Monday, May 31, 2010

Gatland poised to name Wales team

INTERNATIONAL TEST - WALES v SOUTH AFRICA
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 5 June Kick-off: 1430 BST
Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC TWO Wales & online, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru & online, score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport website


Wales coach Warren Gatland
Coach Warren Gatland wants Wales to take their chance against South Africa

Warren Gatland names his Wales team on Tuesday to face South Africa in Cardiff in the first of three summer Tests.

The coach is without the injured James Hook (shoulder) and Gethin Jenkins (calf) but Andy Powell could return to the back row for Saturday's clash.

Wing Leigh Halfpenny could return with flanker Sam Warburton tipped to start.

Jonathan Davies and Andrew Bishop are contenders at centre, while Ospreys prop Paul James and the Blues' John Yapp are battling to replace Jenkins.

After taking on the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium, Wales travel to New Zealand for two Tests in a programme Gatland believes will determine his squad's fitness for next year's World Cup.

If we're going to do well then we need to physically match the top teams in the world

Warren Gatland

"We will know where we are physically after this summer," said the New Zealander.

"One thing we have prioritised over the last few years is our physicality, probably to the detriment of our individual skills and game.

"If we're going to do well then we need to physically match the top teams in the world.

"We've done a huge amount over the past couple of years and I think we've made significant progress. We saw that with the Welsh boys on the Lions tour.

"The All Blacks coaches told me last autumn they expected us to fall away significantly in the second half, but they were surprised at how well we finished.

"We were virtually camped on their line for the final 10 minutes.

"We have got one of the most physical pools in the World Cup. But if we come out of that, we will be in good shape.

"That's why this summer is the start of our preparations. We're trying to replicate things in these three games.

Sam Warburton
Sam Warburton could start in the Wales back row against South Africa

"The first game at the World Cup will be massive against South Africa, then we have two physical games in Samoa and Fiji, as we have this summer with New Zealand.

"Hopefully that will be similar to the World Cup."

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has named a team that includes five Europe-based starters given the chance to press claims for 2011 World Cup places.

He has also recalled scrum-half Ricky Januarie, who spent three months with the Ospreys during their Magners League-winning season.

But Gatland says no-one should be fooled by the absence of global stars such as Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger and Bryan Habana from the visitors' line-up.

Wales have beaten South Africa only once - in the Millennium Stadium's opening game in 1999 - and Gatland said: "It's a great chance for us. They've got world class and World Cup players.

"We've felt against South Africa we've had a couple of opportunities in recent years and we haven't quite taken them.

"And if we can get a full house in the Millennium Stadium in June, a great day with the sun out we can go out and play some positive rugby.

"Ten or 11 years ago, no-one talks about the fact that South Africa left 10 or 11 players at home on that occasion when Wales won.

"So for us, I don't care who we're playing against in terms of individuals - we just want to win.

"And if we can win against South Africa it gives us great confidence going on tour [to New Zealand]."

606: DEBATE
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Injuries ruled out Hook and Luke Charteris while Gatland rested Martyn Williams and Dwayne Peel.

They joined Jenkins, Duncan Jones, Richard Hibbard, Dafydd Jones, Dan Lydiate, Gareth Cooper, Tom Shanklin, Tom James and Mark Jones on the sidelines, while Gareth Delve was not considered.

Those absentees apart, coach Gatland named his strongest available squad for the three Tests.

Ryan Jones leads a party including Stephen Jones, Adam Jones and Shane Williams, who have all had a long season in the wake of last summer's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

Powell also returns after he was removed from the Wales squad following an incident in which he was over the drink-drive limit while driving golf buggy along the M4 motorway during the Six Nations.

Halfpenny's return would be at the expense of Ospreys teenager Tom Prydie, who made his debut against Italy in the Six Nations.

After welcoming the Lions conquerors and world champion Springboks on 5 June, Wales fly to New Zealand where they face the All Blacks in Dunedin (19 June) and Hamilton (26 June).


Wales squad for June Tests:

Forwards: Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones, Andy Powell, Sam Warburton, John Yapp (all Cardiff Blues), Huw Bennett, Paul James, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Craig Mitchell (all Ospreys), Rob McCusker, Ken Owens, Matthew Rees (all Scarlets).

Backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Richie Rees, Jamie Roberts (all Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar, Andrew Bishop, Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips, Tom Prydie, Shane Williams (all Ospreys), Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Tavis Knoyle (all Scarlets).

Standby list (to train with the squad in the UK and cover injuries for the New Zealand tour):

Blues: Scott Andrews, Chris Czekaj, Rhys Thomas.

Ospreys: Ian Gough.

Scarlets: Martin Roberts.

Dragons: Will Harries, Gavin Thomas, Jason Tovey.

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