Fans fuming after Gareth Ansombe injury - 'exactly why we don't play these meaningless games'
After Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe was ruled out of the World Cup today after suffering an ACL injury against England on Sunday, fans have questioned whether these warm-up games are necessary.
The 28-year-old hobbled off the field towards the end of the first half, after initially sustaining the knee injury during the first quarter of the match, and now has had his World Cup hopes dashed after establishing himself as Warren Gatland’s first-choice 10.
The test at Twickenham was the first of four warm-up games for the Grand Slam champions, with England travelling to the Principality Stadium next weekend, before two tests against Ireland.
Leading up to these matches, there had been questions over how necessary they were, and the risk of injuries. After only one match, Anscombe has been the first tragic casualty.
Some fans are saying that these matches should be played against Tier 2 nations or regional sides, where they will not be as intense. Two consecutive test matches against England will always be full-blooded and injuries are almost an inevitability, particularly as players are vying for selection along with Gatland naming a full-strength side.
This sees Gatland’s squad take a major hit for second consecutive World Cup after both Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb were ruled out in 2015 during the warm-up games. However, Wales only played two tests against Ireland in 2015, and one against Italy, which is a much easier workload.
Ireland have faced similar troubles over the past few days, with Joey Carbery suffering an injury against Italy at the weekend which will put him out for six weeks.
Some fans have said that there are so many matches this time around as it raises money, while player welfare has not been taken into account.
However, these games are crucial to avoid any rustiness for northern hemisphere sides, particularly as the southern hemisphere sides are competing in the Rugby Championship and the Pacific Nations Cup. But it is the volume of these matches that is being questioned, as well as the quality of opposition, especially for Wales. The fans will be hoping that Anscombe’s injury is the only major setback they suffer.
This is what has been said:
The warm up games should’ve been teams like Georgia, Tonga and Russia! Not against England n Ireland! Could’ve taken them around the country then, not worried about selling out the millennium! Hopefully jaarod or patchell now start closest thing to Anscombe we have now!
— Michael Youde ? (@Youdley24) August 12, 2019
A complete joke exactly why we don’t play these meaningless games
— Nick Gulliford (@NGulliford) August 12, 2019
FFS same thing happened last World Cup we lost Halfpenny and Webb. Why the fuck do we need such tough competitive warm ups
— CityBlue2527 (@CBlue2527) August 12, 2019
Well done all you supporters of these warm up matches. A man's dream crushed. How many more. It happened four years ago and it is hapeming again
— Richard Edwards (@rae3918) August 12, 2019
4 warm ups against such competitive sides was such a bad idea considering our lack of depth. It derailed our last WC and now lightning is striking twice
— Matt (@m_w890) August 12, 2019
Terrible news, I wonder whether those pre #RWC2019 international games are really worth the trouble
— Vinovale (@vinovale) August 12, 2019
Why not play warm up games against regional sides …. the level would be lower but at least they get game time to practice moves etc it’s always going to be a risk playing these type of games so close to a major competition
— Andrew Powell (@powelly2017) August 12, 2019
At least you'll make some money from these games?
— Rhodri Morris (@MorrisRhodri) August 12, 2019
World Cup warm ups never worth it because of outrageously high injury risks. Carbery really not someone we want to be losing. Has the potential to light up the tournament even if not a guaranteed starter #PrayForJoey
— Mike White (@miguelblanco85) August 10, 2019
World Cup “warm-ups” are always a total disaster for injuries. All to make a bit of money.
— Lloyd??????? (@LloydCymru) August 11, 2019
All I can think of watching #ENGvWAL is injuries injuries injuries. The 2015 warm-ups were Game of Thrones brutal ?
— Jessica Phillips (@jj_phillips1) August 11, 2019
While this opens the door for Dan Biggar to start at fly-half throughout the World Cup, this is particularly tough for Anscombe after establishing himself as Wales’ starting 10 during the Six Nations. Not only that, but he has made the move to the Ospreys this season, and this may majorly reduce his playing time.
It is one game down, three to go for Welsh fans, as they hope every player gets through them unscathed.
Comments on RugbyPass
This is short sighted from Clayton if you ask me, smacks of too much preseason planning and no adaptability. What if DMac is out for a must win match, are they still only going to bring their best first five and playmaker on late in the game? Trusting the game to someone who wasn’t even part of planning (they would have had Trask pinned in as Jacomb preseason). Perhaps if the Crusaders were better they would not have done this, but either way imo you take this opportunity to play a guy you might need starting in a final rather than having their 12th game getting comfortable coming off the bench.
1 Go to commentsThanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.
21 Go to commentsWhat a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
1 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
7 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
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