文章基本信息

标题：RUGBY UNION: DWAYNE TO REIGN AT No 9
作者：PHIL BENNETT: Interview: DAVID WILLIAMS
期刊名称：Sunday Mirror
印刷版ISSN：0956-8077
出版年度：2002
卷号：Oct 20, 2002
出版社：Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd.

RUGBY UNION: DWAYNE TO REIGN AT No 9

PHIL BENNETT: Interview: DAVID WILLIAMS

STEVE HANSEN has a 999 problem which he should solve by dialling Llanelli and asking for Dwayne Peel.

As Hansen prepares for next month's internationals he needs to decide who is going to be the first-choice scrum-half as Wales build towards the World Cup. With Rob Howley insisting there is no going back on his decision to retire from Test rugby, it's crucial Wales find the right man.

I think there are three number nines in the race - Peel, Cardiff's Ryan Powell and Andy Moore of Neath. Bath's Gareth Cooper should be knocking on the door but he needs to get a run of matches under his belt after suffering a lot of recent injury problems.

Of the three contenders, Moore has an edge in experience and I have heard lots of voices calling for his return. But at 34 next year's World Cup could be a bridge too far.

Powell and Peel both went to South Africa in the summer and are the best of the young scrum-halves currently playing in Wales. The big problem is that neither has emerged as automatic first choice at his club. Powell is having to fight off the challenge of Richard Smith, while Peel has been battling it out with Guy Easterby.

You can't blame Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins for picking Easterby on certain occasions. The guy is an Irish international and Gareth's priority is to do the best for Llanelli, not Wales.

But there have been signs in recent weeks that Peel is gaining the upper hand at Stradey Park. He started the Heineken Cup match against Glasgow last week and was first choice again on Friday night against Bourgoin.

Dwayne really impressed me against the Scots and not only for his two well-taken tries. His overall game was sharp and incisive. His passing skills are excellent and he provides a superb link between his forwards and backs.

Powell is a more physical scrum-half but his service is not as smooth as Dwayne's and with Wales having their main weapons among their three-quarters I would plump for Peel.