Olly Kohn for Wales?

by Poorfour Mon 21 Jan 2013, 4:29 pm

First topic message reminder :

With the list of healthy locks in Wales apparently now down to Lou Reed, one of the less mentioned news stories over the weekend was that Quins' enforcer-and-purveyor-of-sausages Olly Kohn has revealed that he has a Welsh grandfather and would happily play for Wales. It's a bit cheeky, and clearly not a long-term option, but I can see the attraction for Olly - he's lost several years to injury and despite being in excellent form he's too old to feature in Stuart Lancaster's plans. It might be his only shot at international recognition, and I for one would not begrudge him pulling on a red jersey instead of a white one if the call came.

But I've seen almost no reaction to this. What do the Wales fans think? Could he do a job for you in what is fast becoming a crisis?

by Morgannwg Fri 25 Jan 2013, 4:51 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
dragonbreath wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Have to disagree with all the one-eyed welshmen. What's the obesession with 'blooding' as we're now calling it? In case nobody in Wales has noticed, our 2nd row prospects in the Premiership look threadbare and the ones in the academies don't seem very good. King and Kelly have played well but will probably be off the intensity and size needed for international duties at this moment in time. I'd rather a monster like Kohn come in this year or next as a stop gap. I can't see him or Charteris around in 2015 and with four front line locks out then I don't see the big deal. Jake Ball has recently moved to Wales and people are already talking about him being in the Wales set-up (rightfully so as he's a monster). I don't see much difference between him and Kohn. Get them both in and improve our depth as four second rows of international standard clearly isn't enough.

At last the voice of reason. A 7 game losing run is not the time to be blooding callow youth. Plenty of time for that. If Kohn is good enough to hold down a place at Quinns then he can't be shabby and has certainly been playing at a higher level than King and Kelly.

I don't think Kohn is above King ability wise. Size wise yes. I have no idea why any Wales fan would be worried about blooding young players over stop gaps. Look at how well We did at the World Cup with such a young an exuberant team.

Toby Faletau scoring vs the bok on his what second cap. He was top tackler with 80 odd rackles none missed. I have faith in our young players and would rather we stick with them.

Are you still on about blooding? Open the other eye pal. We've done enough of that to see us up to 2015. Kohn gets in due to the injuries and his own form. We never know, a guy playing in a winning team could have a possitive effect on the rest. Nice to see the Welsh selectors finally welcome him in with open arms. Good luck Olly.

by yappysnap Fri 25 Jan 2013, 4:57 pm

Could be a very good choice by the Wales coaches.

As a Quins fan Kohn is in my eyes one of the best of his breed of locks, big, nasty and grafting. It's worth noting that while he does nothing flash, when he's out of the team the pack generally look a shadow of themselves.

Also if he packs down behind Adam Jones then there's just a shade under 40 stone of weight coming from those two alone (as a reference Cole+Launchberry is 36 stone).

by yappysnap Fri 25 Jan 2013, 4:59 pm

Oh and i'd be more then happy to see him get a cap or two even against England (maybe especially against us). He more then deserves it.

by thomh Fri 25 Jan 2013, 5:16 pm

If he gets a chance then he should do a good job for you. He's not the most mobile or the best lineout jumper, but he adds a huge amount to our scrum, can carry and is a bit of a brick wall in defence. He's too big to really get down low, but his upright tackles can really knock players backwards.

With Kohn backing up Adam Jones I don't think many people would get the better of the Welsh scrum.

by Looseheaded Fri 25 Jan 2013, 5:38 pm

He's a big old boy with decent skills and much needed power.

People seem worried he could stunt the growth of other players, or wont last long for us.

He's 31 years old, and in great form. Who knows, he could easily make it to RWC or just before, it's not unheard of to see a 34 year old lock.

by Coleman Fri 25 Jan 2013, 5:50 pm

Hope he knows the anthem. ^_^ . In seriousness, people who have been watching him for some time now only seem to have good things about him and he is a unit. We could do with him in the scrum as i think Healy v Jones is going to be a massive part of the game next weekend. Best of luck to him!

by AlastairW Fri 25 Jan 2013, 6:11 pm

Coleman wrote:Hope he knows the anthem. ^_^ . In seriousness, people who have been watching him for some time now only seem to have good things about him and he is a unit. We could do with him in the scrum as i think Healy v Jones is going to be a massive part of the game next weekend. Best of luck to him!

