Gareth Delve - Lions shout?

The Super season is just about to start, Rebles v Force the two youngsters of the league. Gareth Delve now captain of the Rebels and they, I believe will be a lot better than their first two seasons. Delve was cracking last year, I again believe he will be far better this season. Should he be given a chance in the Lions squad? Personally he should be given a chance in the Welsh team to be honest.

Its an interesting thought...might be worth Gats keeping an eye on him...im assuming as an 8...think we're fine in the other back row areas..

8 is quite sparce..

Heaslip
Morgan
Denton
Faletau

are probably the four main contenders and all have suffered from injuries and / or drastic loss of form...

EDIT: Forgot about Beattie who seems to get mixed opinions from people...

How can he be given a chance for Wales when the matches clash?

It is hard for him to make a case for inclusion by the Lions as he is unable to go head to head with other contenders AND the Lions tour takes place within the Super Rugby season.

Lions Tour - 1st June - 6th July
Last round of Super XV matches - 13th July (though to be fair he would only be unavailable for the first 3 matches- due to a hiatus in the season)

Shout! Not even a whisper mate

If the Lions were decimated by injuries/plague/food poisoning,Delve would be a useful standby as he would be in Oz anyway!

Taffineastbourne wrote:If the Lions were decimated by injuries/plague/food poisoning,Delve would be a useful standby as he would be in Oz anyway!

If that's the criteria I'm taking my boots

Better display than any No8 in the 6 Nations. Captain of a side full of talent in the hardest and best competition outside the 6 & 4 Nations.

Taffineastbourne wrote:If the Lions were decimated by injuries/plague/food poisoning,Delve would be a useful standby as he would be in Oz anyway!

To be honest I think Gats hasn't exactly been fair with Delve so far, and have heard talk of a bit of a poor relationship between them. That said Delve last played for Wales in the dirt track side against the Brumbies in the summer, so maybe Gats will consider him as a 'traveling' reserve.

Delve had a decent game today.

I guess he went to Aussie knowing his chance of Welsh caps had all but gone. It's unfortunate that now he is on the other side of the wrold he is playing exeptional rugby, starting where he left off last season. May live in NZ but I do support these Rebels, a good mix of lads there and with O'Connor and Beale at 15 & 10 an exciting back line. The forwards really got it together after 20 or so minutes and were dominant.

Who did they play?

The Force. The rebels won 30-23

Thanks, Biltong. I should have the OP properly in the first place!

RubyGuby wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:If the Lions were decimated by injuries/plague/food poisoning,Delve would be a useful standby as he would be in Oz anyway!

If that's the criteria I'm taking my boots

Gats has emailed me to have me on standby despite me telling him that I am so short sighted that I need two guide dogs!

Taffineastbourne wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:If the Lions were decimated by injuries/plague/food poisoning,Delve would be a useful standby as he would be in Oz anyway!

If that's the criteria I'm taking my boots

Gats has emailed me to have me on standby despite me telling him that I am so short sighted that I need two guide dogs!

Ah so your the reserve fly half then, Gats likes them blind, that way they don't try to play what is infront of them and they just punt it down feild.

rainbow-warrior wrote:Better display than any No8 in the 6 Nations. Captain of a side full of talent in the hardest and best competition outside the 6 & 4 Nations.

He plays for the worst side out there.

I think the Rebels will do better this year and may finish above the Cheetahs, Force and Kings.... perhaps even the Waratahs.

They've not done too bad considering they had to build a side from nothing... and still managed to beat the Crusaders at home last season.

Delve is very much part of that and was excellent last season... if he had been playing in Europe he would have been right in the test mix.

Won't make the lions quad though.... he's club captain, the tour is in the middle of the season.

I think it would be a good idea though... understands the country, the teams, the players... inside knowledge etc. Would be invaluable esp on Beale and O'Connor.

All that knowledge would still be useful, even if he doesn't play. I suppose it depends on whether relations between him and Gatland really are that bad.

FA, I think you are underestimating the Cheetahs.

Their backline of Pretorius, Goosen, Sadie, Rhule, le Roux is going to be very dangerous indeed.

RubyGuby wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:If the Lions were decimated by injuries/plague/food poisoning,Delve would be a useful standby as he would be in Oz anyway!

If that's the criteria I'm taking my boots

Frankly you would probably be in a better state than when Andy Nicol got called up last time.

