Wales News - Gethin Jenkins, Stephen Jones ready for training, no injuries from Springboks game.

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/19574.php

Wales have been handed a boost with the news that Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins are both expected to return to full training this week.

Centurion Jones and the 76-times capped Jenkins arrived with the rest of the squad at team headquarters in Lake Taupo this afternoon, from Wellington where they went down to world champions South Africa by 17-16 yesterday.
And the news that the Scarlets fly-half and Blues prop should both sufficiently recovered from calf problems to put themselves in contention for selection this weekend is particularly welcome - but the Wales selectors will also be buoyed by the knowledge that they have no new significant injuries to contend with as a result of the clash with the Springboks.

The British and Irish Lions pair will be fully integrated into squad training from tomorrow (Tuesday 13th September), when Wales will stage an 'open to the public session' at Owen Delany Park, Taupo, from 2.30pm.

That means Wales should be just one player away from a full compliment when head coach Warren Gatland and his coaches come to select the side for the now must win clash with Samoa.

Only Ospreys back row Ryan Jones remains on the injury list, after aggravating a calf problem in training last week, but he will now be able to continue his stay with the squad as he bids to return to fitness in time for the final game of the Pool D against Fiji in three week's time.

"Ryan will continue his rehabilitation with us and is still looking at a return to play time of around two to three weeks," said WRU national medical performance manager Prav Mathema.

"The fact that we have been able to report no new significant injury concerns to the coaches from the weekend's game means that the decision to allow him to stay and work at getting back to fitness in time for that Fiji match can still stand.

"We have been fortunate on the injury front and come through the South Africa game relatively unscathed with just a few minor bumps and bruises to contend with.

"Both Stephen and Gethin will be fully integrated into the training programme this week and, if they come through the periods of high intensity training, we would expect to make them both available to the selectors ahead of this weekend's game."

Good news all round

Even better that Samoa have named their first choice team for tomorrows game against Namibia!

Makes me think that Samoa don't have much faith in the rotation system unless they make changes against us.

I wouldn't start either of them but give them some game time off the bench.

yeh would keep same squad but have both gethin and stephen on the bench

agree with you both bedford and welshy

I'd be tempted to give Halfpenny a run in place of Shane with maybe Brew on bench but thats about it for me.

Looking at that Samoan lineup just announced
Samoa:
15 Paul Williams,
14 Sailosi Tagicakibau,
13 George Pisi,
12 Seilala Mapusua,
11 Alesani Tuilagi,
10 Tusi Pisi,
9 Kahn Fotuali'i,............

ouch bone crunching!!, then the timing of these two players fitness announcement is perfect for Wales

If they put these out against you guys....... you are going to need Welsh players who can actually who can be in the right position and defend adequately against these bad boys.

Jenkins and Jones - got to be bench cover for sure, along with 1/2p and hopefully a fit on form Byrne

I'd go with everyone else, put Stephen and Gethin on the bench for Samoa, and then play them against Namibia to get match fit.
I also think we should switch Hook and Priestland round for the Samoa game.

Bone crunching works both ways our guys are no lightweights either.

Cymro,

That was reassuring to find out on sunday for sure, onwards and straight through em!

yeh wales fear no one, we took on the most physical side and came out on top physically (ignore the scoreboard)

Good news on Gethin, should be on the bench and see how the games goes to give P James/A Jones a rest. I think Jonathan Davies said it all on scrum V we have big physical players, lets smash them! It will be intersting to see the tactics Wales will employ, we must have an advantage in the line out, we must challenge their ball, it may be worth kicking for the corners. Looking forward to the game.

glamorganalun wrote:Good news on Gethin, should be on the bench and see how the games goes to give P James/A Jones a rest. I think Jonathan Davies said it all on scrum V we have big physical players, lets smash them! It will be intersting to see the tactics Wales will employ, we must have an advantage in the line out, we must challenge their ball, it may be worth kicking for the corners. Looking forward to the game.

Thats what I was thinking, I may download the Samoa Vs Australia game to have a look at Samoa tonight. Pin them into the corners and see how Daniel Leo copes with Charteris.
Can any Wasps fans shed any light on Leo for us? Is he decent in the lineout?

Put out an un-changed side with Gethin and Stephen on the bench. What a welcome back to rugby they'll have against the Samoans. I'd put Byrne on the bench too and bring him on and hopefully he can find some form which means we can put Hook at fly-half at some point. Would like to see Scott Williams on the bench too, so this probably means no room for Halfpenny but ah well.

Australia were rubbish in that game they did not go for kickable penalties

Is it worth risking Shane against the Samoans? He had off day Sunday and Halfpenny needs game time.

Halfpenny has a lot of off days, I prefer Brew. If we're going to play 'sevens rugby' against the Samoans at some point Shane will be quite useful. Depending on the split, we may not see either Halfpenny or Scott on the bench, I've a feeling Gatland will put Byrne onto the bench.

nj,

If I had my way I would start with Brew but I just think that in Gatlands plans he is still behind Halfpenny in pecking order

Brew might be a better option than Shane. Brew gets stuck in, Shane generally tries to avoid it. Iv'e been quite disappointed with Shane recently to be honest. He seems to have lost that yard of pace and seems a bit off the pace, it might be time to give Brew a chance.

2 changes for the Samoa game I would like to see...

Brew for Shane

Halfpenny at 15 for Hook.

Leave the rest as they were.


I haven't seen Shane have a good game in ages and I suspect he is another one of the old guard that Gatts should have changed over the last 18 months.

As for Hook, well he is a 10. So he should battle it out for that position. He's not our best fullback, 12 or 13 so sit on the bench and cover all of those positions. Priestland is the man in possession and has taken to International rugby like a duck to water.

If Brew does start he's got to keep his aggression in check. For both the Dragons and Wales he's put in a fair few 50/50 challanges and a lot of the time has been on the receiving end of a yellow card.

Discipline will be hugely important against Samoa, we can't risk the 50/50 calls going against us or it could be curtains.

rugbydreamer wrote:If Brew does start he's got to keep his aggression in check. For both the Dragons and Wales he's put in a fair few 50/50 challanges and a lot of the time has been on the receiving end of a yellow card.

Discipline will be hugely important against Samoa, we can't risk the 50/50 calls going against us or it could be curtains.

How about Halfpenny then> He likes scoring against Samoa doesnt he?

Does he?

rugbydreamer wrote:Does he?

Well he scored one last time didn't he?

When was the last time Jenkins played for Wales? It seems like ages. I think with the current backrow he benefit is lessened and James' scrumaging prowess is more useful. If he can get back up to his top form maybe but I'd definitely stick with James for now.

i dunno Alyn! I've systematically blocked out all memories of games against the likes of Samoa and Fiji, I rarely find them enjoyable viewing experiences!

Hammer - I think he figured briefly in the AI's perhaps. But he hasn't played any rugby since January. I agree with you, I think we should stick with James.

rugbydreamer wrote:i dunno Alyn! I've systematically blocked out all memories of games against the likes of Samoa and Fiji, I rarely find them enjoyable viewing experiences!

1 try, 1 penalty in 2009.

So Halfpenny is now dating Mrs Wonderbra Lucy Jones they make a nice couple.

Cymroglan wrote:So Halfpenny is now dating Mrs Wonderbra Lucy Jones they make a nice couple.

Dam you, I Bing searched Lucy Jones and a load of porn came up, and I got a rollicking off the missis!
That's my tea gone for the night!

They have been dating a while

Cymroglan wrote: They have been dating a while

If he's gonna date her, he's gonna need far more than a Halfpenny!
Sorry that was awful...

Stephen Jones fit again? Champagne rugby beckons. I can barely contain my excitement.

Gethin J - fantastic news, obviously.