Five things we learned from Pivac's first game in charge
Wayne Pivac got his stint as Wales coach off to a winning start and matchday captain Justin Tipuric asked Leigh Halfpenny to kick for the posts towards the end of the game, with Wales only seven points in front, suggesting that beginning in such a positive manner mattered to coaches and players.
It might have been an uncapped game against the Barbarians where the opposing coach – understandably – got the lion’s share of the adoration from the crowd, but there were still some key takeaways for Wales fans.
The future is bright
Taking over from Warren Gatland, Wales’ most successful coach of the professional era, after a 12-year reign, might be seen as the proverbial poisoned chalice for Pivac.
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After all, expectations of fans are now much higher, both in terms of performances and results. But there was more than enough on show here to reassure Wales’ fans that their expectations might be met, with Pivac’s new charges working to stretch their opponent’s defence at every opportunity.
More than that, this team demonstrated how successful the previous regime was at establishing depth. Wales’ injury problems haven’t got much better, with Jonathan Davies, new man Willis Halaholo, and Rhys Patchell all being added to the long-term injury list in recent weeks. But Jarrod Evans gave a better account of himself at flyhalf than the last time he wore a Wales jersey, Tomos Williams looked like a starting scrumhalf, Aaron Wainwright suggested he has a future at an international standard No8 as well as a blindside, and Ollie Griffiths stepped up when Aaron Shingler went off injured. There is plenty for Pivac to work with.
Backs, meet the new forwards
It was a feature of Pivac’s Scarlets side that the forwards looked more than comfortable on the ball and, while Wales have been improving in that area for some time, this was a statement about the role the forwards will play going forward.
Wyn Jones’ gorgeous pass to set up Josh Adams’ second try will have opened the eyes of those who thought he was only selected for his scrummaging, while Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, and Wainwright all regularly appeared in the wide channels, with Owens picking up his second try from there.
Of course, Alun-Wyn Jones has spent more time out wide of late, Cory Hill has soft hands, and, although, Jake Ball’s efforts have been heavily focused on the grunt work lately, anyone who has seen him in Scarlets colours will know he can make the final pass with the best of them. Add those second rows to the absent Taulupe Faletau, Rob Evans, and James Davies and then factor the work with the forwards it looks like Pivac has already done – it might not be the backs that have the crowd purring under the new regime.
Welsh talent ID in England is nothing new but with a new seam of gifted players plying their trade over the border, the battle to wear red or white shows no signs of letting up
– writes @OwainJTJones https://t.co/RF6PplTb9R
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2019
Josh Adams is the real deal
Speaking of the backs, there was also some talent on display there, led by the irrepressible Adams. Nobody tops the try-scoring charts at a Rugby World Cup without being a pretty handy player but he confirmed again that he is one of the best in the world. His brace here would have seen set a new record for Wales, had the game been capped.
This wasn’t the type of game to show his other strengths, like workrate in defence and ability in the air, but it confirmed that he is probably one of the first names on the team-sheet.
He wasn’t alone in impressing on the wing either, with Johnny McNicholl making an impressive first start for Wales. With serious pace, a fabulous range of passing, and total assuredness in defence, it seems likely we will see much more of McNicholl. Wales have George North and Liam Williams to come back into the squad, as well as the promising talents of Hallam Amos, Ashton Hewitt, and Owen Lane. The back three is looking tidy.
That's likely to be the first of many for Johnny McNichollpic.twitter.com/dmhFovrHGU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 30, 2019
It’s a good thing Wales backrow options to spare
Wales’ depth across the back row is well-known. Even with Taulupe Faletau, Ellis Jenkins, and Josh Navidi injured, Pivac could afford to overlook James Davies and Ross Moriarty, while Dan Lydiate didn’t even get a call-up and Thomas Young was unavailable. That looks to be a good thing because Pivac’s Wales side, just like his previous teams, are going to be reliant on breakdown operators to generate quick ball and effect turnovers.
‘The players are all back next week and I’ll have to start selecting… back row is definitely somewhere we have genuine pressure’
– Dean Ryan tells @OwainJTJones about the welcome selection headaches he faces at unfancied @dragonsrugby https://t.co/3g11Efiux7— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 29, 2019
It was noticeable how much Scarlets struggled in his last season, with most of the flankers injured, to implement their high-speed game. Wales’ impressive existing depth in this area, allied to the emergence of talent like Griffiths, Taine Basham, and Shane Lewis-Hughes, and the appointment of breakdown operator Sam Warburton to the backroom staff means it is considerably less likely to be an issue for Pivac’s Wales team.
Defence could be an area of concern
An uncapped match against the Barbarians is not exactly the time to show off one’s defensive credentials. That said, those who are used to Sean Edwards’ miserly “against” columns might have been a little surprised at the number of tries Wales leaked.
Wayne Pivac has been on a steep learning curve this week with Wales https://t.co/t8jvUWWw61
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 30, 2019
Balancing a free-wheeling, high-scoring attack with a rock-solid defence is the holy grail of rugby and it’s a target Pivac and defence coach Byron Hayward had some success with overseeing the Scarlets. International rugby is a different proposition, however, with far less time in camp and a higher calibre of opposition. It will be interesting to see if Wales can successfully add attacking flair without compromising the defence that was the bedrock of their success for 12 years.
Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments