NIQ v NWQ

First topic message reminder :

Normally each year its nice to compare NIQ players in Ireland V NWQ players in Wales
went back to old 606 days and in those days it they were about even, or NWQ had a slight advantage. However since then NIQ players seam to be dominating.

NIQ

Wian du Preez Reynecke John Afoa
Johann Muller Quinn Roux
George Naoupu CJ Stander
Nick Williams
Ruan Pienaar Dan Parks
Andrew Goodman Casey Laulala
Isa Nacewa Jared Payne Doug Howlett

NWQ

1) Campese Ma'Afu, 2) Andy Kyriacou, 3) Jacobia Adriaanse
4) Tomas Vallejos, 5) Johan Snyman
6) Robin Copeland, 8) George Stowers, 7) Andries Pretoirous
9) Joe Bedford, 10) Kahn Fotuali'i
11) Hanno Dirksen, 12) Andy Tuilagi, 13) ???, 14) Tonderai Chavanga
15) Jamie Smith


I'll need help with the NWQ team as there are loads of Props and Locks and I don't know who the best are, likewise best combination for backrow, need an outhalf and a center as well.

the intresting thing is I think there are more NWQ players than NIQ players, however the NWQ players are all mostly focused in the forwards, only a few backs and half backs, esp concentrated in Props and Locks.

Will these areas become a weakness for Wales in future if regions are struggling for WQ players of the required standard?

Normally it isn't hard to make these teams as there are normally a player or 2 in each position but this year was difficult. Also with the new IRFU rules about NIQ players in positions coming in, it will be easier to make teams in future.

I also think its clear that the NWQ players would be well beat by the NIQ players. NWQ has dropped in last few years and NIQ has risen.

I guess there is no arguing the NWQs are not anywhere near as good (especially in the backs) as they were a while ago.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I guess there is no arguing the NWQs are not anywhere near as good (especially in the backs) as they were a while ago.

No but on the plus side the Welsh Qualified players are better without them

maestegmafia wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I guess there is no arguing the NWQs are not anywhere near as good (especially in the backs) as they were a while ago.

No but on the plus side the Welsh Qualified players are better without them

Or you could argue that they are better for them. It is no suprise that the Scarlets have a heap of quality centres coming through (Davies, Williams, Warren all capped too) when they had Regan King to learn from etc