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07:40 GMT, Monday, 17 November 2008

Wales should recall Peel - Jones

Warren Gatland looks on as Dwayne Peel trains

Ex-Wales and Lions scrum-half Robert Jones says Dwayne Peel should take Gareth Cooper's Wales place against New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday.

Gloucester scrum-half Cooper, at the centre of a club v country row, was a shock choice ahead of Peel for the first autumn Test against South Africa.

But Peel impressed Jones from the bench against the Springboks and Canada.

"Peel adds pace and tempo, he always gives a sharp burst or dart from the base of the scrum," said Jones.

606: DEBATE
"Who should Wales pick against New Zealand?"
Sean_D

"When the opposition are on the back foot it creates opportunities for us," Jones told BBC Wales' Scrum V rugby programme.

"I would [start with Peel]... He has shown in the last two games what he can do."

Outside-half will also be a subject of hot debate when Wales name their team, expected to be at 1300 GMT on Tuesday.

Stephen Jones started against the Springboks and James Hook against Canada, but Hook lasted just 18 minutes before suffering a knee injury that could rule him out of the New Zealand match.

"I think we'll see the best of Ryan Jones against New Zealand"
Former Ospreys coach Lyn Jones

"Both play better when they come on as replacements," former Wales captain and outside-half Jonathan Davies told Scrum V.

"Maybe the organisational skills of Stephen Jones should start against the Blacks.

"James has not played well, particularly with the worry of the injury."

There has been criticism of Wales captain Ryan Jones from fans and media, the out-of-form back-rower having been switched from number eight to blind-side against the Springboks to accommodate Andy Powell at number eight.

But he was supported by Davies and by his former coach at the Ospreys, ex-Wales flanker Lyn Jones.

"I think we'll see the best of Ryan against New Zealand, he's an experienced performer, playing at this level is not a problem for him," Lyn Jones told Scrum V.

"Wales have got to play as well as we possibly can, but we are capable of winning"
Robert Jones

"New Zealand will be marking Andy Powell quite aggressively because of such a strong performance against South Africa.

"That may just free up a bit of room to get Ryan back in the game and carrying the ball effectively."

Each of the Scrum V panellists felt Wales have a chance of beating the All Blacks for the first time since 1953.

"Wales have got to play as well as we possibly can, but we are capable of winning," said Robert Jones.

"You've seen New Zealand break in the past," added Lyn Jones, but Davies noted that New Zealand will "start as clear favourites".



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Related to this story:

Injured Hook could miss NZ Test (16 Nov 08 |  Welsh )
Wales' Cooper caught in rugby row (16 Nov 08 |  Welsh )
Wales 34-13 Canada (14 Nov 08 |  Welsh )
Wales' rugby fixtures (26 Jun 07 |  Welsh )
Wales rugby results archive (15 Oct 03 |  Welsh )
All Blacks magic: New Zealand rugby (21 Oct 08 |  Rugby Union )
Wales v New Zealand: Full record (27 Sep 06 |  Rugby Union )
New Zealand rugby songs (27 Sep 06 |  Rugby Union )
BBC Sport Wales coverage (28 Oct 08 |  Wales )
Coming up next on Scrum V... (27 Oct 08 |  Welsh )

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