Remember when there were rumours that Deacon Manu was going to be playign for Wales. that there was some sort of tug of war between Fiji and Wales for his services, a tug of war that Fiji won?
Well it seems that wasn’t quite the case. Far from Wales looking to secure his services in the problem prop position, where we have lacked depth for some time, when Manu asked about playing for Wales he was summarily dismissed as a prospect, leaving him no option but to play for Friday and our World Cup opponents (and conquerors in 07) Fiji.
Warren Gatland
It seems that Gatland is far from a Manu fan.
“You will have to ask Warren how close the Welsh link was,” said Manu, who was coached by Gatland during his time with Waikato in 2005.
“All I was told by Wales was I was too old and not good enough.
“There does not seem much room for debate there!
“Things have moved on and it is always a proud moment to be stepping out for Fiji.
“And to be named captain was a privilege.”
Discuss this revelation on our “Deacon Manu Not Good Enough” thread on our forum
Opinion
Rather conclusive that one! Now this blog is far from the biggest Manu fan. But he has improved as a player in his time with the Scarlets and given our problems with depth at prop you think we’d have been looking to test anyone we could, especially capping anyone with dual nationality (or triple nationality in the case of the New Zealand born Deacon Manu, who played for the New Zealand Maori vs the British Lions in 2005).
But instead he is now lining up against Wales, as captain of Fiji no less. Against him will be Scarlets team mate George North. So what does Manu think of Wales?
I know some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Scarlets but they have a different environment in Wales,” added Manu.
“Wales have had two close matches with the results going the other way and South Africa and Australia were lucky to get the wins.
“There are so many Lions in the Welsh team and it is the strongest squad I have seen in the four years I have been here in Wales.
“They are a class act and don’t think they are that close from getting that big southern hemisphere scalp.”
Cheers Manu, we’d wish you the best of luck – but only if we had our fingers crossed.
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