Once everything was so true. A time traveler could step out of 1967 and re-emerge decades later, even knowing who the Wales midfielder will be.
Gareth Edwards won 53 consecutive caps for his country over 11 years. His choices were as predictable as a red scarf at Anfield, Christmas carols or tears after the Strictly Come Dancing final. The sun rose in the morning and set in the evening, Edwards wore the number 9 shirt for Wales, Iron Laws, although Chico Hopkins still maintains that there were times when he deserved to play ahead of his more famous rival.
There was also continuity when Terry Holmes was around and when Rob Howley, Dwayne Peel and Mike Phillips were at their peak, with Phillips starting 67 games for Wales. Amidst speculation that Warren Gatland was unhappy with the prospect of many of his players playing abroad, the Wales international once said: “What is he going to do? Turn down Mike Phillips?
That idea seemed too ridiculous for the man to think about.
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But the Wayne Pivac years were different. At one point five different players started for Wales in six games. No number nine has started more than five consecutive Tests under the newly eliminated New Zealander. They were musical chairs without music.
Wales had problems because scrums are a key role and the selectors didn’t let any player sleep. Kieran Hardy was the first choice for the summer tour of South Africa and did well, but Pivac started Tomos Williams in every round in the autumn.
Williams played well for Cardiff but Dane Blacker, quick in everything he did, failed to make an appearance in November despite being included in the Wales squad. Gareth Davies was left out along with Rhys Webb and Rhodri Williams, two players who, like Blacker, were fit for their regions.
Gatland needs a number 9 that can play boss, moving the ball quickly to the Six Nations. Granted, Phillips may not have had a silver lining and some said his height didn’t matter, but he was fiercely competitive, a brilliant defender and tenacious enough to imagine his chances against a small army. He was extremely fit and nothing bothered him and he had a knack for scoring great tries.
Gatland don’t have anyone like Phillips these days, but they need to get their scrum half good. The top teams split the positions, with Ireland favoring the speedy Jamieson Gibson-Park, France with Antoine Dupont at the heart of their scrum, South Africa eyeing the relentless Faf de Klerk and New Zealand with Aaron Smith.
Wales have plenty of young and talented centre-backs, including Archie Hughes and Harry Williams of the Scarlets, Harry Morgan of the Ospreys – if he can manage to break the injury curse that seems to be dogging him – and Che Hope is in fine form. thought the Dragons.
But that’s for the future. The challenge at the moment is to identify the best attacking midfielder for Wales and support him in the squad.
Who will Gatland look to? Here are some of the contenders, including the overlooked Welsh No. 9 Rhys Webb, who at the age of 34 is showing some great rugby football and has undoubtedly played a little grenade for the national team.
Keiran Hardy (Scarlet)
Very quick over 30 meters and a player who played well in the Tests against South Africa in the summer when he played some of his best rugby. It wasn’t easy for me to support this form, but Gatland will want to see what it is.
Verdict: While he should have credit on the bench after the South Africa game, he will need to impress again if he is to become a Wales player.
Dane Blacker (Scarlet)
(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
Only two games started this season and the scarlet won them. There may be a message for trainers. Blacker is fast and doesn’t give the defense much time to get organized. Wales thought he didn’t deserve to play this autumn, but he’s a player on the rise.
Verdict: It is not tested at trial level, so Gatland would need to monitor it closely and check results with their regional trainers. But there is potential to work. The task for him is to continue to develop.
Gareth Davies (Scarlet)
Having not played for Wales since their defeat to Italy last March, it could be argued that the defeat was not entirely his fault. Though he played well, he struggled to shine in a Scarlets team that had a slow start to the season. On the plus side, he is creative, has the ability to make timely tackles, and was Gatland’s starting scrum half during the Kiwi’s first spell as manager of Wales.
Verdict: You will have to assert yourself.
Rhodri Williams (Dragons)
In his day, he can land most of his shots, game drive, awareness and intelligence. He had one of those good days against the Lions last weekend where he was man of the match. He could have more chances to score points against Cardiff and Scarlets over the festive season.
Verdict: To begin with, you’ll need to defeat your opponents on Christmas Day. The feeling is that more will be needed and in that sense he is an underdog here, albeit a talented one.
Rhys Webb (Ospreys)
Some admire him, others less: perhaps it has always been so. But Webb’s performance for the Ospreys against Montpellier on Saturday night was exceptional, with the 34-cap not only leading the charge – “he causes amusing mayhem”, the TV commentator said at one point – but also leading for the example in defence. and compete for the ball during halftime. He is the leader of the Ospreys, and has been for the last few seasons, despite the fact that Pivac barely chose him.
Verdict: It would be hard to ignore Webb’s effort against Montpellier. He’s 34, but age doesn’t matter if he’s good enough. Gatland liked him as a player of his time. Based on the shape, it must be in the mix. Maybe he threw a small grenade in the mix for number nine.
Tom Williams (Cardiff)
Gatland watched Williams underline his worth with an electric display against Argentina in the final autumn series. The Cardiff player is quick, skilful and competitive and has already played with the New Zealander.
Verdict: You’d think it would be Gatland’s first choice.
Lloyd Williams (Cardiff)
He’s been here for a long time, recently playing his 250th game for Cardiff, but he’s playing as well as ever and his fitness is yet another thing. He makes the right decisions and can lead the game.
Verdict: Unfortunately just starting a test under Pivac. He still has a lot to offer, but he’ll need a burst of exceptional form to compete.
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Source: Wales Online
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
