1
Le pays de Galles évite la cuillère de bois
Irrespirable fin de match. Alors qu’on pensait que le pays de Galles avait gâché la munition de trop (77e) et que l’Italie menait alors 20-15, les locales ont réussi à récupérer un dernier ballon. Elles ont alors appliqué ce qui avait le mieux fonctionné depuis le début de l’après-midi : du jeu direct pour profiter de la puissance supérieure de leurs avants.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tactique payante puisqu’à une minute du terme, la pilière droite Sisilla Tuipulotu franchissait la ligne d’un ultime pick and go (22-20 avec la transformation, 79e). L’essai de la délivrance, à l’image du match des Galloises. Avec cette réalisation de la joueuse d’origine tongienne, ce sont les trois titulaires de la première ligne qui ont marqué les essais du jour (Phillips 15e, Pyrs 43e).
De quoi illustrer parfaitement l’opposition de style entre les deux équipes. L’Italie, plus portée sur le jeu au large, a ainsi marqué trois essais par ses trois-quarts.
Un en faisant parler les cannes de Vittoria Ostuni Muzzi qui héritait sur son aile d’un ballon arraché au contact par Alyssa D’Incà, qui jouait dans la foulée parfaitement le deux contre un pour mettre son ailière en orbite (18e).
Deux en envoyant du jeu sur toute la largeur du terrain et terminer par un redoublé petit côté pour trouver l’intervalle gagnant (Granzotto 55e, Stevenin 70e).
Sous le toit du Principality Stadium, les deux équipes ont livré un match inégal, ayant à tour de rôle leur période de domination et leurs occasions.
Dominatrices en mêlée fermée, les Galloises auront eu d’immenses difficultés en touche,en particulier sur la première période, quand les Italiennes subissaient la puissance adverse en mêlée et cherchaient dès que possible à se donner de l’air.
ADVERTISEMENT
Avec plus d’efficacité dans la zone de marque, le pays de Galles aurait assurer ce précieux succès plus tôt. Mais elles ont gâché de nombreuses munitions pour une passe dans les chaussettes, des mains savonnettes, un lancer en touche mal assuré ou un ballon égaré au contact (6e, 12e, 23e, 33e, 59e, 67e).
L’Italie n’a pas été en reste, parfois plombée par son manque de patience et ses scories en touche (46e, 49e, 64e). Pour les Transalpines, cette défaite signifie la fin de leurs espoirs de terminer sur le podium final du Six-Nations 2024, synonyme de qualification directe pour la Coupe du Monde 2025 et pour le WXV1.
Le pays de Galles, de son côté, met un terme à une série de sept revers sur le Tournoi, et à voir la réaction du sélectionneur Ioan Cunningham à la fin du match, au bord des larmes, c’est plus qu’un soulagement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Womens Six Nations
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
England Women's
4
4
0
0
20
2
France Women's
4
4
0
0
19
3
Scotland Women's
4
2
2
0
8
4
Italy Women's
5
1
4
0
7
5
Ireland Women's
4
1
3
0
6
6
Wales Women's
5
1
4
0
5
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
1 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to comments