Almost a year ago, I chronicled the journey of two young scrum-halves and their attempts to further their careers.
At that point, Rhodri Williams was a few months out from starting in Wales’ Junior World Cup march to the final, had started two Heineken Cup games for Scarlets – scoring two tries – and was justly rewarded with a place in Warren Gatland’s international squad.
Conversely, Kieran Marmion – despite an extra year out from U20 level – had started a full year for Connacht in the Heineken Cup and Pro 12 was not part of Joe Schmidt’s 41-man squad announced for 2013’s end of year Tests.
What a difference a year makes.
Since that time, Marmion participated in every game for Connacht, eventually forcing his way into the Ireland squad and finally being capped against Argentina this summer.
There is no doubting that the Marmion of October 2014 is a better player than the October 2013 version.
His slow rise has come about through the benefit of playing consistently against top level players in the Heineken Cup and Pro 12 and getting better coaching – both from increased resources at Connacht and the meticulous attention to detail of Joe Schmidt. His rise is also due to his own dedication and training that he undergoes on a weekly basis.
Marmion is fully deserving of a place in Ireland’s squad, and will be pushing for a matchday spot. But what of Rhodri Williams? Williams made his Welsh debut against Tonga that November, coming on as a replacement.
That is where the rise finished. Williams lost his Scarlets place to Gareth Davies and was then relegated to third in the pecking order, behind being relegated to third choice behind Aled Davies.
Gareth Davies was in fantastic form, finishing as the league’s top try scorer. Rhodri Williams however only made a handful of Pro12 starts from then on, with all of his remaining Heineken Cup appearances coming as a sub. He did manage to make Wales’s Six Nations squad, and has a grand total of three replacement caps for Wales.
Despite Williams’s fall in Scarlets, Gatland curiously continues to pick him, although he may now get his chance given that both of the Davies’s in Scarlet’s ranks are now injured.
With the comparative rise and fall of these two young athletes, is is better to throw young players in the deep end, or is their development better suited to easing them into it?
Other players I mentioned have also had interesting years. Tom Prydie is back in the Wales squad, James Coughlan is now in Pro D2, Aaron Cruden has had recent disciplinary problems, Victor Vito is now back in the New Zealand squad ahead of Steven Luatua while Scotland’s Mark Bennett had a dreadful season, but is now shining after another year’s experience.
Danny Cipriani was denied his place in the England squad, although he has been included in the previous year, while Kurtley Beale is in even more trouble with the ARU and has a hearing on Friday which will determine his future.
Harry Jones
Expert
Good!
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Ps love that name!
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
The timing of a new player is often crucial. When a team loses, it is tempting to find scapegoats and this is invariably where new players get harshly judged. Take the English inside centre Eastmond. He had a good debut and people were keen for him to get another game and then after the comprehensive defeat in the third test there were calls for him never to be allowed near a test jersey again. Selectors have to be patient and accept there will be frailties early on. If the player does not perform after being told on what to improve then he gets axed. You have to show some level of patience though because if you just chop and change based on who performs you'll quickly arrive at a situation where you have many players to call on who have had useful games and others worth forgetting and no idea who stands out more than others. Depth is one thing but showing faith is equally important and this can prove to be a difficult balance.
JJ is back in the training group
Lano
Roar Guru
Its a typo Denby!
Denby
Roar Rookie
Luke Godwin? is that typo for Kyle or is that another player that has flown under my radar?
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Pulu has been included mainly due to Kerr-Barlow picking up a serious knee injury. He has however been playing good rugby & kept Kerr-Barlow on the pine for a large chunk of the S15. He has been on the radar for a couple of years & his chance has come through injury I wouldn't call it a huge surprise. Pulu & Bryn Hall were both considered the next 2 SH's to come through.
The Twins
Roar Rookie
probably take them overseas to earn the BIG EUROS
Hoy
Roar Guru
Great thought bubble. I think development creates better players... I guess it all depends on the person, and the environment. One thing I think for sure to kill development is switching roles, something Australia constantly does to our backs... so we end up with half finished products...
Lano
Roar Guru
Interesting article, thanks. For the Spring tours, the ABs are only fielding one new player, Augustine Pulu, who by all accounts is extremely fortunate to get into the side. The Boks have 4 new caps, including Pieter-Steph du Toit, who looks the most promising. We also have 4 including Henry Speight, an old hand, but in line for hist first cap. And Luke Goodwin, a talent from the Force, also Faulkner, Tom English and McMahon from the Rebels. du Toit has very tough competition from Etzebeth and Lood de Jager (assuming Matfield retires). Speight will get test caps for sure. Pulu wont displace anyone in the AB backline. So, 1 or 2 touring caps each, then what? I cant see any of the others succeeding. Let’s see where their career takes them?
Markus
Guest
I thought Engelbrecht looked quite good in his debut test season at outside centre too. A bit rough, but good pace with a solid step and strong in contact. Thought that he and Serfontein would be developed as a longterm centre combination, but haven't seen JJ since. Who do you think Meyer will go with when JdV finally breaks down or hangs up the boots?
Harry Jones
Expert
Good article! JJ Engelbrecht had a strange rookie year for the Boks. Showed massive pace and some good decisions. Dropped. Vanished.