Priestland out for 6 months

by pioden gorllewin Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:44 pm

Priestland had surgery this morning on ruptured achillies. Will be out for 6 months approx - so who will be Wales number 10 for the 6 nations?

Biggar, Hook, Patchell?

p.s wishing Rhys a speedy recovery, never nice to see a player injured.

by Submachine Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:47 pm

Ouch, poor focker

by pioden gorllewin Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:50 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20633934

by offload Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:50 pm

Has he been out for 6 months? That explains a lot...

by Guest Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:51 pm

Sorry looks like I cross posted! Please remove mine MODS.

by Casartelli Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:51 pm

Hope Priestland makes a full and speedy recovery. Horrific injury for any sportsman.

One of the benefits of Gameplan Gatland is that 10 is almost the least important position on the field. As long as someone can stand there, boot it a decent distance down the pitch and pop up passes to Roberts, North and Cuthbert it will be business as usual.

Can't see him doing a U-turn on Hook as Utility Back, so it will be Biggar.

by bedfordwelsh Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:55 pm

Despit slating his performances of late I would never wish ill fate or injury on a player so heres to a speedy recovery.

Lets please give Biggar his chance now

by wales606 Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:01 pm

Time for Biggar to get a chance for the 6Ns (his first 6N start?)

Please not Hook.

Patchell as the 2nd/3rd FH - I can't really see it being anyone else.

by offload Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:03 pm

I'm sure it will be Biggar with Hook in the bench. Big opportunity for Biggar to really step up.

by wales606 Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:12 pm

Whenever I read comments on the BBC website or facebook, everyone seems to want Hook starting which I guess is kind of reasonable. However, they all want Matthew Morgan in the squad, despite the fact that he can't tackle and can be easily defended against and turned over by international defenses.

I hope Biggar can play like he was for the first half against Samoa for 5 games without being injured.

by Casartelli Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:13 pm

I wouldn't blame Hook for telling Gatland to get stuffed if he selected him at 10 now.

by Effervescing Elephant Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:22 pm

Horrible injury, get well soon RP.
Bet a certain Mr Shingler is kicking himself now. Patience is the name of the game!

by pioden gorllewin Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:24 pm

there are a lack of options at 10......only other alternatives I can think of who might be ready for test rugby is nicky robinson at wasps or steve shingler at irish? agree with wales606 morgan needs to work on his defence before stepping up to international rugby.

be interesting who will get the scarlets 10 jersey too.....probably aled thomas, but I'd like to see the young owen williams get a chance too. he's looked impressive in the lv cup. also jordan williams is back from injury in january.

by Effervescing Elephant Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:27 pm

Hasn't Shingler been playing mostly 12 for LI?

by pioden gorllewin Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:35 pm

EE: think so but played most his junior rugby at 10.

by wales606 Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:41 pm

pioden gorllewin wrote:there are a lack of options at 10......only other alternatives I can think of who might be ready for test rugby is nicky robinson at wasps or steve shingler at irish? agree with wales606 morgan needs to work on his defence before stepping up to international rugby.

be interesting who will get the scarlets 10 jersey too.....probably aled thomas, but I'd like to see the young owen williams get a chance too. he's looked impressive in the lv cup. also jordan williams is back from injury in january.

Well Biggar and Hook are obviously in the squad.

After that, there is

Nicky Robinson - Never impressed internationally, several flaws in his game, playing abroad and not really in the mind of the coaches. Very unlikely

Steven Shingler - Plays most at 12 for a poor Irish. Wanted to play for Scotland and is playing abroad. No doubt disliked by the coaches. Very unlikely

Stephen Jones - Too old to make the next world cup. The coaches are not selecting those unlikely to be around in 2015 and are more likely to gamble on youth. Very unlikely

Matthew Morgan - Gets a fair amount of gametime, but his defence is poor and he doesn't have a consistent boot. He may be exciting, but that is not what you need for international rugby. Possible

Aled Thomas - Getting a fair amount of gametime replacing Preistland. However, his game still need a fair amount of work and he need more consistency. Unlikely

Lewis Robling and Steffan Jones - Havent seen much of the dragons this season but neither was impressive for more than a week at a time last season. Playing for a poor team without European experience. Unlikely

Rhys Patchell - Has the skill set, still fairly young and inexperienced, however, Gatland/Howley has never shy'd away from picking youth. Being hyped up in the press but will no doubt need to back up his performances over the next month. Likely.

Jason Tovey - Will need to play 10. Unlikely.

by wales606 Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:41 pm

pioden gorllewin wrote:EE: think so but played most his junior rugby at 10.

He played 15 for the U20s (most of the time), because Matthew Morgan was at 10.

by bedfordwelsh Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:51 pm

There are options but none you could say are proven and none that would fill me with confidence.

Hook - Certainly the most experienced but has never cemented a starting place.
Biggar - Before injruy was the in-form 10 in Wales and certainly should have started the AI, never really been given the chance.
Patchell - Unproven at top level and only a hand full of games for the Blues.
Morgan - Defence very suspect and not 1st choice when Biggar fit.
Robinson - Never really taken his chances in a Welsh shirt.
Shingler - Personally I would have let the Scots have him if he really wanted to go.
Henson - Who knows.
Tovey - Not 1st choice for the Blues.
Steffan Jones - To in-experienced.

by bluestonevedder Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:12 pm

Nasty injury. Best of luck to him for his recovery

by pioden gorllewin Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:39 pm

wales606 wrote:
pioden gorllewin wrote:EE: think so but played most his junior rugby at 10.

He played 15 for the U20s (most of the time), because Matthew Morgan was at 10.

webster used to alternate between morgan and shingler at 10 for the u20's, especially in the 2011 junior world cup. but shingler was predominately a 10 in the early part of his career with Hendy, Llanelli and Scarlets. But yeah also played 15 a few times, but his preferred position is at 10.

by bedfordwelsh Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:41 pm

Despite the WRU stopping him switching to Scotland he has never really figured on the radar of the selectors and I think things will have to be really bad before he does.

by majesticimperialman Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:55 pm

Time for Biggar to step inh and make the 10 shirt his too lose.

Who will be on the bench, Will Hook be on the bench as replacement, or will it be a youger player, uncqpped player? Mathew Morgan peerhaps?

by pioden gorllewin Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:57 pm

gatland has stated in the past he has been impressed with shingler, and spoken to mike catt about him. personally i see him being selected for the welsh summer tour in 2013.

by bedfordwelsh Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:03 pm

maj,

I expect to see Hook on the bench due to his versatility as for a youngster I would expect to see Patchell called up ahead of Morgan,

pioden,

I guess that could be a possibility, though again with the likes of Priestland (maybe) Patchell, Tovey and Morgan available for the summer tour who he get the nod ahead of those guys?

by fa0019 Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:04 pm

not being cruel to the player but this will help Wales no end.

Could be their Steve Borthwick moment.

Hope he gets back soon but he's just not a test match player in terms of his temperament... drags the team down.

Now WAL have a chance in their first 2 games... before his injury I put them down as taking 0 points from IRE and FRA.

by bedfordwelsh Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:11 pm

fa,

I think its a bit harsh to blame all our Autumn shambles on Priestland, despite having slated him and called for him to be replaced there was more than 1 player off form who was picked and played poorly.

by pioden gorllewin Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:16 pm

Bedford: can see him going to cover 10, 12 & 15. According to Sunday's rugby paper he's on his way back to wales next season. If he does it will help his chances of getting into the welsh squad.

by fa0019 Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:18 pm

not saying he's to blame for Wales' demise in the autumn.

but he's a big contributor.

In the end... the 10 is the playmaker. He runs the way the team plays... if he plays badly, the team will always struggle.

For me... he lacks the temperament of a player who can run a game at the highest level. Its the same with Charlie Hodgson.

There is no doubt these guys are talented... but they are mentally weak whereas your 10 needs to be the most arrogant/confident guy on the team.

Charlie Hodgson had good games for ENG, I recall when he scored 20+ vs. SA in 04 when ENG took the 3N champs to the cleaners..... but overall he failed to grasp test match rugby and I see the same traits in Priestland.... when something goes wrong... his head always drops.

