Season Review : Wales

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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

How much difference did Roberts not being there made to Wales' tour down under?

If Roberts had toured, I think we'd have kept ball in hand a bit more, but it wouldn't have gone much wider than him. In his absence, we kicked it. Whether Roberts is in the side or not, I want to see more imagination from us with ball in hand. We have the personnel for it, but the coaches seem not to have the will.

I don't know luckless, when I think back to the RWC, Roberts and Davies had some pretty nice moves together, I can think of a few times where Davies actually took the ball to the line and then offloaded to Roberts who came running hard.

True enough, Biltong. I'm thinking more about the recent Test series against the Wallabies and it's clouding my recollections. I do think we're too reliant on him though. We should be using him as a decoy much more often than we do.

I think the difference between your RWC performances and the OZ tour had more to do with Priestland's lack of form than your gameplan.

There might be something in that, Biltong. Gatland likes us to kick, so it wasn't necessarily a surprise to see us kick so often, but the kicks were poorly executed: too long for the kick chasers to compete or pressurise the Australian back three. Priestland came in for criticism for his performance against England in the Six Nations, but his kicking game against France was superb.

I think Roberts is one of our defence captains - and our defence against Oz was noticably weaker than in the 6Ns/WC.

I also think, although Priestland kicked poorly and his form wasn't as good as the WC, he was under orders to kick - during the 2nd test's 1st half he didn't kick as much but as soon as the 2nd half started the ball kept getting launched long down the field, which makes me believe Howley had a go at him for not kicking.

Priest,

This test series made me realise just how much we do miss Roberts and what an affective combo him and Davies have become.

I would still prefer a more creative player alongside on or the other, but they will do for now...

We have a lot of back up for them and hopefully that back up will play well for their regions and challenge the urgent incumbents harder next season.

Davies is very creative

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Davies is very creative

Yeah but he is big, and people mix little and creative up, they think that big and creative are mutaly exclusive.

I still think Jonathan Davies could benefit from having a footballer with him in midfield. He worked so well with Regan King for the Scarlets. But he's certainly creative enough in his own right.

I agree LP.

Though I do think Davies is a creative player, having a less direct player than Jamie Roberts inside him would free up the welsh backline and create a few more options in attack.

Roberts has his strengths, Maesteg (mainly his strength!), but we tend to rely too much on him when he plays. It's like when Peter Crouch played for England, they were suddenly hoofing it long just because they had a tall bloke up front. Of course we should use Roberts to take the ball up, he's a potent weapon for us; but we should use him sparingly and keep the opposition guessing.

If Ashley Beck works on the defensive side of his game then he could be the perfect foil for JD2.

I think one of the reasons why JD2 and Roberts work so well is that Roberts is great in defence, allowing JD2 to rush out of the defensive line to stop the opposition spreading the ball, knowing that Roberts can cover him.
Also in attack, the opposition knowing that Roberts will take the ball up and try and smash through gives JD2 space, but as JD2 will also try and take the ball up, it makes it difficult for the defence to focus on just one of them.

The other good thing of course is JD2 has good hands and can hit a good angle.

Beck's addition to the equation is his ability to pass out of the tackle. Off loading speeds up our game and release outside backs much faster than a big player who goes to ground.

For faster rugby, and if young beck does improve his defence, then we may well see him in contention more often next season.

I agree Maes, and I like Beck and think his attacking/offloading ability is very good, though I think it's a bit disengenious to suggest that JD2 can't do this, and that he just goes to ground straight away.

The problem with Beck is that his defence isn't the greatest, and so JD2 can't rely on him as he could Roberts.

maestegmafia wrote:Beck's addition to the equation is his ability to pass out of the tackle. Off loading speeds up our game and release outside backs much faster than a big player who goes to ground.

For faster rugby, and if young beck does improve his defence, then we may well see him in contention more often next season.

Jon Davies does the offload from the tactle very well, all you have to do is look at the amount of tries that he and stoddart have scored between them. Those two work exceptionally well together (as a wing/fb and centre) with the pops off the ground and being on each otehrs shoulders. Jon doesn't force the off load though, and that is something Beck does do. Foxy seems to know it is not just the skill to off load the pass that is needed, but the skills of his team mate to recieve and hold onto the pass too.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I agree Maes, and I like Beck and think his attacking/offloading ability is very good, though I think it's a bit disengenious to suggest that JD2 can't do this, and that he just goes to ground straight away.

The problem with Beck is that his defence isn't the greatest, and so JD2 can't rely on him as he could Roberts.

Actually I was referring to Jamie Roberts, the inside centre who's position Beck would be competing for, who can't off load.

Jon Davies is the most useful player in our backline, we just need someone that compliments him. In many ways Roberts does, but I would like to see Beck and Davies get a run of games together.

Agreed, those two could be a superb centre pairing.

Apologies maes, i think a beck/davies partnership could b great in attack IF they could sort a defensive system out between them. I think becks defence was a bit suspect in the internationals he playd,and dont think the two complemented each other defensively. This could make it difficult to keep pressure on the opposition in their half/22 to allow us to attack effectively on turnover ball

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Apologies maes, i think a beck/davies partnership could b great in attack IF they could sort a defensive system out between them. I think becks defence was a bit suspect in the internationals he playd,and dont think the two complemented each other defensively. This could make it difficult to keep pressure on the opposition in their half/22 to allow us to attack effectively on turnover ball

Beck and Bishop did a great job in defence for the Ospreys all season. I didn't see much wrong with Becks defence for Wales, but if there was any it was surely only teething problems.

He's a good lad and gives Wales a different option. Davies warren and Williams are similar players, (all very talented ones too), Roberts has attributed we all know about, Beck is different, great vision, passing, eye for a gap and a tidy offload.

Wales look well covered in midfield.

Maes - Beck does fall for dummies easier than he should. That said Foxy did have a bit of an issue with that before too, so it can be worked on.

I wasn't critising Beck's form at the Ospreys where I think he has a very good partnership with Bishop (who is quite a Roberts type player). But I think at international level he was exposed a few times, especially with players running back on the angle.

Saying that he is young/inexperienced and should certainly improve vastly - I just wonder if it would be better to partner him with Roberts instead.

In fairness to Ashley Beck, the Wallabies are one of the toughest international sides to face on debut. We could have played him against the Barbarians to ease him into it, but the brains trust had other ideas.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:In fairness to Ashley Beck, the Wallabies are one of the toughest international sides to face on debut. We could have played him against the Barbarians to ease him into it, but the brains trust had other ideas.

Yup exactly what I wanted to see - I really hope he (and Hughes) don't miss out in the AIs when Roberts comes back, they should both get gametime to allow them to improve as they both offer exciting options

Adam Warren too. Plus there were a couple of U20s lads in the JWC looking very good.