5 days Ago By [email protected] (John Jones)
Australia legend David Campese says he was left "astounded" by Warren Gatland's decision to replace wing Tom Rogers after less than an hour against the Wallabies, branding it "bats*** crazy". Scarlets star Rogers was a shining light for Wales on a very dark day that saw them thumped 52-20 by the visitors in Cardiff , a loss which condemned them to their worst ever run of defeats. The 25-year-old stood out as he won the aerial battle and pulled off a superb try-saving tackle on Samu Kerevi in a fine performance to mark his fifth Welsh cap.
But he was replaced by club teammate Eddie James after 55 minutes, with Wales trailing by 20 points, a call which Campese says "made no sense at all" in his post-match analysis. Sharing his thoughts with Planet Rugby, the former Wallabies star said: "Tom Rogers on the wing caught my eye. He’s a tall lad, but as brave as hell under the high ball, made some brilliant reads in defence and put a marker down.
With the new escort laws as they are, players of that stature offer a target for the touchline aerial battle and the youngster really came into his own. "I was astounded when Warren Gatland hooked him off at 55 minutes as he was giving the Welsh backline a target in the air to work off and the decision made no sense at all," he added. "It was batsh*t crazy! "The only thing I can conclude is Steve Borthwick must’ve texted Warren to remind him that it was time to make a nonsensical replacement call.
It’s the only explanation!" The Welsh rugby podcast: The fallout However, despite the heavy defeat, Campese also took time to praise several Wales players, claiming that the situation around emerging talent is "not as doomy and gloomy as some are making out" and that, instead, there are "a lot of plusses" to be found. "[Archie] Griffin, who is third third-choice tighthead at Bath, went like a freight train in the scrum and gave world-class prop Angus Bell a really torrid time," he said. "He also banged the ball up in carry and made a few big tackles.
"James Botham, who, like his Grandad, seemed to relish playing the Aussies. I think Wales have a lot of plusses in terms of their talent coming through. Botham’s one-handed pick-up off the ground for his disallowed try was like watching Beefy in the slips and I can give him no higher praise than that.
"Elsewhere, Aaron Wainwright again showed his engine – I’ve always liked him as he’s a skilled footballer, and I thought Dewi Lake again led by huge personal example and Wales have a captain to build around there.".
