Gatland defends team selection

Boss wishes to experiment

Last updated: 13th June 2008

Gatland: Defended selection

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Wales head coach Warren Gatland has defended his selection policies ahead of the clash against South Africa on Saturday.

James Hook and Jamie Roberts will be played out of position in the contest - live on Sky Sports 1 from 1.30pm - as the new Welsh boss experiments for the future.

Ospreys outside-half Hook will be deployed at full-back, while Roberts has been moved from full-back to inside centre.

Critics have argued that, in making the bold selection, Gatland has over-reacted to the 43-17 defeat in the opening Test.

But the Welsh boss, who was appointed in January, has defended his actions.

Debating point

He said: "Selection is always a debating point. It's easy to be negative because if things go wrong you can say you were right, and if things go well it's easy to take the other view.

"We just saw this as an opportunity to make one or two changes.

"James Hook has trained very well at full-back this week while Jamie Roberts has looked good in the midfield.

"Centre is a position Jamie could play long-term and we'll find out more about that tomorrow.

"If we uncover another centre in Jamie then that will be a real positive. You could have said playing Jamie at full-back in the first Test last Saturday was a gamble.

"He's been playing winger all season and has had just one game at full-back for Cardiff. So on that basis it was also a risk to play him at 15 because he hasn't had much rugby there.

"I understand the criticism but given that we've had a few key players injured this is a chance to experiment and look at other options.

"We needed a player of James' calibre on the field and we felt Stephen Jones looked good at 10, so we were happy to slot him in at full-back instead."

Intriguing clash

An intriguing clash will pitch Rhys Thomas against debutant South Africa prop Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira, a cult figure for his exploits with Super 14 outfit Natal Sharks.

Thomas said: "It's the Beast's first cap so it's a big day for him. The challenge for me is to introduce him into international rugby.

"I watch a lot of Super 14 rugby and I've seen him play a lot for the Sharks. He's quite a powerful guy, big and strong. I've seen him in action in the gym.

"From what I understand he's new to the position - he has been converted from the back row where he was a flanker.

"He's only been playing prop for a couple of years so he's in an Andrew Sheridan-type situation. They love him in South Africa and he seems to be quite a character. The fans have taken a shine to him which is great."