I'll add my voice to that. Been watching him play his trade week in/week out , and although the vastly improved Quins scrum is attributed to JJ/an improving Marler, people seem to pass over Kohn who is exceptional in the tight, used to free-flowing Rugby, and hits the breakdown hard for the clean ball to free up the backs - which is Quins meat & veg play.

He maybe seen as a 4th choice lock for Wales, but I think he'll surprise you guys if he gels with the team. Best of luck to him (.... but not too much for the closing game! Wink

)

by welshy6 Fri 25 Jan 2013, 7:10 pm

it doesn't sit right with me about picking him just on principle but hey he is eligible and is performing well so since it is within the IRB laws (although they should be changed) then we should select him, after all he sounds like a good hard working lock which with the current injuries we will need (and surely he cant be as bad as Lou Reed!)

Another positive previously mentioned is that it may allow us to play Warbs, Tips and Faletau in the backrow.

However if he isint arriving with the squad until Sunday it only gives him 4 days to try and establish himself enough to get into the 23

by DaveM Fri 25 Jan 2013, 7:45 pm

Well he's slightly less Welsh than me I'd say - my brother lived in Wales and he has a welsh girlfriend. I've declared myself available.

by Morgannwg Fri 25 Jan 2013, 8:06 pm

Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

by bedfordwelsh Fri 25 Jan 2013, 8:09 pm

Stated in another thread that wasn't keen on him being called up and at 31 he is hardly one for the future.

Personally if he wanted to add some experience thenhe should have called up Goughie, at least he has proved he can play at the top level.

Then again nothing Howler does anymore surprises me and I don't mean that in a good way.

by SubsBench Fri 25 Jan 2013, 8:32 pm

I just hope they've checked up on this Welsh grandparent Erm

!

by Guest Sat 26 Jan 2013, 12:01 am

Lets just remember it;s not Quins it's Nick Evans Quins

by ChequeredJersey Sat 26 Jan 2013, 12:20 am

And we're glad to have him thumbsup

by Poorfour Sat 26 Jan 2013, 1:14 am

Looseheaded wrote:He's a big old boy with decent skills and much needed power.

People seem worried he could stunt the growth of other players, or wont last long for us.

He's 31 years old, and in great form. Who knows, he could easily make it to RWC or just before, it's not unheard of to see a 34 year old lock.

Reading all that's been said about him, it makes him sound like a slightly smaller Simon Shaw. Which, on reflection, is neither inaccurate, nor a bad thing for Wales.

by Morgannwg Sat 26 Jan 2013, 1:20 am

If you go by the stats is he not bigger than Shaw? The scary thing is Shaw looked small in comparison to his 2nd row partner Botha....

by thomh Sat 26 Jan 2013, 3:11 am

Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Well Flutey did live in England for years, not that I have a problem with Kohn's call-up at all.

He's a very good player who had a year injured at exactly the wrong moment. If he'd been in the form he is in now three years ago then Johnson might have taken a look at him, but Lancaster's young player policy probably rules him out. On club form he's as good as any 4 in the premiership, it's just a question of whether he's mobile enough and enough of a lineout option to make it at the next level. If he gets a cap then I'll be hoping he does well (maybe not against England), as having successful internationals can't hurt Quins and he's a bit of an unsung hero in the team.

by maestegmafia Sat 26 Jan 2013, 5:17 am

thomh wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Well Flutey did live in England for years, not that I have a problem with Kohn's call-up at all.

He's a very good player who had a year injured at exactly the wrong moment. If he'd been in the form he is in now three years ago then Johnson might have taken a look at him, but Lancaster's young player policy probably rules him out. On club form he's as good as any 4 in the premiership, it's just a question of whether he's mobile enough and enough of a lineout option to make it at the next level. If he gets a cap then I'll be hoping he does well (maybe not against England), as having successful internationals can't hurt Quins and he's a bit of an unsung hero in the team.

