James Hook and Gareth Anscombe called up to Wales' Rugby World Cup squad as Scott Williams and Hallam Amos ruled out

By Delme Parfitt |WalesOnline | September 28, 2015


James Hook and Gareth Anscombe

James Hook and Gareth Anscombe have been called into Wales’ World Cup squad as Warren Gatland moves to deal with an injury list that worsened considerably at Twickenham on Saturday.

The memorable win against England came at a cost, with Scott Williams and Hallam Amos picking up knee and shoulder problems that have forced them to withdraw.

The unfortunate pair continue to be assessed by medics who the WRU says are ‘trying to establish an accurate prognosis’.

They follow other victims Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb who were crocked in the warm-up clash against Italy, and centre Jonathan Davies, whose fate was sealed before the end of last season.

More at link: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/james-hook-gareth-anscombe-called-10151185

Rumpole, this is a really good Q&A that I think is interesting. Going to re-read tomorrow and look up a few of the players he is talking about.

The Rob Howley Rugby World Cup Q&A: Why we'll pick our strongest possible team for the Fiji game

By Andy Howell | Wales Online | September 28, 2015

The Wales attack coach revealed Dan Biggar could be considered for full-back against Fiji, but George North won't be lining up at centre


Rob Howley talks to the media

Q: What’s the thinking behind bring in James Hook and Gareth Anscombe?

Howley: They were both part of the wider squad and have played in the friendlies prior to the World Cup starting.

James is vastly experienced with 78 caps and can play many positions, like 12,13, 10 and 15.

When we selected Gareth we looked at his experience in Super Rugby and gives us that ability to play at 15 as well.

We are delighted to have them in the squad and the door has opened for them. It’s a blow to lose another two players.

But I’m sure the players coming will show the same resilience as the team did in abundance at Twickenham last weekend over the next four or five weeks.

Q: Will Hook play against Fiji?

Howley: We have not sat down with regards to the Fiji selection and whether James comes into that mix or not we will see.

We know the talent he has ... he was disappointed to have missed out when he was not selected in the original squad.

More at link: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rob-howley-rugby-world-cup-10152858

 
Remember when I said this?


I hope he has been training and working out!


Gareth Anscombe has been on holiday in Dubai after missing out on the original squad

Looks to me like he might have been working on his "Stamina" in Dubai

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Games still to come this week...

Tue 29
Namibia v Tonga, Exeter
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT

Thu 1 October
Wales v Fiji, Millennium Stadium
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT

Canada v France, Milton Keynes
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT

ESPN WC Schedule
http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/ ... ional.html

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Watch RWC 2015 Tonga v Namibia Free Live Streaming Online

BEST:
http://live.realstreamunited.com/streaming/free-live-video-streaming-tonga-namibia-rugby-irb-rugby-world-cup-145245.html

(WARNING: don't click if you don't have an updated, anti-virus program installed.)

Alternate link:
http://www.rugbyonlinestream.com/free-rugby-stream/

Tonga challenges Namibia with a watered-down version of the Haka called Sipi Tau.
Good for them!



Referee letting them play. Very fast first half.

Tonga 22 - Namibia 7

Tonga Win (with 4 try bonus point)

Tonga 35 - 21 Namibia

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

We are now at the HALF WAY point in Pool Play. Each team have played 2 games.

Half-Way Standings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Okay, waiting for Thursday be like ...

What could be a key game is England V Australia. The Aussies could be complacent (or let the Poms win)

Be nice if Wales beat the Aussies though

Also....

One almost EXPECTS injuries when playing against Fiji.. a very "physical" team. Wales can not afford any more injuries.

So... they do need the WIN against Fiji, but also need avoid any more injuries!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Fijian FAREWELL song "Isa Lei"...

The Seekers Isa Lei Stereo 1967

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Rugby World Cup 2015: Wales braced for another bruising game against Fiji

By Ed Osmond | Stuff.Co.NZ | October 1, 2015, 4:06AM


Diminutive Matthew Morgan has replaced Liam Williams at fullback for Wales side to face Fiji
in Cardiff. (David Rogers/Getty Images)

Wales are prepared for another huge physical confrontation when they meet Fiji in their third Rugby World Cup Pool A match, forwards coach Robin McBryde said on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time).

The Welsh are in buoyant mood following their 28-25 win over England but know their depleted and battered team must front up again in Cardiff on Thursday (Friday NZT) against a Fiji side with nothing to lose.

"They are a very physical team," McBryde told a news conference. "They have big runners with gas and physicality.

"We know it's going to be a very physical battle and they won't hold anything back against us. It's their last chance of getting a big scalp."

Wales fought back to beat England by playing smart rugby in the closing stages of the match.

"The most positive thing for me as a coach was our problem-solving on the pitch," McBryde said.

"The replacements really did their job, brought a lot of accuracy. We finished strongly and turned things round in the scrum."
[...]
The diminutive Matthew Morgan will start at fullback against Fiji following injuries to Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams and McBryde expects him to excite the home fans.

"Matthew's strengths are evident for all to see," he said.

"He's like a Welsh player of old, swinging the hips and producing that little bit of magic. I think the crowd will enjoy seeing that."

More at link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/72584095/rugby-world-cup-2015-wales-braced-for-another-bruising-game-against-fiji

Just sayin...........

A recent STAR of Welsh Rugby was winger Shane (little Shannie) Williams.



In rugby, the two wingers (and fullback) are generally fast tricky runners who "finish off" tries.. but in the modern game they tend to be "big units" as well. They do need to make and withstand tackles. (cf NZ's Jonah Lomu) Shane Williams managed despite being a "Little guy"

Shane played on Left wing (No 11) same as Jonah Lomu... there could not be a BIGGER contrast in players than that



"A stroppy little guy" is more what you expect at "scrum half"... not surprisingly Shane Williams payed some of his games as No. 9

He had very successful Club and International Career (for Wales and for British L:ions)... in fact Shane Williams was the "Past Great Player" representing Wales in the Opening ceremony for this 2015 WC.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

GMTA.. I now see this BBC article...

Rugby World Cup 2015: Matthew Morgan 'has Shane Williams magic'
30 September 2015



Wales full-back Matthew Morgan could bring a "bit of magic" to the team like legendary former wing Shane Williams, says forwards coach Robin McBryde.

Morgan, 23, will make his first international start when Wales face Fiji in the World Cup on Thursday.

...more at link
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/34403243

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Rumpole, the running backs in US football are much smaller and have huge thighs like the rugby players. The emphasis is on their quickness and ability to find the holes to run through. They always get hard tackles.

Shane Williams - Rugby Legend



TRIBUTE TO SHANE WILLIAMS



I just realized after seeing next video that came up, that I have already watched his last try in last match and interview afterwards.

Yes.

As I am sure you have seen.. the really big heavy units are the 8 "forwards"

No. 9 Is typically a smaller guy.... cheeky and nippy on his pins.. often gives opposition big forwards a LOT of lip.. (and gets in Ref's ear too)

The rest of the backs are usually big guys too.. but more agile with it. It is unusual to have smaller guys playing Rugby successfully at International level... that is even more so since the days of Jonah Lomu.

I have looked for a comparison photo.. cant find one... but if you saw them side by side you'd say there is NO WAY Shane Williams would survive a head-on encounter. Almost like different species. I have encountered a few international rugby players and I can assure you they are simply GIANTS!! (normally)

Here is Shane pictured with a couple of team mates

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I have seen a video of them singing the anthem in his last game, and he was looking down crying the entire song and it did reflect his size. The camera scanned the entire line of players but kept going back to him.

Here it is:

I am watching a little doco... featuring Shanes last game.. he comments about being too emotional to sing the Anthem

Shane Williams - Rugby Life

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light