Ospreys 2015/16 Season

First topic message reminder :

True Raven wrote:I'm sure King said he's happy to play anywhere in the back row he just won't play anymore in the 2nd row so hopefully that experiment has come and gone.

It looks like Fia will be starting tomorrow if the training session was anything to go by as he was doing reps with the first team so Jarvis should be planted on the bench

So much for what King wants then TR, ridiculous selection, as for your second sentence correct hope we don't see Jarvis until at least the 70th minute.

mikey_dragon wrote:
Have you heard of/watched Cheifs (S15) player Nanai-Williams? If not, I can assure you the people at the Blues have.

You mean Ricoh Black Rams player Nanai-Williams?

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:If the Blues were to get Nanai Williams, that would be ridiculous!

Hes be the perfect buy for the Ospreys, quite happily use the money we've saved from NDC and gazump the Blues on this one

PhilBB wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:
Have you heard of/watched Cheifs (S15) player Nanai-Williams? If not, I can assure you the people at the Blues have.

You mean Ricoh Black Rams player Nanai-Williams?

Well at least we know he's not on any international radar then, be it NZ or Samoa. He was formerly at the Chiefs or Crusaders though, wasn't he?

True Raven wrote:

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:If the Blues were to get Nanai Williams, that would be ridiculous!

Hes be the perfect buy for the Ospreys, quite happily use the money we've saved from NDC and gazump the Blues on this one

JJ is definitely off elsewhere then?

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:If the Blues were to get Nanai Williams, that would be ridiculous!

Whilst I am not saying that he would not be a good signing, I find it quite alarming that three of our four regions could potentially see their first team center pairings as NWQ players.



Ospreys


JJ Engelbrecht
Josh Matavesi


Scarlets


Regan King
Hadley Parkes

Cardiff


Ray Lee-Lo
Nanai Williams

This is NOT good for Welsh rugby.

Yeah, because Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies will never be selected over Parkes and King.

What a colossal silly billy.

Oh heck.

PhilBB wrote:Yeah, because Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies will never be selected over Parkes and King.

What a colossal silly billy.

That's why I used the word POTENTIALLY.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:Yeah, because Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies will never be selected over Parkes and King.

What a colossal silly billy.

That's why I used the word POTENTIALLY.

Say.....international windows?

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:Yeah, because Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies will never be selected over Parkes and King.

What a colossal silly billy.

That's why I used the word POTENTIALLY.

And you used the word 'first team'. None of those would be first team.

Englebrecht isn't even on contract for next year.

mikey, I have been on other Welsh rugby forums and have asked a few of the members on them about PhilBB, and lets just say they were not very complimentary about him, I am not going to say what they have said about him, but it does not put him in a very good light.

But what I was saying is that if Williams and Davies were my team's midfield, and due to be away with Wales for a number of weeks, I would love to know that we had guys like Parkes and King to step in.

mikey_dragon wrote:But what I was saying is that if Williams and Davies were my team's midfield, and due to be away with Wales for a number of weeks, I would love to know that we had guys like Parkes and King to step in.

There must be somebody from Haverfordwest thirds or Milford Haven 2s ready to step up though? #welshisbest

PhilBB wrote:None of those would be first team.

That's a bold statement to make, got a crystal ball have you ?

PhilBB wrote:Englebrecht isn't even on contract for next year.

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/JJ-Engelbrecht-extend-stay-Ospreys/story-28762476-detail/story.html

Nanai - Williams plays in the back 3

mikey_dragon wrote:But what I was saying is that if Williams and Davies were my team's midfield, and due to be away with Wales for a number of weeks, I would love to know that we had guys like Parkes and King to step in.

Exactly, which is why you need NWQ's to keep up the standard otherwise all regions will be playing players of Jonny Spratt or Gavin Evans ability.

