Weekly Round Up 21st Nov

By Zippy
November 24 2004

Round Up Of Welsh Rugby News from the week ending 21st November. For details of the news included a round up of Wales vs New Zealand game read on.

Wales 25 New Zealand 26

A great game of rugby, an inspired Welsh team ran the All Blacks close, Joe "The Name" on the wing proved the difference.

My player ratings:

15 G Thomas (8) - Looking more acomplished at FB, I'd like to see him tried elsewhere but runs strongly and looking a great captain.
14 T Shanklin (8) - Scored a try that won me £40 otherwise a 7, scores tackles and never less than 100%
13 S Parker (6) - Up against a new cap and I thought he could have done more, been a bit quiet in these Autumn Internationals.
12 G Henson (7) - Didn't come into the game till the last 1/4, when he did he was dangerous. Will be a matchwinner for us in the future.
11 S Williams (6) - Quiet, needs to get into the game more.
10 Stephen Jones (7) - Tackled well but his kicking let him down.
9 D Peel (8) - Looks so dangerous and so strong for someone so small, shoe in for the Lions.
1 G Jenkins (7) - Good in defence, thought he could of done more work in attack.
2 M Davies (8) - Inspiring to all those around him, scored a good forwards try and showed that turning down Stade was worth it.
3 A Jones (7) - Pretty much the same as Gethin.
4 B Cockbain (9) - Best game for Wales, got us lineout ball and put himself about.
5 G Llewellyn (7) - Steady, filling the shirt till someone steps up to take it off him.
6 Dafydd Jones (7) - Playing much better for Wales this Autumn, I may want to see Jonny Thomas return at some point.
8 M Owen (7) - Does a lot of work, could have been an 8 if one of those runs had been a try?
7 C Charvis (9) - Superb, Wales MOTM.

Celtic League

Friday
Glasgow 40-29 Llanelli Scarlets
Newport-Gwent D'gons 16-17 Edinburgh
Ulster 30-14 Cardiff Blues

Sunday
Neath Swansea Ospreys 9-10 Connacht

It has gone unseen by many that none of the Welsh sides won in the Celtic League this weekend..... Not me.

Both Cardiff and Llanelli were stuffed away from home by the struggling Ulster and Glasgow respectively, something needs to be done with these ailing sides.

Newport tamely gave up their proud home record with a tame home defeat to an Edinburgh side inspired by Todd Blackadder.

The Ospreys lost at home to Connacht in one of the worst games of all time, I can't be bothered to write any more.

Other News

Scott Johnson had the nation in laughter with his description of NZ as a "Poxy Little Island" his apology was even better, "It is actually TWO Poxy Little Islands".

Llanelli have signed a NZ prop by the name of Hewitt, he is 33.

Stephen Jones memorable try vs England in the World Cup has won try of the year, what a score!

Sorry the round up was late this week, I won't do it again!

Zippy