Dragons win awards

It's offical - the Dragons are awesome! ;-)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/13972307.stm

Whats the world coming to?

Well done, I am a little suprised that Lualua won try of the season, rather than the flowing cross field move from the Scarlets vs Perpingan(?), when the ball was passed out of the back of the hand of 3 players (North, Stoddard and J Davies I think), before Priestland touched down in the corner.

It'll be something if Aled Brew doesn't go to the World Cup now. Tom James, anyone?

Great news. Fair play to brew and faletau. They had great seasons even if the dragons season didn't get going until the sale game when turner was suspended.
Let's hope we push on now. We ended the season strongly, but we also did the previous season and then got stuffed in Connacht in our opening game!
Things really do look like they're heading in the right direction at last and with a young coaching team and a crop of great youngsters and the ground redevelopment and Tony brown putting his hand in his pocket things look very rosey!

Can't believe scarlets didn't wint try of the year for either of those amazing Perpingan trys! they were amazing.

I think we all know that no matter what Brew does he ain't going to be on the plane. It will be Williams, Halfpenny, North (the golden boy) & Stoddart. Can't see him taking a 5th winger.

Which is such a shame for Brew as he's been exceptional at times for the Dragons.

I think he'll be on the plane. Hopefully ahead of stoddart. Halfpenny can cover full back. Agree with smirnoff about north.

That's awesome for the Dragons! Both really deserving of the awards

Was the try of the season picked from all competitions, or just the Magners? If it was all of them, I can't see how the the Scarlets try v Perpignan didn't get it!

I was thinking about Tom James yesterday, and it made me think of all the duffers that Gatlands picked over the years - Tom James, Bennett, Yapp, the infamous Gareth Cooper, Kristian Phillips (who maybe good in the future but is wwaaayyy to green to be anywhere near the Welsh squad), Powell, Snowden Taylor, Gareth Williams.

It's not such a devastating list, but when you consider how badly players like James and Cooper where playing and the options behind them and how well they were playing, then it makes you think (and I don't think I need to say anything about Bennett...)

man of gwent -

I disagree I think Stoddart has to be there, as he's exciting and can play FB as well as Wing. If he doesn't go then the only person i'd want at FB is Priestland, especially as I doubt he'll get much game time as a 10.

Priestland should have been given more game time. Stoddart i's an exciting runner, but defensively he's woeful. The ba bas winning try, stoddarts positioning was awful. He may run in tries against Namibia, but you wouldn't want him flapping about in defence against SA. He reminds me of Wayne proctor. Without the bulimia!
A couple of your duffers will be on the plane. How worrying is that.
I would like to see Bennett on the plane though....... Strapped to the frickin wing!!! With johnathon Thomas on the other one!!!

That would be a good idea, or just chuck them both of the plane when we're flying at 20,000 feet!

it is worrying how many 'duffers' Gatland picks time after time after time.

I agree Priestland should have been played at 15 throughout this(last) season so he could have gotten used to the style of play and the pressure without being in the pivotal position of 10. If that had happened we'd now be in the position of having 2 established int 10's (Jones, Priestland) and a creative wildcard in Hook (especially if he'd had more game time in 1 position).

I think you're being a bit harsh on Stoddarts defence as he has improved dramatically and has a very good defence in the ML, there are a few question marks internationally, but he did make 2 try saving tackles in that Baba's game you mentioned.

I like Morgan Stoddart. He can be a bit out in his defensive positioning but the same could be said about Brew - the point is that their positives outweigh their negatives. Leigh Halfpenny has been very good for Wales and his goalkicking is a huge bonus for us, but he hasn't had much rugby which is a concern.

Stoddart will be on the plane as full-back cover I'm sure, if he makes it through the injury - which he should, if it is a strain.

Smirnoff, about those players:

Tom James - Won the top try scorer in the 2007-08 Magners League, so I would say he deserved a shot.
Bennett - Before Rees' emergence on the Lions he was (sadly) arguably the best hooker in Wales.
Yapp - Back before the emergence of Mitchell/Bevington and James on the TH and Duncs injury we needed to try out someone.
Gareth Cooper - When picked he played some of the best rugby of his career, remember the game where we played Oz at home and won?
Kristian Phillips - Perhaps called up too early, but look at North/Halfpenny. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Powell - Was in superb form and deserved the call up. His early form for Wales was also brilliant.
Snowden Taylor - An average player called up when we had no cover for Williams.
Gareth Williams - During the Blues HC run he was arguably the best hooker in Wales. A pity he's too small for international level.

