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Ex-Ireland player's frank assessment of Pivac's Wales: 'There's no fear playing them like in the past'
Wayne Pivac’s struggling Wales have been described by former Ireland winger Simon Zebo as a team that no longer instils fear in opposition like they used to when Shaun Edwards was their defence coach. The Welsh reached two World Cup semi-finals and won multiple Six Nations Grand Slam titles when Edwards was their defence specialist under the old Warren Gatland regime.
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However, having taken exception to only being offered a short-term deal on the new Pivac ticket, Edwards opted to join France following the departure of Gatland after last year’s World Cup in Japan.
That decision has deeply hurt Wales. Whereas France have enjoyed a marked improvement in 2020, finishing second to England in the recently completed Six Nations, Wales have lost five matches on the bounce and their championship loss to Scotland at Llanelli resulted in the sacking of Byron Hayward, Edwards’ successor as defence coach.
Wales are now improvising in that area as they head to Dublin this Friday to take on Ireland in the opening round of the Autumn Nations Cup and while both Zebo and Jamie Roberts expect a better performance, they haven’t disguised their surprise with what is going on with the Welsh in the Pivac era.
Appearing on the latest episode of RugbyPass Offload, ex-Irish back Zebo said about Wales: “Ireland are probably performing a little bit better, although they weren’t great against France. The improvements Ireland need to make wouldn’t be as great as the Welsh.
Cracking episode of RugbyPass Offload with Ryan, Jamie and Zeebs joining Christina on this week's episode.
iTunes – https://t.co/Q6a38CJbIB
Spotify – https://t.co/4vFwOUT5geTunnelgate, Autumn Nations Cup preview, Munster v Ryan, beating England and lots lots more ? #RPOffload pic.twitter.com/Rwo99GOEDW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 11, 2020
“I don’t think they [Wales] are playing very well,” continued Zebo. “They seem to be quite lateral. They don’t seem to be playing with the physicality in defence as they used to under Shaun Edwards. It just doesn’t seem like the typical Welsh team.
“There is no fear I’d imagine of playing them like there would have playing them in the past and you see their recent results, the form and confidence are probably a little bit down, but I’d expect them to put in a big performance.
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“Playing in Dublin with no fans will be an unbelievable opportunity for them to get back to winning. I’d imagine they would be confident after Ireland’s performance against France but I’d still fancy Ireland to win. They will have a bit too much. Wales are still trying to find their new identity under Pivac.”
Ex-Wales midfielder Roberts added: “We are going to see a reaction from Wales. I don’t think many people will back them. The players will be hurting. There has been a change this week in the coaching set-up and the players will be desperate to go and put a performance in for the jersey.
“They were poor against Scotland. Do I think they can beat Ireland in Dublin? Yes. They have got to be at the top of their game, but I think we will see a big reaction from them.
“I was quite surprised they released Byron,” continued Roberts, referencing last Sunday’s coaching upheaval. “You make those appointments with a long-term plan in the back of your head and for them to cut ties with him after just one season in charge is quite a bold move.
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“I guess there is that acceptance from the Welsh public that they are going through a bit of a transition period. Not that the Test arena is forgiving in that way. People demand results straightaway and any change you expect to get up to pace quickly.
“I’m really surprised to see he has lost his job. I thought they would back him at least until the end of this season but defence is not going in the right direction. They are conceding far too many points and someone has to take the brunt of that. That is usually the defence coach.”
Zeebs will be watching on from Paris when the Kiwi makes his Ireland debut on Friday night https://t.co/uywc7ZPTjc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 11, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments