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Guinness Six Nations afternoons don’t come much tougher – especially when you’re reigning champions. Ireland eased past Wales 29-7 in the opening game of the Six Nations championship in Dublin with their new Australian recruit Mack Hansen enjoying a flying start to his Test career.
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The Irish picked up where they left off in November with a comfortable victory on Saturday and Hansen, who qualified for them through having an Irish mother, helped set them on their way by making the first try.
Ireland looked every inch one of the tournament favourites when they roared out of the blocks in the same manner that toppled New Zealand three months ago but still needed a second half burst to put the injury-hit visitors out of sight.
Wales barely fired a shot, and the talking heads didn’t hold back in their assessment. Former Wales star turned pundit Jonathan Davies said he struggled to find anything positive to say about the performance.
“Disappointing performance. Looking desperately for positive points but struggling. No go forward, no confidence to beat a man and cupboard looking bare with players coming through. Huge game next week,” he wrote.
Disappointing performance. Looking desperately for positive points but struggling. No go forward, no confidence to beat a man and cupboard looking bare with players coming through. Huge game next week.
— Jonathan Davies OBE (@JiffyRugby) February 5, 2022
The XV journalist Owain Jones noted it was hardly much of a surprise given the form of the Welsh regions in Europe and in their native URC. “This isn’t even a surprise. Ireland a class above Wales domestically, and just transferring that quality to the Test arena. Questions have to be asked. Drifting into mediocrity.”
This isn't even a surprise. Ireland a class above Wales domestically, and just transferring that quality to the Test arena. Questions have to be asked. Drifting into mediocrity.
— Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) February 5, 2022
Comedic Welsh account Dai Lama quipped: “When I say I liked the 90s I mean Britpop, a Labour government, grunge and the WWF. Not Wales playing like this.”
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When I say I liked the 90s I mean Britpop, a Labour government, grunge and the WWF.
Not Wales playing like this.
— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) February 5, 2022
Saved electricity ?
— Tom Shanklin (@TomShanklin) February 5, 2022
Many noted the apparent failure of British & Irish Lions winger Josh Adams playing at outside centre, a channel Ireland mercilessly exploited.
Journalist Paul Eddison wrote: “Owen Watkin to the wing while Josh Adams stays at outside centre? Surely it’s ok to accept that a tactic hasn’t worked.”
Owen Watkin to the wing while Josh Adams stays at outside centre?
Surely it's ok to accept that a tactic hasn't worked#IREvWAL
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) February 5, 2022
Wales Online scribe Matthew Southcombe said that Wales’ failure to break the gainline had once again cost the men in red in Dublin. “Wales haven’t won the gainline in Dublin for a decade, which is why they haven’t won a competitive Test there in that time. This has been a re-run of the last 5 trips to the Aviva… only worse.”
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Wales haven't won the gainline in Dublin for a decade, which is why they haven't won a competitive Test there in that time.
This has been a re-run of the last 5 trips to the Aviva… only worse.
— Matthew Southcombe (@MattSouth7) February 5, 2022
Colleague Simon Thomas put the blame on a lack of Test caps. “This time last year, Wales fielded a record 874 caps in their Six Nations opener against Ireland. Today, the tally of caps in their starting line-up is down to 487, with Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens, Taulupe Faletau and George North all injured.”
This time last year, Wales fielded a record 874 caps in their Six Nations opener against Ireland. Today, the tally of caps in their starting line-up is down to 487, with Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens, Taulupe Faletau and George North all injured.
— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) February 5, 2022
While professional pundits were measured, their civilian counterparts were putting the boot in: “Wales were absolutely pathetic. Worst we’ve played in a decade or more. Awful in attack, all over the place on defence. Selection of Adams at 13 and McNicholl on the wing was a disaster. Ireland were good, but Wales made it easy.”
#Wales were absolutely pathetic. Worst we’ve played in a decade or more. Awful in attack, all over the place on defence. Selection of Adams at 13 and McNicholl on the wing was a disaster. #Ireland were good, but Wales made it easy. #IREvWAL
— Jim (@JimJones1425) February 5, 2022
“Well going to say it, Pivac and his coaching team need to go. No structure. This isn’t the Scarlets,” posted another.
https://twitter.com/jwalt1974/status/1489989657207128075
Dai Lama humourously suggested that [once again] under pressure head coach Wayne Pivac sense of direction was lacking, using some fruity language.
“I’d say Pivac out but the **** would probably miss the exit”
I'd say Pivac out but the cunt would probably miss the exit
— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) February 5, 2022
– additional reporting AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
I don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to comments