rees out

great shame for welsh fans as matthew Rees has confirmed he will have a neck op which will mean he will miss the WC.
full article here
http://www.wru.co.uk/27052.php

what are peoples thoughts?

Most important thing is he gets it fixed

Yes, we'll miss 'Smiler', just hope the op goes well and is a success.

Good luck Matthew

PS - when was the last time our 'Lions' front row played together ?

Massive blow for him, but his health is of more importance. Hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.

Definitely the most important thing, especially with a neck injury, is that he gets fixed and back to full health. Good luck to him, he must be devistated to be missing the RWC. Hope out other hookers can step up to his level of playing now, but I think he'll really be missed.

Thank God Huw Bennett's showing some form at last! But yes, it's better for Matthew and for Wales in the long term that he gets the problem seen to.

you have unearthed a gem of a captain in warburton anyway. I know rees will be missed but more as a hooker than captain. Warburton looks like the best 7 in the NH at present

It's a shame for Wales and for Rees personally, just hope Hibbert plays well against the Argies now

Wales will miss Rees as both captain and hooker, very under rated player. Wales best lineout thrower, great around the park and a powerful scrumager. Hope he recovers fully.

Burns blew it on Saturday, need to look at both Hibbard and Owens against Argies.

Unlucky. Hate to see players miss the worlds show piece. Hope he gets it sorted

Am not sure if Owens is fit enough/had enough game time, though personally I think he's got all the attributes to be great and as good as Rees is I think in a few seasons Owens will have wrestled the Scarlets No2 shirt off him.

I think for the Argies it will be Hibbert (who needs gametime) to start and Bennett to come on. (can't believe we're relying on Bennett, just hope his form holds throughout the WC)

Gutting for Wales, if there was one player we didn't really want to lose it was him, not just because he's the captain but because he is the only Welsh hooker who doesn't have iffy-arm-icitus

Huge blow for both Rees and Wales. Hibbard must now play the next warm-up game, with Bennett on the bench.

AlynDavies wrote:Gutting for Wales, if there was one player we didn't really want to lose it was him, not just because he's the captain but because he is the only Welsh hooker who doesn't have iffy-arm-icitus

Ken Owens is better than Rees at finding his jumpers, just hasn't got enough experience, it'll be interesting to see if Gatland will start him against Argentina as Burns blew his chance on Saturday

funnyExiledScot wrote:Huge blow for both Rees and Wales. Hibbard must now play the next warm-up game, with Bennett on the bench.

we know what Bennett can do, why play him again?

Bennett would be involved just to ensure the win I assume. I'd start with Hibbard, no point in putting Ken Owens in there as I doubt he'll make the squad. The three Hookers going by Gatland's thinking will be Bennett, Hibbard and Burns; Gatland rates Burns so he'll get more opportunity.

a big blow for wales' rwc hopes. as others have said, we are lucky bennett is showing some good form.

maybe rees can get a game in 6n12.

nottins_jones wrote:Bennett would be involved just to ensure the win I assume. I'd start with Hibbard, no point in putting Ken Owens in there as I doubt he'll make the squad. The three Hookers going by Gatland's thinking will be Bennett, Hibbard and Burns; Gatland rates Burns so he'll get more opportunity.

Burns is awful, let's hope he doesn't make the squad

Wales are going to miss those quick throw-in's

Never nice to see a player miss out on the WC

Standulstermen wrote:you have unearthed a gem of a captain in warburton anyway. I know rees will be missed but more as a hooker than captain. Warburton looks like the best 7 in the NH at present

In what way is Warburton a better captain than Rees?.

The word around WRU both managment, coaching and players was that Rees was an excellent captain and totally respected by all. Was very instrumental in the process of getting the players WC bonus over the last four months

Very consistent in his performance as a player and a captain.

Massive, massive blow to Wales

Let's hope he makes a full recovery and not be forced to retire like Ryan Powell

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14535583.stm

I am glad Matthew has not tried to play with his injury, I hope he gets well soon and get back to playing for the Scarlets. It is a shame the decision was not made earlier, he would be now recovering.

Good luck!

This is a big blow for Wales, but it is important that Rees gets this sorted out now...Rather than keep playing with the injurie and make it far worse, that he may have to retire early from the game.