1. shelts asked Jonathan Davies MBE: "Why did you not afford the same level of criticism to Welshman Gareth Jenkins as you did to New Zealander Steve Hansen despite Jenkins having a worse record as coach than Hansen?"
2. Jonathan Davies MBE answer: "The answer to this question was covered in an earlier answer to a question from Shelts: ""In June 2003 You (Jonathan Davies) said "If we don't get to the World Cup quarter-finals he (Hansen) should go..." Show more»" The answer to this question was covered in an earlier answer to a question from Shelts: ""In June 2003 You (Jonathan Davies) said "If we don't get to the World Cup quarter-finals he (Hansen) should go then and there." Why did you not say at any stage the same about Jenkins?" (Editor) "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Sport   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 18 2007 2:47:48 AM

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1. Blueturk asked Jonathan Davies MBE: "I believe you would be an AMAZING coach. Is it true that the reason you never went into coaching is that you dont have the patience?"
2. Jonathan Davies MBE answer: "No, that’s not true. At the time I was offered a contract with the BBC and it’s very difficult to do both jobs at the same time because when you’re working on the TV, mainly on weekends, and when you’re..." Show more»" No, that’s not true. At the time I was offered a contract with the BBC and it’s very difficult to do both jobs at the same time because when you’re working on the TV, mainly on weekends, and when you’re coaching, that’s when you want to be with your teams. It was an option that I took very early after my retirement. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Sport   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 18 2007 2:43:38 AM

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1. ICEverything asked Jonathan Davies MBE: "Do you think that the WRU failed to learn the lessons surrounding Mike Ruddocks departure, namely the alleged disruptions of 'player power', and as a result, did this contribute to the failure of the ..." Show more »"Do you think that the WRU failed to learn the lessons surrounding Mike Ruddocks departure, namely the alleged disruptions of 'player power', and as a result, did this contribute to the failure of the Welsh team, not only at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but also throughout the build up in 2006/07." Show less »
2. Jonathan Davies MBE answer: "It’s very difficult to know what went on because it’s been kept in-house. So we won’t really know what went on. The only thing I can add to this is that Warren Gatland will bring maturity and discipline..." Show more»" It’s very difficult to know what went on because it’s been kept in-house. So we won’t really know what went on. The only thing I can add to this is that Warren Gatland will bring maturity and discipline into the Welsh squad and I think that will benefit everyone. I do feel that there’s a slightly soft culture in Welsh rugby. You know, you have to have respect for and a little bit of fear of your coach and I think that needs to be looked at. I think we need to be a little bit tougher on each other and asks tougher questions of each other. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Sport   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 18 2007 2:39:19 AM

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1. shelts asked Jonathan Davies MBE: "In June 2003 You (Jonathan Davies) said "If we don't get to the World Cup quarter-finals he (Hansen) should go then and there." Why did you not say at any stage the same about Jenkins?"
2. Jonathan Davies MBE answer: "Because he said it himself. There was no need for anyone else to say it. He said it, so he put his neck on the block very early. So no-one had to say anything because everyone knew that was the case...." Show more»" Because he said it himself. There was no need for anyone else to say it. He said it, so he put his neck on the block very early. So no-one had to say anything because everyone knew that was the case. He said: “Judge me on the world cup.” Well, we all said he made mistakes and had to go, simple as that. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Sport   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 18 2007 2:36:25 AM

