Ryan Jones Out of Australia Match

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Ryan Jones Out of Australia Match

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Welsh captain Ryan Jones has pulled out of the Wales vs Australia game tomorrow with a back problem he suffered in training on Tuesday.

This is a MAJOR loss for Wales as far as I am concerned. On one hand we have a backrow that is far more balanced now. Andy Powell has been moved to 8, his natural position. That is great news in itself as he has been truly shocking at 6 and Gatland must have been mad to pick him there in the first place. Dan Lydiate coming into the backrow at 6 means we now have a natural 6 on the field.

Ryan’s form though has been excellent, stepping up several gears from last season. He is no longer the dynamic ball carrier he was, but a change in the rules of the game mean that speed from the base is as important as power, which coupled with his change in bodyshape has stopped him being as effective. But he has been effective, and his work at the breakdown has been exemplary, which is lucky since he was always doing Andy Powell’s job as well.

Now we have an 8 ready to do an 8′s job, and a 6 ready to do a 6′s. But Andy Powell lacks the discipline needed in a breakdown contest, and against the Aussies we WILL be in a breakdown contest. Worse he will be providing no support to teh inexperienced Lydiate who is making his first start – Lydiate will have to be supporting Martyn Williams alone, not with help from 8.

Which makes me wonder why it isn’t Jonathon Thomas at blindside. He is, presumably, kept on the bench as he has to be cover for 2nd row with Bradley Davies injured – but I would rather have seen us take that risk and put in the experienced, talented and, in my opinion, on form JT against one of, if not the, best blindside in the world – Rocky Elsom.

Asking Lydiate to take on Rocky Elsom is asking a massive amount. the guy has a lot of talent and even more potential. but is he there yet? i admit I haven’t seen him that much but from what I have seen I see a player who is a couple of years away from that level.

I hope I am wrong, but these changes have me really worried. And for those who were wondering, Gethin Jenkins takes over the captaincy from Ryan Jones and Sam Warburton takes Dan Lydiate’s place on the bench.

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