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Wales reiterate that Marler antics are 'not what we want in the game'
Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins has underlined the importance of watertight discipline in Test rugby. The Guinness Six Nations, badly hit by the coronavirus outbreak that has seen three games postponed, will be adjourned – probably until next season – after this weekend’s clash between Wales and Scotland.
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The remaining fixture still goes ahead as scheduled following a volatile fourth round of Six Nations action at Twickenham and Murrayfield. England prop Joe Marler courted major controversy after he grabbed Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones’ genitals during the first half of a game that England won 33-30.
Marler was subsequently cited by the independent match commissioner under World Rugby’s law relating to the “spirit of good sportsmanship.” The Harlequins forward faces a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Thursday when he could hit with a lengthy ban.
Asked for his view on the Marler incident, Jenkins said: “From my perspective, the independent citing commissioner is dealing with that. It’s not what we want in the game, but it is what it is. They will deal with it in the right manner, and I’ve no doubt about that.”
Marler’s England team-mates Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi will also appear before disciplinary chiefs in the Irish capital. Lawes was cited for a dangerous tackle on Jones, while Tuilagi received a red card following a high challenge on Wales wing George North.
And there was another flash-point during Sunday’s clash between Scotland and France, with Les Bleus prop Mohamed Haouas being sent off for punching Scottish flanker Jamie Ritchie. Jenkins, though, does not believe that weekend events reflected an overall decline in rugby’s standards as a sport.
“You have to understand when these Test matches are played there are 15 players on either side that are right on the edge,” he said. “You have to keep your discipline among it all as it can affect your team’s performance. Rugby is incredibly tense, physical and unforgiving, and Saturday was the same. The bigger picture is keeping your discipline.
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“You can’t afford yellow and red cards. Their (France’s) prop got sent off on Sunday, and in the World Cup quarter-finals (Sebastien) Vahaamahina got sent off as well. We’ve been on the end of that ourselves, and it’s very difficult to play with 14 men for 10 minutes, let alone long periods. Discipline is a massive part of any sport, but especially at the highest level of Test rugby.”
Jenkins, meanwhile, hopes that Wales can select from strength for Scotland’s visit to Cardiff. Lock Jake Ball is sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury against England that will require surgery, while prop Dillon Lewis went off at half-time due to an ankle problem and full-back Leigh Halfpenny had stitches in a gashed knee.
“Jake Ball is out. He’s got a problem with his shoulder, so he will need an operation,” Jenkins said. “Leigh is sore. He’s got a nasty gash on his knee but he will be fine. He is a tough, old competitor. He will be ready to go Saturday.”
Wales’ run of three successive defeats is their worst in one Six Nations campaign since 2007. Scotland, though, have not won in Cardiff for 18 years, even though they will arrive following an impressive victory over France.
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A stinging rebuke for Marler from the 2003 World Cup-winning boss https://t.co/LNtK27vISh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 10, 2020
Jenkins added: “They are a tough and physical side, but they also play some good rugby and they have exciting backs who can light up any occasion at any time, especially with Stuart Hogg at full-back.
“We have to focus on ourselves and if we turn up and do the right things and play our game and take our chances, I’ve no doubt we will win (on) Saturday. Scotland will be coming off a good win, fancying their chances. They will be confident, especially as we’ve lost three. We need to be ready and we need to perform the way we can.”
– Press Association
WATCH: Joe Marler “nothing more than an egotistical narcissist” – ex-Wales skipper blasts England prop
Comments on RugbyPass
Leinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
42 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
13 Go to commentsWowee!
13 Go to comments