YOU should have taken me to the World Cup, not Sonny Parker - that's Newport Gwent Dragons captain Andy Marinos' message to Wales coach Steve Hansen.
Marinos, a Newport regular for four years, played for Wales throughout the Six Nations Championship the season before last and led the team out when he returned to South Africa last summer. But a loss of form plus injury and illness last season put him right out of the frame. He broke a bone in a foot and then suffered from deep vein thrombosis.
But he battled his way back and was right in the frame again, impressing on his Wales recall against Romania last week while Parker was returning from nine months out with a broken arm.
"It's very disappointing, especially when you put yourself against individuals who are going," said Marinos.
"Iestyn (Harris) has done more than enough, but Sonny hasn't played for nine months.
"I thought I finished off last season well and have done well throughout the summer so I thought I was in with a real shout of going to the World Cup.
"I was the Test centre for eight consecutive games, then I lost a bit of form and was out.
"Steve felt I was outstanding against Romania and he said I was desperately unlucky not to be going. He needed versatility and Iestyn can play at 10 and 12 while Sonny can play 12 and 13.
"I've also got to work on my kicking game, Steve said that helped him against Scotland with Ceri (Sweeney) and Iestyn."
Despite his disappointment, it came as little surprise to Marinos that he wasn't included in the World Cup squad.
"It was made pretty clear to me before the Ireland game that they were looking at Sonny and Iestyn as their two 12s," he said.
"Then I didn't get on against Ireland and I realised it was not going to be. But that's sport. All I can do is give it my best shot which I did."
* Dragons lock Ian Gough has been hauled before the Wales management for his comments in Tuesday's Argus following his omission from the World Cup squad.
Gough said, "I'm disappointed, upset and gutted, I've been stabbed in the back."
And, in a reference to the selection of Australian Brent Cockbain ahead of him, Gough said, "It was hard enough being told but when Steve Hansen told me who was in it was even harder to take."
Gough has been ordered to report to Hansen, team manager Alan Phillips and WRU general manager Steve Lewis and faces disciplinary action.
But one teammate defended Gough's outburst, saying "It was only the truth, they don't like the truth being spoken."
And Gough's father and advisor Malcolm showed his anger when he said, "We stand by every word he said, you have got to have freedom of speech.
"We don't see anything wrong in what Ian has said and if any disciplinary action is threatened he will take the matter up with the Players' Union solicitors."
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