You never saw that with Wilkinson, Carter, Giteau, Spencer etc.

I don't wish bad on the guy at all, he has 10* more talent than I ever possessed..... just my own critique of the player in an honest format.

by maestegmafia Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:10 pm

Poor Rhys. Best wishes to him, i hope he comes back a better player after some much needed rest.

I guess that this is a great opportunity for someone to stake their claim, as Rhys Priestland did himself last summer and made the shirt his own a matter of a few games with some excellent rugby.

Biggar is most likely to step in, though as said above Patchell looks a great talent at a young age. Tovey will struggle to get game time with Patchell in his way, though he too is another prospect.

Dragons Steffan Jones is someone i ear marked a long with many other a while back, but I see he has mainly been behind Robling and usually playing for the Keys...!!!

Dragons fans whats the story there???

by Morgannwg Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:15 pm

Biggar, Hook and a re-call for S.Jones would be my choices. If we had more fly-halves then I probably wouldn't select Hook at all.

by maestegmafia Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:16 pm

Morgannwg wrote:Biggar, Hook and a re-call for S.Jones would be my choices. If we had more fly-halves then I probably wouldn't select Hook at all.

Although Wellies has not officially retired, he hasn't played much rugby either, apparently he is studying hard for his coaching qualifications.

by Morgannwg Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:18 pm

Oh drat. Looks like they might go for Patchell then unless he picks up another injury. BTW, is Rhys' injury in his ankle or knee?

Just looking at our injury list and contains a lot of recently capped players and some players we might call upon, but I'm just wondering how it got so bad!

•Aaron Jarvis - prop
•Adam Jones - prop
•Craig Mitchell - prop
•Rhodri Jones - prop
•Samson Lee - prop
•Huw Bennett - hooker
•Richard Hibbard - hooker
•Alun Wyn Jones - lock
•Bradley Davies - lock
•Ian Evans - lock
•Luke Charteris - lock
•Dan Lydiate - flanker
•Josh Turnbull - flanker
•Aaron Shingler - flanker
•Jamie Roberts - centre
•Rhys Priestland - fly-half
•George North - wing
•Leigh Halfpenny - full-back

by majesticimperialman Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:25 pm

That is some injury list.

How many of them will be back intime for the 6ns?

by Morgannwg Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:28 pm

Almost all of them are expected to be back. All I know is RP and Jarvis have long-term injuries so will miss that tournament. Could be wrong though and more are long-term casualties.

by wales606 Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:34 pm

Morgannwg wrote:Almost all of them are expected to be back. All I know is RP and Jarvis have long-term injuries so will miss that tournament. Could be wrong though and more are long-term casualties.

AWJ and Bennett are unlikely to make the 6Ns, not sure on Lydiate at the moment either.

by maestegmafia Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:08 pm

No one have an answer for Steffan Jones absence?

by TycroesOsprey Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:18 pm

I really fear for Patchell. There is no doubting his talent and potential but he is just a kid and I just dont thiNk all this hype is going to help his development. Leave him at the Blues or to play with the U20s.

Biggar deserves his chance and Hook will be covering him. We can call on Wellies if we are desperate. Even Henson who should be back from his back spasm in a week or so is a better option than Patchell at the moment.

I think seeing him the U20s and then perhaps the summer tour with the seniors and then we can look at him next season and see if he really is the real deal. Its a long time since I was really excited about seeing a young ten break through and I dont want to see Patchell get spoiled by the hype and then set back five years.

by TycroesOsprey Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:21 pm

maestegmafia wrote:No one have an answer for Steffan Jones absence?

Havent heard much about him this season Maes but if he is anywhere near the form of last year then he has to be in with a good shout. More so than all the romantics calling for Morgan, I hoped people would have learned after Arwel Thomas. Shocked

by Casartelli Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:48 am

maestegmafia wrote:Poor Rhys. Best wishes to him, i hope he comes back a better player after some much needed rest.

