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Roberts' ex-teammate wants more European players to make the move south
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill has said that it is “great to see more northern hemisphere players heading south” after it was revealed his former Harlequins team-mate Jamie Roberts has joined the Stormers.
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The Welsh centre left Bath with immediate effect on Thursday and is set to team up with the Cape Town-based Super Rugby side ahead of the start of this season, which begins on January 31. Josh Matevesi has arrived at the Rec from Newcastle as a replacement.
While it is commonplace to see players from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia move to the northern hemisphere in the latter stages of their careers, particularly when they have given up Test rugby (although South Africans can now represent the Springboks regardless of where they play), the journey in the opposite direction is less trodden.
Roberts’ journey against the grain is something that Horwill clearly supports, and this is something that has been echoed by many fans as well in the wake of the announcement.
Only a handful of players from Europe have ever made the move before and although it usually suspends any hopes of playing international rugby for the players, it has always been regarded as an opportunity to play rugby in a different environment.
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Danny Cipriani and James Haskell are two players that made the move in their prime, and returned to play for England after that. Likewise, France’s Frederic Michalak had spells with the Sharks in South Africa and still played for his country after.
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The likes of Andy Goode, Geoff Parling and Gareth Delve have also made the move in the past, but that was once their Test hopes had expired.
https://twitter.com/JHorwill/status/1217803435820666880
Harlequins’ Joe Marchant is currently on loan with the Blues, which is a unique move for a young English player, but will equally have a hugely beneficial time playing alongside Beauden Barrett before he returns to England and fights for a Test spot.
The 33-year-old Roberts has not played a Test for Wales in over two years and while he still holds hopes of wearing red again, this move is one that he clearly wants to make.
It's all go at Bath today. https://t.co/ZolzcNACBk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 16, 2020
Playing in South Africa should not damage his chances of playing for Wales any more than playing in Bath did theoretically, as he is still eligible to be picked having 94 Wales caps (97 including the British and Irish Lions).
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Roberts now has a brilliant chance to experience a different style of rugby from what he has been used to in Europe. The bulldozing centre replaces World Cup winner Damian de Allende, who now plays in Japan, and serves as a like-for-like alternative.
In his prime, he was easily one of the best centres in the world and it must be positive that the northern hemisphere has a chance to showcase some players in Super Rugby.
WATCH: The time Freddie Michalak drank champagne out of a water bottle before kicking at goal
Comments on RugbyPass
I don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to comments