People see this myth that young welsh players wont develop being behind NWQ but Rhys Webb had to wait for his turn in Ospreys 9 jersey behind Justin Marshall, Jason Spice, Mike Phillips, Jamie Nutbrown, Tito Tebaldi, Kahn Fahtouili and according to himself made him a better player and one of the best scrum halves in europe as he got to learn behind these players as opposed to being thrown in the deep end at a young age with no mentor.

LordDowlais wrote:mikey, I have been on other Welsh rugby forums and have asked a few of the members on them about PhilBB, and lets just say they were not very complimentary about him, I am not going to say what they have said about him, but it does not put him in a very good light.

Oh bless.

Which forums? Link?

Thanks in advance.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:None of those would be first team.

That's a bold statement to make, got a crystal ball have you ?

PhilBB wrote:Englebrecht isn't even on contract for next year.

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/JJ-Engelbrecht-extend-stay-Ospreys/story-28762476-detail/story.html

The link says COULD. So what are you trying to prove?

King is off contract (I believe), Engelbrecht doesn't have a contract, Nanai-Williams is contracted in Japan

True Raven wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:But what I was saying is that if Williams and Davies were my team's midfield, and due to be away with Wales for a number of weeks, I would love to know that we had guys like Parkes and King to step in.

Exactly, which is why you need NWQ's to keep up the standard otherwise all regions will be playing players of Jonny Spratt or Gavin Evans ability.

People see this myth that young welsh players wont develop being behind NWQ but Rhys Webb had to wait for his turn in Ospreys 9 jersey behind Justin Marshall, Jason Spice, Mike Phillips, Jamie Nutbrown, Tito Tebaldi, Kahn Fahtouili and according to himself made him a better player and one of the best scrum halves in europe as he got to learn behind these players as opposed to being thrown in the deep end at a young age with no mentor.

Yeah pretty much. I hope we can be a bit smarter about who to recruit and where in future though. We need fresh props, so hopefully current and former U20 players will continue to develop.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:None of those would be first team.

That's a bold statement to make, got a crystal ball have you ?

PhilBB wrote:Englebrecht isn't even on contract for next year.

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/JJ-Engelbrecht-extend-stay-Ospreys/story-28762476-detail/story.html

Lord, JJ as part of his deal with us HAS to go back to Japan at the end of this season for at least a few months, it is only then that he has the option to transfer to us on a permament deal, and as he has said he would like to stay because he likes what he sees with us.

I understand that wayne, and I will admit that he does seem a decent player, but it does not cover up the fact that he could potentially keep a gem like Owen Watkin out of the side.

But he hasn't and he wont. No player can play every game in a season so rotation is used all season. The idiots on scrum V said that Sam Davies has to leave because Dan Biggar is first choice and wont get games, yet failed to realise that Sam Davies has played more games for the Ospreys than Dan has this season. Theres enough games for everyone to play their fare share. Its just that instead of replacing Owen with Spratt we want Engelbrecht.

The way I look at it, the Irish provinces are not choc-a-block full of NIQ players yet they seem to manage, why can't we ?

LordDowlais wrote:The way I look at it, the Irish provinces are not choc-a-block full of NIQ players yet they seem to manage, why can't we ?

Because they spend more to keep the better Irish players at home.

Remember? You flip flop to that argument when it suits you.

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:mikey, I have been on other Welsh rugby forums and have asked a few of the members on them about PhilBB, and lets just say they were not very complimentary about him, I am not going to say what they have said about him, but it does not put him in a very good light.

Oh bless.

Which forums? Link?

Thanks in advance.

No answer? Well, well.

PhilBB wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:mikey, I have been on other Welsh rugby forums and have asked a few of the members on them about PhilBB, and lets just say they were not very complimentary about him, I am not going to say what they have said about him, but it does not put him in a very good light.

Oh bless.

Which forums? Link?

Thanks in advance.

No answer? Well, well.

I did answer, but I deleted it, I am not going to put other peoples details on here, nor am I giving you the chance to go after them on other forums.

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:The way I look at it, the Irish provinces are not choc-a-block full of NIQ players yet they seem to manage, why can't we ?

Because they spend more to keep the better Irish players at home.