England are lucky they aren't missing their four first choice locks

by Glas a du Sat 26 Jan 2013, 7:23 am

"Anne-thowney Copsey - claw"

by majesticimperialman Sat 26 Jan 2013, 7:42 am

Glas a du wrote:"Anne-thowney Copsey - claw"

what?

by Glas a du Sat 26 Jan 2013, 8:03 am

S4C had the players giving their name and position in Welsh before each match. Tony Copsey got selected for Wales under the residency rules and made a good fist of saying 'clo' but in his accent it was still hilarious. My dad said he'd rather lose with 15 Welshmen than win with one Englishman.

by Guest Sat 26 Jan 2013, 8:08 am

Glas a du wrote:S4C had the players giving their name and position in Welsh before each match. Tony Copsey got selected for Wales under the residency rules and made a good fist of saying 'clo' but in his accent it was still hilarious. My dad said he'd rather lose with 15 Welshmen than win with one Englishman.

I take it he can't stand to watch the current Wales team then?!

by Glas a du Sat 26 Jan 2013, 8:19 am

He wasn't very happy during Henry's reign either.

by AlastairW Sat 26 Jan 2013, 11:05 am

Glas a du wrote:He wasn't very happy during Henry's reign either.

5th or 7th?

by yappysnap Sat 26 Jan 2013, 1:20 pm

by Glas a du Sat 26 Jan 2013, 1:48 pm

Henrici Primi

by markb Sat 26 Jan 2013, 2:51 pm

Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Not so in the end, a couple of years after he had already been selected for England he was helping his adopted mother to find out who her father was and it turned out he wasn't a Kiwi but a sailor from Kent.

by maestegmafia Sat 26 Jan 2013, 4:30 pm

markb wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Not so in the end, a couple of years after he had already been selected for England he was helping his adopted mother to find out who her father was and it turned out he wasn't a Kiwi but a sailor from Kent.

And French

“It was a bit of both because I’ve always wanted to experience French rugby because my great-great-great grandfather was French,” he somewhat stunningly reveals. “He was a French whaler and came out to New Zealand, so there is a bit of blood there although we don’t know nothing about our family history from him. We don’t know anything about the French side of things, we just know my family tree from the guy that arrived in New Zealand really, so it would be nice to dig out some family history stuff and look more into it.”

by Morgannwg Sat 26 Jan 2013, 4:32 pm

markb wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Not so in the end, a couple of years after he had already been selected for England he was helping his adopted mother to find out who her father was and it turned out he wasn't a Kiwi but a sailor from Kent.

So yeah, he is more Welsh than Flutey is English then. I'm sorry the truth hurts you.

by ChequeredJersey Sat 26 Jan 2013, 4:33 pm

markb wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Not so in the end, a couple of years after he had already been selected for England he was helping his adopted mother to find out who her father was and it turned out he wasn't a Kiwi but a sailor from Kent.

by Looseheaded Sat 26 Jan 2013, 4:47 pm

I think markb meant the mother was adopted
rather than she being his adoptive mother

Adoptive means that he was adopted
adopted mother means his mother was

by ChequeredJersey Sat 26 Jan 2013, 4:47 pm

That would make more sense

by maestegmafia Sat 26 Jan 2013, 4:54 pm

He qualified on residency for England before then anyway.

by markb Sat 26 Jan 2013, 5:05 pm

Morgannwg wrote:
markb wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Not so in the end, a couple of years after he had already been selected for England he was helping his adopted mother to find out who her father was and it turned out he wasn't a Kiwi but a sailor from Kent.

So yeah, he is more Welsh than Flutey is English then. I'm sorry the truth hurts you.

If Kohn's grandfather was Welsh and Flutey's grandfather was English, how do you work that out? Was Kohn's grandfather 110% Welsh?

Yes, to the other queries, his mother had been adopted, hence why they were trying to track down who her father was.

by Morgannwg Sat 26 Jan 2013, 5:07 pm

If Kohn pulls on a Wales shirt and gives 110%, then I'd say yes.

by Poorfour Sat 26 Jan 2013, 5:40 pm

markb wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:
markb wrote:
Morgannwg wrote:Well he's more Welsh than Flutey is English, you can put it that way!

Not so in the end, a couple of years after he had already been selected for England he was helping his adopted mother to find out who her father was and it turned out he wasn't a Kiwi but a sailor from Kent.

So yeah, he is more Welsh than Flutey is English then. I'm sorry the truth hurts you.

If Kohn's grandfather was Welsh and Flutey's grandfather was English, how do you work that out? Was Kohn's grandfather 110% Welsh?

Yes, to the other queries, his mother had been adopted, hence why they were trying to track down who her father was.

All Welshmen are at least 110% Welsh, except for George North. Well known fact.

by sickofwendy Sat 26 Jan 2013, 5:45 pm

What does it matter,he deserves a chance to play test rugby and Wales are desperate for decent locks.win win situation.

by majesticimperialman Sat 26 Jan 2013, 6:02 pm

sickofwendy wrote:What does it matter,he deserves a chance to play test rugby and Wales are desperate for decent locks.win win situation.

I agree he wants to play international rugby, i also agree that Wales are desperate for a decent lock. But i do think it would be a huge mistake, maybe even a pi.. take if he played in the 6ns for Wales and never played again. Did not play on the summer tour for example.

by maestegmafia Sat 26 Jan 2013, 6:11 pm

majesticimperialman wrote:
sickofwendy wrote:What does it matter,he deserves a chance to play test rugby and Wales are desperate for decent locks.win win situation.

I agree he wants to play international rugby, i also agree that Wales are desperate for a decent lock. But i do think it would be a huge mistake, maybe even a pi.. take if he played in the 6ns for Wales and never played again. Did not play on the summer tour for example.

He is only in as injury cover, unlikely to make the summer tour.

If he had announced that he wanted to play for Wales about fifteen years ago then he may have had a chance of a few more caps. Unfortunately he only announced his availability last week aged 31.

We have four good locks who have been part of the Wales set up for a good few years, plus three promising youngsters looking for a chance. Unless Kohn makes himself an invaluable cog in the Welsh Squad i can't see him getting too many chances.

by Looseheaded Sat 26 Jan 2013, 6:21 pm

Guys think about it if you were him.

A big lump of a lock who's been on great form for some time, ignored on the international set up due to age and injury, now has this chance for another country, in the 6N before the British and Irish Lions tour.

I'd have made the same call.

by gboycottnut Sat 26 Jan 2013, 6:23 pm

Is Olly Kohn the new Tony Copsey who played for a Wales team in the early 1990's which was one in a period of transition. Copsey was the same height as Kohn although he was perhaps slightly lighter than Kohn and wasn't a very good lineout expert as he hardly won any ball for Wales in the middle of the lineout against guys like Wade Dooley, Oliver Roumat, John Eales, Ian Jones, Doddie Weir, Neil Francis.

by maestegmafia Sat 26 Jan 2013, 7:24 pm

Looseheaded wrote:Guys think about it if you were him.

A big lump of a lock who's been on great form for some time, ignored on the international set up due to age and injury, now has this chance for another country, in the 6N before the British and Irish Lions tour.

I'd have made the same call.

If he plays well he could well make the Lions...

by AlastairW Sat 26 Jan 2013, 7:45 pm

Looseheaded wrote:Guys think about it if you were him.

A big lump of a lock who's been on great form for some time, ignored on the international set up due to age and injury, now has this chance for another country, in the 6N before the British and Irish Lions tour.

I'd have made the same call.

Whoa! WHOA! WHOA! This is the international forum, there'll be none of that common sense tomfoolery around here thank you very much!

by Guest Sat 26 Jan 2013, 11:54 pm

majesticimperialman wrote:
sickofwendy wrote:What does it matter,he deserves a chance to play test rugby and Wales are desperate for decent locks.win win situation.