I guess that this is a great opportunity for someone to stake their claim, as Rhys Priestland did himself last summer and made the shirt his own a matter of a few games with some excellent rugby.

Biggar is most likely to step in, though as said above Patchell looks a great talent at a young age. Tovey will struggle to get game time with Patchell in his way, though he too is another prospect.

Dragons Steffan Jones is someone i ear marked a long with many other a while back, but I see he has mainly been behind Robling and usually playing for the Keys...!!!

Dragons fans whats the story there???

Maybe he's not very good. Incredibly, it seems that being earmarked by MaestegMafia is no guarantee of success in this crazy world.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:12 am

My preference would be for Dan Biggar to start and I'd be happy to see Rhys Patchell involved. I don't buy this 'he's too young' argument. The Wallabies wouldn't hesitate to play a youngster if he had the talent.

Maes, Steffan Jones has been in and out of the side. I don't think he's done much wrong when he's played, but Darren Edwards has been alternating him and Lewis Robling (who I don't rate as highly) and more recently Dan Evans, who's done okay even though I'd prefer him to stay at full back.

by fa0019 Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:06 am

Luckless Pedestrian

What the wallabies do however is play any potential flyhalf somewhere else in the backline before taking the reins... especially if they're young.

Barnes, Giteau, Beale, O'Connor... they all started elsewhere.

They've been eased into test rugby... not thrown into the deep end.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:10 am

That doesn't mean we have to play Patchell in a different position. Some players are more versatile than others.

by fa0019 Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:15 am

not suggesting you do.... only that in Europe they don't tend to ease in youngers in the backline like they do in the SH.... I don't have an idea on the kid you're talking about as I'm not UK based.

Test rugby is a lot faster than club rugby.... Players have less time on their hands and unless they're a natural and have a dominant pack they may struggle to get used to the timing.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:21 am

That's true, but a lot depends on the player and you won't know until he plays. Some take to Test rugby like a duck to water, others take to it like a cat to water.

by Casartelli Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:34 am

Carter played a lot at 12 early in his career, for Crusaders and All Blacks.

Talentless, cat to water, slow learner!

by wales606 Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:22 am

Casartelli wrote:Carter played a lot at 12 early in his career, for Crusaders and All Blacks.

Talentless, cat to water, slow learner!

No, it's just a different way.

In the SH, they play a 1st and 2nd 5/8th. So most of their 1st 5/8th can play 2nd 5/8.

In the NH, we have flyhalves and centres, most flyhalves cannot play centre as they require different skills (although there are similarities)

by Casartelli Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:10 pm

wales606 wrote:
Casartelli wrote:Carter played a lot at 12 early in his career, for Crusaders and All Blacks.

Talentless, cat to water, slow learner!

No, it's just a different way.

In the SH, they play a 1st and 2nd 5/8th. So most of their 1st 5/8th can play 2nd 5/8.

In the NH, we have flyhalves and centres, most flyhalves cannot play centre as they require different skills (although there are similarities)

Of course, my mistake. Like Umaga, Nonu, Sonny Bill ... all great 10s. And Mehrtens and Spencer? Also fab at 12.

by wales606 Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:16 pm

Casartelli wrote:
wales606 wrote:
Casartelli wrote:Carter played a lot at 12 early in his career, for Crusaders and All Blacks.

Talentless, cat to water, slow learner!

No, it's just a different way.

In the SH, they play a 1st and 2nd 5/8th. So most of their 1st 5/8th can play 2nd 5/8.

In the NH, we have flyhalves and centres, most flyhalves cannot play centre as they require different skills (although there are similarities)

Of course, my mistake. Like Umaga, Nonu, Sonny Bill ... all great 10s. And Mehrtens and Spencer? Also fab at 12.

by InjuredYetAgain Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:25 pm

A painful one (literally and mataphorically)> from up here, I must confess that I didn't understand why you Welsh folk gave him such a hrad time.
I don't know what his long term prospects on his return are - I know that, after I snapped my achilles, I wasn't the same player and was not considered for Scotland caps. Laugh

by Guest Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:29 pm

Patchell would actually make a decent 12

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