Jake Ball
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Topic: Jake Ball
Posted By: judith
Subject: Jake Ball
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:26pm
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He's definitely going back to Australia then? It's in the Daily Heil, I'm not linking it, sorry.
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Replies:
Posted By: turkishrebel
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:27pm
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Sorry see Jake go but he's put in one hell of a shift for @scarlets_rugby and @WelshRugbyUnion and as a dad myself I understand Jake's reasons for going #rugbyfamily #onceascarletalwaysascarlet #smashrestofseason All the best @Jake_Ball4 The door at @official_parc is always open!
This from Simon muderack on twitter. So jake is definitely going. Sad but understandable ------------- Once a Scarlet, always a Scarlet! |
Posted By: PritchyTheScarlet
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:28pm
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Wales head coach Wayne Pivac is to be handed another big blow with lock Jake Ball set to turn his back on Test rugby in favour of a return to Australia. Ball's wife Christie has been living in Perth for several months and gave birth to the couple's fourth child Max while thousands of miles away from her husband. With his family settled in Australia – the country where he grew up – Ball is now poised to join them Down Under and end his long stay with Welsh region Scarlets. It also means he will no longer be able to play at international level as he does not have the required 60 caps to play club rugby abroad and also represent Wales under Welsh Rugby Union rules. The Scarlets are expected to confirm Ball is moving on Tuesday. 'I haven't seen my kids for about two and a half, three months now and it's been really hard, to be totally honest,' Ball said during Wales' autumn campaign. 'It's a decision I had to make pretty early on in Covid for my wife and for rugby, too. I knew it would be tough trying to juggle international rugby with all the bubble restrictions and having my wife heavily pregnant at home on her own with three kids. 'They've spent some time with extended family and so it's been really tough. Luckily, we have things like Zoom to keep in touch but it's obviously not the same as seeing them.' Ball was born in Ascot, but moved to Australia with his parents when he was 17. He qualified to play for Wales through his Welsh-born father and made his Test debut in 2014. The 29-year-old currently has 49 caps, but would have had far more had it not been for serious injuries to both shoulders, a ruptured bicep, foot surgery and a nasty concussion. Pivac, who had a horror first year in charge with just three wins, now has to decide whether to keep Ball – who is likely to leave the Scarlets at the end of the season – involved for the Six Nations. After that, he will no longer be available for selection. Veteran Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, 35, is first choice at lock, but Ball has been his preferred partner when fit. Pivac also has Cory Hill, Will Rowlands, and Adam Beard as second row options. ------------- Please don't take my Scarlets away |
Posted By: ap sior
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:44pm
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Very sorry to see him go, he's been a very valuable member of our squad. Many thanks Jake, and I fully understand your reasons. You will leave with the best wishes of all Scarlets fans. As for the Scarlets looking forward, I'm excited by the emergence this season of Jac Price, Morgan Jones, and I also like the look of Danny Drake. He has impressed me with his work ethic during his appearances. We'll miss Jake, but it's upwards and onwards for the Scarlets. Before he leaves, Jake will, I'm sure, pass on some tips to the three young guns I've already mentioned, and that would be a fitting parting gift which will be much appreciated.
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Posted By: Captain
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:48pm
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The mail article is rehashed from the one the the Fail wrote during autumn internationals. All it says is his wife went to Australia be with family while pregnant while he was in Covid bubble with Wales 🏴. I hope he stays for at least 2-3 more years but if he does go, he will leave my gratitude and will be considered a scarlets great
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Posted By: PritchyTheScarlet
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:48pm
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http://www.scarlets.wales/article/jake-ball-to-return-to-australia-to-be-with-his-family-at-end-of-the-season/" rel="nofollow - http://www.scarlets.wales/article/jake-ball-to-return-to-australia-to-be-with-his-family-at-end-of-the-season/
------------- Please don't take my Scarlets away |
Posted By: Jones2004
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:54pm
| Sad, but understandable. Wish him all the best in Australia, but will be sorely missed by the Scarlets and Wales. Luckily we seem to have a few young locks making a good impact and are therefore able to deal with his loss a lot better than we would’ve done a few years ago. |
Posted By: EJPT
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 12:57pm
| Yeah Jakes been a great addition at the Scarlets, much better player than Beard. Shame to see him go. |
Posted By: Mr Ian
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:07pm
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All the best to him and his family..he s a great Scarlets player and surely will di his best for the remaining of season..in my view he s playing his best rugby this year.. In this moment in second row we are covered for present e future
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Posted By: ladram
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:16pm
totally understandable as family should always come first,bit worried how he will adapt to playing when it isn't raining.
