thankfully most sides won't have players like Victor Matfield and Burger.

Who can we play alongside Cockbain in the 2nd row?
- Newman, good form, might be just a club player
- R Sidoli - needs to come back to form soon
- Gough - not the classiest but hard
- Charteris - Young and needs a few pounds

Any other ideas?

- The ref was awful and several SA players should of been sin binned.

- Our defence was vunerable at times.

- Need an 80 min performance, this let a lead go and catch up rugby is not the way.

Celtic League

Someone made the decision to play 2 big derby games during the internationals? Don't ask me which wise guy did that.

Dragons 33 Ospreys 29

MOTM Kevin Morgan put in a great performance and Lyn Jones said he was the difference between the teams as the Dragons ended the Ospreys unbeaten run.

Blues 14 Scarlets 10

In a dire game the Blues scrapped for victory, C Quinnell put in a captains performance and gave the Blues a vital boost, with new coaching appointments they may have turned a corner.

Llanelli have much to do, they have lost their way badly.

Other News

Rob Howley said an emotional goodbye at Wasps, he will have a rest and then take up a coaching position.

What can you say about 19,000 empty seats at the Millenium Stadium vs Tri Nations Champions South Africa.

Iestyn Harris kicked GB to victory in the Rugby League tri nations vs New Zealand, back where he belongs.

Wales take on Romania on Friday night, who thinks up these ideas?