Pivac got it wrong with Hadleigh at fly-half
IDON’T mind a pub quiz every now and again and at the start of 2019, one question has been troubling me – just where has the Scarlets’ fabled attacking game gone this season? After such a fine couple of campaigns, the men from Llanelli are struggling.
There are some mitigating factors – namely their crippling injury list – but I don’ think that tells the full story. For me it’s a concern both for the region and for Wales with the Six Nations in mind.
I’ve watched a lot of the Scarlets over Christmas and they just don’t look the same team, especially behind the scrum. So, why is that? In my opinion there are three main factors; breakdown problems, the absence of Rhys Patchell, and some of their Wales stars not playing to the top of their potential.
What has defined Wayne Pivac’s tenure at the Scarlets has been their devastating backline, but for any team to flourish out wide they need quick ball. That hasn’t happened this year.
Just look at the defeat to Cardiff Blues. The Scarlets were absolutely dominated at the breakdown. They had all the possession and plenty of territory too, but they just couldn’t break through.
Josh Navidi had a fine game for the Blues slowing down opposition ball.
It’s here where the Scarlets really miss Tadhg Beirne and James Davies who has sadly struggled with injury this season. The old rugby adage is that forwards decide who wins the game and backs decide by how much. That’s true to a degree with the Scarlets who are having problems up front.
But as a former back I’m really interested in guys like Gareth Davies, Rhys, Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies. In my opinion, which might surprise some people, Rhys is the key man
We’ve seen him play superbly for Wales in the last six months or so whenever he’s been given a chance and without him, the Scarlets’ attack is simply not the same. The creativity has evaporated.
Of course the reason we haven’t seen much of Rhys is because he’s had concussion and hamstring trouble and that’s no-one’s fault. But what concerns me is Wayne’s reluctance to pick flair right now.
Rhys brings something different in that he plays flat to the line and gets the best out of those around him. What has
“What is wrong with Dan Jones? He’s shown he has the ability to thrive in big PRO14 games”
Pivac done in his absence? Pick Hadleigh at 10 over the Christmas period.
That was a negative move. What is wrong with Dan Jones? He’s shown in the past he has the ability to thrive in big PRO14 games. The fact he returned at 10 against the Dragons yesterday was for me an admittance by Wayne that he made a mistake.
Hadleigh – by his own incredibly high standards – hasn’t set the world alight this season and neither has Gareth at scrum-half. He was dropped for the Dragons game and couldn’t have many complaints. It doesn’t bode well for Gareth’s Six Nations hopes with Tomos Williams behind him.
The question for Wayne is how to get his team and best players back firing? It’s not an easy answer, but my view would be to go for broke and bring some game changers back into the team.
Where is Steffan Evans? He’s completely out in the wilderness which I find incredibly sad. I’ve heard the Scarlets are worried about his defence and that point has some merit.
But at the end of the day, the game can’t all be about stopping the opposition. By looking only at Steffan’s defence you miss all the other things he brings to the party: speed, a constant threat around the fringes, his ability to roam off his wing and most importantly of all – tries.
Recalling him could be the spark Scarlets need but whoever plays, my view would be that the men from Llanelli need to rediscover their bold, brash approach and do it quickly.
If they don’t, their qualification for next season’s Champions Cup could be in doubt.