In a season of total agony for his region, the ‘amazing’ ex-Wales U20s player is offering light
The Dragons have had a bad season, but Harri Keddie’s performances have been one bright spot, and his coach is gushing about him.
This season, there hasn’t been much to cheer about for Dragons supporters.
Granted, that’s a phrase that can be stretched out year after year, but this year has been particularly bad. Dean Ryan’s team has had one win since October, and they are on the verge of collapsing.
The 2017/18 season is currently their worst, with only two wins and two draws to their name, but with six games remaining, it’s not impossible that this season will match that dreadful record.
A five-point loss to Gloucester in their final Challenge Cup pool stage match was, in some ways, progress after a run of three half-century thrashings. Despite blowing a halftime lead and falling to defeat, the label of plucky losers is preferable to get blown off the field.
Despite the disappointment of another defeat, there were some bright spots. Sam Davies returned from a rare week off to lead the team to victory, while Jack Dixon put in a 150th-appearance-worthy performance.
“We’ve never been concerned about celebrity names.” They need to catch up to what he’s been doing, and Ollie Griffiths was another one who raised the standard. If he’s fit, it’s possible that not all of our current Wales internationals will be in [the matchday 23].”
If you were searching for a memorable performance, you’d have to go no farther than the Dragons’ back-row captain Harri Keddie. The former Wales U20s star was all over the field, contributing to their first two tries before sprinting over for his own try on the edge of half-time.
Keddie, who was a key member of Wales’ U20s Six Nations Grand Slam six years ago, is now shining as brightly as any of his international teammates. Welsh Test stars include Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, and Ross Moriarty, but it has been Keddie who has led from the front.
“For weeks, he’s been wonderful. “Against Gloucester, he was by far the man of the match,” stated director of rugby Ryan. “Every week, he has the highest work rate on the side, but he’s getting better about how he uses it.”
“I don’t think he’s chasing the game like he used to – instead of growing smarter, he attempted to find work.” We talked about letting the game come back to him, and it’s paying off, as he’s getting the ball in open space more frequently.
The barnstorming night for one of the Dragons’ most consistent performers this year summed up his assist for Jared Rosser’s try, sneaking a nice offload out to the winger after carrying in the wide channels. And, like the line he chose for his own try, it spoke to the Dragons’ desire to play in a certain way.
A fast-paced style of rugby that results in some magnificent tries could be one method to keep supporters pleased in the absence of victories, with many already expressing reservations about renewing season tickets as apathy increases.
“That’s how we want to play in the first half,” Keddie remarked. “It’s the style we had last year at times and have been attempting to replicate this year.”
“We have a couple of important derby games coming up, as well as a significant away game in Zebre, where we can build on it.” There is a lot to like, but there are also a lot of things we need to work on if we want to win the last six games.
“All I want to do is get out there and perform my job — it’s as simple as that.” At this time, everyone must remain together. With our recent string of results, it’s been difficult, but we’re keeping our heads down, everyone is focused on doing their part for the team, and we’re certain that we’ll get there.”
With back-to-back derbies against the Scarlets on the horizon, as well as matches against the Ospreys, Zebre, Cardiff, and the Lions, things for the Dragons could get worse before they get better.
When the West Walians arrive at Rodney Parade for the second meeting between the teams later this month, it will be exactly a year since the Dragons last triumphed at home – against the Scarlets, curiously.
If the Dragons are to break that dreadful record, or indeed their winless skid of 13 games, Keddie will almost certainly be in the forefront.