Remember? You flip flop to that argument when it suits you.

And what are the dual contracts for ? 

We are keeping players in Wales now, so there are no excuses. Unless you go by the username PhillBB on the internet, then there will always be an excuse.

Yes but not all the Welsh squad play in Wales.....Charteris, B Davies, R Moriarty, R Preistland, Roberts, North, Halfpenny, Francis and even older players like Hibbard and Hook play outside of Wales when they would add someting to a welsh region. this isnt the case with the Iriish teams

LordDowlais wrote:

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:If the Blues were to get Nanai Williams, that would be ridiculous!

Whilst I am not saying that he would not be a good signing, I find it quite alarming that three of our four regions could potentially see their first team center pairings as NWQ players.



Ospreys


JJ Engelbrecht Ashley Beck
Josh Matavesi Owen Watkin


Scarlets


Regan King Scott Williams
Hadley Parkes Jonathan Davies

Cardiff


Ray Lee-Lo
Nanai Williams

This is NOT good for Welsh rugby.

Just put in WQ centre pairings in for the Ospreys/Scarlets to add some perspective.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:The way I look at it, the Irish provinces are not choc-a-block full of NIQ players yet they seem to manage, why can't we ?

Because they spend more to keep the better Irish players at home.

Remember? You flip flop to that argument when it suits you.

And what are the dual contracts for ? 

We are keeping players in Wales now, so there are no excuses. Unless you go by the username PhillBB on the internet, then there will always be an excuse.

Looking at who have been given NDCs, I believe they are there to help the Ospreys to try and win the RCC2 next season

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:The way I look at it, the Irish provinces are not choc-a-block full of NIQ players yet they seem to manage, why can't we ?

Because they spend more to keep the better Irish players at home.

Remember? You flip flop to that argument when it suits you.

And what are the dual contracts for ? 

We are keeping players in Wales now, so there are no excuses. Unless you go by the username PhillBB on the internet, then there will always be an excuse.

Looking at who have been given NDCs, I believe they are there to help the Ospreys to try and win the RCC2 next season

I might be close to 70 SS, but I'll catch you, even if it takes a season or 2

wayne wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Looking at who have been given NDCs, I believe they are there to help the Ospreys to try and win the RCC2 next season

I might be close to 70 SS, but I'll catch you, even if it takes a season or 2

LordDowlais wrote:No, I just do not think the regions should be a refuge for NWQ players that no other teams want.

Also, there should be no excuses next season, the regions have won their war, they have gotten what they wanted, so we should see an upturn in results both domestically and in Europe next season.

Your nuts, M'Lord....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UepI8W6pq4

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:The way I look at it, the Irish provinces are not choc-a-block full of NIQ players yet they seem to manage, why can't we ?

Because they spend more to keep the better Irish players at home.

Remember? You flip flop to that argument when it suits you.

And what are the dual contracts for ? 

We are keeping players in Wales now, so there are no excuses. Unless you go by the username PhillBB on the internet, then there will always be an excuse.

Looking at who have been given NDCs, I believe they are there to help the Ospreys to try and win the RCC2 next season

LordDowlais wrote:No, I just do not think the regions should be a refuge for NWQ players that no other teams want.

Also, there should be no excuses next season, the regions have won their war, they have gotten what they wanted, so we should see an upturn in results both domestically and in Europe next season.

And come on, what about WQ players that no other teams want?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:If the Blues were to get Nanai Williams, that would be ridiculous!

Whilst I am not saying that he would not be a good signing, I find it quite alarming that three of our four regions could potentially see their first team center pairings as NWQ players.



Ospreys


JJ Engelbrecht Ashley Beck
Josh Matavesi Owen Watkin


Scarlets


Regan King Scott Williams
Hadley Parkes Jonathan Davies

Cardiff


Ray Lee-Lo
Nanai Williams

This is NOT good for Welsh rugby.

Just put in WQ centre pairings in for the Ospreys/Scarlets to add some perspective.

