Wales team???

[global13]

Has anyone heard the Welsh team to face the Aussies yet? I presume it will be similar to the side that played last week, with the inclusion of Anthony Farrell and David Mills to the fowards, but has anyone heard anything official???

I know that it would be great to see the likes of Briers, Cunningham, Busby, Highton, Carvell and even Harris, but when you think about it, the players that Kelly has selected are the future for the Dragons. I read somewher the other day that Kelly wasnt looking to be world beaters at this very point in time, rather promoting the fact that in a few years time he would like to see a Welsh team, with players who were born and bred in the Valleys. Comments like these are music to international fans ears and no matter what the score may be come Monday morning, the fact is that whoever Kelly selects will not only do Wales proud, but they will form the basis of a side to grow over the coming years.

It will be great to see a team representing Wales this Sunday that actually has up to 6-7 players who were actually born in Wales. Well done Niel Kelly, the Wales Rugby League and all the very best of luck for this weekends game.

GO THE DRAGONS

 

[East Coast Tiger]

1 Paul Atcheson (c)
2 Damien Gibson
3 Kris Tassell
4 Adam Hughes
5 Hefin O'Hare
6 Aled James
7 Mark Lennon
8 Rob Roberts
9 Ian Watson
10 Anthony Farrell
11 Jon Aston
12 Chris Morley
13 Kevin Ellis

14 Alan Batemen
15 Jordan James
16 Gareth Price
17 David Mills

very weak team unfortunately. Players missing include Briers, Cunningham, Carvell, Busby, Morgan and Highton.

As for how many are Welsh born, I'd say about 6.
I know that Aled James, Hefin O'Hare, Chris Morley, Garteh Price and Alan Bateman were and I think Ellis was.

Go Wales

 

[global13]

Not a bad team, although I think they are a bit light on up front unfortunately. If they had the likes of Carvell, Highton, Cunningham, a fit Mills and even Keith Mason (who has now switched alligencies abck to England) they would have been a real show. What ever happend to Gareth Dean? I thought he went quite well last year against the Kiwis in his limited time. Im also a bit dissapointed not to see Woodward in the side. For mine, I think Atcheson isnt up to this level of competition and that Gibson should be at fullback with Woodward on the wing. It also makes me ask the question of where in Jon Breakingbury? A born and bred Welshman currenly playing at Sheffield. Surely he should have been considered for some of Wales' games. Does anyone know if he is injured?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

dunno about these players, but when a welsh player disappears there's usually only one explanation...

Also Dave Luckwell and Dave Whittle are not there, though they have also gone well in the past. I think Luckwell might have only played for Wales so HKR could take him off the quota.

 

[JasonE]

Yeah mate Jon Breakingbury got injured, I think he broke his arm and missed out on playing in the NL2 Grand Final, agree, I'd rather see Lenny Woodward in but I don't believe he's been dropped, must be injured too, didn't he score a hatrick last week ?

Good article in this months Rugby League World about Aled James and he says there are several other Welsh players who are going to go really well in RL, he names Wes Palmer and Rich Singleton, also Damian Hudd has big raps on him.

Gareth Dean played for Workington Town this year and from all reports was one of their best week in week out.

 

[The Observer]

Manly bound half Mark Lennon and dummy half Ian Watson will be the creative sparks for this team, Watson is very quick from a standing start and played very well against the Kangaroos and Kiwis in the past.

Gibson, Tassell and O'Hare will need ot provide the pace in the backs. Atcheson at fullback will be a complete liability - he should be swapped around with Tassell or the Kangaroos will run riot.

 

[JasonE]

I reckon/hope within 3 years Wales will be able to choose a side made up of players born and bred in Wales, at the moment in the squad of 20 there is 8 or 9 from memory and with the growth of the Welsh conference we should see that increase, guys Aled James and Karl Hocking are just the start.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

I'm glad that Dean is still playing the game, I know he did have a stint with Llanelli (I think), but I'm shocked he hasn't been picked in the squad. I know Workington is having a bd time of it, but if other NL2 guys like Tassell and Jordan James can make it I'd expect Dean, with his experience last year, to be picked. Also I'm surprised Barry Eaton hasn't been picked, especially with the halves looking a bit shaky in the absence of Briers. Okay Bateman has experience and he is Welsh born, but surely they need to pick their best squad. And where's Wes Davies? He was named in the squad, but hasn't played yet. It would make more sense to have him on the wing, push Gibson to fullback and Atcheson into the back-row or on to the bench. I think they were in need of a captain and Kelly went with his club veteran Atcheson with lack of any other good options. I'd have thought Farrell as it's his last year, but I suppose he'll be off for 30 odd minutes of the game and it's a bit hard to justify making Ellis captain.

I can't wait to see what happens in Wales in the next few years. If the conference that sprang up over night can yield four full international players that wouldn't have otherwise even played the game, let alone be considered, imagine what can happen in the future as more Welsh players get more experience.

Come back Iestyn...

 

[obsulete]

It surely is a great time for Wales.

I think this season is the first where a possibles and probables game was actually played for selection.

I have blind faith of a win no matter what the world says.

GO THE DRAGONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[global13]

My hope for the future:

1 Damien Gibson
2 Wes Davies
3 Adam Hughes
4 Hefin O'Hare
5 Jon Breakingbury
6 Iestyn Harris
7 Leigh Briers
13 Aled James
12 Jordan James
11 David Mills
10 Gareth Carvell
9 Keiron Cunningham
8 Gareth Price

14 Gareth Dean
15 Wes Palmer
15 ?
17 ?