Mike Phillips wants victory to remember

Mar 15 2008 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

MIKE PHILLIPS would like nothing more than to produce a repeat of his performance against France two years ago – with one difference. This time, he wants to win.

If ever a player deserved to finish on the winning side it was Phillips that day at the Millennium Stadium on March 18, 2006.

The strapping scrum-half was a menace from start to finish as he broke through the French ranks time and again with a series of blistering breaks around the fringes of ruck and maul.

It was one of the finest individual displays seen from a Welsh player in recent times and rightly earned him the man of the match award.

It also earned him plaudits from the opposition camp, with French coach Bernard Laporte admitting he had been a headache throughout the game, while team manager Jo Maso went even further.

Asked whether a Welsh scrum-half had ever caused France so many problems, Maso replied, “Yes, some chap called Gareth Edwards a few years ago.”

Rich praise indeed and the former Les Bleus centre was well qualified to comment on the subject, having played against Edwards in his pomp during the early 1970s.

What made Phillips’ display all the more impressive was that it was his first start in the Six Nations, with injuries to both Dwayne Peel and Gareth Cooper having opened the door for the then 23-year-old to grab centre- stage.

As Wales caretaker coach Scott Johnson put it after the game, “We have found another kid.” Had Phillips’ team-mates been able to keep up with him for just a couple of his breaks then he would have had a victory to go with his rave reviews.

But it wasn’t to be, with France somewhat fortuitously triumphing 21-16 to claim the Six Nations championship.

Nevertheless, Phillips had every reason to be proud of his efforts and it seemed as though a new international star had been born.

Yet, for much of the last two years, it’s been a frustrating time for the Pembrokeshire product.

Up until this Six Nations, he found himself consigned to a role as Peel’s understudy, just as he had been at Llanelli at the start of his career.

Things hit a real low before the World Cup last year when he was told by Wales coach Gareth Jenkins that he was No 2 in the pecking order.

The message was as clear as it was unpalatable. It didn’t matter what he did in training or out on the pitch, he would remain on the bench come the big games.

Yet all that was to change with the arrival of Warren Gatland.

Suddenly the old order went out of the window and the Kiwi was starting with a clean slate.

Form would now be the key criteria for selection and that has been music to the ears of Phillips.

Having been handed his chance against England in the championship opener, he grabbed it with both hands, claiming the match-winning try.

And, for the first time in his 32-cap Test career, he is established as Wales’ first-choice scrum-half, with Peel now the man on the bench.

So it is that the Phillips story comes full circle as he revisits the fixture that produced his finest hour to date.

Now he is aiming to surpass that memory by sharing in a victory that would bring Wales the Grand Slam.

“Last time we played France here was a great day for me and hopefully the same can happen again, but obviously with a win,” said the 25-year-old.

“I was really chuffed with the way it went for me two years ago, but gutted that we lost the game.

“I don't think the French will particularly target me after the way I played last time.

“They’ve got a new coaching team and a lot of new players.”

As for the two scrum-halves in the opposition ranks – fit-again starter Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and sub Dimitri Yachvili – Phillips has a healthy respect for the pair.

“They have both got great experience and they have shown some class touches in the tournament so far,” he said.

“You have to be aware of their kicking game and their creativity.”

Phillips’ own kicking game was rightly praised by Gatland following last Saturday’s Triple Crown-clinching victory over Ireland.

The Kiwi coach also lauded the new-found balance the scrum-half is bringing to his game and how he is now choosing the right moment to break rather than looking to do it all the time.

Phillips broke just once in Dublin, but when he did it was with devastating effect as he made some 40 metres and created a position that Wales should really have scored from.

Gatland is clearly a big fan of the muscular Osprey, who he believes can become the most physically-imposing scrum-half in world rugby.

He quipped this week that Phillips believes he already is just that, which in itself speaks volumes!

Confidence certainly isn’t a problem for the young man and that’s a big part of his game, complimenting his boundless energy and enthusiasm, which were there for all to see again at Croke Park, much to Gatland’s delight.

What the coach wouldn’t have been best pleased with was the indiscipline his scrum-half showed in picking up a yellow card for kneeing prop Marcus Horan.

Yet, while admitting he was silly to have acted as he did, Phillips has no intention of changing the way he plays or cutting the abrasive edge out of his game.

“You’ve got to believe in yourself and I certainly do, else there’s no point being out there,” he said.

“I think my service is as good as anyone’s and I can do all the basics you ask of a nine, but on top of that I can bring my physicality and my aggression.

“I’ve got a fire in my belly and if I didn’t have that I wouldn’t be here today.

“I was a little bit silly perhaps, but I am happy with how I play and I wouldn’t change for anyone.

“It was just one of those things, I thought the other guy made a bit of a meal of it.

“Warren showed faith in me to put me out there for the second half.”

Looking to the future, Phillips added, “There is a lot more to come from me – I’m learning all the time.

“I have really enjoyed my time in the Six Nations so far and it gives you confidence to hear praise from the coaches. I’ve never really had that before in the Wales squad.”

If Phillips can produce anything like the stunning display he did against the French two years ago, then there will be plenty more praise heading in his direction.

Page 2 - Ten other great individual Welsh displays