Well seeing as we're now talking WQ centre pairings: Dixon, Morgan, Wardle, Leach, Warren, Hughes.

mikey_dragon wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:If the Blues were to get Nanai Williams, that would be ridiculous!

Whilst I am not saying that he would not be a good signing, I find it quite alarming that three of our four regions could potentially see their first team center pairings as NWQ players.



Ospreys


JJ Engelbrecht Ashley Beck
Josh Matavesi Owen Watkin


Scarlets


Regan King Scott Williams
Hadley Parkes Jonathan Davies

Cardiff


Ray Lee-Lo
Nanai Williams

This is NOT good for Welsh rugby.

Just put in WQ centre pairings in for the Ospreys/Scarlets to add some perspective.

Well seeing as we're now talking WQ centre pairings: Dixon, Morgan, Wardle, Leach, Warren, Hughes.

Sam Beard next season too.

LordDowlais wrote:

I did answer, but I deleted it, I am not going to put other peoples details on here, nor am I giving you the chance to go after them on other forums.

You haven't been to any.

LordDowlais wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:The way I look at it, the Irish provinces are not choc-a-block full of NIQ players yet they seem to manage, why can't we ?

Because they spend more to keep the better Irish players at home.

Remember? You flip flop to that argument when it suits you.

And what are the dual contracts for ? 

We are keeping players in Wales now, so there are no excuses. Unless you go by the username PhillBB on the internet, then there will always be an excuse.

Dual contracts are small in number. They do not meet the investment in wages that the IRFU make.

If we are keeping players in Wales then where is Faletau going? Why hasn't Cuthbert signed a new deal yet?

Who is 'PhillBB'?

Your clear and obvious trolling tactic is to set false expectations and then to criticise when those false expectations are not met.

True Raven wrote:Yes but not all the Welsh squad play in Wales.....Charteris, B Davies, R Moriarty, R Preistland, Roberts, North, Halfpenny, Francis and even older players like Hibbard and Hook play outside of Wales when they would add someting to a welsh region.  this isnt the case with the Iriish teams

Exactly.

I know it's been put on the Blues topic, but it should be on here, according to the Rugby Paper, Bradley Davies is going to sign for us, but NOT on a DC, and the reason he's going to sign for us is because the Blues are unwilling or unable to pay a transfer fee, which we can.
Bernardo is obviously out of favour with our coaches, as he couldn't even make the bench for our last game, with 2 youngsters (Thornton, Beard) and a back row player Ardron preferred to Rynier, the talk on our board is that he is off at seasons end, obviously if he's not on a DC the 16 game rule doesn't apply, but he will still be away a lot with TW, do we need him with the exposure that the 2 youngsters should be getting, he seems a ready made replacement for AWJ, the 2 youngsters are a few inches taller than either of the more experienced.
I would much prefer a full back who can cover elsewhere, the man who springs to mind if he gave up his O/H aspirations would be James Hook, it's about time he came back home.

I was thinking that about Hook. He'd be the perfect signing. From the region and would clearly love to be back playing for the Ospreys, clearly a better team than Gloucester. He can cover 10,12,13 + 15 and would be available all year round as hes no longer in consideration for Wales.

I don't mind Bradley coming as he'd be an improvement to our first 15 and when he and AWJ are away we'll have Ashley, Thornton and Beard getting valuable game time. It also means we can offload Bernardo and free up a NWQ to use to strengthen another part of the team.

True Raven wrote: clearly a better team than Gloucester.

Rightio

Rumour circulating on twitter that Sam Davies has asked to be released from his contract at the end of the year as he wants to be first choice. Hope its not true and don't see where he's going to get his first team action in wales anyway

True Raven wrote:Rumour circulating on twitter that Sam Davies has asked to be released from his contract at the end of the year as he wants to be first choice.  Hope its not true and don't see where he's going to get his first team action in wales anyway

Joining Holley at Bristol would be my bet?

True Raven wrote:I was thinking that about Hook.  He'd be the perfect signing.  From the region and would clearly love to be back playing for the Ospreys, clearly a better team than Gloucester.  He can cover 10,12,13 + 15 and would be available all year round as hes no longer in consideration for Wales.

