Richie Rees Set To Miss Out
Richie Rees
By Andrew Collins
August 1 2011
Cardiff Blues scum half Richie Rees looks likely to miss out on this year’s Rugby World Cup having been dropped below team mate Lloyd Williams and fellow youngster Tavis Knoyle...
Despite being one of the region’s most exciting and consistent performers, Rees is not included in the squad who will face back to back games with England ahead of the World Cup in September.
Over the past 2 seasons, Rees had established himself as a genuine contender for Mike Phillips jersey and was mooted to replace the former Osprey following a string of poor performances. However Rees found himself banned for 12 weeks for a highly suspect gauging claim on Dylan Hartley. That saw him miss the entire 6 Nations Championship earlier this year, opening the window for Scarlet, Knoyle.
But despite this, it was expected that the Blues man would still be included in Warren Gatland’s preliminary 39-man squad, with Rees and Knoyle battling it out for Phillip’s shirt. Indeed it is the inclusion of Lloyd Williams which has baffled most critics, although the youngster has recently been singled out for praise by the Wales head coach.
To compound the competition, Sale’s Dwaine Peel has yet to be released by the club and could yet be introduced to the squad at a later date. With Phillips in pole position, Peel the apparent second choice and Williams and Knoyle fighting for the 3rd spot, Rees is facing an uphill battle to make the flight to New Zealand.
Indeed there was even a recent Twitter campaign to reinstate the Swansea born fan favourite (#Reesgate).
But what has prompted such a dramatic fall?
Undoubtedly the Blues form towards the end of the season left a lot to be desired, but Rees’ form never came into question. Indeed he did miss a large chunk of the season for the afore mentioned ban, but he has had more game time in the past 3 months than Phillips who found himself excluded from the Ospreys squad.
Rees has built a reputation as a scrum half with good, quick ball as well as having an eye for a gap. He played a huge part in Wales’ dramatic comeback against Scotland in 2010 and undoubtedly offers an excellent contrast to the more abrasive Phillips.
While it is of course pleasing to see five good quality 9’s grappling for the jersey, is Gatland right to be testing Lloyd Williams just weeks ahead of the tournament? It seems to me as though this is a World Cup too soon for Williams and Knoyle, while Rees’ ability and experience should guarantee him 1 of the 3 scrum half births.
Of course there are still several games before the World Cup Squad depart for New Zealand, but time is apparently running out for Rees.
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Phillips has a snail of a pass and I agree his attitude stinks but the other side of that is how he fits in with Gatland's masterplan and what he contributes defensively.
I'd take Rees and Phillips, with Knoyle third but post RWC you should see more of LLOYD Williams in Wales setup. Think Richie can feel more than hard done by but both he and Biggar have been cast aside by Howley IMO following a poor showing in the AIs.
If Richie doesn't make it then that good news for Cardiff.
Quote:cardiffstu
Lloyd - great prospect for the future but feel this RWC is too soon for him.
Phillips has a snail of a pass and I agree his attitude stinks but the other side of that is how he fits in with Gatland's masterplan and what he contributes defensively.
I'd take Rees and Phillips, with Knoyle third but post RWC you should see more of LLOYD Williams in Wales setup. Think Richie can feel more than hard done by but both he and Biggar have been cast aside by Howley IMO following a poor showing in the AIs.
If Richie doesn't make it then that good news for Cardiff.
We still got Peel in the mix but I agree 1&2 Rees and Philips (in no particular order) Sorry to say but I think Team wales will be home early with the tail in the usual place. Hope Scotland progress and keep Parks busy for Sweeny's make or break preformances. 9 10 and 12 are key to any game and for the Blues sake it would be fantastic if we had Rees but a bit selfish.
A very good sensible article and take of the situation.
I have always respected Richie as a player,he played a big part in the Blues mediocre success over the last few seasons.A team player that gives 100% every game and has worked hard at his game.
The welsh management has always made it difficult for him, last year he was deservedly called up to the 6 Nations, Cooper was 2nd choice at Blues and Wales no 1 scrumhalf. The Wales management constantly picked Cooper before Rees until Cooper could not play any worse, they had to reluctantly replace Cooper and what a difference he made.
Personaly i think he is still the most exciting, consistant, and in-form 9s in Wales.
He is well respected with the Blues coaches and fellow players. Just a pity Howley doesnt see it that way, Howley is the same with Nicky Robinson.
Lots think Richie has been hard done-by again.
Well done Lloyd on his inclusion, whether he is ready to play in the biggest tournament in the world, is a big ask, especially before Rees.Lloyd has time on his hands, so why rush him in the squad all of a sudden, when there are experienced players there that have played in big games.
One good thing, we will have Richie all season.
Rees, Sweeney, Hewitt, Laluala,Mustoe, Czekaj and James back line when the World cup and 6 Nations are on.
That backline will take some beating !!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:05:14:42:45 by amstel.
Quote:amstel
Well done Andrew!
A very good sensible article and take of the situation.
I have always respected Richie as a player,he played a big part in the Blues mediocre success over the last few seasons.A team player that gives 100% every game and has worked hard at his game.
The welsh management has always made it difficult for him, last year he was deservedly called up to the 6 Nations, Cooper was 2nd choice at Blues and Wales no 1 scrumhalf. The Wales management constantly picked Cooper before Rees until Cooper could not play any worse, they had to reluctantly replace Cooper and what a difference he made.
Personaly i think he is still the most exciting, consistant, and in-form 9s in Wales.
He is well respected with the Blues coaches and fellow players. Just a pity Howley doesnt see it that way, Howley is the same with Nicky Robinson.
Lots think Richie has been hard done-by again.
Well done Lloyd on his inclusion, whether he is ready to play in the biggest tournament in the world, is a big ask, especially before Rees.Lloyd has time on his hands, so why rush him in the squad all of a sudden, when there are experienced players there that have played in big games.
One good thing, we will have Richie all season.
Rees, Sweeney, Hewitt, Laluala,Mustoe, Czekaj and James back line when the World cup and 6 Nations are on.
That backline will take some beating !!
If it stays this way with selections it will be party time for the Blues. Somehow think Gats will have a re-think. Sweeny is key to our season thats for sure. he got something to prove given the@#$%&selections at the business end at the last couple of games.