Tom James
Position Focus: Wing
Tom James
By Rhys Thomas
August 30 2010
Rhys continues his 'Position Focus' articles, this week looking at the wings.
Tom James
August 30 2010
Rhys continues his 'Position Focus' articles, this week looking at the wings.
The Incumbents - Leigh Halfpenny and Chris Czekaj
In my humble opinion, Leigh Halfpenny is Wales's best wing at the moment. Of course Shane Williams is a rugby legend, and a fantastic player, so why do I consider Halfpenny to be better than him? Halfpenny has a fantastic all round game, like Williams, he has electric pace, and a great sidestep, but this is where the similarity ends. Halfpenny is not afraid to tackle, often scrambling back to make key last ditch tackles on men twice as big as him. Arguably his greatest asset though, is his monster boot. Whenever the Blues get a penalty from 50+ meters out, you know where the ball is going - to Halfpenny and then between the posts, as shown in the last Magners League game against Munster. So who is Halfpenny's partner in crime? It has to be Chris Czekaj. We all remember his disastrous Six Nations debut against Ireland, and then his horrific leg injury against the Wallabies. Granted, he was poor in those early games, but has seemingly come back hungrier after his injury. He has got stronger and faster, and most importantly, more intelligent. One issue with Czekaj, is tackling, and after the injury he has been unreliable in the tackle.
The Challengers - Tom James and Richard Mustoe
What went wrong with Tom James? Remember 2007-2009? Tom James was great then, cutting through the Munster defence, running through Leicester's defenders, and scoring a try in the EDF cup final. He was also capped for Wales during that fruitful period in his Rugby life. He was even selected for the 2010 Wales Six Nations squad, and therein lies our answer. He started the first game against England at Twickenham, but did not play again, following a disastrous loss. For the last game against Italy, James was overlooked, and Ospreys wing Tom Prydie was selected instead. This prompted James to walk out, and put his future Wales and Blues selections in jeopardy. He has only played twice for the Blues since that Italy game. So, it seems, his temperament is the problem. He needs to be back to his best, he was fast, strong, and a devastating finisher, but it seems he is nothing without the right attitude. This is in stark contrast to the other winger, Richard Mustoe. Mustoe is the typical "journeyman" player, he always gives 100%, he is a talented regional player and I've been very impressed with his attitude. He is also very unlucky not to have got a full Welsh cap, as he is much better than some of the players Wales have has over the years!
The Future - James Loxton
As far as I know, Loxton is the only U20 Blues winger coming up through the ranks at the moment. He impressed during the 2010 U20s Six Nations, scoring tries against England, France and Ireland. He scored a try on his Blues debut against Ulster, and has put in a series of impressive performances for Glamorgan Wanderers in the Premiership. The question now is how much game time will he get for the Blues?
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StumbleuponPosition Focus: Wing
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 30/08/2010 20:26
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Re: Position Focus: Wing
Posted by: Spikey Mikey (IP Logged)
Date: 30/08/2010 21:51
Not sure I'd put Czekaj ahead of James, Rhys. I agree that James hasn't been the player he was a little while ago but he too has been through the mill a bit with injuries. I'd still fancy him to come through as a class act.
I think Chris may well find his future lies at 15 he has all the attributes to be a very decent player in that position.
Good article though, thanks.
I think Chris may well find his future lies at 15 he has all the attributes to be a very decent player in that position.
Good article though, thanks.
Re: Position Focus: Wing
Posted by: Y Cadno (IP Logged)
Date: 31/08/2010 06:26
Quote:Spikey Mikey
Not sure I'd put Czekaj ahead of James, Rhys. I agree that James hasn't been the player he was a little while ago but he too has been through the mill a bit with injuries. I'd still fancy him to come through as a class act.
I think Chris may well find his future lies at 15 he has all the attributes to be a very decent player in that position.
Good article though, thanks.
Agreed. I think Loxton's future lies at FB too.
Re: Position Focus: Wing
Posted by: jackandthebear (IP Logged)
Date: 31/08/2010 07:17
At the game on Sat we were talking about Tom "Forrest Gump" James, firstly we think he has lost a yard of pace, he certainly hasn't improved his game awareness, apparently he is mates with Alfie THomas who wants him to go Oop Norf. Both him and Powell had there heads turned by Thomas. (Told to me by someone who knew !! Take it for what it is worth )
So it will be interesting to see if his head is right!!!
Czekaj I think is a yard short of pace for a winger, reckon he will be Ben Blair's FB stand in. He has no step but an unusual stutter which does seem to get him 2 or 3 yrds in contact
I would rate Mustoe number 2 to 1/2p quick elusive and reliable in defense
Most interestingly in Martin's Testimonial game Tovey kicked deep to 1/2p side and it was a chase back with 1/2p Brew and Forrest chasing across. Brew and Forrest were flat out and looked slow, 1/2p looked like he was coasting, still with other gear.
So it will be interesting to see if his head is right!!!
Czekaj I think is a yard short of pace for a winger, reckon he will be Ben Blair's FB stand in. He has no step but an unusual stutter which does seem to get him 2 or 3 yrds in contact
I would rate Mustoe number 2 to 1/2p quick elusive and reliable in defense
Most interestingly in Martin's Testimonial game Tovey kicked deep to 1/2p side and it was a chase back with 1/2p Brew and Forrest chasing across. Brew and Forrest were flat out and looked slow, 1/2p looked like he was coasting, still with other gear.
Re: Position Focus: Wing
Posted by: Y Cadno (IP Logged)
Date: 31/08/2010 11:21
Compared to Brew I should hope so!
Re: Position Focus: Wing
Posted by: CaerphillyBluesfan (IP Logged)
Date: 31/08/2010 12:22
Halfpenny is our top winger no doubt, an amazing talent, who when you consider how young he is can only get better, frightening to think quite how good he could be - wish he'd wear longer studs in his boots though, he's doing a bit of a mark jones at the mo and seems to slip really easily.
Hopefully James can re-capture his early form and promise, get his head down and work hard again. Now mungo has left the team perhaps he'll knuckle down and get better. Still our first choice opp halfpenny though.
Mustoe, I'm a big fan of. What he lacks in skills, technique and flatout pace compared to Halfpenny he more than matches the other wingers in the squad. For me he pushes James close for a starting spot.
Czekaj is a much better fullback than winger, hope we don't see him again at 11 or 14. I've never been his biggest fan but he does seem to be getting more stuck in from fullback.
I've not really seen enough of Loxton to pass comment on him, looking forward to seeing what he can do though.
Hopefully James can re-capture his early form and promise, get his head down and work hard again. Now mungo has left the team perhaps he'll knuckle down and get better. Still our first choice opp halfpenny though.
Mustoe, I'm a big fan of. What he lacks in skills, technique and flatout pace compared to Halfpenny he more than matches the other wingers in the squad. For me he pushes James close for a starting spot.
Czekaj is a much better fullback than winger, hope we don't see him again at 11 or 14. I've never been his biggest fan but he does seem to be getting more stuck in from fullback.
I've not really seen enough of Loxton to pass comment on him, looking forward to seeing what he can do though.
