By Simon Thomas
Match-winner Morgan Morse has been patted on the back by Ospreys coach Toby Booth – and also told to work on his rough edges.
The shrewd verdict was delivered after Morse became the talk of Welsh rugby following the 18-year-old’s sensational try in his region’s New Year’s Day victory over Cardiff.
It was an old school game between the Ospreys and Cardiff to kick off the new year – but one lit up by the teenager.
The conditions at Bridgend’s Brewery Field were hugely challenging, with the incessant rain creating a very heavy pitch underfoot.
https://twitter.com/URCOfficial/status/1741859627988357375?s=20
But Ospreys No 8 Morse made light of the muddy surface as he scored one of the tries of the season.
Gathering the ball some 45 metres out, he left three would-be tacklers in his wake on a weaving, side-stepping run and then managed to slide over the line as the covering defenders converged on him.
That score was the highlight of the hosts’ second half comeback as they turned around an 18-5 interval deficit to claim a 27-21 bonus point victory.
Speaking about the Swansea-born Morse, Ospreys head coach Booth said: “The boy is quick, right?
“We know that he is a talent. He has got great physical capability. You saw that when he played for Wales U20s. He’s quick, he can beat people.
“He would be the first to say he’s not the finished product because he’s got some rough edges that we are working on.
“But he’s got some good people around him to learn off in Justin Tipuric, Jac Morgan and Morgan Morris.”
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Reflecting on the team performance at a sold-out Brewery Field, Booth said: “I am absolutely delighted. Credit to the lads, they were awesome.
“We felt our way into the game a little bit and our set-piece became a massive part. In Wales, you need to be able to play certain types of rugby and be smart.
“With conditions like that, it’s the oldest adage in the book. It’s about keeping the ball in front of your forwards. Territory becomes massively important.
“The onus is on the half-backs and full-backs to control the game and it was impressive from our game managers.
“It was almost like an old school game in an old school environment and there was an old school sing-song in the changing room afterwards.
“To get a four try bonus point in those conditions is something we should be really pleased about. Cardiff are a good team.”
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: "It was an old-school game in an old-school environment. In those conditions it was all about territory and keeping the ball in front of the forwards, and our game managers were impressive in doing that in the second half." https://t.co/QfKdxU62sG
— Adam Hughes (@AdamHughes75) January 2, 2024
Fly-half Dan Edwards was another youngster to catch the eye for the Ospreys, with the 20-year-old coming on at the break and bringing good tactical control as he landed two shots at goal and put in a pinpoint chip to set up the clinching score for two-try wing Keelan Giles.
Asked what the message was at half-time, Edwards replied: “Don’t play any rugby! In those conditions, it was just about using your head really and playing the game in their half.
“We were a few points down at the break, but I think we were outstanding in the second half. It was good fun out there and a really good result for us.”
It was the second bonus point win of the festive period for the Ospreys, following on from their 25-11 victory away to the Scarlets on Boxing Day, and it has taken them into the top half of the BKT URC table.
Booth concluded: “We have got a bit of momentum. It’s important to our fans. There was a great turn-out for this game and we gave them something to cheer about.”
My review of @URCOfficial Round 9 features comments by Toby Booth, Dai Flanagan, Duhan van der Merwe, Iain Henderson and John Dobson among others.
We begin with some thoughts on 18-year-old Ospreys starlet Morgan Morse – and that try!https://t.co/0EXMDK5UNB— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) January 3, 2024
In the other Welsh derby on New Year’s Day, the Dragons held on to secure a 13-12 win at home to the Scarlets, with Player of the Match Aaron Wainwright scoring their try and full-back Cai Evans landing three place kicks.
It was a big response from Dai Flanagan’s team following the 55-21 thumping they suffered at the hands of Cardiff on Boxing Day.
Head coach Flanagan said: “For all the pain the boys have been through – and rightly so because last week was unacceptable – it shows we are not that bad. It has been difficult, but you can see from the celebrations that it means a lot.
“We are built on passion in Gwent. That is what we are all about. We are a talented region. We are good people and you have seen that out there.”
Skipper Rhodri Williams added: “We were questioned after last week. There were plenty of things thrown at us and what better way to respond than at home in front of our fans at Rodney Parade.
“The boys dug deep. It was a physical battle and I don’t think we took one backward step.”
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— Dai Sport (@Dai_Sport_) January 2, 2024