Wales v All Blacks: The Aftermath
By DC

Well the first of Wales' autumn internationals has come and gone and what have we learned so far?

Before I answer that can I take just a few seconds of your valuable time, I am a Welshman - I need to make that clear, I would bleed on the flag to keep the Dragon red, I love my country and like any Welshman I worship at the church of the oval ball. I need to make that very clear before I write anything else, I have tried to remove the red tinted glasses and be objective.

In 2008 Wales won a Grandslam, they were attacking, daring, entertaining, they scored tries and feared no one, and they had a rock solid defence and looked capable of matching anyone in the world on the paddock. They had a team full of heart and passion, they were a throwback to the heady days of the 70s, a time when Welsh rugby was dominating. They had promise and a nation did not just get excited about the future, an entire nation dreamed of world domination and even dared to imagine the sight of an open topped bus driving through the streets of Cardiff – Web Ellis cup held aloft.

The end of 2009 is rapidly approaching and Wales, lacking in some key players took to the field against the All Blacks. Last year they faced down the All Blacks in a stunning moment of entertainment, this year we expected more and got nothing. Wales lacked imagination, they lacked penetration, they lacked any form of go forward – they were POOR that’s the only word for it. The open expansive attacking team have been found out, they have been rumbled and what’s more they looked scared, worried by their opponents – like a teenager caught peeking through his Dad’s collection of “special books” - they seemed almost embarrassed with the ball in hand.

Wales have lost all the dimensions to their game they are no longer a thrilling dangerous side now they go through the motions waiting for the gaps to appear – not the way to play International rugby, well not the

Showed the kind of single minded passion and determination that was lacking in many of his fellow team mates Gethin Jenkins

way to win International rugby games. Yes there were some standout performances, Ryan Jones led the line and tried everything to drag his team over the line and into the history books. Gethin Jenkins was IMMENSE, a rampaging bull that never backed down, like a destructive stock car he bashed and clattered his way around the park. Jenkins threw himself into the game with the kind of single minded passion and determination that was lacking in many of his fellow team mates. Even in the losing side he was a serious contender for man of the match and if the rest of the team showed his drive and go forward then Wales would be a force in the world of the oval ball. Martin Williams’ hands were everywhere like a pick pocket always looking for the sacred pill, always looking for the turn over.

The ruck, see Wales has a problem with the ruck, they should be smashing the opposition back driving over, clearing out the ball and recycling with pace, instead they go about it differently. Rather than the obvious approach to the ruck, they do not commit numbers, they leave half the pack in mid field and opt for slow ineffective distribution. What’s the point in having big strong forwards in the midfield to smash over the gain line, if by the time the ball gets from the base of the ruck the defence has already regrouped, if they have not already stolen the ball off you. So the ruck is problem one – it needs to be sorted out before Wales face Samoa or they will never win any ball back – commit the numbers, win the ball and then play the game.

When Wales do win the ball, now that is where the second and possibly most worrying of problems raises it head – lack of imagination. Gatland has come out and said Jamie Roberts has a future at inside centre – and the last 12/18 months would prove that he has talent and ability – a massive amount. But with Roberts and Shanks in the centre you have two players of the same mould, big strong runners, capable of smashing through defences – the smash brothers. Where is the invention, the flair?  Games are won on split seconds, deft passes, gaps opened not bashed through. Roberts was immense during the Lions tour he struck fear into the heart of the Springboks, the main reason was Roberts was put into space with the final pass the game changing pass. Rewind back to 2005 & 2008 – Shanks was the battering ram centre that raged into spaces – why.... simple he had a play maker inside him a man capable of riding the tackle and carving open defences with a simple flick of his wrists. I’m not doubting Roberts, the man is a volcano, a moving mountain – he has the heart and strength of a rhino – but everyone knows it – defences expect him, rather than three feathers on his chest he should wear a target. If Roberts moved out a place and a play maker was slotted inside him then Wales would see the benefits of having a titan in the side.

Hook could be moved into the inside centre role, he is not comfortable at full back – clearly seen by his errors under the high ball. He is conscious of his size and positional play, so much so that he is jumping too soon for high balls and leaving gaps behind him. You cannot play international rugby without a recognised full back – the whole Welsh back line was so small it was like watching Frodo and his mates staring down a rampaging Orc attack. The back line lacked size, but we knew that before kickoff – what we did not know was how vulnerable they would be. Both Shane and Halfpenny have disco feet, they can weave, spin and glide passed defences – but can they deal with rampaging bull elephants coming at them, can they deal with massive Samoans. The back line needs some bulk, some height – in the absence of another option it looks like Stoddard will move into full back and the bigger stronger Tom James into the back line.

Samoa will be a serious challenge if this Welsh team do not use the ball with more creativity, more imagination. Changes are needed in ethos, in personnel and with positions. The biggest problem is that, as I said key players are injured, a Welsh side with Byrne and Phillips in it is more dangerous more unpredictable. Wales are also missing a player who can open up defences like a can of peaches, a player who can direct the back line and put Roberts into space. But then again where would they find a player like that, we all know who he is just not where he is – he is lost out there somewhere on unpaid leave – come home Gav.

The Welsh management promised a new look Wales, with a new approach – well if Saturday’s performance was the sign of things to come then it does not bode well. Up against a hard running harder hitting Samoan outfit Wales will need to bring their “A” game – rather than against the All Blacks when they brought a game, just not the right game.

What have we learned is that Wales does not have strength in depth, they need certain players to be dangerous, most of all Wales have learned that they need to progress, resting back on passed victories and past glories does nothing but shatter dreams and hopes of a nation.

As I said I am a Welshman I am proud of my country, I stood strong through the bad old days when Wales could not string together two wins back to back –I fear for the return of those days all the same.  Unless this team changes in style and personnel then Samoa will run over them and Argentina will rough them up – leaving Wales beaten and bruised ready to be picked off by the Australians.

DC