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Posted By: dyniol53
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:17pm
So do we reckon he’s gonna be getting a Western Force contract or is he going to retire retire? ------------- https://twitter.com/exile_podcast?lang=en |
PritchyTheScarlet wrote:Posted By: dyniol53
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:31pm
I’m also surprised WRU haven’t used Covid to cut the 60 cap rule down to 40 or 50 for this WC cycle - could save the Union paying around 0.5m on Jake Ball & Thomas Francis’ wages ------------- https://twitter.com/exile_podcast?lang=en |
Posted By: Sosban89
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:32pm
| Great player for us and we will be worse off without him. However on the positive side, if we were going to lose our best 2nd rower, then now is probably the best time in the last 5 years as we actually have some promising youth talent. |
Posted By: GPR - Rochester
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:38pm
| Totally understandable move from Jake who has been a fine player for us. That will leave a stable of Sam, Tex, Rawlins, Morgan Jones, Josh Helps, Jac Pryce & Danny Drake which is none too shabby. |
Posted By: SA14
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:39pm
| Hasn’t seen his family nearly a year? I wouldn’t hold it against him if he went now. That’s a huge commitment he’s made to rugby. But players come and go. |
Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:40pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: greypower1
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:49pm
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If Jake is with us until the end of the season I would hope that knowing he's leaving Wales, Pivac will not pick him for the Six Nations in order to bring new 2nd rows into the team. He will then be available for us instead.
I'm just looking outside to see if any pigs are flying by.😋 ------------- Keep the faith |
Posted By: gaffer
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:50pm
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Best wishes and thank you. Totally understandable decision. ------------- What's going on? |
Posted By: John
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 1:53pm
| Thank you Jake for all that you have given for us. You leave us far stronger than you found us. I accept what Scarletnut says in terms of need to recruit but we didn't have 7 locks in 2012. |
Posted By: stradeyscarlet72
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:04pm
| PERHAPS retaining Cummins and Tom price would have been a good option ? Jake has been a terrific player for us . |
Posted By: ap sior
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:05pm
I thought Cummins went out on loan ?
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Posted By: ap sior
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:06pm
Why do you say that ? I can't remember us having 7 SR's before ?
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Posted By: Dai Guevara
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:07pm
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Thank you Jake for relentlessly and unselfishly placing your body on the line for the Scarlet cause and best of luck wherever fate takes you. We still have 3 top class second rows in Tex, Lousi and Morgan Jones, with several others quite close behind. International calls and injuries have already frequently deprived us of Jake's presence but maybe we could still use an experienced ball carrier occasionally against some oppositions. |
Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:18pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: John
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:18pm
Which became a permanent move soon afterwards. Drake's move continued as a loan and he came back in November. The silver lining to the cloud may be more opportunities for Morgan Jones, Jac Price and even perhaps Drake who looked the part in Ulster.
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Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:19pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: Eastern outpost
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:23pm
------------- In a world where you can be anything – Be Kind. |
Posted By: ScarletBear
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:27pm
You can't have a player in Oz playing for Wales. He would have to play for one of their franchises, who would not let him up sticks for 2 months for the 6N, then the AIs, summer tour etc. Plus it would be exhausting for him. Best of luck Jakey. I thought we had you until RWC2023. ------------- Scarlets before Wales |
Posted By: GPR - Rochester
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:33pm
At this stage I would say Sam, Tex, Rawlins and Morgan. Of course retention will be key. You are spot on about Cummins and Price by the way.
