The stunning resurrection of Aaron Shingler |
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Fscarlet
Moderator Group Joined: 26 January 2015 Status: Offline Points: 8871 |
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Posted: 07 February 2018 at 1:23pm |
Nice little article on Aaron....
Shingler was on the books of Glamorgan from the age 17, a rangy opening pace bowler capable of sending down deliveries in the mid-eighties (mph). He played for the county’s second team and Wales Minor Counties, but admits inconsistency meant he struggled to break into the first XI. Nevertheless, it was clear there was plenty of potential in his 6ft 6in frame and Shingler was picked to tour Bangladesh with England Under-19s in 2005, a squad that contained current England Test all-rounder Moeen Ali as well as a number of others who went on to forge impressive careers in first-class cricket. Then, during one off-season, he was
coaxed into playing rugby for his local village side Hendy RFC — his
father Craig had captained the club — and within weeks he was attracting
the attention of Welsh Premiership side Llanelli RFC. It was then that his sporting path veered towards the oval ball. He
was invited to train at Parc y Scarlets and soon earned himself a
semi-professional contract, where he played alongside younger brother
Steve and rising stars Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Gareth Davies and
future England international Ben Morgan. He wasn’t the
bulkiest of forwards, but his athleticism, ball-handling and pace was a
major asset, highlighted by a stunning 70-metre solo try in a Welsh Cup
final defeat to Neath. In 2010 he was named in Wales’ Sevens squad for
the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Shingler started out in regional rugby as a second row and remains one of the leading line-out operators in the Welsh game. However, his threat in the open spaces saw him convert to the back row and he was rewarded with a Wales debut against Scotland in 2012, drafted in as an eleventh-hour call-up for the injured Sam Warburton at openside as Gatland’s men took another stride towards the Six Nations title and a third Grand Slam in eight seasons. With Dan Lydiate firmly established in the No. 6 jersey and a Lion in 2013, only three more starts followed over the next two years and Wales’ defeat to the Springboks in Durban in the first Test of the 2014 summer tour — where again he played in the unfamiliar No. 7 shirt — looked like being Shingler’s last taste of international rugby. But domestically, he continued to deliver consistent performances, revelling in the expansive, off-loading game developed by Wayne Pivac and Stephen Jones in Llanelli. He has racked up more than 170 appearances for the Scarlets. Towards the end of last season, as the Scarlets’ title charge started to pick up momentum, Shingler was quizzed about the possibility of reviving his international career. In a candid interview he admitted if he didn’t make Robin McBryde’s squad for the summer Tests against Tonga and Samoa he didn’t think he’d pull on the three feathers again — particularly with Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau and Ross Moriarty named in the the British and Irish Lions tour party for New Zealand and Lydiate on the long-term injury list. Shingler wasn’t named in McBryde’s original party, but an injury to James King in the Ospreys’ PRO12 semi-final defeat to Munster saw him handed his chance. And boy has he taken it. As part of a breathtaking all-round team performance, Shingler picked up the man-of-the-match award in the PRO12 final victory over the Irish province in Dublin. He started in both Tests in difficult conditions against the Islanders in June and in a testing autumn series stood toe to toe with the southern hemisphere big three, keeping the challenge of Lydiate at arm’s length. He has continued to impress for the Scarlets, and was one of the stars of their European wins over Bath and Toulon last month. In Saturday's 34-7 win over the Scots, he raised the bar again. He strode through onto one early Rhys Patchell pass, which almost set up a memorable try for Steff Evans, but it was his contribution in the close-quarter exchanges, disrupting the visitors at the contact area and off-loading cleverly with ball in hand that stood out. He was everywhere and although there were plenty of Welsh contenders, Shingler got the nod from Martyn Williams for the man-of-the-match gong. “He could just turn out to be the star of this year’s Six Nations,” said ex-England scrum-half and BT Sports pundit Austin Healy . “His work-rate is strong, he carries very well, he is physical in the contact, he gets over the ball, he clears out rucks. He looks big and hard and someone in the Six Nations being big nasty and hard goes a fair way — like it did for Sebastian Chabal a few years ago with France.” Former England England centre Will Greenwood was equally glowing: “A simply outstanding back five player in the pack. Comfortable at lock or in the back row, Shingler could be an All Black in his style: his awareness of the game situation and what his team needs in the here and now means he is the “right place, right time” man. “Knows when to link or when to dip the shoulder and carry hard. Athletic, a good line-out option — I can’t speak highly enough of the lad.” |
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aber-fan
Veteran Joined: 25 October 2004 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 18857 |
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I've always admired Aaron's play, and have felt that his line-out prowess alone made him an indispensable part of the Scarlets' best XV... plus, of course, his pace which can surprise opponents (remember that try v Saints a few seasons back?).
