Warren Gatland Wales Coach: Time Up? Part 3 (PRE-WORLD CUP TRAINING & WARM UP MATCHES)

This was meant to be the World Cup, but it's becoming something of a beast. Hopefully those who have a good few minutes to spare will appreciate it, the World Cup analysis will come soon hopefully...followed, eventually, by what I think about Gatland!

Part 1: https://www.606v2.com/t32078p50-warren-gatland-wales-coach-time-up-part-1

Part 2: https://www.606v2.com/t32112-warren-gatland-wales-coach-time-up-part-2

With a dreary end to the Six Nations 2011, in some respects, we were back to square one. The team was not settled, seemingly bereft of confidence, leaders and direction. The Kiwi coach was unable to banish a Welsh past-time: debating the number 10 position. Stephen Jones was the incumbent during the stale and often toothless back play during the Six Nations. He was also, at 33, deemed to be over the hill, or on the brow at the very least. Yet these were accusations he had dealt with over the last few years, and knocked back with his performances. His beaten challenger for the 10 shirt, James Hook, was forced into the side in any position possible during the Six Nations, to give the backline the 'spark' it so evidently needed. It failed, with the talented runner trying to do too much from defensive positions, and his obvious positional weaknesses, especially at 15, exposed by the opposition. When given a chance at 10 in the final game, it went very badly. Rhys Priestland had been promoted ahead of Dan Biggar as the 'young gun' in the squad. Biggar's form in the last year or so, for region and, when given the rare opportunity, for Wales, had been poor or inconsistent. His demotion was deserved, though Priestland only managed a few minutes at the end of the Scotland game in the Six Nations.

Another selection dilemma was at 9, highlighting just how unsettled key positions were in the team. Phillips had been dreadful, dropped from the Ospreys for Rhys Webb, who performed well, and even rejected from the 22 for the sake of Tom Isaacs, a scrum-half-come-centre stop gap. The situation, of having Wales' first choice 9 hardly playing a match in the 6 months before the World Cup, was not an ideal one. There were alternatives, however. Richie Rees was in fine form for the Blues, and many, myself included, felt he deserved the starting shirt for the South Africa game. Yet Gatland had berated his performance during the Autumn of 2010, against Fiji, and it was implied he was one of those who would not play for Wales again for a long time. As such, his place on the bench in the Six Nations was taken by Scarlets 9, and Priestland's halfback partner, Tavis Knoyle. Whilst he saw a little more game time than the 10 during the Six Nations, it was surely not enough to merit promoting a young, inexperienced player into a key, controlling position for the World Cup. Knoyle owed his place in the pecking order due, in part, to Lloyd Williams, the Blues 9 injuring himself early in the season. His performances had been incredibly exciting, and the competition with Rees intense, but his misfortune on missing out on a sure squad place for the AI was, by the 6N, Tavis' gain.

After a prolonged absence, Gavin Henson had sporadic attempts at rejuvenating his career, first with Saracens and then with Toulon. Both ended in a frustrating manner, yet certainly there were glimpses, in his debut for the latter, that the talent that he undeniably once had was still there. He was in good shape, leaner than his former body composition, but this could be a positive, with claims that it was his muscle mass that contributed to the leg injuries that had debilitated his career. Yet this was a man who had played barely 80 minutes of rugby in nearly two years. With Jon Davies, in blistering form for the Scarlets in that period, still not certain of a starting position in the side, and with Jamie Roberts suffering from injury, it would seemingly undermine everything you would want from a fair selection process of performing well for your region or club, with an international call up as the mark of excellence for those who performed to the elite standard. Henson had clearly not achieved this. Yet Roberts and Henson was, three years prior, Gatland's ideal centre pairing. It made a mockery of equal opportunity for players, but can such ideals be dropped if it creates the best rugby team possible? He was named at 12, alongside Davies at 13, in the side to play the Barbarians in the first World Cup warm up game.

The Barbarians team boasted quality, European-based players, not picked, or unlikely to be picked, to represent their respective nations in New Zealand later that year. Gatland took the opportunity to reward potential Welsh squad members with an opportunity to prove themselves on the big stage: Iestyn Thomas had been in international form for the Scarlets and with Gethin Jenkins injured, alternatives at loosehead were necessary, Paul Tito had the nous and local experience which may well prove necessary in New Zealand due to the lack of depth in the position, and Martyn Williams, with time catching up on him, now bypassed by Warburton for the Blues and Wales, given a shot to at least make the squad as an elder statesman and 'dirt-tracker'. With Adam Jones' fitness entering the prayers of even the most atheistic of Welshmen and women, Paul James was selected, alongside Bevington and a recalled Bennett. Matthew Rees, the captain, was struggling with a neck injury which required surgery, and hooking options were needed. The much maligned Bennett saw Lloyd Burns as his understudy; Burns' rapid rise through the ranks of Welsh rugby and fine domestic form deservedly led to his place in the 22. Ryan Jones partnered Luke Charteris, a man who had been in the international wilderness for a while, with the likelihood being Jones would make the squad as a 2nd row/back row back up, with Andy Powell possibly taking his place at 8. The two young, impressive flankers, Lydiate and Warburton, were joined by Toby Faletau, Lydiate's Dragons teammate and exciting, running number 8 of Tongan ancestry. The cap, perhaps, came too late, with his place as an unused substitute against Fiji in the Autumn bemusing many.

The game began with Henson sending in golden boy George North, despite the looped pass off his left hand being obviously forward. The try, in true Babas fashion, stood. Up front, however, Paul James was failing to live up to the sizeable and hairy boots of Adam Jones, with young Bevington being taught a lesson in the dark arts from Carl Hayman. The pack, generally, was struggling, though the new, youthful element meant perseverance was in no short supply. The Barbarians' experience and ability gained them a 19-14 lead at the break, three tries to two. Aled Brew saw yellow, though he atoned with a pick and go try, blasting through Iestyn Thomas, the prop's flimsy fringe defence doing him no favours for selection. Notable contributions were made from Faletau with ball in hand and a much improved Phillips. The passing was swifter, and it seemed effort had been made to improve his service. Scott Williams, replacing Henson, looked impressive. This was a player who, at 20, had the fitness, muscularity, and composure that Gatland had been working to produce in players far more experienced. This was proof of the academies catching up with England and the rest of the wealthy Unions in terms of conditioning. Williams' fine end to the season and breakthrough into the Scarlets' side made him a very real squad prospect. Stephen Jones' 100th cap proved his experience and highly accurate boot with conversions from the touchlines, though Priestland's greater running threat was evident when he replaced his Scarlets teammate. Lloyds, Williams and Burns, also made debuts, alongside tight head Scott Andrews, in an attempt to 'blood' young players. The Babas, deservedly, won the game, a late try from the brilliant Nacewa giving them a 28-31 victory.

Whilst defeat was disappointing, the real selection dilemmas began now, with two Tests, home and away, against England, the Six Nations champions. Henson was included in the 45 man squad for the World Cup warm up matches, along with other notable names such as Gareth Delve, in fine form in the Super 14 with new franchise the Rebels. Martyn Williams made it, Iestyn Thomas did not. Jason Tovey, the young Dragons 10, found a place in the 45 where Dan Biggar did not. Ian Gough and Deiniol Jones, two scapegoats from the Fiji game, missed out, Richie Rees' prospects, therefore, were looking slim, though he was one of four scrum halves included, along with Dwayne Peel, Phillips and Knoyle. Rees' namesake, the captain, was also selected, with Burns, Bennett and Richard Hibbard seemingly the three options if, as it appeared likely, he failed to make the tournament.

Gatland had moved the squad to Spala, Poland for an intense period of training. The modernity in the WRU now came to the fore, with testing and monitoring of players now of the highest level. It would later become synonymous with cryogenic recovery chambers. Gone were the days of a bath tub full of ice. Professionalism for the elite in Welsh rugby brought the benefits of having no excuses come match day. Meticulous planning and focused, day-to-day training created the familiarity of a club environment with the competition and standard of an international camp. In a somewhat surprise move, just under a month until the first warm up game, Andy Powell, Jonathan Thomas and Richie Rees were omitted from the 45 man squad, not making the second, intensive ten day training camp. The operative word was indeed intensity; the cryogenic chambers allowed accelerated recovery so that training sessions could be performed with shorter rest periods, thus more sessions could be performed. With Gatland having a Welsh squad for the most significant amount of time yet, the possibility of substantial gains in certain areas was an intriguing one: the manner in which he and Edwards had raised training standards, and certainly fitness, when they first arrived was well documented. Yet, for all the Welsh claims of superior fitness since Gatland's tenure began, they had either not been able to compete once a SANZAR nation had decided to up the pace, or had fallen too far behind on the scoreboard due to mistakes for their fitness to punish teams late on. In short, it had helped them become better, but it had not helped them produce a game where, when it was in the balance, they won.