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Posted By: thommo
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:41pm
Agree 100%. Need to retain Tex who is our best line out operator. Imo Sam and Tex are our two best second rows.
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Posted By: turkishrebel
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:41pm
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Will miss jake for his physicality and Ball carrying. Been tremendous for us and he has totally made the right decision. Family come 1st every time. Good luck in the future and thank you for everything you have done for us.
Think we may look at recruiting 1 2nd row who is a ball carrier but we do have talent coming through in Morgan Jones jac price and Danny drake. Would we look at will Rowlands maybe? ------------- Once a Scarlet, always a Scarlet! |
Posted By: Legendinmybathroom
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:42pm
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Sad news for the scarlets and Wales, but understandably. His commitment to the Scarlets has been admirable, not seeing his family for nearly 3 months and I don’t believe that he’s seen his new born child yet. He deserves to be allowed to return to Australia after 9 years with us. He’s been a great player and servant. I also hope that Pivac now doesn’t select him for the 6nations I order for him to finish off the season with the scarlets, but we all know that’s very unlikely.. Jakes departure will hopefully open the door to one of the up next coming youngsters in the academy, after all, Jake came over here as a development player and made it all the way to a full international.
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Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:46pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: 157cb
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:48pm
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Jake will be remembered as a brilliant Scarlet!!! Emptied the tank every game he played. Best of luck to him and his family for the future. We will need to bring a second row of similar bulk ,and ability in to replace . |
Posted By: turkishrebel
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:48pm
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Shame, good for dragons.
------------- Once a Scarlet, always a Scarlet! |
Posted By: RR1972
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:49pm
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Top Player, gave his all for us and for wales but family comes before everything Best of luck Jake
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Posted By: Sosban89
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:52pm
I'm fed up of signing Internationals. Seems every year that goes by you see them less and less. I'd much rather a good player than a great player who is gone to internationals. Especially in the short term as it seems rugby is trying to make up for lost money by playing as many internationals as possible.
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Posted By: shocker
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:54pm
| Expecting to see us sign Rowlands from wasps to replace him |
Posted By: 157cb
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:55pm
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I agree no point in signing another International. I have not been impressed with Rowlands to be honest, and I have watched a lot of Wasps recently.
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Posted By: shocker
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 2:58pm
Don't think he has, few weeks ago he said he was most likely going to sign for a Welsh region, did not say which. Can't blame ball, he has done his bit, but this is a risk of bringing over players, they return home . Parkes and now ball, mcnichol will follow at some point. Can't blame them going back to their lives and families
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Posted By: Dic Penderyn
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 3:03pm
| Genuine,excellent lock-forward.Best of luck. |
Posted By: cymraes
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 3:11pm
| Diolch Jake, you have done the Scarlets and Wales proud, put your body on the line so many times. Cannot possibly fault you for putting family first and hope it will be possible to give you a fitting sendoff at the end of the season. You'll leave us with some great memories and a legacy to those who will follow you. #onceascarlet |
Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 3:55pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 3:56pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: Rubrum
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:02pm
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Jake Ball. Once a Scarlet, always a Scarlet, wherever you are. Good luck in your future in Australia with your young family. Don't forget us. We won't forget you. But you have a few matches to win with us before you go and maybe some silverware too ? ------------- In a world where you can be anything – Be a Scarlet ! Rubrum |
Posted By: RR1972
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:02pm
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when does seb davies contract run until or adam beard? can we poach awj for one last hurrah! |
Posted By: onlyturkinthevillage
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:08pm
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Sad to hear Jake is leaving us, he has been a great Scarlet. As good as our academy has been over the last 10 years we can’t seem to produce a GREAT 2nd row from within the region. It’s strange we seem to bring in some mediocre overseas players and sometimes revitalise their international careers. It seems to be the only position we struggle to bring on.
