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Welsh fans in mourning over Hill as debate rages online over his replacement
Injured Wales second-row Cory Hill has done enough to earn him a place in this year’s World Cup despite picking up an ankle injury, according to the fans on Twitter.
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The 27-year-old will miss the rest of the Six Nations after injuring himself in the act of scoring on Saturday, but many believe that he has done enough this Championship to earn a place in Warren Gatland’s World Cup squad, particularly after his performance against England.
The Dragon was immense against Eddie Jones’ side, displaying a tireless workrate and hitting a huge number of rucks. He capped his performance off with Wales’ first try of the match, running a wonderful line and crashing through the English defence.
In light of the injury, former Wales number eight Andy Powell took to Twitter to say how immense Hill has been throughout the tournament and that he is guaranteed to go to the World Cup:
Absolutely gutted for @coryhill_ who will miss the next two @SixNationsRugby games !! He’s been playing some of the best rugby in his life !! He’s guaranteed to have a place in the World Cup squad !!
— Andy Powell (@andypowell8) February 26, 2019
These sentiments were echoed by many fans, who also commented on his performances so far in the Championship:
Recover quickly and fully for the world cup.
— Prof Barbara Philips 🏴🏉🇪🇺 (@bp308) February 26, 2019
A real loss to the team. Let’s get him fit for the World Cup.
— Mark Davies (@MRDavies1968) February 26, 2019
😭 One of the best players this 6 nations campaign speedy recovery Cory
— AaronOnX🏴 (@JustMeeAaron) February 26, 2019
That’s a shame he will be a big blow to Wales. He was great in the England game.
— Ieuan Latham (@l_ieuan) February 26, 2019
A big miss he was immense Saturday
— Steve (@Williams30Steve) February 26, 2019
Absolutely gutted for @coryhill_ been absolutely immense!! 💪🏻👍🏻🏉
— ʙᴇᴛʜᴀɴ 🌼💛 (@Bethaan92) February 26, 2019
In Hill’s absence, fans have been speculating who will fill in at lock for the remaining games against Scotland and Ireland this season. Gatland has mixed his squad up, as Adam Beard partnered Alun-Wyn Jones against France in the opening round, and then partnered Jake Ball against Italy. It was Hill’s first start of the Six Nations against England, but he certainly gave a good account of himself.
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With the match against Scotland on the horizon, Ball’s carrying ability makes him the fans’ favourite to start at Murrayfield in under two weeks’ time.
However, with Seb Davies, and even Bradley Davies, still in the mix to play for Wales, a lot is up for grabs in the competition to make the World Cup in September. With captain Jones obviously going to the World Cup, and Hill having impressed, the remaining locks will want to play well, but Ball seems to get the nod from the fans this week.
https://twitter.com/phillipstaffy/status/1100420762970845187
Personally I'd go for Ball against Scotland. We need good ball carriers and he always plays like a man on a mission.
— Mikey Roberts 🏴 (@mikeyroberts81) February 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/STEMCal/status/1100421888101228544
Jake Ball for me or Seb Davies.
— Jackie Phillips (@JeffPhillips6) February 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/aero_zeppelin/status/1100432114674290688
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Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments