Welsh fans react to Rob Evans' World Cup snub
Warren Gatland’s decision to overlook Grand Slam-winning prop Rob Evans in favour of one-cap Rhys Carré has shocked Wales fans on social media.
Evans, alongside his Scarlets teammate Samson Lee, was omitted from the World Cup squad yesterday, despite both players being mainstays in the Wales team over the last few years.
Many seem to understand why Lee may have missed out, as Gatland is only taking two tightheads, Tomas Francis and Dillon Lewis, with Francis establishing himself as a consistent starter in red. On the other hand, very few can understand the reasoning behind Evans’ absence.
Gatland has said that there were durability issues surrounding the Scarlets duo, especially as Evans came into the training camp injured, but it has still been deemed a risk nonetheless.
The 35-cap Evans is a strong scrummager and powerful in the loose, with some fans regarding him as being one of the best looseheads in the world. The consensus on Twitter seems to be that he is superior to Nicky Smith, and it was only a matter of months ago that he was ahead of him as the first choice loosehead in the Grand Slam winning campaign.
Meanwhile, the decision to select the Saracens-bound Carré is seen as a gamble, particularly as he has only ever started three games for the Cardiff Blues, and only made his debut on Saturday in a game where Wales’ scrum was comprehensively second best. The 21-year-old clearly has great potential, but it is a decision that very few saw Gatland taking.
This is what has been said:
https://twitter.com/supertaf99/status/1168175134009634818?s=20
Crazy decision not to go with Rob Evans. Crazy.
As an @IrishRugby Supporter I can tell you that he looks to me as one of the finest loose heads in the world.— Jason Shiels (@jasonshiels) September 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/MrEvansSports/status/1168151758453059587?s=20
Surprised at Carre in the squad. First cap on weekend. Appreciate first cap but didn’t do anything IMHO that you would think it put him on the plane, especially at the expense of Rob Evans. Big big call https://t.co/UKs53oqVKg
— H Jones (@Jones_No6) September 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/aero_zeppelin/status/1168283437851127809?s=20
Is there a single Welsh rugby supporter who would put Wyn Jones ahead of Rob Evans?
Has he upset Gatland somehow?
— Philip Davies #FBPE 🏴 (@Sosban_in_Exile) September 1, 2019
Have to really feel for Rob Evans, our best prop by a country mile & been excellent for both club & country over the last couple years. Massively poor decision by Gatland. Rhys Carre is a good player but he's done nothing to warrant being selected over Rob. #RWC2019 #Wales
— Gavin Barrett (@Gavin__Barrett) September 1, 2019
Fitness is always an issue when it comes to the World Cup, and with a schedule that includes a six-day turnaround between playing Georgia and Australia, carrying two players in Evans and Lee that may not be 100% could put a huge strain on the squad.
But both players featured last Saturday against Ireland at the Principality Stadium, which suggests they were match fit, but have obviously not done enough over the past few months to show they are ready for the rigours of the World Cup.
Rugby World Cup City Guide
Comments on RugbyPass
The 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.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 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.
10 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.
39 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.
3 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
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
50 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
39 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.
39 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.
17 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.
17 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.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments