Season Review : Wales

World Cup

Wales went into the WC with moderate expectations. In a group containing Samoa, Fiji and SA, injuries seemed likely and most Wales fans would have been happy enough to put in some good performances and reach the Quarter Finals. There was cause for some optimism though, a narrow defeat in Twickernam and a gutsy, determined win in Cardiff against England along with victory over Argentina had provided some hope. New caps in those pre-world cup games, Rhys Preistland and Toby Faletau would have a great influence on a young Welsh teams chances. Injury to Matthew Rees was a disruption to Wales preparations as young Sam Warburton was given the captaincy over Alun Wyn Jones or Ryan Jones after leading Wales against the barbarians.

Wales faced the then world champions in their first game. It was probably Wales best game that they played this season, yet it ended in a gut wrenching defeat by a singe point 16 - 17 the final score. This would not be Wales' last agonising 1pt defeat of the year, three of their six defeats would be by a single point on foreign soil. Welsh supporters were proud of the attitude of this young welsh team, with a butchered drop goal being the difference between a loss and a win. In the end, it was probably a lucky loss, as it put Wales on the otherside of the draw from Australia for the quarter finals.

Wales then faced Samoa. In a tough contest, Leigh Halfpenny's jinking run and a clever pick-up from Shane Williams would be the eventual difference. The big banana skin was out of the way, Wales winning 17 - 10.

Two fairly routine victories followed, 81 - 7 against Namibia, followed by revenge against 2007 opponents, winning 66 - 0 against Fiji.

Wales had reached the quarter finals, the impressive form of the young welshman was starting to make an impression on pundits. Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts, George North and Mike Phillips were all in excellent form and being talked about with the best in world. Young players brought in just weeks before the world cup were putting in fantastic performances, Toby Faletau and Rhys Preistland were firmly established in the starting lineup, with the latter being credited with the return to form of Lions centre, Jamie Roberts.

In the quarter finals, Wales faced their Celtic rivals, the Irish. Wales were the underdogs, Ireland having beaten Australia in the group stages of the competition. Warren Gatland named Leigh Halfpenny at fullback for the first time in international rugby, an odd decision for a WC quarter final, but Halfpenny would quickly adapt to the position and is now a close contender for the Lions 15 jersey in 2013.

Wales put in their best winning performance of the season, to match the form they showed at the beginning of the tournement, they put Ireland to the sword at the breakdown and ended up clear victors, denying O'Driscoll's Ireland their first ever semi final. Influential games from the Welsh halfbacks allowed them to command the game, with Phillips individual try putting Wales into the lead for the final time in that game. The final score, a convincing 22 - 10 victory.

Wales now had a semi final against a French team that had stuttered through their group, losing to Tonga as well as the All Blacks. France had scraped past an equally woeful England to reach the semi finals and their was open rebellion against head coach Marc Leivermont. The bookies put Wales as firm favourites, and many couldn't see how this on-form, young Welsh team could lose against the poor French team.

Come the day of the game, 60,000 Welsh fans were crowded into Millenium Stadium to watch their team play on the otherside of the world. All Welsh eyes were on Eden Park. Influential flyhalf Preistland was injured, up step James Hook, the man who had been eyeing the Welsh flyhalf shirt for close to half a decade. Wales took an early lead, 3 - 0 after just 6 minutes. However, history was to repeat itself, the last Wales side to reach a semi final of the world cup saw a red, and so did the Welsh captain. A tip-tackle on the French wing Vincent Clerc in the 18th minute is still the talking point of the WC and saw the welsh captain, and at their time their best player, shown a red card. The decision seemed like a ludicrously pedantic decision from referee Alain Rolland, and whether it should have been yellow would be discussed for months.

Either way, Wales now faced 60 minutes down to 14 men. France lead 6 - 3 at halftime. That soon became 9 - 3. However, Wales refused to give up, a brilliant effort by scrum half Phillips dragged Wales back to within a point. This was followed by repeated "nearly" moments. Wales chance to reach a WC final came twice, a narrowly missed conversion by replacement fly-half, Steven Jones was followed by an agonising 74th minute missed conversion from the halfway line by Leigh Halfpenny which dipped inches under the cross bar. The final score, 9 - 8 to France, the red card would be the talking point, but 11pts in missed kick was unacceptable, if Wales had Leigh Halfpenny from 9 months into the future, they could well have won the game.

The Welsh team, and Welsh fans were heartbroken. The next two Welsh performances lacked inspiration, a 3pt loss to the Wallabies in the 3/4th playoff, followed by a 6pt loss at home to the same opposition.


The Six Nations

Wales were second favourites to win the six nations, after the World cup finalists, France under the management of new coach Philippe Saint-Andre. Injuries to the forward pack and tough fixtures away against Ireland and England long with the poor performance of the Welsh regions had dampened Welsh hopes since the high of the world cup.

Ireland was the big challenge. Wales had to travel to Landsdowne Road to face the team who they had smashed out of the world cup. Ireland would want revenge, if Wales could pull off an unset it would be a great win and would ensure a decent six nations. The match was a lot more even than the WC game, the score was 16 - 15 at 59 minutes and with the game in the balance, Bradley Davies proceeded to lose his mind, tip tackling Irish flanker Ferris off the ball. Ireland took advantage, building a 6pt lead with 10mins remaining.

Wales' hopes were slipping, only to be re-kindled as the Welsh made their size in the backs count, George North powering through 3 Irish tacklers to score in the corner. The conversion miss by Halfpenny would have been another to haunt him, had the tip tackle not returned to benefit Wales. Ian Evans lifted by Ferris resulted in a penalty and questionably yellow card in the last minute of the game. Halfpenny's nerves of steel came to the for, Wales won in Dublin 23 - 21.


Wales were too strong for Scotland in the millenium stadium. A brace from Halfpenny along with Alex Cuthbert's first international try saw Wales clear, they did however, conceed their last try of the 6Ns to new Scottish fly-half, Greg Laidlaw. Final Score 27 - 13.

Wales travelled to Twickernam full of optimism, England had scraped a 13 - 6 victory over a disappointing Scottish side thanks to a charge down try and another charge down had saved blushes with a 19 - 15 win in Rome. Wales went to the English fortress as favourite for the first time in decades.

England rose to the challenge. Wales were made to work in Twickernam, they lacked the ruthless, clinical edge they had possessed to date. Scott Williams butchered a clear overlap which would have given Wales the lead, nothing seemed to be working for the Welsh. However, Williams soon made up for his error, and individual but of brilliant from the youngster proved to be the difference as he ripped the ball from Courtney Lawes, chipped it over the onrushing defence and sprinted onto the ball to secure the only try of the match.

England fought back, on 80minutes, England had their opportunity but they too lacked a clinical edge. A superb defensive effort from Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathon Davies and George North stopped a seemingly certain try for David Strettle. Wales were battered and bruised, with the weak parts of their game exposed, but they had a 19 - 12 victory on English soil - and the words "grand slam" were now in the thoughts of all Welsh supporters.

Wales did not want a slip-up against Italy, a full strength team was named, expectations were for a one sided game. However, it took Wales until the 50th minute to pull away with a try for Roberts taking the score to 16 - 3. Wales lead comfortably and looked in control for the entire game, but the performance was lacking, a last minute try from Cuthbert gave a decent result of 24 - 3. The nerves were back though.

The Six Nations was pretty much secured for Wales, but they wanted more, a grandslam and revenge against the team who had defeated them at the WC ; France.

The "Grand Slam Decider" was a bit of a dull game. Wales adapted to a new gameplan and employed a fairly effective kicking game against the French, who had also decided to put boot to ball. The new George North...Alex Cuthbert scoring Wales only try to give Wales the lead in the 20th minute, a lead which they never returned to the French. The final score 16 - 9.


Summer Tests

Wales headed down under with 14/15 of their starting 15, a remaining scratch side fought for a 30 - 21 victory over the Barbarians in Cardiff. Wales were optimistic of getting at least one win over a SH team.

The first test seemed like Wales best chance, with the Australian team having played Scotland in midweek and injuries ravishing the Aussie backs. Wales however, looked rusty for the first 40, and were 20 - 3 down at 50 minutes. Wales however, fought back with Alex Cuthbert's try in the 59th minute and the pinpoint boot of Leigh Halfpenny put the score at 20 - 19 at 62 minutes. At that point, Wales were in the ascendancy and looked set for a historic win. However, fresh legs for Australia sent Wales backpeddling, and Pat McCabe's try sealed an Australia victory. The difference between the sides, the fantastic form of Australian's Will Genia and David Pocock and the diminishing form of Wales' World Cup starts, Sam Warburton, Rhys Preistland, Mike Phillips and Gethin Jenkins.

The second test saw Wales strengthened with the return of British and Irish Lions, Matthew Rees and Alun Wyn Jones, along with a first start for centre Ashley Beck. The changes didn't have the desired impact. Wales struck first with 2nd minute try to George North. However, Matthew Rees and Alun Wyn Jones failed in job in the lineout, losing 4 lineouts cost Wales valuable field position and territory, as a result, Wales spent much of the first half in their own half. If Ken Owens and Luke Charteris had retained their places, perhaps it would have changed the entire game, thats how important the lost possession was. The Welsh defence was stronger than the previous week, but with 2/3rds of the possession and territory, Australia's try was inevitable, a break from Barnes sending Rob Horne over just before halftime. Halftime score, 13 - 7 to the Wallabies.

Wales fought back in the second half, with an improved lineout they finally started to get back into the game. A lucky try for Jonathon Davies brought Wales a point ahead in the 49th minute. The lead then changed hands 6 times over the remaining time as Halfpenny and Barnes exchanged penalties. At 80 minutes, Wales had the lead 23 - 22, but Australia had possession with a lineout in the Welsh half. The Australian maul was collapsed and the resulting penalty gave replacement Mike Harris a chance to win the game for Australia, a chance he took, breaking Wales' hopes of a series win down under.

Questions over selection now plagued Wales' stand in head coach Howley. Matthew Rees, Rhys Preistland, Mike Phillips and captain Sam Warburton whose presence in Melbourne had been non-existant. There were further questions over the disappearance of six nations star lock Ian Evans and the bizarre decision to leave form Fly Half Biggar at home. However, Howley selected the game 15 to start in Sydney for the chance to at least gain a southern hemisphere scalp before returning home.

In the third test, it was not a malfunctioning lineout that really cost Wales, but poor work at the breakdown. Alun Wyn Jones dropping one restart ball was disappointing, but acceptable, but to then miss 2 more, handing Australia possession on 3 occasions in the Welsh half was completely unacceptable for a professional lock forward. Further argument against the disappearance of Ian Evans in the second row. The Welsh defence held firm though, and at halftime an exchange of penalties left the score slightly in the Wallabies favour at 12 - 9. No score was forthcoming in the second half until 60 minutes, which saw Wales dominate a 5m scrum and build phases patiently for Ryan Jones to power over under the posts. Wales led 12 - 16 with 20 minutes remaining, surely they couldn't give away a lead again? But they did, the Welsh lost their cool and a lapse in defence allowed Australia in for a try within 4 minutes of Wales scoring for Rob Horne. A penalty at the scrum again gave Wales the lead with 10 minutes to go, but again, Wales lacked disapline, not helped by referee Craig Jouberts harshness at the breakdown. Australia won a penalty to retake the lead again, and then gave Wales a class in how to run down the clock. Wales exciting season finished on a bitter low in Sydney, the final score, 20 - 19 to Australia.

