Keystone quote of the week and player protests of loyalty

Are the protests of loyalty being reported a sign that things are starting to crack in the Wales camp, or is there a media-led conspiracy to stir things up?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/02/04/star-jamie-roberts-insists-wales-squad-has-full-confidence-in-rob-howley-91466-32744677/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/02/05/wales-star-leigh-halfpenny-denies-talk-of-crisis-in-welsh-camp-91466-32751813/

But my favourite quote so far this week has got to be:

"He is not a natural passer...

“So he works particularly hard on the handling side of the game because he realises that is the biggest area of the game he can make an improvement on." (Quotes in the article attributed to Mark Jones.)

Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/02/05/wales-coach-admits-no-quick-fix-to-poor-welsh-skill-levels-91466-32751289/#ixzz2K34z68J2

The latter article is particularly worth reading to see the full quote. Priceless. JD has 31 caps for Wales, but he seems unable to run at pace and pass at the same time, a basic skill.

Perhaps it's time for the Wales and regional setups to concentrate more on skills than bulk? Otherwise, we'll all have to go back years to replay videos that show how Welsh players used to be able to pass (accurately and sympathetically, varying the pace and strength of the pass to suit the circumstances), run angles, and show a bit of guile, flair and finesse.

I'll be honest, with regard to JD2 I don't trust Scott Williams to pass that well either, so I don't know what to suggest really. What helps them out, is our reliance to crash up, so classy centres need not apply.

Saying that, when they are being coached by Mark Jones, who couldn't do much more than run in a straight line, then they aren't going to improve in a hurry.

Staggering. Not that JD2 isn't a 'natural passer', we know that's not a strength of his, but that Mark Jones should state it publicly days after he had possibly his worst game in a Wales shirt. Well done, Mark, his confidence will skyrocket now with you in his corner.

Didn't anyone inverview these clowns before they were appointed?

Sad but true luckless, none of the players need the extra pressure of being told publicly that they are in the Wales test side without the necessary skills? I see we also now have the complete low down on the French with our 4 French based players...so all will be ok then! We should just think about getting our game right and shut up!

The Welsh coaches haven't got a clue when it comes to man-management.

I think confidence is something that is being overlooked here. Poor skills, no but confidence in there own ability looks lacking.

Give these guys a spring in their step and I'm sure they would be reverse passing the lot of them... well bar Adam Jones.

You don't go from being GS winners to fighting for the wooden spoon with the same players due to lack of basic skills.

...thats true.

Unless of course the skill levels are low across the tournament ?

Interviews with this bunch of "media savey" numpties should be banned during the tournament.

They are all the same, only taking their foot out of their mouths long enough to replace it with the other. Unbelievable.