Wales Player Ratings vs South Africa

We will talk about the game later, and do our best not to bleat on about ‘that’ kick.  But for the mean time a quick look at the player ratings (disclaimer, I usually like to do these after a 2nd viewing as I get too carried away in the first, but I accidentally deleted the game, as such if you disagree then you probably have a point, use the comments below to let us know what you disagree with any why)

James Hook – 6.  Missed an up and under for the try, and still should have saved it by smashing the player into touch, but a half hearted wrap effort saw him bounced.  Generally average at best as a 15…didn’t run a supporting angle enough.  But he did do ‘Hook play’ well enough to suggest he should be brought forward into a midfield sorely lacking creativity.  Missed two kickable penalties

George North! – 7.  Carried very well.  Still a little suspect defensively, some poor positioning, not convincing under the high ball and doesn’t hit as hard as his size suggests he should.  But ball in hand he is a real weapon and the rest will come in time.  Still deserves his exclamation mark.

Jon Davies – 8.  When he got given space the Saffas couldn’t live with him, and even without it he was a real handful.  Shame he got given such little space.

Jamie Roberts - 8.  Getting back to his barn storming best.  Smashed into tackles like no ones business, both with and without the ball.  But him and Jon Davies simply lack the creativity to work as a partnership.

Shane Williams – 6.  No real space, but unlike usual he failed to create any of his own either.  Should have done better for the first try.  Some very useful and well timed pop passes in midfield.  Should we be thinking the unthinkable and playing Halfpenny ahead of him?

Rhys Priestland – 7.  Controlled the game very well.  A few nothing kicks (even Wellies does that), and a lack of penetration in the red zone are a problem, but that is because he needs creativity from the likes of Hook or Henson outside him.  Very assured display, fast becoming a quality international.  Would still have rathered him at 15 though.

Phillips – 7.  First 60 minutes or so I would have scored him 8.5.  But when we needed to up the tempo to take the fight back to the Saffas he instead slowed things down, killing any momentum.  That said, getting back to his best and if he had been subbed off at about 60 mins or so I would be calling it a stormer of a game.

Paul James - 7.  One of his better performances.  Did well with the scrumwang, and put himself about the field far more than he usually does.  Given Geth’s lack of game time it might be safer to stick with ‘Assey’ all tournament.

Bennett – 8.  I just wrote that Bennett had an 8!  Never thought that would happen.  But for one or two wobbles he and Charteris partnered well in the lineout, he put himself about and did well at the breakdown.  Vastly improved on recent years.

Adam Jones - 8.  Is he the best tight head on the planet?  even with little game time he has now bossed the Saffa and Argentinian front rows, both rated as amongst the best there is.  Not as dynamic as he can be, but given his lack of game time understandable.  Possibly Wales’ most important player if we are to do well.

Luke Charteris - 8.  Superb display from a man I really didn’t think should be playing.  Still doesn’t offer much with ball in hand, but his ruck work was exemplary and his lineout partnership with Bennett was as solid as anything Wales has had in years.

Alun Wyn Jones – 9.  A real return to form for AWJ, who has struggled in recent years.  Hit ruck after ruck and generally made a nuisance of himself.  Offered himself as a runner a fair few times, though I would like to see a bit more of that.

Dan Lydiate – 9.  Whilst knowing he is a talent I have been critical of Lydiate’s lack of ball carrying.  Not this time, he was everywhere, some great tackling and rucking, and his ball carrying made yards everytime.  Superb display only bettered by…

Sam Warburton – 1,000,000.  This guy has earned the right to be mentioned up there with the best 7s in the World.  Turnover after turnover.  Excelled as he had forwards offering to be runners instead of him, so he didn’t have to do literally everything by himself.  The ultimate destructive fetcher in my eyes, and a legend in the making.

Toby Faletau – 8.  Had real concerns about him coming into the tournament.  His hands had let him down in the warm ups, nerves getting to him.  But after a quiet first 30 or so he burst into action, getting a well deserved try and scattering defenders on a number of occasions.  Very glad I was wrong when I said he was probably a couple of years off the top level.  Helped by playing behind a pack going forward this time.

So what do you guys think?  Over eager or in agreement?

Talk about it on the comments below, or on our Welsh rugby forum – oh and dont forget to hit ‘like’ on our Facebook group!