It looks as if he's added to those skills by significantly increasing his physicality around the tackle area, plus becoming even more of a threat in open play by spotting gaps on a more regular basis (Stevo's help?). He completely deserves the plaudits he's getting ATM.
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“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
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PE SA
Veteran Joined: 22 July 2009 Status: Offline Points: 12515 |
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In previous seasons when we had a pack going backwards, it was hard to really appreciate what he brought as physicality was a big emphasis on rugby as a whole, and our pack severely lacked it. We all knew in an open game he was an asset.
But with our pack now strong, together with an open high tempo game plan, this has taken him to new heights and is a lot more physical than he previously was. Whether this is because of the way we play, his body now fully developed or both, but one thing is certain, he has developed leaps and bounds under Pivac. Not the only player mind to have taken their game to a new level, but he is most definitely one of them and fast becoming an integral player for wales too. |
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GreyScarlet
Senior Member Joined: 21 June 2012 Location: Cardiff Status: Offline Points: 368 |
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His style of play has not really changed in my opinion, he may be more physical now (it is hard to tell from the stands). I think that as the style of rugby being played has changed, he has become more 'visible!.
CLASS ACT, thanks for your long service for us Aaron. |
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Virtually perfect rugby - 1992/93
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haydn_davies
Veteran Joined: 10 April 2009 Location: Llanelli Status: Offline Points: 17955 |
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A long time admirer of his - he's had some stick in the past for some perceived weaknesses, but those people are quite quiet lately.
Chuffed for the guy that he's receiving the recognition he fully deserves. An invaluable member of our squad. |
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Think, think, think - it's a thinking man's game!! - The Great Carwyn James.
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157cb
Veteran Joined: 29 January 2007 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 17900 |
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Aaron been in the form of his life the last year or so and deserves all the credit he gets .
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Eastern outpost
Rambler Joined: 13 March 2012 Location: South Suffolk Status: Offline Points: 21934 |
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Our first two matches were Nov 2011, away in Europe to Northampton Saints and in Jan 2012 away to Castres.
He scored a try iirc against Saints and then the 70 yd plus diagonal run try as part of a second away win. With that background, we’ve always been fans of Aaron. |
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In a world where you can be anything – Be Kind.
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roy munster
Veteran Joined: 30 August 2010 Status: Offline Points: 15682 |
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one heck of a rugby player
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ROYMOND MUNTER MBE (FOR SERVICES TO THE COMBOVER)
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GPR - Rochester
Veteran Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Offline Points: 18783 |
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A truly magnificent player. In years to come he will be remembered as one of our best.
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jeremy windell
Veteran Joined: 11 January 2007 Location: Coedcae area Status: Offline Points: 6659 |
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Played with his old man who was pretty handy himself. Only picked due to an injury to James King, who pundits like Healey and Greenwood also rave on about 🙈🙈🙈😂😂😂
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Go ahead..........Take those banana's
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Bys Meri Ann
Senior Member Joined: 18 November 2010 Status: Offline Points: 303 |
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Always had a man-crush on Aaron. Proper athlete.
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stevve
Newbie Joined: 20 April 2009 Status: Offline Points: 36 |
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Matured like a fine wine, bravo Aaron!
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Fscarlet
Moderator Group Joined: 26 January 2015 Status: Offline Points: 8871 |
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Was Wales's best player again Saturday.
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bynea_bullet
Senior Member Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Llanelli Status: Offline Points: 467 |
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Aaron has been consistently the best 6 in Wales for 2-3 years.But Gatland and Howley did everything not to pick him.
Picking a negative chop tackler in Lydiate, an overrated James King (NDC too?) and Ellis Jenkins. He's shown what scarlet fans and coaches already knew. Quality performer at the highest level.
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No costly hangers on please! We've a business to run!!
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GPR - Rochester
Veteran Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Offline Points: 18783 |
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Can't see Warburton getting back in the starting 15 in all honesty. Aaron, Taulupe, & Josh for me with Sam/Ross on the bench.
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scarletnut
Veteran Joined: 28 April 2009 Status: Offline Points: 14170 |
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I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1
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