What's up with the Welsh?

Question

Gatland has said that he is against the Welsh clubs spending money on talent form other countries and would prefer money be spent on growing young Welsh players.

Seems like a reasonable suggestion.

Why the heck are Dragons chief executive Gethin Jenkins and club coach Paul Turner in New Zealand fishing for All Blacks?

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/1701761/welsh-club-targets-leading-blacks

Answer 1

It happens in every Northern Hemsphere country. Welsh regions, being centrally funded, are a little better at playing Welsh players than English clubs but there's still a significant amount of Kiwis in all clubs.

Whether it's good or bad depends on the quality of the import. People like Ben Blair, Rush, Tito, Tia Tia, Marshall, King and Holah are inspirational players who both improve and educate the players around them. That can only be good for Wales. The problem starts when you have a very good or promising Welshman not getting game time because of the presence of an import.

Answer 2

Its called desperation from a side who are near the bottom of the Magners League, their top Welsh players are going to English clubs, ie Owen, Sweeney, and others have moved on as well. Having looked at their rivals Ospreys and Cardiff who have about  4 to 6 Kiwi  players in both sides, they see what a difference these  fellows make to their sides, in terms of skill, professionalism and fitness. So get on the plane to good ol NZ and stand at the conveyor

belt that is All Black Rugby, and grab what ever player you want. Seems to be the attitude from overseas, and the players want to go.....

The NZRU should put an off limits to all players that are contracted here in NZ, and hopefully the overseas clubs will look elsewhere.

Answer 3

Simple really...

Gatland isn't responsible for the woeful performances of the Dragons, and as such isn't going to be sacked by the Owner.

The Dragons (paul turner) does brilliantly with little or no money. I also heard on another forum by a serious dragons supporter - that Last year the owner promised the supporters that if they all buy season tickets (4000 or so) he will go out and buy players.. Some believe this was a complete lie / fraud as having bought season tickets..and reached the target -  no players arrived. Supporters are furious about this...hence the southern hemisphere shopping trip.

Answer 4

yeah i was thinkin the same

Answer 5

Club V country rearing its ugly head. The clubs need to be successful. dragons not getting into Europe will cost them £200,000 at least.

The Ospreys DO have a conveyor belt coming along, and have bought in foreign players for many reasons, including to make the club more marketable to kids.

tia Tia is going to be coaching within the osprey region, he is already coaching with the ospreys academy, passing on his talents there.

marty Holah is another who is working with the academy. This type of import can only be good for Welsh rugby.