I agree he wants to play international rugby, i also agree that Wales are desperate for a decent lock. But i do think it would be a huge mistake, maybe even a pi.. take if he played in the 6ns for Wales and never played again. Did not play on the summer tour for example.

Do your google and/or wiki research or copy somebody else's post if you have to, but check our squad for the summer tour and post back here why he wasn't used on the summer tour. It's pretty obvious if you think about it, don't you think?

by Looseheaded Sun 27 Jan 2013, 5:11 am

AlastairW wrote:
Looseheaded wrote:Guys think about it if you were him.

A big lump of a lock who's been on great form for some time, ignored on the international set up due to age and injury, now has this chance for another country, in the 6N before the British and Irish Lions tour.

I'd have made the same call.

Whoa! WHOA! WHOA! This is the international forum, there'll be none of that common sense tomfoolery around here thank you very much!

I'm sorry bud it's been a long night i've had too much to drink i forgot rational thinking was unwelcome here

by Knackeredknees Sun 27 Jan 2013, 8:27 am

Risca Rev wrote:
majesticimperialman wrote:
sickofwendy wrote:What does it matter,he deserves a chance to play test rugby and Wales are desperate for decent locks.win win situation.

I agree he wants to play international rugby, i also agree that Wales are desperate for a decent lock. But i do think it would be a huge mistake, maybe even a pi.. take if he played in the 6ns for Wales and never played again. Did not play on the summer tour for example.

Do your google and/or wiki research or copy somebody else's post if you have to, but check our squad for the summer tour and post back here why he wasn't used on the summer tour. It's pretty obvious if you think about it, don't you think?

Whoa back up a bit risca! Madge was referring to THIS years summer tour. As in bit of a urine extraction if he's only picked for the 6N then dropped completely for the summer tour when others are fit

by majesticimperialman Sun 27 Jan 2013, 8:52 am

Knackeredknees wrote:
Risca Rev wrote:
majesticimperialman wrote:
sickofwendy wrote:What does it matter,he deserves a chance to play test rugby and Wales are desperate for decent locks.win win situation.

I agree he wants to play international rugby, i also agree that Wales are desperate for a decent lock. But i do think it would be a huge mistake, maybe even a pi.. take if he played in the 6ns for Wales and never played again. Did not play on the summer tour for example.

Do your google and/or wiki research or copy somebody else's post if you have to, but check our squad for the summer tour and post back here why he wasn't used on the summer tour. It's pretty obvious if you think about it, don't you think?

Whoa back up a bit risca! Madge was referring to THIS years summer tour. As in bit of a urine extraction if he's only picked for the 6N then dropped completely for the summer tour when others are fit

You see Risca, even i would of thought you would have known that, i am talking about this years summer tour.

I do understand that it is his wish to play for Wales. But in honesty do you think that Wales should use him and abuse him. (Play him in this 6ns) then drop him like a stone when your own locks are fully fit?

by Guest Sun 27 Jan 2013, 9:15 am

I can't see the fuss. People have said he's too big and can't be lifted or can't jump - he's the same weight as Luke Charteris. We manage to chuck him up ok.

People have said he's too old - he's younger than Gethin Jenkins, younger than Matthew Rees, younger than Lee Byrne, same age as Adam Jones and Tyan Jones, only 8 months older than Mike Phillips. He could easily play to 35 or more if the injury gods are kind to him, so why not consider him. The deeper the squad, the better.

by Guest Sun 27 Jan 2013, 9:21 am

I'll apologise for misreading your post first Madge. Because of your other daft post (on the tickets thread), I assumed you were trying to troll again.

Why shouldn't we use him? At the end of the day he's another Welsh Qualified player (if we cap him), so it's good to have another option.

by majesticimperialman Sun 27 Jan 2013, 10:22 am

Risca Rev wrote:I'll apologise for misreading your post first Madge. Because of your other daft post (on the tickets thread), I assumed you were trying to troll again.

Why shouldn't we use him? At the end of the day he's another Welsh Qualified player (if we cap him), so it's good to have another option.

If we cap him? Why call him up if you are not going to cap him? I also agree that it would be good for Wales to have some depth at a time like this. But surely he will get a cap. wont he?

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