A Bullet Dodged

Home » Featured, Headline, International, Rants

A Bullet Dodged

No Comment

The very first international I ever got to go to was at the Arms Park, Wales vs Western Samoa in the 1991 World cup. And we know how that turned out. So from that point of view I am very glad we dodged a bullet from our bogey team.

But outside that? Not good enough.

Firstly let’s try give some positives. I still think that if it wasn’t for some over eager 20 year olds we would have won that game by 20 points. If Warburton had held onto the ball and recycled it in his 3 breaks we would likely have scored at least 1 try more, if not 2 or 3. If Biggar hadn’t got impatient we wouldn’t have conceded a try… both would have made this a far more comfortable game.

Our tight 5, tight head aside, looks good and Charteris is showing he is a useful 2nd row player and line out option at international level. Also Biggar and Warburton, mistakes aside, both showed they have a huge amount of potential and in a year or so will be even better, and this experience will have hopefully made them a tad more patient.

Ryan jones was back to his best, doing the work of a 6 and the carrying of an 8. Hook broke well, Halfpenny and Tom James covered when needed and Peel looked lively. All good stuff. jamie roberts

Negatives

Unfortunately for Welsh rugby there were a lot of negatives to be taking from this game as well. And worse they are lessons we haven’t learnt yet.

First ANDY POWELL IS NOT A 6! If he has to play (and I would honestly rather he wasn’t in any starting line up) then he is an 8. At 6 he doesn’t do the tight work and his ball carrying ability is removed. We were 2nd best at the breakdown again because the supporting blindside never materialized, Ryan was often having to perform that role as well.

Our centers don’t work as a partnership. It is that simple and most people have been saying it for a long time. Put a creative player at 12 or 13 and either of them as the other option and Roberts or Shanklin shine, but they are not creative enough to play together. We are predictable and lack any nous.

Similarly both half backs seemed reluctant to move the ball when it was on. Let’s stop taking it right to the touchline no matter what, let’s stop religiously sticking to hitting the fringes and play some heads up rugby instead, if it’s on then move it… too often great opportunities out wide were wasted by sticking doggedly to a game plan.

I intend to do a post in the week about just what our repeated problems are and how Gatland and co seem to ignore them, suffice to say I am furious that, yet again, we aren’t learning the lessons that have been evident in our games for the last year.

Come on Wales, we’re better than this, time to start showing it. Otherwise the Argies are going to beat us.

Did you know you could get a FREE Welsh Rugby Blog newsletter delivered straight to your inbox? Simply enter your details here.

You can also follow us on Twitter and on Facebook now. Isn't technology wonderful!