1
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
4 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
4 Go to comments