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1. ChrisScumV asked Jonathan Davies MBE: "The standard of Refereeing is getting worse by the day. What can we do to attract people into a position where no matter how right you get it, at least 50% of the crowd/players are going to have an intense..." Show more »"The standard of Refereeing is getting worse by the day. What can we do to attract people into a position where no matter how right you get it, at least 50% of the crowd/players are going to have an intense dislike for you?" Show less »
2. Jonathan Davies MBE answer: "Well, it’s the same in all sports isn’t it? I try to be fair to referees and, you know, they don’t get the laws of the game wrong. It’s the interpretation which is different. Every person’s interpretation..." Show more»" Well, it’s the same in all sports isn’t it? I try to be fair to referees and, you know, they don’t get the laws of the game wrong. It’s the interpretation which is different. Every person’s interpretation is different: “Did he place the ball immediately?” Well, somebody’s “immediately” is different from someone else. It’s a very, very difficult job and people are going to have different opinions on it. Some referees will have good games, some referees will have bad games. I think that sometimes a lot of referees haven’t got a feel for the game. I think you have to be as supportive as you can to the referees but again they have to be honest. If they’ve had a bad game, they should realise that. If they have a good game, they should be praised but it’s very difficult. There are a lot of complaints for certain referees but you have to persevere and try and help them because without referees, you won’t have a game. Q: Do you think they fall back on the TMO too much? A: Because it’s been brought in, if they’re not sure ... the TMO for them now is like a safety blanket. If they’re not certain, why risk condemnation when if they’ve got the TMO there, they can go to him? I think some use it too much but it’s a safety issue. They’d rather be sure they get the decision right. Q: Do you think there are differences in quality between the referees in different leagues: the Magners, the GP, and the Southern Hemisphere, for example? A: That’s a good one. If you look at it, there’s Alain Rolland, Nigel Owens, Chris White. All these boys, I think they’re up there with the best in the world. I think that the game is played slightly differently in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s a lot more emphasis on the tackle area than in the Northern Hemisphere. And I think that sometimes in the Magners League, some of the games are very poor, because the rugby is poor, and it’s difficult to referee a poor game. The intensity is a lot higher in some of the Premiership matches. But I think it’s very difficult. If you look at last week (Heineken Cup, Round Three) and the weather, it was dreadful weather to referee in, and of course to play the game. But I do feel that we have quality referees in the Northern Hemisphere as well as the Southern Hemisphere. Some of the referees have got to be exposed to quicker games sometimes and I know there are question-marks over some of the referees in the Magners. It’s one of those things. If the referees have a good game or a bad game, then he’s got to sit down and realise. What everyone wants, players and supporters, is consistency in decisions. If they can bring that into the game, at least you know what you’re going to get. But I still think we have to be supportive, like with yellow cards. If the IRB says we’re going to be strong on A, B, C, or D, and OK sometimes you’ll have the first couple of matches, you might to have three or four yellow cards in a match. So be it. The players’ll soon learn. But I think there’s got to be more yellow cards. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Sport   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 18 2007 2:34:03 AM

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1. ChrisScumV asked Jonathan Davies MBE: "What can be done about the falling number of children in schools affecting Mini Rugby in Wales? In our club we have an U12 team who will be the last full year. Our U9's have 6 boys, and that represents..." Show more »"What can be done about the falling number of children in schools affecting Mini Rugby in Wales? In our club we have an U12 team who will be the last full year. Our U9's have 6 boys, and that represents all the boys in their year at school. We have some girls who play and who are good, but at U12 they have to split, and the Boys must have 15 in their side. This is not going to happen as there are not 15 boys in our team. Trying to merge teams with nearby clubs is not working due to the comitteeism mentality. How would you approach this difficult problem, when it appears to me that we simply have too many clubs in Wales to survive." Show less »
2. Jonathan Davies MBE answer: "I think it’s a massive issue. Maybe the Welsh Assembly and the Welsh Rugby Union have got to take it back to the schools. I think there’s got to be an initiative that teachers should be helped, more..." Show more»" I think it’s a massive issue. Maybe the Welsh Assembly and the Welsh Rugby Union have got to take it back to the schools. I think there’s got to be an initiative that teachers should be helped, more with PE in school and I think that’s vitally important. I think it’s very difficult if that’s the case and they can’t play. Surely the neighbouring village or school should see this and allow the kids to play. It’s just ridiculous just because you haven’t got enough boys in your school. It’s ridiculous. We played a lot of seven-a-side when I was a kid, which really enhanced our skills. But I do feel the WRU will have to look at it, take it back to the schools. You’ve got a captive audience but you also need the WRU to help school teachers and also you can’t knock volunteers in the club scene. But we need more money, more resources in the Performance Unit. Simple as that. They’re doing as well as they possibly can but they just haven’t got the resources. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Sport   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 18 2007 2:32:45 AM

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1. HeadShrinker asked Jonathan Davies MBE: "I notice your an advocate of players being centrally contracted to the union, for more control of the test playes etc. As it is now, the money from the EDF, HEC and ML belongs to the participants not..." Show more »"I notice your an advocate of players being centrally contracted to the union, for more control of the test playes etc. As it is now, the money from the EDF, HEC and ML belongs to the participants not the union. So where will the WRU find the money for central contracts considering the massive debt its currently in? Thanks." Show less »
2. Jonathan Davies MBE answer: "I’ve never said that (that players should be centrally contracted.) I think that because there are only four regions, it’s ideal to have an understanding between the regions and the Welsh side. And ..." Show more»" I’ve never said that (that players should be centrally contracted.) I think that because there are only four regions, it’s ideal to have an understanding between the regions and the Welsh side. And I think the relationship is quite good at the moment. They get allowed time off when they have to. It just makes a better working relationship. I think there will have to be central contracts because if the benefactor decides to pull out, you know, they’ll have to be centrally contracted. At the moment, I don’t think there could be a much better relationship (with the Regions) even if they were centrally contracted. I think some of the responsibility has to be give to the players because sometimes if they say we can only play a certain number of games and they know whether they should be playing. You know, if you haven’t played enough, you need to play yourself back into form. If you’re tired, you need a rest. Only a player can determine that. The thing is, it’s the TV money isn’t it? That’s the main income of the Union. It’s a very difficult one really. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Sport   |   Email to friends   |   Dec 18 2007 2:32:01 AM

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