The new, broken down and built back up Welsh team would have their first challenge in the backyard of the European Champions. Both teams named surprises. Wales' surprise was in their choice of captain; Sam Warburton, at 22, was promoted to the leadership role, having won the belief of the coaching team whilst in Poland. England's was their choice of kit: all black. Wales scored a neatly worked try from the 'new', albeit slightly bigger, Shane, George North, but Jonny Wilkinson's boot drew England back into the game. Manu Tuilagi scored a powerful try on his debut. The actual Shane ignored an overlap to score in the corner, and George North practically walked over the line from Ryan Jones' pass, highlighting the lack on intensity. This was Test rugby in second gear. Wales lost, 23-19, but outscored England three tries to two, playing the better, attacking rugby to England's more muscular approach. Unfortunately, the exciting Morgan Stoddart broke his leg during the game, an injury which, at the time of writing, has not seen him back on a rugby pitch since. He was an alternative to the out of form Lee Byrne, almost certain of a squad place. It was his link up play and instinctive understanding with regional teammates Jon Davies and North that made him such a threat. The man feeding and directing them for the Scarlets had fifteen minutes to prepare himself for his starting Test debut at 10, due to Stephen Jones injuring himself in the warm up. Priestland moved from 15, where he had played to accommodate SJ at regional level, giving Stoddart an ill-fated chance to further impress. Jones and Stoddart's loss was Priestland's gain. Huw Bennett further improved his chances with a performance full of grit and determination, minus the dreadful lineout throwing of the past. Mike Phillips had improved a measure again from the Babas game. With Rees seemingly out of the picture, and the rookie Knoyle now regularly seeing game time as a replacement, it appeared Phillips would be given the chance to play himself back into form, a sign of Gatland's loyalty to certain players, which at times had seemed unfair and pigheaded, but in this instance, would be very fruitful. Meanwhile, a reduced Tri Nations was being fought out, and the scintillating rugby on display from Australia, the eventual champions, and New Zealand led to the question: who would win the World Cup, black or gold?

The second Test saw Priestland maintain the 10 shirt, Phillips the 9, a return of the Henson-Roberts centre partnership, Hook forced to play full back, Craig Mitchell, Adam Jones' understudy at the Ospreys, playing 3, and a continuation of the youthful back row unit. The game was, again, not top drawer, with both sides making mistakes throughout. Wales started brightly, but England's dominance in the tight was evidence of perhaps a lack of power and experience in the Welsh pack. Henson was withdrawn with a broken arm after half an hour, but only after he had brilliantly chopped down a stuttering Shontayne Hape when a try seemed certain. Scott Williams replaced him, and performed well. In a tight, penalty-exchanging affair, Priestland was withdrawn, Scott Williams put to full 15, and James Hook given his 40 minutes to stake a claim for the 10 shirt. Hook ran the show. Wales' superior fitness was clear, and a new sense of flair was leaving the English pack struggling to keep up. After significant pressure, Hook jinked his way over the line from close range. A late penalty sealed the result, 19-9. Two days after the game, it was confirmed Matthew Rees would have the neck surgery that was preventing him from sleeping, let alone playing rugby. Warburton or Ryan Jones, it seemed, would captain the side, and with the latter seemingly unsure of a starting place, or position, the young Blues 7 appeared to be leading his side into a World Cup, aged 22. The final warm up game before the World Cup was against Argentina, a team that had struggled to even book a game due to several Unions deeming a fixture against the Pumas unnecessary, for whatever reason. Gatland handed an opportunity to several 'nearly men'; Knoyle, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell and Lee Byrne were all given their first starts of the Summer. Justin Tipuric and Lloyd Williams made their debuts off the replacements bench. Stephen Jones, again, suffered with injury, and his World Cup place in the squad, let alone first fifteen, was under threat. Hook started at 10. After a stodgy opening period, with Wales finding little headway in front of the typically resilient Pumas, two tries in as many minutes before half time opened up the game. Andy Powell scored a fortuitous breakaway off the back of spilt scrum ball, 30 yards out, and AWJ supported North brilliantly after the teenager had been sent away by good draw-and-passes from Knoyle and Roberts, and skipped past three players. North continued his incredible scoring record, powering over off an inside ball from Jon Davies. The Pumas ground their way to a late, and deserved, try. Wales had defended stoically, and had attacked with the kind of flair they had previously seemed to actively stifle. There was much encouragement from the four games: Wales had capped exciting young players, had seemingly solved two of the three back row problems with Lydiate and Warburton, key players such as Roberts, Halfpenny and Adam Jones had proved their fitness after injury, and those who were injured, such as captain Matthew Rees, were replaced by individuals such as Bennett, rejuvenated by the Spala training camps despite being dropped by his region.

