Wales' decision to play Davies against the All Blacks is now under scrutiny

Wales and Scarlets have been dealt the damaging injury revelation that Jonathan Davies and Rhys Patchell will miss a large part of the season. 

Both players require surgery for injuries sustained during the recent World Cup, with Davies set to miss at least six months with a knee injury and Patchell up to four months with his shoulder. 

This is not a great start to Wayne Pivac’s tenure as Wales head coach, as he is set to face the Barbarians – coached by Warren Gatland – on November 30.  

Davies initially suffered the injury against Fiji in the pool stages of the RWC and his participation in the tournament looked in jeopardy. 

He missed the following game against Uruguay and pulled out just before the quarter-final against France, but returned for the semi-final against the Springboks and the bronze play-off against the All Blacks with his knee heavily strapped. 

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This injury always looked severe and it is a testament to the 31-year-old’s durability and commitment to the national team that he played on through what must have been a lot of pain. 

Horrible news for Wales AND the Scarlets. Poor Jon Fox must have been playing through ridiculous pain during the latter stages of the World Cup. https://t.co/sZ4LPgmZ6r

— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) November 12, 2019

While Patchell’s injury is just a part of rugby, questions are being raised as to whether the length of Davies’ injury lay-off could have been reduced. 

The outside centre is one of the most crucial players to the Welsh team, and it was understandable that both he and Gatland wanted him on the field in the semi-final. 

However, while it would be wrong to say nothing was riding on the bronze final against the All Blacks, it lacked the gravitas that the previous game had for obvious reasons. 

Or par for the course for players selected for Wales at the detriment of their club/region.

— Cardiff Stu (@cardiffstu) November 12, 2019

The question has to be asked would Jonathan have been out so long if he hadn’t of played after the initial injury against Fiji?

— Philip Mark Mullen (@PhilipMarkMull1) November 12, 2019

If Davies’ knee was that badly wrecked what on earth was he doing playing in the 3rd place match. Can understand he might have risked for a SF (and that’s pushing it) but for that game……? 🙄🏉 https://t.co/lRMh7RbEXJ

— Steve Grant (@SteveG1809) November 12, 2019

The Wales team was ravaged by injury for the match against Steve Hansen’s side, and it was a momentous occasion as it brought an end to Gatland’s twelve-year stint at the helm of Welsh rugby. 

Hoping to end a 66-year losing streak against New Zealand, there was a strong drive to win that match, but they fell short and the outing could have exacerbated Davies’ injury. 

If Davies needs surgery and 6 months of rehab, why the hell was he playing the semi and 3rd place playoff, when he obviously wasn't fully fit?

— Emyr Pedro (@EmsPedro42) November 12, 2019

https://twitter.com/loughorboy/status/1194216102353678337?s=20

Moreover, this decision to play Davies was not only potentially detrimental to the player himself but to the Scarlets. 

And what about the devastating double blow for @scarlets_rugby?? There is something called regional rugby you know…

— Helen Davies (@helzbach) November 12, 2019

It is a long-held view of fans of the regional sides in Wales that the national team does not think of the regions, and the treatment of Davies is not going to help the Welsh Rugby Union’s cause. 

The Scarlets will now be without the pair for the majority of the season, while Wales have been handed a heavy blow in their hopes of retaining the Six Nations title. 

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