Dragons snap up scrum-half Mike Petri from Sale Sharks

[TRF_Cymro]

Newport Gwent Dragons have signed United States scrum-half Mike Petri for the rest of the season as back-up to Wayne Evans.

The 26-year-old from Brooklyn joins from Sale Sharks where he failed to get first team chances.

The Dragons have been left without cover for Evans since the retirement of ex-All Black Danny Lee due to ongoing injury problems.

Petri could make his Magners League debut against Connacht on Thursday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/ng_dragons/9333348.stm​

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not a bad player, but wasn't going to get much gametime at Sale with Peel and Wilf around, so a smart choice by him

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I remember thinknig when he signed for Sale he played well against Wales when the Lions where gone, but I don't actually remember him playing well against Wales.

 

[MichaelBoard]

To be honest I haven't heard of him and don't know anything about him. Has anyone seen him play? Is he a decent player?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

 

[MichaelBoard]

Cheers Cymro, based on that footage he looks a decent scrum half with very fast delivery of the ball, a welcome addition to the Dragons as we need a decent scrum half to compete with Wayne Evans.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Makes me wonder... Is Matt Evans injured? He played one game for the Dragons, and while it didn't look like he could catch the ball, he did some decent things and certainly doesn't deserve the total exile he's having.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Makes me wonder... Is Matt Evans injured? He played one game for the Dragons, and while it didn't look like he could catch the ball, he did some decent things and certainly doesn't deserve the total exile he's having.

I think he is injured, Paul Turner is not the type of person to drop someone after one poor game.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Yeah he must be injured, not only is Paul Turner not the type of person to drop someone after one bad game but also we aren't in the position to do that because we are hardly blessed with strength in depth at fullback, or any position for that matter.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Is there a time frame for the return of Martyn Thomas yet?

 

[Melhor Time]

Makes me wonder... Is Matt Evans injured? He played one game for the Dragons, and while it didn't look like he could catch the ball, he did some decent things and certainly doesn't deserve the total exile he's having.

Yes, Matt Evans is injured. He was named in Canada´s squad for the Autumn Internationals and did not play at all despite being the country´s best flyhalf and best fullback. He has been out of action for too long. Sad really, but I a, sure he´ll be back soon.

About Mike Petri - great news. Sale never used him, unfortunately. He should play a lot for the Dragons. With this announcement he should be able to beat off Tim Ususz for the starting place in the World Cup. I´ll put it up on my blog tonight.

Welsh readers - remember Dave Hodges? A USA legend who played in Wales from 1997-2004 and was player of the year for the Scarlets in 2002. Was superb in the 2003 Rugby World Cup as captain esp vs Fiji and Japan. These are my thought, at least...

Thoughts on him?

 

[MichaelBoard]

Well last thing I heard was he would be back around November 2010, obviously that was 2 months ago so I'm guessing he can't have made a full recovery. Hes only 23/24 so hopefully he comes back soon and gets playing back to the high standard that he was playing at before the injury.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Dave Hodges was a underrated player won the 2001/2002 player of the year at the Scarlets, injury really hampered his final two years at the club mind. If I am correct he also served as the clubs fitness coach during his time at the club. Before singing for the Scarlets I think he had a season at Bridgend again dont quote me on this.

 

[Draggs]

Id rather see the Dragons get a solid backup 10 (Matthew Jones is rather poor...) than another scrumhalf.

Hopefully he (Petri) isn't another Matt Evans.

Martyn is close to return, I have heard January, so perhaps during the 6N. I wouldn't mind seeing this:

09 Wayne Evans
10 Jason Tovey
11 Aled Brew
12 Ashley Smith
13 Adam Hughes
14 Will Harries
15 Martyn Thomas

 

[MichaelBoard]

Id rather see the Dragons get a solid backup 10 (Matthew Jones is rather poor...) than another scrumhalf.

Hopefully he (Petri) isn't another Matt Evans.

Martyn is close to return, I have heard January, so perhaps during the 6N. I wouldn't mind seeing this:

09 Wayne Evans
10 Jason Tovey
11 Aled Brew
12 Ashley Smith
13 Adam Hughes
14 Will Harries
15 Martyn Thomas

Can't fault that at all mate, an all welsh set of backs, not very often you'd see that, its a credit to the Dragons the number of Welsh players we have. Totally agree with what you said about Matthew Jones, he is average at best and most of the time plays well below average. He lacks everything a quality 10 needs, I don't think he bosses and controls the game very well and his goal kicking is shocking. Think he needs to be shown the exit and the Dragons need to bring in someone better (preferably welsh as well) as direct competition to Tovey who in my eyes is Stephen Jones natural successor for Wales. Maybe the Dragons could pull off the signing of the season and get James Hook, now that would show some ambition. I suppose we can dream..

 

[Draggs]

Can't fault that at all mate, an all welsh set of backs, not very often you'd see that, its a credit to the Dragons the number of Welsh players we have. Totally agree with what you said about Matthew Jones, he is average at best and most of the time plays well below average. He lacks everything a quality 10 needs, I don't think he bosses and controls the game very well and his goal kicking is shocking. Think he needs to be shown the exit and the Dragons need to bring in someone better (preferably welsh as well) as direct competition to Tovey who in my eyes is Stephen Jones natural successor for Wales. Maybe the Dragons could pull off the signing of the season and get James Hook, now that would show some ambition. I suppose we can dream..

I don't know why Arlidge left. He wasn't fantastic, but certainly better than Jones. Steffan Jones (Cross Keys) has had a pretty good season, I'd like to see him play a bit more for the Dragons. He was inconsistent on his first match for them, but I think he has potential.

I personally thought we should have signed Prydie on a one year loan at the start of the season. He has plenty of potential as well, can cover fullback, and would get playing time. Now, where can we get some props?...

 

[MichaelBoard]

Yeah I agree with you there, Arlidge wasn't brilliant but he was solid and reliable and apparently hes playing very well in the English Championship for Nottingham I think? Can't comment on Steffan Jones as I haven't seen him play, but I'll take your word for it! That would've made perfect sense to have Prydie on loan as hes wasted in the Premiership, it would've benefited both Prydie and the Dragons giving Prydie games at a higher level therefore enhancing his Welsh chances and providing vital cover that we could really do with at the Dragons. As for props I think we should of tried harder to keep Jamie Corsi who was seen as the next big thing in terms of props in Welsh rugby. As its gone he went to the Scarlets and now has gone to play rugby in New Zealand. Then again hes only 23 so maybe New Zealand will improve him and he may well come back to the Dragons and play for Wales in the future. Right now though, I wouldn't mind that bloke in the picture above switching to the Parade I think we wouldn't mind taking on his blonde twin aswell, hes a bit of a forgotten man for Wales.

 

[dullonien]

Wouldn't be surprised if Duncan Jones is back in the Welsh squad by the WC. His last few Ospreys games have been very encouraging and he's a better option than Yapp!

As for that potential Dragons backline, I'm still a little unsure of the centres. Ashley Smith is a quality player, but I feel he often has too much burden on his shoulders to be not only the creative centre, but the hard running one aswell. He's decent at both, but lacks size against top opposition. A quality direct centre alongside him would be great, someone like Shanklin with some experience would be ideal, but can't see the Blues letting him go. Shanklin could decide that he doesn't like playing second fiddle to Roberts/Laulala though.

The Dragons could have a go at drawing one or two of the Ospreys unused players over that way. Maybe Gareth Owen or Spratt would be willing to switch if they were guaranteed regular gametime. Prydie should have gone somewhere on a one year loan, but Scott Johnson seems to be completely against the idea of loaning players to his 'competitors' - idiot! it would have benefitted Prydie hugely to play at regional and European levels, developing him as a player meaning he'd come bck to the Ospreys with experience. The fact it would have benefitted the Dragons whilst Martyn Thomas was out shouldn't be seen as a bad thing by the O's, but a good thing for Welsh rugby. Scott Johnson has come across as a complete d**khead since joining the Ospreys. He's nowhere neer as good as was made out during Ruddock's reign with Wales.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The only thing that hampers Duncan Jones is the fact he is only a loosehead and seeing that Geth and then Paul James are the two looseheads then its difficult to see that they will take a third specialist loosehead to the WC. I know James has played at tight head before but he is really a loose head. Id like to see Duncan back, a man with 57 Welsh Caps cannot be ignored for to long.