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Posted By: Mogwen
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:08pm
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Looking at what Beard and Davies brought to the Xmas derbies... NO THANKS. Would rather look elsewhere ------------- The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. |
Posted By: onlyturkinthevillage
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:15pm
| Agreed, Beard has gone backwards rapidly. |
Posted By: gorau
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:17pm
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Jake Ball has given everything for us. Family always comes first and he goes with all my best wishes to him and his family. No doubt he'll secure a deal in Australia with a province or club. He'll be a loss to us and I do feel we need to add a 2nd row to fill the space left by him when he leaves in the summer. I honestly think Morgan Jones could find himself in the Wales squad or training with Wales soon. I have no doubt he'll be an international before long. Others have mentioned Will Rowlands on here, who's a big unit but I've yet to see him stand out in a game. I'd be happy for next season with Lousi and Jones as a our two first choice and then for us to sign a player to add to our 2nd row resources. ------------- eds |
Posted By: Sandman
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:37pm
Diolch Jake am popeth. ------------- Only one team plays in red. (Sorry, Scarlet) |
Posted By: EJPT
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 4:49pm
| We have Tex, Lousi starters with Morgan and Helps developing nicely. Blade, Kennedy and Rawlins can cover in emergencies. And I think Drake and Price are relatively unknown but hopefully they will kick on and compete for a place in the team. I think Kennedy is physical enough and has the stature to play there in the future as we are stacked at the backrow with everyone fit. |
Posted By: dr_martinov
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 5:07pm
| Balls. |
Posted By: Fscarlet
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 5:15pm
| Gutted to hear this but totally understand the reasoning. He is a warrior & there aren’t many Welsh second rowers I’d use that tag on. This man empties the tank every time he steps on the field whether for region or country. |
Posted By: Roger
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 6:15pm
Will Rowlands was man of the match in the Wasps win against Sale on Sunday.
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Posted By: 157cb
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 7:02pm
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I think a relative chose him .
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Posted By: Eastern outpost
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 7:21pm
I’ve not seen the match and no intention of so doing, however, that’s a cracking bit of humour. ------------- In a world where you can be anything – Be Kind. |
Posted By: thommo
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 7:31pm
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Imo Rowlands will be AWJ replacement. Playing very well for Wasps and has played well for Wales when given the chance. Shame he has signed for Dragons as would have been a good replacement for Jake.
As previously mentioned, we have never had such strength at second row.
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Posted By: Why
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 8:23pm
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Jake really good servant for club best memory was on pitch after Racing game in Paris he was loving it as much as the supporters. We have enough in young home grown second rows along with Drake, Sam and Ratuva to cover for Jake as big a loss that he will be. ------------- She asks why i still can't answer. I guess its in the blood. |
Posted By: PTScarlet
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 11:44am
Was hoping for this too. I think the Drags were chasing him for some time. ------------- One eyed turk, nothing more nothing less. |
Posted By: Dic Penderyn
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 11:57am
| I can't help but think that Jake's departure will be a bigger loss to Wales than to the club.As AWJ's epic swan-song continues to play out,the realisation that the best lock in Wales is no longer available will,at some point,become painfully apparent. |
Posted By: Wil Chips
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 12:09pm
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Great acquisition, and when you think about what a punt he was when first signed, it's been a great piece of business by the Scarlets. Wish him every success with his future. TBH if I had an Aus passport and my close family was there, there'd be a big attraction to go, particularly in this new Covid world. Also the days of relatively easy international travel will never actually get back to what it was. |
Posted By: turkishrebel
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 1:11pm
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totally agree Will, dont blame him going back to Australia with the way the world is. far safer for his family all round. Jake has been a tremendous servant to us and has emptied the tank everytime he has put the jersey on, 100% committed all the time, always put his body on the line and has had a string of injuries to prove it. i wish him and his family all the best for the future. I do think we will need to look at another 2nd row, as with this year Tex and Sam were playing internationals so they were dragged away. We have some good young locks coming through in Morgan and Jack and Danny Drake. ------------- Once a Scarlet, always a Scarlet! |
Posted By: Dai Guevara
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 2:37pm
| If we're looking for a replacement for Ball, let's leave it in the hands of whoever found Kalamafoni as that's exactly the sort of player we need again - an experienced, seasoned ball carrier who has a couple of years left and who isn't going to be dragged away on international duty. In the longer term we have the likes of Morgan Jones, Jac Price etc to take over and of course two great athletic locks in Tex and Lousi. |
Posted By: PE SA
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 2:53pm
| Spot on Dai |
Posted By: RR1972
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 2:58pm
he's only the best in lock in wales when he is fit though, how many games has he missed for wales injury? AWJ is certainly not the force he was but his career compared to the other locks of his era (evans, luke charteris , bradly davies and ball) and ball shows just how resilient he has been in his career |
Posted By: shocker
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 3:37pm
Doesn't seem to be any confirmation of him signed for dragons. Only thing I can find is him say it will be a region and dragons are a possible destination. This was last month
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Posted By: shocker
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 3:41pm
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Not ability wise but will he find a club in oz, Australian clubs are in financial stress like all but is there a ruling allowing foreign numbers at the clubs and would they want a non Australian taking a spot.
