Did you see it coming?

POWELL KICK OUT OF WELSH SQUAD


One thing I remember about the immediate aftermath of the Wales - Scotland game this weekend was Andy Powell coming off the bench to congratulate his teammates - he looked like he had some mischief in his eyes....

the rest i guess now is history...


"Powell and another man were picked up at a service station at junction 33 of the M4 motorway, less than three miles from the Wales team headquarters at the Vale Hotel and Spa, on Sunday morning. Powell had spent Saturday night celebrating Wales's Six Nations victory over Scotland.

It is understood the buggy was taken from the Vale of Glamorgan resort. The other man was released without charge. Today, following discussions with the player himself, the Welsh management has decided to suspend Powell from the squad for the duration of the tournament, for behaviour contrary to the squad's code of conduct. "

(SOURCE telegraph.co.uk)

Powell is clearly a bit of a joker - anybody who has seen the behind the scenes DVD on the recent Lions tour would pick up on that...

So when I heard the story on Sunday I was not surprised and like John Indverdale who delivered me the news (not one on one you understand) I laughed.

Funny though it was, it was not a clever thing for the man to do.

Harsh Punishment?

I don't think Gatland and co where left with much option.

The former Wales number 8 Micheal Owen had a good point today Gatland brought Powell into the squad and gave him a chance - and this was not the right way for Powell to repay him.

The future for the backrow forward?

I'm guess the Cardiff Blues player will get another chance...wont he?

He really excelled when he came on the international scene at the beginning last season - but he has rather faded with the Welsh team ever since.

He is not a natural number 6 (where he has played this Six Nations campaign) and I expect Osprey's flanker Jonathan Thomas to step into that role and Powell won't be missed...

So time could be up for the former Newport and Scarlet's man.

Powell has come back before though...

After a bright start to his career at Newport he nearly gave up the game after failing to make a impact as a youngster in France and then at Leicester.

After a brief step back from the oval game at 23 he returned to Wales to join the Scarlets. He also struggled to reach his potential at West Wales' side - where he got into trouble by missing training and the like.

A move to the Cardiff Blues in 2005 and taking his chances when Xavier Rush got injured at the Blues he broke the international scene.

He came back bigger and better - and in his own words "matured". He may need to rethink that and maybe the game that has slipped away in the past couple of months maybe reborn.

It's a balancing tip really that could go either way.

Take Care Who You Pick On

Six Nations Round Three Review

A lot of talking points spring up from last weekend's Six Nations.

Ireland - England, a dire game on the whole.

Lets start with the English....well, well, well.

First of all if you have not seen the BBCs post-match interviews with Martin Johnson and Steve Borthwick then I recommend them. Borthwick's manner is very interesting and you begin to feel sorry for the man.

My problem, however, is everyone pointing the finger at Danny Care. What he did was very stupid but he was not the only one giving stupid pens away. Phil Vickery, can't stop giving away pens in his own 22. Come on! Ten yellow cards in four games! This in not one or two players fault, everyone in the set up have to look at themselves and think about what they are doing.

I watched both England and Wales train in front of the media ahead their game in Cardiff, the contrast between the two sides was unbelievable. Gatland's boys were organised and well drilled. They came out as a team did what they were meant to do, like professionally.

England on the other hand, came out in drips and draps (I walked down the tunnel with Andy Goode and Paul Sackey bantering away), it all seemed to be easy and relaxed. I guess there is nothing wrong with that, rugby is fun enjoy it, but when you look at their performances and lack of discipline on the pitch that can be reflected in their lack of discipline in training. At points Johnno just looked like one of the lads! I not knocking his leadership, that is unprecedented and I realise he is not the coach but the manager. I am, however, questioning this approach because it doesn't seem to be working.

The Irish Slam

I still doubt that Ireland will go on to win the Grand Slam. I can not see them winning in Cardiff, but my confidence in the Welsh has come back to haunt the dragons in the past.

Friday Night Highlight

I think that the Friday night game worked really well. I am in agreement with Jonathan Davis, a Friday night game works better then a Sunday game. Kicks off the weekend in style.

It was all helped by a great game of rugby.

On my twitter feed I didn't say - "If the Welsh turn up, they could give the French a lesson in how to play rugby." I am not sure the Welsh totally turned up. There were points when they dominated but the French did too. Wales could have won it but they made too many mistakes and lack calmness.

The French were powerful and got their tactics right, they were all playing for their under pressure coach.

Scots Bore

Well done to Scotland, Frank Hadden's boys needed the win, they got it, not in style but a win is a win. I am concerned for the Italians. A few years ago it looked like they were about to really break into the Six Nations but this year they have offered very little, their strength in depth seems a problem.

All in all yet again the Six Nations is delivering. Great tournament so far.

Pick of the Games this Weekend

Game to Watch:

Wales - Australia (Saturday 29th November 2008, 2.30 pm GMT)

There is an aura of expectation in Wales this weekend. After last weekends fine first half performance by the Grand Slam Champions and the 'winning' of the haka stand off, their seems to be a buzz surround the Welsh squad.

The only unforced change coach, Warren Gatland, has made is the removal of Leigh Halfpenny for Mark Jones. Gatland claimed it was to give the 19 year old a rest while giving the in form, prior to an injury, Jones a chance to show what he can do. I say fair shout.

Welsh fans should hope that if Stephen Jones, at fly-half, is playing as well as he was against the All Blacks, Gatland keeps him on. Hook is out of form and out of touch. I was very impressed by both Lee Byrne and Jason Roberts last weekend, they need to keep firing.

The under estimation of this Wallaby side throughout this tour by the media and fans a like has played into the Aussies hands. The Wallabies under Robbie Deans', baring one or two performances, have been very impressive.

The interesting one for me is George Smith on the bench. Phil Waugh is a valuable replacement, but I would say he is on his way down, while in the TriNations this season Smith was exceptional. I would like to know Deans' reasoning behind that choice.

If Matt Giteau is able to dictate the game and Stirling Mortlock, Ryan Cross and Drew Mitchell & co get a heavy involved in the game, Wales' defence is going to have to be up for it.

Planet Rugby have predicted Wales to win by five.
Green and Gold Rugby have predicted a Wallabies win by ten.
Welsh Rugby Blog are saying Wales 22 - Australia 19.

I find this one very difficult to call, but I am going with a Australia win by 5 pts.


Game One Liners

England - New Zealand: Can't see anything more then a All Blacks win, maybe not as heavy as everyone is predicting.
(Saturday 29th Nov, 2.30pm GMT)