Mike Phillips has expressed concern about the state of Welsh rugby and feels a re-set is required with stronger emphasis put back on the grassroots game.
The Wales and Lions scrum-half legend warns the regional academy system is not working and says up-and-coming youngsters need to play more in the community game at club level to get "a bit of fight and character."
He spelt out his worries ahead of Wales kicking off their autumn campaign against New Zealand on Saturday amid an alarming number of grassroots matches being called off in Wales because of a lack of playing numbers.
Those players and potential stars of tomorrow, Phillips fears, are being lost elsewhere, including to football.
"I worry that back in Wales rugby isn’t really keeping up,’ the 99-times capped Phillips said in an interview with the Mail. "The football team have qualified for the World Cup and it seems like the numbers in rugby are falling."
He continued: "The price of tickets to Wales games keeps going up and people can’t afford the hotels. If you’re coming down from north Wales, the cost is ridiculous. There could be a seven-year-old missing out on that moment of inspiration because his parents can’t afford to take him. I remember going along to watch Wales versus Ireland, seeing Ieuan Evans, then getting home and saying, 'that’s what I want to do'."
He warned: "Youngsters are looking elsewhere. Amateur club teams are pulling out every weekend and it feels like the community game isn’t getting enough attention. For me, part of the problem is the academy system. I don’t think it works. It’s dragging young players away from the community game where they instil a bit of fight and character. There’s too much emphasis on PBs in the gym and protein shakes, rather than winning on a Saturday. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a couple of guys who have come through like Taine Basham and Louis Rees-Zammit. Winners. I love Zammit, you can see that he enjoys himself. We need more characters and guys with a bit of an edge to give the sport a boost."
Phillips says he is concerned about the lack of strength in depth available to Pivac, whose Wales team meet New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Australia on back-to-back Saturdays this autumn.
"I think it comes back to the production line problem. Alun Wyn Jones has been phenomenal, a freak, but how many other World Cup contenders are relying on a 37-year-old? We need a few more winners to come through," continued Phillips.
He says it's a good time to face New Zealand, who have had a turbulent year and overnight lost their captain Sam Cane and veteran hooker Dane Coles through injury, while towering lock Brodie Retallick could be suspended against Wales. He has a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday following the red card brandished against Japan at the weekend.
But Phillips argued: "Losing Dan Biggar is a blow because, for me, he will be captain at next year’s World Cup. The problem Wales face is if they don’t have their full team then it’s always a struggle. Injuries are their biggest enemy because the depth isn’t there. If we can replicate the best form from the South Africa tour then there’s always a chance. With the injuries and the form of the regions, though, it’s hard to see Wales winning. If we end up fielding a second team then we’ll get hammered."
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