BB

Their pack has been decimated though... they'll be drafting in the 1st XV from Grey College soon... the entire lot (perhaps not a bad idea.. prob. better then the Kings!).

I think they will suffer to supply their backs any decent ball this season... esp. as the season goes on and injuries to their first choice team begins to take its toll.

Gareth has as much chance of being a Lions No.8 as I have. Gatland just doesn't like or rate him.

fa0019 wrote:BB

Their pack has been decimated though... they'll be drafting in the 1st XV from Grey College soon... the entire lot (perhaps not a bad idea.. prob. better then the Kings!).

I think they will suffer to supply their backs any decent ball this season... esp. as the season goes on and injuries to their first choice team begins to take its toll.

Look they are going to struggle against the big packs, but Trevor Nyakane has had a good Currie Cup, with Strauss and Coenie in the front row they should hold their own against most packs, even if they don't manage to dominate.

Their second row has been decimated yes, but looking at their replacements, Lood de Jager is a youngster, but at 2.05 meter and 118 KG, he ain't small, Andries Ferraira is 22, 117KG and 1.97 meters tall, Ligtoring Landman has experience and perhaps not the tallest lock but big and physical, Francois Uys is smaller, but has Super XV experience with the Cheetahs. Remember these guys all want to make a name for themselves.

Obviously the backrow as lost a lot with Juan smith, but Brussow is back, Frans Viljoen is a serious rugby player.

So I think we need to see this pack go for a few weeks and then cast judgement.

Mr Bounce wrote:Gareth has as much chance of being a Lions No.8 as I have. Gatland just doesn't like or rate him.

He is playing rugby in Australia so it is a bit difficult to make the training sessions that the NH lads can.

That said he was called into the Wales squad and I think played a midweek game last summer. If there is an injury in Australia to a Backrow then i can see him getting a call very quickly.

Delves a good bet if only for familiarity sake. Hes playing at the same level as the Oz squad and has inside info on beale JOC etc.

I thought the Rebels would win this more comfortably as the Force have had a considerable reduction in experience- David Pocock and 13 odd players including Sharpe, James Stannard and Cameron Shepherd have left. Also a new coach in Foley.

I expect them to finish in a battle for last with the kings. Funnily enough the two meet next week. Could be one rare win for either side.

Taylor,

How did he play? Have you seen the game?

maestegmafia wrote:Taylor,

How did he play? Have you seen the game?

Like I already said, Gareth played well, he carried the ball well, captained well and was penalised once for a knock on that was when replayed not a knock on.

I think they will do far better than their first two seasons, and I can see a few below them, the Blues and Hurricanes for two. Mind you I can see everyone higher than the Blues

If Delve could have made it in England he wouldn't have gone to Oz. Gatland is more likely to pick (former Lion) Andy Powell ahead of of him, but don't put the house on it. The comedy value would be almost worth it.

The Great Aukster wrote:If Delve could have made it in England he wouldn't have gone to Oz. Gatland is more likely to pick (former Lion) Andy Powell ahead of of him, but don't put the house on it. The comedy value would be almost worth it.

He's Welsh mate. The comedy value of you posting on here not knowing WTF you are talking about, far more amusing believe me. Just shows how insular kiwis are!!

rainbow-warrior wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:If Delve could have made it in England he wouldn't have gone to Oz. Gatland is more likely to pick (former Lion) Andy Powell ahead of of him, but don't put the house on it. The comedy value would be almost worth it.

He's Welsh mate. The comedy value of you posting on here not knowing WTF you are talking about, far more amusing believe me. Just shows how insular kiwis are!!

Shame he chose the Rebels over the Blues. Not the first time we have lost players abroad or to other codes and it certainly won't be the last.

He didn't chose the Rebels MM, he threw himself at the Blues and his hand was forced to seek employment elsewhere...

Blues,

I think me and you are two of his few supporters on here and he has never really been given a chance by any of the National managers while he has been playing.

As for the thread I would say he has less than 0 chance of going in the original squad selected.

Of course he won't be involved, sadly as we could do with a good solid 8 behind Heaslip.

It's a shame because when I see him play for the Rebels he looks good despite being in a pack that struggles.

He may be a back up player in an injury crisis at best.

I guess he is in the right place if called upon but would Rebels let him go.

Why would they?

thebluesmancometh wrote:Why would they?