This theme, of big name players feeling persecuted and thus leaving the Ospreys, had seemingly hampered Welsh chances the World Cup. James Hook saw his chance for a sustained run in the 10 shirt at Perpignan, Mike Phillips had agreed to leave after his demotion from the 22, joining Bayonne, and Lee Byrne was seeking pastures new in Clermont Auvergne. Craig Mitchell, like Hook, left Wales for more first team rugby, joining Exeter. It would be followed, twelve months later, with many more players opting to make the most of their money-earning potential.

With the playing over, Gatland needed to whittle his squad down to 30. Dwayne Peel had been omitted in bizarre circumstances, with inconsistent stories from the Welsh management and the player himself over his fitness. The final squad, surprisingly, consisted of 16 forwards and 14 backs: a split which left room for only five back row players, and one openside. Andy Powell made the cut where Josh Turnbull, who had an impressive domestic season and performed admirably in the warm up games, and the young, exciting Justin Tipuric did not. Yet the veteran Martyn Williams, captain for the Argentina game, was perhaps the most surprising, and disappointing, from a sentimental perspective, omission. He was destined, it seemed, to remain on 99 caps. Australia-based Gareth Delve also missed out. Ryan Bevington and Paul James were the looseheads, with an injured Gethin Jenkins also included. Bennett's attitude in training had seemingly won him the starting shirt at hooker, with Lloyd Burns and the talented uncapped Ken Owens taking the other two places. Luke Charteris had done enough to support the first choice second rows, Bradley Davies and AWJ, meaning Ryan Jones was in competition for the 8 shirt with Andy Powell and the young Toby Faletau. Lee Byrne was the sole full back, Hook seemingly leading the competition for the 10 shirt ahead of Priestland and an injured Stephen Jones. Scott Williams was rewarded for his seemless introduction into international rugby with a squad place, and Aled Brew's fine form for the Dragons also got him on the plane. Knoyle and, surprisingly, Lloyd Williams were also included, the latter only playing in the second half of the Argentina game. Perhaps the concocted story of Peel's injury was a cover to be able to select the youngster, having impressed in training. The squad was drastically different to what one would have expected twelve, even four months, prior to its announcement. The players Gatland had lined up for two years, such as Biggar, had failed to make the cut, and so many youngsters not only made up the replacements, like Scott Williams, Knoyle, Lloyd Williams and Priestland, but were key figures in the starting team: Jon Davies, George North, Warburton and Lydiate. The first game, against South Africa, loomed.

Nice write up, it brings back the memories of how things were in the 6 months before the World cup - particularly the bizarre Peel situation!

By the time you finish this monster we will have won RWC 2015

mowgli wrote:By the time you finish this monster we will have won RWC 2015

That's the idea. Hopefully Davey Po, Thierry Du and Sonny B Dubz will be as desperate for the next installment as nearly all women are for this 50 Shades of Grey sheheight, thus missing training sessions, thus jeopardising their teams' chances

miaow wrote:

mowgli wrote:By the time you finish this monster we will have won RWC 2015

That's the idea. Hopefully Davey Po, Thierry Du and Sonny B Dubz will be as desperate for the next installment as nearly all women are for this 50 Shades of Grey sheheight, thus missing training sessions, thus jeopardising their teams' chances

seriously miaow you need to stop reading that book, you are so obviously over indulging in some pseudo 50-shades-of-gray-rugby-fantasising because you ain't getting any at home!!