I would say when they got the call-ups they fully deserved them. The only issue I have now is Gats continual selection of Bennett in the 22. Why?

Well done to both of them and to be honest I can't really see any arguement with either of them winning.

With regards to Brew and the RWC, I have a feeling he will not be on the plane, and neither will Stoddart (one of the best try/game ratios in a welsh kit) even though IMO they are definately deserving of a place. I believe Stodds is injured, and Brew does not fit Gatlands style somehow.

ScarletSpiderman, I know what you mean about Aled Brew. I said it after the Baa-Baas match, it wouldn't surprise me if Gatland had been watching Brew for a reason to say 'no' and watching Gavin Henson for a reason to say 'yes.'

Well done the Dragons boys!

On the plus side for us if Brew doesn't make it on the plane he'll be back for us in the ML opps I mean the RDP12...

Luckless - sadly it does seem that way. I remember someone discribing Brew as marmite. Where as I personally (and others do too) see Brew as a strong option in attack and defence, which out weighs his volitile nature. Gatland probably looks at him as a liability, who can at times so some skills.

It's amazing that all the positions in the backs are quite open.
Byrne, not on form, has missed a fair bit of the season, halfpenny missed a lot of rugby, so too Shane. We don't know our best centre pairing. Roberts and Davies? Hook? Henson? Fly half jones or hook. Scrum half. Phillips? You'd say yes but he doesn't suit Wales style, his discipline problems and again missed a lot of rugby. The.3 warm up games In august will be massive. All this disarray. It could only be WC year!

Screw Gatland if Brew doesnt make it, I'd rather Brew score tried for the Dragons and get some appreciation, well done sir

munkian wrote:Screw Gatland if Brew doesnt make it, I'd rather Brew score tried for the Dragons and get some appreciation, well done sir

5*

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I think we all know that no matter what Brew does he ain't going to be on the plane. It will be Williams, Halfpenny, North (the golden boy) & Stoddart. Can't see him taking a 5th winger.

Which is such a shame for Brew as he's been exceptional at times for the Dragons.

I actually think he will make it now, he has been great for us this season and I think his aggressive style will suit.

He has been the only winger slected that has had an injury free season. I suppose a lot will depend on whether he takes Stoddard as a 'utility back' or an out n out winger.

I think Aled's in your face style winds up some opposition fans,he's the type of player you detest as an opponent, but you'd love to have in your own team.
Us Dragons fans Aled, good to see him get the recognition he deserves

munkian wrote:Screw Gatland if Brew doesnt make it, I'd rather Brew score tried for the Dragons and get some appreciation, well done sir

Agree.

Nice to see Brew get some recognition for his form this season. Faletau has at least been afforded that with his other young player award.

Well said Draigoch, nice to see an objective and impartial view on the players mentioned for a change. A couple of them are still even young enough to return and shine some day, regardless of some people's premature conclusions.

Brew has been the form winger in Wales by a long way this season and deserves this recognition. As I've said before, his workrate, strength and finishing ability is more than you could ask for in a winger and sometimes even exposes the shortcomings of our current set of forwards.

He ought to be on the plane and I hope Gatland will be fair on him. Stoddart's tackling may go missing half the time but with so little functioning fullback quality he may still be required.

If you're basing your selection entirely on form then Halfpenny could just as easily take the fall. Who could look me in the eye (or imagine doing so) and tell me Halfpenny has been effective this season? His tackling has gone down the toilet and his finishing has suffered.

When the players are with their Regions all we can ask is that they play to best of their ability and put their hand up for selection if thats enough to get them selected then fair play to them.

Brew has been the form winger in Wales this season and like someone else said he is one of those players we the Dragons love whilst other fans hate.

He has done all that was asked of him this season and deserves his call up on current form not past.

IF he is ignored then who could blame him if he decided to take any big buck offers that come along (much like Delve) whilst other players such as Bennett and JT keep getting picked regardless of form.

Being serious on form (and in positions they shown form in) the welsh back line should be

Priestland
Brew
Davies
Smith
Stoddart
Tovey
A.N. Other (all scrum halves have been ropey at times)

But how many of those will make the plane, let alone make the match day team.

Scarlet:

Thank god we don't pick on form, Stoddart, Preistland and Tovey in defence and Davies is not much better, opposition help yourselves

Only a moron picks on form alone.

And only a moron would pick Bennett, sideways jones, johnathon anonymous, Powell, crabby Phillips, bishop, Byrne. All these players have been sected in the last couple of years time and again when showing no form and some are still getting selected.

Stag, it's equally true that only a moron ignores form and picks purely on past performances.

Stag - your right only a moron would pick on form alone, as form is just a comparison to the players on best possible standard. An on form Scott Deasy is not a patch on an off form Corey Jane. However a sensible person would select a team with a good balence of form and quality (or potential). A real moron would select someone to play at international level when they have not more than a handfull of club rugby matches in two years. Or to put a Hooker in the world cup training squad when that player has only had played for fifteen (if that) minutes this year, and that was out of position on the flank.

Scarlet

Gatland's not too bothered about form.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/13979682.stm

bbc news wrote:And Gatland said the lack of strength in depth at full-back and wing could force him to take Halfpenny to New Zealand even if he missed Wales' three warm-up matches in August.

Has Warren not heard that he has Rhys Preistland, James Hook, Leigh Byrne, Jamie Roberts, Morgan Stoddard, Leigh Halfpenny, Stephen & Gavin Henson in his squad that have all played international rugby at fullback.

As handy a player as Leigh Halfpenny is, he's not a Brian O'Driscoll or a Dan Carter, someone you'd take to a tournament come what may.

It is the attitude of we need to take any specific player that is our downfall we are almost as bad as the English football fans for pinning our hopes on the shoulders of individuals.

Draigoch wrote:Stoddart will be on the plane as full-back cover I'm sure, if he makes it through the injury - which he should, if it is a strain.

Smirnoff, about those players:

Tom James - Won the top try scorer in the 2007-08 Magners League, so I would say he deserved a shot.
Bennett - Before Rees' emergence on the Lions he was (sadly) arguably the best hooker in Wales.
Yapp - Back before the emergence of Mitchell/Bevington and James on the TH and Duncs injury we needed to try out someone.
Gareth Cooper - When picked he played some of the best rugby of his career, remember the game where we played Oz at home and won?
Kristian Phillips - Perhaps called up too early, but look at North/Halfpenny. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Powell - Was in superb form and deserved the call up. His early form for Wales was also brilliant.
Snowden Taylor - An average player called up when we had no cover for Williams.
Gareth Williams - During the Blues HC run he was arguably the best hooker in Wales. A pity he's too small for international level.

I would say when they got the call-ups they fully deserved them. The only issue I have now is Gats continual selection of Bennett in the 22. Why?

I agree that some of them played well enough to originally earn their cap/place in the side. But my problem is since then Bennett has proved he should be nowhere near the side and keeps getting picked, T James since that season has proved he's not an int. winger. Yapp and Williams while good regionally aren't int. players but Yapp keeps getting into the team. and so on for the rest. Except Cooper, I feel he's played barely 2 good games for Wales and was on the whole awful - considering we had Phillips, Peel, Rees and Roberts we never needed to go near him.

I'm not argueing with you that they at some point deserved to be in the team, and at some point played well - but the fact that some of these players continually get picked instead of better players is what i'm annoyed about.

Scarlet he also has Jason Tovey. Gatlands problem i's that he hasn't given Tovey or priestland a chance, instead he'd rather put hook at 15. It's a bit like Sven with England. He picks his tried and tested and will play them out of position rather than picking a player who play that position regularly. Hooks played 10, 12, 13 and 15. Surely he's due a spell on the wing!!!

MOG:

I agree with your comments regarding the backs there is no way Hook should play FB just to keep an average Steve Jones in a job, Yes Hook is a good cover during a game but not to start, he does not run the correct lines and does not know when to run during attack moves it is a specialised position just like flyhalf. We should have given game time to players that play FB (and 10) so we would not be in the mess we are in now at 10 and 15. I think Tovey should have had game time at both positions rather than building up caps for S Jones who could get injured prior or during the WC. The only reason we have depth in other positions is due to injuries not a good coach i.e., by default!

I also think Brew should get more game time rather than play against the BaaBaas with a mixed up team where many players were out of position. I felt this game was a set up to get rid of R Jones as captain and A Brew and Biggar of the radar, who in their right mind would have picked Gough and D Jones as second rows and all of the back row out of position also an injured North on the other wing?