Scott Quinnell Wants Wales Changes For 3rd Test

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/06/18/scott-quinnell-in-call-for-wales-changes-91466-31203161/#sitelife-comments-bottom

Interesting comments by Scott Quinnell. He says we should drop Phillips, Warburton, Rees, and Priestland and bring in Webb, Hibbard/Owens, Tiperic and Hook.

I'm happy to see Owens come in for Rees. Rees had a poor game and has to be responsible for the lineout. Owens did not do a lot wrong in the 1st test so I would keep him. I’m angry with Hibbard for entering the ruck from the side which led to the Australian penalty so I would leave him out of the team.
Phillips has shown some glimpses of what he can do but has too often been slow and ponderous. I like Webb and Williams but I would rather Webb than Williams if there had to be a change.

Warburton is a difficult one. His leadership skills are immense and never in question. However he has been average in both tests. Tiperic has been breathing down his neck for a while and deserves a chance to show what he could do. I can’t see Howley dropping Sam though so I guess one of them may have to play outside position.

I think most people would agree that Priestland has not been the same player since the World Cup and has been underperforming for both country and region for a while now. The problem is I don’t believe Hook is the answer. Hook has had ample chances to claim the 10 jersey and has failed to claim it. Although it seems Priestland is running out of chances, the Welsh management seems reluctant to drop him. This suggests Howley doesn’t have much confidence in Hook either. Rhys may have to start the 3rd test as I don’t see what the alternative is?

Does anyone agree with Quinnell? Or are we gambling by making too many changes? After all we really need to win the last test to gain any confidence and end the tour on a high.

I think those are the changes most would like to see, hardest call I guess is Warburton I think he should start but Tipuric to get a good run out.

I would go bit further:

Rees was poor so Owen/Hibbard to start

Evans if fit has to come in I would go for him and Charteris bit guess it will be him and AWJ

Phillips - again I would start him but get Webb on when things go wrong

Priestland - He has been poor so have nothing to lose giving Hook the nod.

Beck - His defence was poor so I would get Williams back in there

Ian Evans has a great partnership with Alun Wyn Jones but Bradley Davies been good in the 2 tests. Might be a bit harsh on Bradley?

Beck I think should keep his place. Defence may be suspect but he did play his part in 2 tries in the 2 tests. He does give you creativity unlike Williams who I thought was disappointing in the first test.

London,

Its all about opinions I know but I thought both Bradley and Beck were poor on Saturday.

Evans for me would be the first choice lock down on the sheet and its then case of picking best out of AWJ, Charteris and Davies.

Londonwelsh wrote:Warburton is a difficult one. His leadership skills are immense and never in question.

Are you sure about that? Let's not forget he wouldn't have been Wales's captain at the World Cup if Matthew Rees hadn't got injured. Warburton's not even captain of the Blues, which doesn't suggest he has outstanding leadership qualities. If Rob Howley'd been thinking straight, he would have played Tipuric from the start of this series.

Personally I think Warburton is the right choice for captain but at the moment he isn't on form which should be the first factor taken into account.

That's it, Beford. Pick your XV, then pick your captain from that XV. If your captain isn't good enough to make the XV (or has barely played any rugby, in this instance), then you need to appoint a new captain, even if it's only a temporary measure.

Warburton aside we have candidates in Rees, AWJ and R Jones in that order for me.