Competition: Andries Pretorius
Cardiff Blues number eight Andries Pretorius is ready to battle with Toby Faletau for the Wales shirt ahead of the Six Nations.
The South African-born back-row forward qualified to play for his adopted country earlier this season and is one of five new faces named in Rob Howley's squad.
"You know the hard work starts now and you don't want to just make up the numbers," added Pretorius.
"You want to create an environment where there is competition for places and that will be the benefit for the team. Toby is a very good player and I am hoping to learn from him.
"I might be older than Toby but I have a lot to learn from him because he is an international regular. As a rugby player your learning never stops. But I am also trying to bring some of my experience and help him along the way.
"Toby is a very dynamic player and has that ability to create something out of nothing. That is where I am hoping to learn from him and also bring my game management skills to the table.
"I pride myself on my work-rate and being able to read the game."
Comments
malkhut10 says...
@BokAvenger... I can't agree about Mike Phillips; he's aggresive, often too aggresive (on and off the field!) and is all too willing to get stuck in to a ruck. The result of that is he's often buried when the ball emerges and the likes of Adam Jones have to suddenly play scrum half!
Posted 09:33 23rd January 2013
BokAvenger says...
Michtymauler - the Welsh already have funny accents. What they'll pick up in SA is a more manly accent
Posted 08:06 23rd January 2013
ShamanSheep says...
Jesus calm down. He's been here for ages, we've got a load of injuries, Copeland is irish, @5lock4ward Ryan Jones is injured. @carpelone 'without raising a sweat'? How so? @Michtymauler - like all the other SAs in the Wales team - who are?
The guys probably not going to get a cap, so you can all stop shouting at the wall. Sure he's a bit annoying in his interviews, but he works very hard and will get more gain line meters than Bearman ever would. @rustytrumpet - Bearman is English anyway, as unwelsh as Pretorius.
Posted 21:58 22nd January 2013
Michtymauler says...
Suggestions for young Welah players wanting to play for Wales
1. Turn on laptop
2. Log log on to cheap SA holidays.com
3. Bol three week hols to Jo burg
4. Come home with funny accent
5. Let the WRU hear you speak
Congrats!! You're now selected for Wales cos you're obviously much better than Welshmen!! Yah gotta be!! Lol
Posted 16:03 22nd January 2013
craigsman says...
BokAvenger - not really. He is brilliant for his club (more consistent than he is for England) and, ok he has a quirky dive, but I don't think he is a show boater.
Posted 15:19 22nd January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
BokA: if Chris Ashton visits a tanning salon he needs to find a better one. Anyhow backs avoiding rucks is not so dumb.
Posted 14:56 22nd January 2013
BokAvenger says...
@Craigsman: I'll admit he had a good game in the 3rd test but that's really an indictment of the quality of the match itself. He's not half bad on his day, but you have to admit that he's a complete show pony.
Posted 14:37 22nd January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
I've heard rumors that Ryan Jones, a born, raised and trained Welshman, has played number 8 in test matches before. Maybe give him a run.
Posted 13:48 22nd January 2013
Michtymauler says...
What a joke! Yeah guys we'll take your third stringers no problem cos anyone from there is bound to be better!! Lol. Wales trying to catch up with England and Ireland?? Lol
Posted 13:46 22nd January 2013
craigsman says...
Bokavenger - Danny Care got Man of the Match in SA for the last test of the June tour in 2012.
Troll
Posted 13:09 22nd January 2013
rustytrumpet says...
@carpelone tend to agree with you, should have looked at Bearman from the Ospreys first
Posted 12:15 22nd January 2013
BokAvenger says...
Not surprised that these guys we've never heard of start popping up in Mud Isle teams. The average 13 year old SA girl is tougher than the showponies produced up there. And before I'm accused of trolling, just bear in mind the likes of Mike Phillips, Gavin Henson, Danny Care, Chris Ashton and Ronan O'Gara. More interested in visiting the tanning salon than getting stuck in at the bottom of a ruck.
Posted 11:44 22nd January 2013
IronManI441 says...
Anybody else getting annoyed how much Pretorius talks about wanting to play for Wales. Nobody needs a reminder that you want to play Int'l rugby and aren't good enough to play for South Africa. You already gave about 3 interviews which made it clear.
Posted 11:35 22nd January 2013
99call says...
I think he'll be raising a sweat, he doesnt have a hope of pushing Faletau out of the No 8 shirt, dont even know what hes doing in the squad hes a very average club player. There are better 8s at the blues even never mind Wales, Copeland is a far better ball carrier, dont expect him to even get a look in for the match 23, but then Im irish so what am i talking about hes great you should deffo start him against us instead of that over rated young lad you normally use.......................
Posted 11:34 22nd January 2013
carpelone says...
Another South African who makes one of the home union teams without raising a sweat.
Posted 11:08 22nd January 2013