I don't mind Bradley coming as he'd be an improvement to our first 15 and when he and AWJ are away we'll have Ashley, Thornton and Beard getting valuable game time.  It also means we can offload Bernardo and free up a NWQ to use to strengthen another part of the team.

Why would Hook who has at last pinned down his preferred 10 jersey at Gloucester return to the Ospreys to be 3rd choice 10, back up centre or second choice at 15?

It was looking tough to qualify for RCC 1 next season as it stood, it got a whole lot harder today with the news that Tips is out of next weekends game and AWJ is out of the next 2 matches at least, will Tandy select 2 proper 2nd rows (Thornton and Bernardo or Beard) a 2nd row and a back rower (Thornton and Ardron or King) or heaven forbid 2 back rowers in the boilerhouse (Ardron and King). I expect the middle selection of Thornton and Ardron, hopefully Underhill has made a full recovery and could fill in for Tips, because as well as Cracknell has played he is not quick enough for a 7, this is looking a very hard fixture to get anything out of.

wayne wrote:It was looking tough to qualify for RCC 1 next season as it stood, it got a whole lot harder today with the news that Tips is out of next weekends game and AWJ is out of the next 2 matches at least, will Tandy select 2 proper 2nd rows (Thornton and Bernardo or Beard) a 2nd row and a back rower (Thornton and Ardron or King) or heaven forbid 2 back rowers in the boilerhouse (Ardron and King). I expect the middle selection of Thornton and Ardron, hopefully Underhill has made a full recovery and could fill in for Tips, because as well as Cracknell has played he is not quick enough for a 7, this is looking a very hard fixture to get anything out of.

Wayne,didn't post after the Leinster game because I was really annoyed at the O's not learning the lessons from the Connacht game namely composure,defensive alignment and that blydi unbalanced second row.Even more annoyed with AWJ being played at less than full fitness by Gats.If i've understood the RCC1 qualification route the O's have to finish 5th or better if neither the Scottish or Italian teams finish in the top 6.That's going to be tough because I don't see Munster imploding.Hope the boys can do the business on Saturday.

exile jack wrote:

wayne wrote:It was looking tough to qualify for RCC 1 next season as it stood, it got a whole lot harder today with the news that Tips is out of next weekends game and AWJ is out of the next 2 matches at least, will Tandy select 2 proper 2nd rows (Thornton and Bernardo or Beard) a 2nd row and a back rower (Thornton and Ardron or King) or heaven forbid 2 back rowers in the boilerhouse (Ardron and King). I expect the middle selection of Thornton and Ardron, hopefully Underhill has made a full recovery and could fill in for Tips, because as well as Cracknell has played he is not quick enough for a 7, this is looking a very hard fixture to get anything out of.

Wayne,didn't post after the Leinster game because I was really annoyed at the O's not learning the lessons from the Connacht game namely composure,defensive alignment and that blydi unbalanced second row.Even more annoyed with AWJ being played at less than full fitness by Gats.If i've understood  the RCC1 qualification route the O's have to finish 5th or better if neither the Scottish or Italian teams finish in the top 6.That's going to be tough because I don't see Munster imploding.Hope the boys can do the business on Saturday.

Jack, we have to finish above one Scottish and Irish team to qualify, I can't see it happening personally, but it will not stop me shouting my head off on Saturday, there is going to be a decent crowd, but I presume there will be a lot of Scarlets there.

I have heard it will Ben Whitehouse as the ref this weekend, and looking at the Scarlets discipline record I think this game is pretty much a gimme for the Ospreys. I can see the Scarlets picking up a card or two (or three), which will negate any issue the Ospreys may have in their team balance.

That said I think there will be a few interesting personal battles in this game. Baldwin against Owens, Davies and Webb, DTH and Hassler. As well as the likes of King, and Ball wanting to show Gatland that they really should have been involved far more in the six nations than they were.