Review

For many Welsh supporters, the ambitions for this season were not high. Most would be satisfied with a WC quarter final and to avoid the 4th spot in this years Six Nations. the tour of Australia was not likely to inspire confidence, Wales were 4th in the 2011 Six Nations and Australia had just won the Tri-Nations with a young side who were all likely to be around come the following summer.

However, things quickly changed. Warren Gatland had been planning his assault on the WC for the past 3 years, and used the WC to show his class as a head coach. Gatland had never had the Welsh players for more than 2 weeks before a big game, now he had them for an entire pre-season. Gatland moulded a group of youngster with a few experienced heads into a formidable team, and his hand was played in the first World cups game.

Once people saw how well the Welsh team played, the expectations shot through the roof, for the fans and players alike. So it is useful to compare the expectations for the entire season. Wales finished 4th in the 2011 WC and were incredibly disappointed and slightly unlucky not to finish 2nd, or even have a crack at a poor NZ team in the final. Wales won away in Dublin and Twickernam and won a 3rd Grand Slam in 7 years. The season may have ended on a low point, with 3 losses to Australia, however, for once Wales truly compete with the best even away from home. Wales will want revenge next season, and a lot of lessons need to be learnt from the Australia tour, but this is a lot better Welsh team than the one that finished the 2010-11 season.

Wales won 10 games and lost 7 this season.

3 of those losses were by a single point, and one by 2pts, all of those games were away from home in the southern hemisphere.

Wales lost only a single game by more than one score, an 8pt lose to Australia in Brisbane.

Wales have been narrowing the scoreline at home against the SH giants for the last few years. This year, we have narrowed the scores away from home, but have still not gotten that important win. Next season, we will have 2 big chances, at home to the All Blacks and Wallabies. Winning one of those games will be crucial for this teams development, beating the All Blacks would be historic, but I would settle for a victory over the Australians if it secures Wales the 4th ranking spot and so increases their chances in 2015. We have 3 years to start beating the southern hemisphere teams, but securing that 4th place should be the target for Wales autumn games.


Wales rating

Living up to pre-season expectations : 10/10
Living up to mid-season expectations : 5/10

To do list : Secure 4th place before Decemeber
Beat a SH team
Beat the All Blacks
2/3 required


Best players (based on the entire seasons efforts)
Dan Lydiate
Ryan Jones
Ian Evans
Justin Tipuric
Jamie Roberts
Jonathon Davies
Leigh Halfpenny
Alex Cuthbert

"Wales however, looked rusty for the first 40, and were 20 - 3 up at 50 minutes."

Take some time, proof read your work. Typo's and spelling. Good article otherwise.

Oops, down..

Good article

Wales have had a great season no doubt. An RWC semi, another Slam, won over half their games, bedded in a solid core of young players for the future etc.

BUT

The same fragility exists in their composure, mental attitude, decision making and execution that existed when they lost to SA in Oct, a game they should have won.

In my view they should have won the semi final against a french side they beat only a few months earlier but they were outwitted

They seemed to put this to bed with a convincing slam though including getting out of some tight corners. But yet again they do not kick on, they don't seem to learn, to play smart rugby and this was no better illustrated by giving the ball back in the final minute whilst trying to defend 1 pt. Even my dog - who suffers at the hands of Wales as much as i do - knows i can't put his ball away if he doesn't let my have it.

Top two inches. And this game is all about inches.

mowgli wrote:
In my view they should have won the semi final against a french side they beat only a few months earlier but they were outwitted

Wales were not really outwitted in the semi final, they played with 14 men.

And Wales last game against France was a resounding 28 - 9 loss in Paris - http://www.espnscrum.com/sixnations2011/rugby/match/114131.html

thanks wales 606

my mistake got the order confused apologies....i really think they should have won anyway though!

mowgli wrote:

The same fragility exists in their composure, mental attitude, decision making and execution that existed when they lost to SA in Oct, a game they should have won.

Top two inches. And this game is all about inches.

Edited for the 2 points!

Certainly don't agree with the fragility and Mental attitude comments, if it was the same fragility and mentality of Welsh teams past, in the recent tour we would never have got back into the 1st test, would not have been in the game 2nd test (due to loss in the 1st) and likely annihilated in the 3rd test. An element of truth in the composure comment, however against England and particularly against Ireland in the 6n's we showed we do have composure.

As for execution, well yes I do agree to a certain extent (lineout anyone), but considering our total points average deficit in defeats against Tri Nations champions, 2 WC Semi Finalists (1 finalist) and a defending RWC Champions is less than a penalty kick.... well we are executing our game quite well, not well enough granted , but not that bad either.

Top 2 inches, hmm cliche. Wales have developed a game plan that generally works (yes I know that goes against the opinions of most welsh fans, media and pundits alike, but I see it having reasonable success, see above).

And this game is all about inches.... A crossbar, a post x5'ish, a 51mtr kick dropping 1/2mtr short, attempted dislodging the ball tackle on the line have all cost us possible wins in 3 or 4 of these narrow defeats. Cost us a WC final spot, a test series in Oz, an SH scalp in SH, you name it.

Ultimately we're in a results based business so yes we have failed, but I wouldn't bet against us succeeding soon.

Sometimes you have to take a step back to take 2 steps forward, when you get closer to the top you have to take 1inch back to take 2inch forward, fine lines indeed.

I really don't like this 'we only lost by a point or two' as an indicator of progress and performance because look at what happened in the 2nd test. Its actually quite embarassing for Wales that we harp on about how we only lost by a point here and there. Rugby is about winning. I would rather us get tonked than rely on 'we nearly won'

I am not comparing the fragility or mental attitude of past teams; quite frankly I wouldn't know where to start and the problems we have faced in the past have been much more about execution and ability than just attitude. In fact if you remember 1999 v England that was a Welsh side that knew how to finish a tight game!

I really believe that in terms of ability we are right up there amongst the world's best now but we can't stay there until we overcome our mindset. That and a significant improvement in our lineout would be smashing.

Hate to say it but we also need a whippet at the base not a lump. Time to get back to hi intensity rugby and start using our 3/4s again.

Why is it a cliche to suggest that the teams who have better rugby brains and who outwit their opposition have greater success? With intelligence comes leadership and I guarantee you the main question in the dressing room after test 2 will have been WHAT WERE YOU THINKING. Wales just weren't thinking. What i find weird is that they retained ball against France to win the Slam for several minutes. Go figure.

mowgli wrote:I really don't like this 'we only lost by a point or two' as an indicator of progress and performance because look at what happened in the 2nd test. Its actually quite embarassing for Wales that we harp on about how we only lost by a point here and there. Rugby is about winning. I would rather us get tonked than rely on 'we nearly won'

Why is it a cliche to suggest that the teams who have better rugby brains and who outwit their opposition have greater success? With intelligence comes leadership and I guarantee you the main question in the dressing room after test 2 will have been WHAT WERE YOU THINKING. Wales just weren't thinking. What i find weird is that they retained ball against France to win the Slam for several minutes. Go figure.

Agree totally. We were within a single point of the ABs and two points of the Boks in 2004/5 too, beat Oz at home in 2005 & 2008, drew in 2006 and ran them very close away in 2007 (loss thanks to Gareth Cooper kicking away posession in last minute). There's nothing new about close losses to the Big 3, and nothing new about Welsh coaches and fans consoling themselves with happy talk about "progress," "learning experiences" and "the gap closing."

The difference between the NH and SH is that we are always looking on the bright side of losses while they are not satisfied even with victories if there are flaws in performance. This complacency affects selection too - eg "XX had a good world cup so we must stick with him for a couple of seasons." In complete contrast some AB fans on this forum are suggesting replacing Dan Carter because he's not quite at the top of his game!!

Let's hope we don't repeat the usual Grand Slam cycle, in which succcess breeds complacency and conservatism, thus setting the scene for underperformance, 4th place finishes , etc.

Also amazed at the idea that the kick and chase game is "working" when we have just lost 5 games in a row to Australia and NEVER ONCE were we ahead by more than a score in ANY of those games.

wales606 wrote:A tip-tackle on the French wing Vincent Clerc in the 18th minute is still the talking point of the WC and saw the welsh captain, and at their time their best player, shown a red card. The decision seemed like a ludicrously pedantic decision from referee Alain Rolland, and whether it should have been yellow would be discussed for months.

The IRB confirmed that Rolland was absolutely correct in his decision. Blame Warburton for the red-card tackle, not Rolland for punishing it as he had to do.

Before I start, let me state that I believe Wales are comfotably the best team in the 6Ns.

I am now going to play devil's advocate when reviewing the season - which is something i would expect Gatland to do.

RWC

Wales achieved 4th place with just one decent win (i/4 final against Ireland). They lost their 3 other matches against Tier 1 countries. They should have won the matches over SA and France but failed to do so because of their own lack of composure.


6Ns
Won the grand slam, which is always a fantastic achievement. In terms of performances though it perhaps ranks below the two other GS won in recent years by Wales. England and France were in a state of flux while Ireland were poor.

Summer Tour
With 3 Grand slams in 8 years, Wales need to be looking beyond the 6Ns. The management will be exceedingly dissapointed with 3 losses. The first test started poorly, but then aus ran out of steam. Wales, having pulled it back to just 1pt, should have gone for the jugular and won that game.
The next two matches demonstrated that Wales seem to lack the belief needed to win tight matches against opposition the respect (fear?). Especially at the end of the second test, too many players looked as if they were scared of winning.


Wales (prop depth assde) currently have the depth of talent needed to really make a push towards the RWC 2015 final. Do they actually have the mental strength and belief?

LondonTiger wrote:Wales (prop depth assde) currently have the depth of talent needed to really make a push towards the RWC 2015 final. Do they actually have the mental strength and belief?

And perhaps more importantly, is the gameplan getting the absolute best out of them?

wales606 wrote: The decision seemed like a ludicrously pedantic decision from referee Alain Rolland

Yeah, he does a lot of those. How he's still an 'Elite' referee i have no idea. Unfortunatley his hand was forced by the IRB when it comes to tip tackles rules, and although there was obviously no malicious intent from Warbs i personally think he should have been showed yellow.

I keep worrying about Adam Jones and in fact the whole front row. Owens is good but not good enough in the scrum. It was great to see us dominate the Aussies at scrumtime but Rees had a shocker. Paul James is a good replacement but he's not the future is he? Hibbard forget him at least for a while until my tempers cooled. I think the backs have all got time on their side and we've got depth. But the props are an ageing unit. Are they going all the way to 2015?

Dontheman wrote: But the props are an ageing unit. Are they going all the way to 2015?

On the plus side we have Bevington, Jones and Mitchell who have all had international exposure. Also then we have the Under 20s front row who looked good in the JWC coming through, and will probably start getting regional exposure next season. It is just if the come through in time.

Don't forget Rhys Gill, he could well be replacing Gethin Jenkins sooner rather than later (that is if we decide to select based on form, which Rob Howley hasn't been too keen on doing).

Personally I haven't been impressed by Gill. IMO he is too much of a pen machine from what I have seen.

I thought he was very good against Ireland in the Six Nations and he really impressed me against the Barbarians. Okay, it was 'only' the Baa-Baas, but he showed the kind of dynamism in the loose that Jenkins is famed for but which we hardly saw all series against the Wallabies.

If I may intercede in this welsh article....there is real quality in this Welsh team apart from the half backs. Line outs are a problem, but they can be sorted. I think you need to go back to that factory you have hidden somewhere in the valleys and make some more half-back wizards. It's that 9-10 spark that will make you the team you aspire to be.

Stonelea - I would expect Priestland to make the most of this off season now to unwind and look back on a whirlwind rise up the ladder. This time last season, people were looking and thinking he would be lucky to go to the RWC, now he is first choice fly half, grandslam winner etc.

It's strange for Wales to have average halfbacks and the heaviest pack in the 6N, but there you are...

I'm more concerned by Mike Phillips's apparent undroppability. People go on about him being an extra loose forward; well, I'd rather we had a bona fide scrum half.

A Robert Jones and a Carlos Spencer - thats all you need - so get looking!

Good article and well reasoned Wales606

Good summary that , to summarise the summary a bl**dy rollercoaster of a season.

It is worth remembering how low expectations were before the World Cup.

Hapless Freegan wrote:It is worth remembering how low expectations were before the World Cup.

Exactly , wind back a year and we had just lost to the Barbarians had a lot of untried youngsters on the fringes and were even considering Henson and Jonathon Thomas for the World Cup squad ! Now we are gutted at losing a test series in Australia by small margins and rightly so .

I still think the force was with us in the World Cup but the Rugby Gods conspired against us in that semi and I'll remember that most in 20 years time .

I don't know if we'll ever have a better chance of making a World Cup final than that.

But let's be clear: it was missed kicks that cost us.

I know i didnt expect us to get out of the wc group and am still amazed the youngsters, we'd been screamimg to play for well over a season, frontd up so well with so little exp.
Lydiate - 1 6ns and a handful of starts, toby wc warm ups, priestland wc warm ups, jd on fringes until wc

The most important achievement this year, far beyond the 4th at the RWC, the GS and a notably improved performance down under is that the system contrived and instilled to develop young talent that can perform at the top works. And it is working very well.

The notable under achievement was not making the RWC final and losing five nil to the Australians.

Still the 2011-12 season is a happy improvement on 2010-11...

maestegmafia wrote:The most important achievement this year, far beyond the 4th at the RWC, the GS and a notably improved performance down under is that the system contrived and instilled to develop young talent that can perform at the top works. And it is working very well.

The notable under achievement was not making the RWC final and losing five nil to the Australians.

Still the 2011-12 season is a happy improvement on 2010-11...

The major achievement is 'Wales are back in da house' Players and fans are on the rise and everything is up for grabs.

pontylad wrote:

Hapless Freegan wrote:It is worth remembering how low expectations were before the World Cup.

Exactly , wind back a year and we had just lost to the Barbarians had a lot of untried youngsters on the fringes and were even considering Henson and Jonathon Thomas for the World Cup squad ! Now we are gutted at losing a test series in Australia by small margins and rightly so .

I still think the force was with us in the World Cup but the Rugby Gods conspired against us in that semi and I'll remember that most in 20 years time .

Henson was exactly what we needed v Aus

True he could have dazzled the oz midfield with his dazzling fake tan and intellect

An inform Henson at the top of his game would grace any team.

Unfortunately he isn't currently playing rugby.

maestegmafia wrote:An inform Henson at the top of his game would grace any team.

Unfortunately he isn't currently playing rugby. he hasn't been inform and at the top of his game since 2008

Fixed that for you maes

(you could say the same about an inform Martyn Williams at the top of his game would grace any team...)

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:An inform Henson at the top of his game would grace any team.

Unfortunately he isn't currently playing rugby. he hasn't been inform and at the top of his game since 2008

Fixed that for you maes

(you could say the same about an inform Martyn Williams at the top of his game would grace any team...)

No need. But cheers. Hope alls well with you.

I hear a rumour that he may be heading west next season...!

Reading between the tweets I get the feeling Rick Oshea made it up as it was a slow news day and it's snowballed - Rob McCusker opinion was it was 'poppycock'

Seriously though, I thought he was unlucky to be let go by the Blues, esp considering what Sweeney & Powell had gotten upto in the past without being let go, but IMO he wasn't playing well enough to get anywhere near the Wales side, and still looked well off the pace (with some occassional good things).

So wouldn't look at him from a Scarlet POV as there are better players than him (on current form) even if he had played til the end of the season with the Blues - and that's without any behaviour/morale sapping/fitness issues/injury prone issues

PS I'm ok just watching the Spain/Portugal game in the absence of any rugby

Smirnoffpriest wrote:PS I'm ok just watching the Spain/Portugal game in the absence of any rugby

Thrill a minute, wasn't it?

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Seriously though, I thought he was unlucky to be let go by the Blues, esp considering what Sweeney & Powell had gotten upto in the past without being let go, but IMO he wasn't playing well enough to get anywhere near the Wales side, and still looked well off the pace (with some occassional good things).

So wouldn't look at him from a Scarlet POV as there are better players than him (on current form) even if he had played til the end of the season with the Blues - and that's without any behaviour/morale sapping/fitness issues/injury prone issues

I agree.

I would imagine he is most likely to end up abroad somewhere.

Good review but a less than 60% win ratio for the season is not top 4 form.

That final crucial hurdle appears very elusive. I know when Gats & Edwards were at Wasps we made a habit of winning close games. I suspect with Wales it is a combination of young heads & lack of leadership from the more experienced lads not taking responsibility.

Are their enough true leaders in this young Welsh team?

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Good review but a less than 60% win ratio for the season is not top 4 form.

That final crucial hurdle appears very elusive. I know when Gats & Edwards were at Wasps we made a habit of winning close games. I suspect with Wales it is a combination of young heads & lack of leadership from the more experienced lads not taking responsibility.

Are their enough true leaders in this young Welsh team?

The only teams ranked above Wales that this team has played and lost too, are SA and Australia. And by very very narrow margins.

As a young side that bodes incredibly well for the future, but you'll have to wait and see what happens.

Bigtrev is onto something here

Look at England's 2003 team...leaders at 2, 3 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 10 13.

Leadership and decision making is key to the development of this team and the likes of Rees, Jenkins, Jones A and R, AWJ, Charters, Warburton and Roberts must stand up. Wellies was a skipper himself and bossed his backs, RP must take this role on now. For me this is a key reason for keeping Ryan in the 22 as he is so solid in this role but not as skipper.

Top 2 inches again.

mowgli wrote:Top 2 inches again.

A fair bit of that will be scalp and skull and you're ruling out most of the brain. Is this Wales's problem?

i am afraid the part of my brain that could answer your question has not been

In adams case the top 2inches are all perm!

mowgli wrote:

Leadership and decision making is key to the development of this team and the likes of Rees, Jenkins, Jones A and R, AWJ, Charters, Warburton and Roberts must stand up. Wellies was a skipper himself and bossed his backs, RP must take this role on now. For me this is a key reason for keeping Ryan in the 22 as he is so solid in this role but not as skipper.
.

Wales have a core of guys through the team who have the experience. Though it is passing that on to the players coming through that is most important.

Ken Owens has already been picked a few times while Matthew Rees was fit, AWJ may well not be selected over Brad, Charteris or Ian Evans. Ryan Jones Has lost his place to Toby.

Balence in transition is the key. The All Blacks do it seamlessly.

That said there was a new emphasis and a new energy about this welsh squad that the previous group of AWJ, Phillips, Ryan etc maybe lacked..!

Do you think Bradley Davies had a good tour, Maesteg? I thought he was lumbering and gave away far too many penalties.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Do you think Bradley Davies had a good tour, Maesteg? I thought he was lumbering and gave away far too many penalties.

I agree and think he offers very little. My preference is Evans and Charteris with AWJ and Ryan as back up. I think Bradley lacks intelligence; we need more leaders.