The Ospreys have vowed to keep championing Morgan Morris’ cause after the No. 8 who Wales repeatedly overlook banged in a man–of-the-match performance in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship game against the Dragons.
Warren Gatland was in Swansea to witness yet another strong display from the uncapped 24-year-old.
On a day when Alun Wyn Jones rolled back the years in the second row, producing a display which received deserved plaudits from all around, Morris took the accolade for player of the day as he scored a try, supplied two touchdown assists, snaffled a couple of turnovers and piled up 10 carries for 68 metres.
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The display was the latest in a long line of high-quality efforts from Morris, the official star turn when the Ospreys won on the road against Montpellier in December, yet Wales have consistently shown no interest in picking him.
But the Ospreys certainly understand his worth, with head coach Toby Booth responding to a question on whether he feels Morris has the potential to play at the World Cup by saying: “That’s not my decision; I know Warren was here watching it. All players can do is put their hands up and play to a high level, then it’s whether they fit what sort of players and what sort of style coaches treasure.
“We’ll keep championing how good he is. He’ll keep delivering like he did against Dragons, I’ve no doubt, and then we’ll see where it goes.”
Morris is so often the key that unlocks opposition defences for the Ospreys, whether through linebreaks himself, telling passes or his ability to convert chances in the opposition red zone, a skill that led Booth to compare him with England and Exeter Chiefs back-rower Sam Simmonds.
“Morgan’s been consistent for me in my time here,” said Booth. “He was a breakthrough player when I got here and we treasure what he does.”
The Englishman went on to suggest that certain players had the ability to play the game as they saw it, without needing instructions from coaches to get the job done. That way, they are able to shape matches. The don’t paint by numbers. They think for themselves and for their teams.
“You need people who are rugby smart, and Morgan Morris is a smart rugby player,” said Booth. “Michael Collins is another example: a smart rugby player. The world needs smart rugby players because they are the ones who break the game up. Morgan Morris has an influence on matches.”
A player who can operate across the back row, Morris offers versatility which could come in handy during a tournament campaign. Booth doesn’t need to tell him to keep playing well, because consistency is one of his hallmarks.
Now Gatland has seen for himself how the Swansea-born player can impact games, the New Zealander may be tempted to keep track of Morris ahead of naming his World Cup training squad, expected to be later this spring.
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