Exactly Blues, they have no obligation to. Will be good to see how he goes if he plays against the Lions

The problem with Delve at the moment is he is not playing international Rugby and has not for quite a number of years. Although his form was terrific with Rebels last season and started well the other day, it is still a bit hard to measure exactly how he would go for Lions. And that, I think, is his biggest hurdle. To be fair, though, he appeared to be one of the best 8s in Australia Super Rugby last season.

Personally, I think he is a very good player, and just as importantly, a strong on-filed leader. I would have liked to see him get a run with Wales, and I think he would do well for Lions.

He is definately a leader but he is also definately not a yes man which has gone against him in the past.

Is that his problem?
That he has his own head? From everything I read, he seems almost a model citizen in Melbourne. Very respected by players, management and fans.

Doc,

I have very good friends who are complete Shed Heads and when he was at Kingsholm he was pretty much a cult figure and he had his fair share of run ins with the coaches etc but because of his on field and off field leadership they were more than happy to have him and liked the fact he challenged things.

I would say Faletau and Beattie are ahead of Heaslip at the moment. Both playing great rugby.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Doc,

I have very good friends who are complete Shed Heads and when he was at Kingsholm he was pretty much a cult figure and he had his fair share of run ins with the coaches etc but because of his on field and off field leadership they were more than happy to have him and liked the fact he challenged things.

Do your mates think he would be worthy of playing for Lions? Calling him a virtual cult figure is no small thing.

doctor_grey wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Doc,

I have very good friends who are complete Shed Heads and when he was at Kingsholm he was pretty much a cult figure and he had his fair share of run ins with the coaches etc but because of his on field and off field leadership they were more than happy to have him and liked the fact he challenged things.

Do your mates think he would be worthy of playing for Lions? Calling him a virtual cult figure is no small thing.

Doc,

He did at times carry Gloucester single handedly it seems and many, not just my mates at Kingsholm couldn't understand his continued exclusion from Welsh set ups over the years.

Aye he's a good player...! He isn't out of the reckoning completely, as he was in the squad last year.

He had question marks over his supplementation routine for a while, and his dad being a real roidhead nutcracker didn't help that, and that made certain people worried (from what Ive heard)

But that was cleared up years ago, and he actively left Glos (despite being loved and despite loving it there) to try to get a move to the Blues for international honours, they took this as a sign of desperation and offered him a poor wage, with few perks.

I have heard that when he countered with a proposal that would put him on less than the likes of Cjekai, and Sweeney they told him no. He literally couldn't do any more to sign and refused to accept the offer on principal, thats when he took an offer (reported to be near double) from the Rebeles.

thebluesmancometh wrote:He had question marks over his supplementation routine for a while, and his dad being a real roidhead nutcracker didn't help that, and that made certain people worried (from what Ive heard)

But that was cleared up years ago, and he actively left Glos (despite being loved and despite loving it there) to try to get a move to the Blues for international honours, they took this as a sign of desperation and offered him a poor wage, with few perks.

I have heard that when he countered with a proposal that would put him on less than the likes of Cjekai, and Sweeney they told him no. He literally couldn't do any more to sign and refused to accept the offer on principal, thats when he took an offer (reported to be near double) from the Rebeles.

The behind the scenes version revealed...!

What's the source...?

His dad is where I got my rumours from, that ok?

thebluesmancometh wrote:His dad is where I got my rumours from, that ok?

Interesting.

Not really, used to train with him speradically in Cardiff, didn't know him well, but when it was happening and he'd love a good rant (people listen!!!!)

Really nice guy (strong as an ox too) but I got the sense he'd do well on this board, did think maybe he was Rogerlewis or so at one point

rainbow-warrior wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:If Delve could have made it in England he wouldn't have gone to Oz. Gatland is more likely to pick (former Lion) Andy Powell ahead of of him, but don't put the house on it. The comedy value would be almost worth it.

He's Welsh mate. The comedy value of you posting on here not knowing WTF you are talking about, far more amusing believe me. Just shows how insular kiwis are!!

Just to enlighten you mate, he played for Gloucester which is in England last time I looked. I guess the rugby reference to Powell was a bit too subtle for you - he kept Delve out of the Welsh team

BTW I'm not a Kiwi but I'll excuse your ignorance - it must be hard to keep in touch when you're out saving Wales all the time.