I believe we will see him in France next year or year after
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Posted By: Wil Chips
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 3:56pm
I think if you read back a few pages that his signature at the Dragons is done, but not yet in the media as such. |
Posted By: Mugwuffin
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 3:58pm
Japan is more likely. He’d get paid big money and their season only runs from mid January to late May. That’d allow him to spend almost half a year at home.
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Posted By: shocker
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 4:35pm
I have read that mmd here, but that doesn't make it a done deal. We will just have to wait and see. I believe we got enough with Morgan and jac
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Posted By: Wil Chips
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 5:05pm
You can wait, no issue. |
Posted By: Dic Penderyn
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 5:15pm
Yes,that could be a measure of his resilience,but could akso be related to the way he's played the game.AWJ has never carried the ball much over the hard yards,nor has he ever hit the rucks.Not a criticism,btw,just an observation
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Posted By: aber-fan
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 5:55pm
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I'll be sorry to see Jake go - he has been a brilliant signing for the Scarlets (and Wales) - but in the circumstances, it's no surprise. I wonder if, given the circumstances, Wales might still pick him (if he wants to play)? He's not all that far short of the 60 caps, and would have got there but for injuries. ------------- “You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift) |
Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 7:00pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: scarletnut
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 7:04pm
------------- I still wake up late at night and think of what might have been when tim stimpson hit that jammy penalty1 |
Posted By: aber-fan
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 7:13pm
I put it out there for discussion, rather than being a strong supporter of the idea. A 'maybe', not a 'let's do this'. ------------- “You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift) |
Posted By: Grammar School Boy
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 7:41pm
The WRU trying to protect its investment
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Posted By: mark in sydney
Date Posted: 31 December 2020 at 7:26am
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Sad to see Jake leave but with his wife’s family in Perth ... I would expect the separation would be hard on both. Add to that WA has only 14 recorded cases of C19 .. most being contained as Aussies returning from overseas with it... most probably Jake will have to do a 14 day quarantine period in a nominated hotel even though he has been tested regularly with the club. He has given a huge amount to us and the club has offered him a great opportunity. I would see many of his detractors about his team Wales performances beginning to understand the work he does at rucks, defence, scrummaging and carrying into contact when he is no longer there... Pretty sure Twiggy Forrest as the owner of the franchise will have his eye on Jake for a Western Force role as they are now back in the Aus-NZ version of super rugby. Even though Rugby Aus is skint and lost its main broadcaster ( Foxtel) after 25yrs due to crap performances and greed ( Motricia being kicked out as CEO over it) .. old Twiggy will have a few million $ stuffed down his billionaire couch to throw at a marque signing like Jake ... If you don’t know who Twiggy (Andrew) Forrest is look up Fortescue metals ------------- I was there ...one Tuesday when the All Blacks came (and lost) |
Posted By: Grammar School Boy
Date Posted: 01 January 2021 at 1:27pm
| Good hard working honest player, will be missed. |