Mighty Morgan wins high praise from his fellow Osprey Tipuric
WHEN Jac Morgan was overlooked by Wayne Pivac in the summer of 2021 it was bewildering to the point that the only logical conclusion was that there had been an error in the press release that was disseminated.
Alas, there was no mistake and Pivac doubled down by also deciding to leave him out of the squad for the 2022 autumn series. It was perplexing and must have been incredibly frustrating for the former Wales under-20s skipper. He had a phenomenal 2020/21 season with the Scarlets, so much so that he was being earmarked as a potential captain at senior level in the future.
He continued that form when he began his new life with the Ospreys at the start of this season. Disappointment is one thing, but what was particularly eye-catching was Morgan’s response. He did not disappear into his shell, this mild-mannered 22-year-old knuckled down and went about his business.
Week after week he was among the top performers at his region. Man of the match accolades came and it was the response every coach dreams of seeing from their young stars. Of course, he could no longer be ignored and a Test debut came in this year’s Six Nations. Again, the reaction would be interesting.
There has been no resting on laurels. Morgan has been straight back into action for the Ospreys after receiving limited game time with Wales and he was at his irresistible best in the 22-6 victory over Cardiff on Saturday.
The first half in particular was tough to love as a contest but Morgan was a shining light, seemingly covering every inch of the Arms Park in both attack and defence. He won multiple penalties and was a constant problem for the Blue and Blacks. Making the performance all the more impressive was that it came opposite Josh Navidi, a mainstay in Pivac’s Wales squad.
And it caught the eye of another Test stalwart watching from the stands.
Ospreys boss Toby Booth said: “Justin Tipuric was about three spaces away from me and he was commenting on how well Jac was playing, so that’s high praise indeed.”
Asked about Morgan’s penaltywinning exploits at the breakdown, Booth added: “He’s already told me he should have had more. He always wants more.
“He influences the ball above the ground and on the ground. I thought he carried the ball exceptionally well today. He influences both sides of the ball and it’s rare that someone of his size can affect both sides of the ball.
“He certainly can and that’s great for us.”
Like many openside flankers, Morgan’s best work is without the ball. He made all 10 of his tackles
against Cardiff and does not surrender collisions.
His work rate was phenomenal, arriving at 15 rucks on Ospreys ball, all within three seconds, which puts him among the best on the field. On opposition ball, he arrived at seven rucks, again all within three seconds, which was more than any other player on the field.
That in turn translated into three turnovers. Again, best on the field. It really was a performance that was impossible to ignore. To focus on his breakdown work alone, though, would do him a disservice.
His ability to carry over the gainline was eye-catching and is something that he has added to his game in the last 12 months.
Morgan has always been a breakdown merchant and someone who can dominate turnover counts and tackle areas.
Hooker Elvis Taione has signed a one-year contract extension with Ospreys. The Tongan international joined the Welsh region last summer from Exeter Chiefs, where he had won both the European Champions Cup and the English Premiership.
The 38-year-old has played 14 games for Ospreys this season.
“The body feels good and the fire still burns and I have really enjoyed the boys and the environment at the Ospreys,” said Taione.
“I am still a competitive person and there is a real competition for places here and that drives me and the standards here.
“All the things I heard about the Ospreys and Swansea are true and the desire among all the players here is to improve and to be the best we can be.
“There are some really talented youngsters in the squad and giving them advice or guidance to help them develop has been one part of my role I have enjoyed.”
Taione was part of Tonga’s 2015 World Cup squad and played Super Rugby for the Western Force and the Waratahs in Australia before moving to the northern hemisphere.
Toby Booth, Ospreys head coach, said: “Elvis’ experience and mentality around our forward play has been exactly what we wanted and the reason we signed him.
“He brings a tough mentality and a quiet authority with a willingness to share his experience with the squad.”