HOOK GETS CALL
Wales dismiss talk of rift after back comes in from the cold
With the Wales team hotel feeling more like a hospital ward than a World Cup base, Warren Gatland called on James hook and Gareth Anscombe to help patch up his wounded squad.
Centre Scott Williams and winger hallam Amos became the latest players to drop yesterday, forcing Gatland to dig even deeper into his thinning supply of reserves.
having started just three tests since the 2011 World Cup, hook seemed like an unlikely saviour. there have been whispers that the Welsh management no longer trust the exiled playmaker, but attack coach Rob howley quickly shot down such suggestions.
‘i am surprised and disappointed to hear comments like that,’ said howley. ‘James is a quality player, vastly experienced with 78 caps, and has the ability to play at 10, 12, 13 or 15. he was disappointed to not be selected in the original squad. Gareth has experience in Super Rugby and can play at 15 as well. the door opens for both of them.’
having been drunk on joy after Saturday’s victory over England, the depleted Welsh squad are now feeling the hangover of the bruising encounter at twickenham.
Williams and Amos have joined Jonathan Davies, Leigh halfpenny, Rhys Webb, Cory Allen and Eli Walker on the casualty list — with full back Liam Williams also ruled out of thursday’s Pool A match against Fiji after being knocked out against England.
‘it’s the nature of the game,’ said howley. ‘After losing Rhys and Leigh against italy, we said to all the backs that in the next six weeks you are going to be asked to play in positions you are really unfamiliar with. to do that under pressure in the spotlight of the Rugby World Cup takes a huge amount of homework, dedication and commitment. We won’t look for excuses. We’ve got players who can wear that Welsh jersey with passion and pride, and that is what those players will ill do.’
he revealed that winger George North will notot be moved into the centres. es.
Fiji are suffering selection issues of their own. Giant wingers Waisea a Nayacalevu and d Nemani Nadolo, who both started against England, are ruled out by injury and suspension respectively, boosting Welsh chances of moving to the top of Pool A.
But the Pacific islanders have shown a newfound scrummaging aging strength and Wales must look closely at the set-piece. they came out second best to England on Saturday night and tighthead prop Samson Lee revealed that it was immediately addressed postmatch at twickenham.
‘the problems are fixable,’ said Lee. ‘We lost most of the hits in the scrum and this week we have to get our speed right by hitting the machine. We spoke about it in the changing rooms — everyone says their bit. We need to have a better day at the office with the set-piece. if we get that right, we are capable of beating anybody.’
Qualification for the quarterfinals is still far from guaranteed, so Wales will name their strongest teamt at t thi this morning’si ’ announcement. the back row of Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton and toby Faletau was particularly effective against England and could be redeployed — with the trio complementing one another’s strengths.
‘We know where each other are and what they will be doing,’ said Faletau. ‘We play into each other’s hands. Sam’s the breakdown guy and Dan’s the tackler, while i’m probably the carrier. We try to play to each other’s strengths. it’s important to have that balance.’ Since his debut in 2011, Faletau has been one of Gatland’s most consistent selections. the No 8 has started 49 out of the last 57 tests, missing a handful because he was selected for the Lions, and is on the cusp of winning his 50th cap. ‘Someone must be looking after me upstairs,’ said Faletau. ‘there’s no secret. i don’t really do any rehab or recovery and i try to avoid the cryotherapy chambers. Somebody’s looking after me somewhere. i never imagined even playing for Wales when i was growing up, so if i reach 50 it would be something i never dreamt off.’