Captaincy could take Tipuric to next level
WARREN Gatland faces a tough job this summer, but I’ve got the perfect man to captain Wales against South Africa and Argentina next month.
I will be watching this week’s squad announcement for the June Tests with interest because I think it’s vitally important Wales strike the right balance between youth and experience.
The likes of Sam Warburton, Jonathan Davies, Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens won’t be on the plane and I can understand why, but in any team you need someone who has been there and done it and that’s why I think Justin Tipuric would be a very good option as skipper.
Warren is using the clash with the Springboks in Washington and the two meetings with the Pumas to have a look at some of his younger players and give his star names a break, all with winning next year’s World Cup in mind.
That approach is to be applauded, but at the same time Wales can’t afford to relax. It’s vitally important Wales don’t lean too much towards youth this summer as that could lead to some heavy defeats and cause irreparable damage to the confidence of the next generation.
South Africa might not be the force of old, but both they and Argentina will be very tough opposition and we’ll need the likes of Justin to go toe-to-toe with them and pass on their knowledge to the younger players.
You might be reading this and be surprised to see me putting Justin’s name forward as skipper. I can understand that as Justin is a quiet guy, someone who leads more by deed than word, but I think appointing him to the role would be a shrewd move.
Warren did something similar in the Six Nations when he made Taulupe Faletau – a similar character to Justin – captain against Italy.
That move was designed to boost Taulupe’s leadership abilities, improve him as a player and give him some added responsibility. I’m sure Justin would thrive in the same situation.
Scott Williams, Cory Hill and Hadleigh Parkes would also be good options as tour captain, but Justin has an extra edge for me in that he’s both a senior player and someone with lots to prove.
That should make him hungry to succeed after a season which has seen him struggle with injury and not play much of a part in the Wales team, partly because Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi have been so outstanding. I’m sure both of those players will be on the tour, but we all know how good a footballer Justin is and I think he could go to the next level with the armband to look after.
Captaining your country is the biggest honour you can have and I don’t like it when countries just give it away to anyone. I’m not saying Wales have done that in the past, but I’ve seen it happen.
Guys like Justin, Scott and Gareth Anscombe would all be in my touring squad because they know what it takes at the highest level and can pass that on to the younger guys.
When I came into the Wales camp, my first room mates were Neil Jenkins and Allan Bateman and in a few days rooming with them I picked up more knowledge than I had in the entirety of my career up until then. That’s what guys like Justin can do on this tour.
While Justin would be my captain, it’s right and proper Warren looks at some young players too and he certainly has plenty of options to choose from.
One young man who excites me is Owen Lane. I don’t think I’m being
“If Wales go about it the right way there’s no reason they can’t come back with three wins from three”
mean by saying that this time last year most people wouldn’t have heard of Owen, but he’s been brilliant in taking his chance at Cardiff Blues this season.
As a wing I’ve been really interested in watching his development and what I like most about him is that he’s looked completely unphased by the step-up to regional rugby. That suggests to me he could go to the international level with few problems.
He’s got a great work rate and gets lots of touches on the ball which is what you want as a wing these days. I really hope he gets a chance.
Other players I’d like to see make the trip include James Davies, Rhys Patchell and Ellis Jenkins, while Jarrod Evans at the Blues is another who looks a fine prospect at 10. Time will tell if he makes the cut but even if he doesn’t, I’m hugely excited about him for the long term.
I’m hoping whichever young players get the chance to impress they take it with both hands. Last summer’s tour matches with Tonga and Samoa were similar to what I’m expecting this time, albeit against much tougher opponents.
South Africa will want to go into their matches with England full of confidence and Argentina now have some dangerous backs to go with what’s always been a strong pack. But if Wales go about things the right way, there’s no reason why they can’t come back with three wins out of three.
Players like Justin can be the key to that happening and I really think he can have the sort of impact Jamie Roberts had as leader last summer.
The young players looked up to Jamie and learned from what he does both on and off the field. Hopefully things can go down a similar path this time too.