North double gets much-changed Wales back to winning ways
George North scored two tries as a much-changed Wales side returned to winning ways with a 38-14 bonus-point victory over Italy at the Principality Stadium to move up to second in the Six Nations standings on Sunday.
Warren Gatland made 10 alterations for the visit of winless Italy after back-to-back defeats to England and champions Ireland, and North’s display helped ensure Wales avoided a third straight loss – which would have been the first time they had suffered that fate in the competition since 2006.
Hadleigh Parkes, one of the five players to retain their place after the 37-27 reverse in Dublin, and North capitalised on a pair of mistakes from Italy, who were otherwise impressive in the opening period, to give the hosts a 14-0 lead
Matteo Minozzi tricked his way through on the left wing to reduce the deficit, but Conor O’Shea’s side failed to make further inroads despite possessing a man advantage for close to 20 second-half minutes following yellow cards for Liam Williams and Gareth Davies.
Cory Hill crossed while Wales, captained by Taulupe Faletau in his first appearance since December, were reduced to 14 men, before North and Justin Tipuric secured a victory that puts them in pole position to finish as runners-up.
There was a late consolation for Italy when Mattia Bellini got their second try with four minutes left, but a 16th successive Six Nations defeat puts them one away from matching France’s record for consecutive losses.
.@George_North’s try #️⃣1️⃣6️⃣ in this competition puts him joint-third in tries scored for his country in Rugby’s Greatest Championship. #WALvITA pic.twitter.com/zU1di2tLPz
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 11, 2018
It took just four minutes for Wales to get off the mark as Parkes bounced off a poor tackle from Tommaso Castello, who consequently went off for a head injury assessment, to dot down behind the posts.
Gatland’s side made it two in quick succession when Owen Watkin intercepted a blind pass from Maxime Mbanda – who was soon replaced by Giovanni Licata – inside his own half and surged away to set up North.
However, Italy, who looked composed in possession despite their early errors, hit back in the 10th minute when Minozzi showed delightful footwork to step around Williams and stretch beyond Steff Evans in the corner.
Grande meta di Minozzi!
Segui la partita in diretta sul nostro Matchcentre – https://t.co/Eax65G0NRV #NatWest6Nations #WALvITAhttps://t.co/Mp4k31PTiE
— Guinness Sei Nazioni (@SeiNazioniRugby) March 11, 2018
The tempo inevitably slowed and Davies had a score ruled out for latching onto Evans’ chip from an offside position, before a break in play following Faletau’s huge hit on Tommaso Allan.
Gareth Anscombe split the posts from the tee after Allan sent a penalty wide, but Williams was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Minozzi on the stroke of half-time.
Hill powered over from close range despite Wales’ numerical disadvantage in the 43rd minute, and the hosts were temporarily reduced to 13 when Davies saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on.
Leigh Halfpenny came on at full-back in place of Williams and, after Wales restored to their full complement amid wholesale replacements, North dived across the whitewash from Rhys Patchell’s offload with 14 minutes remaining.
Tipuric finished from Parkes’ looping pass in a late flourish from the hosts, but it was Italy who had the final say four minutes from time when they spread the play to Bellini to score in the left corner.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI 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.
5 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.
5 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
12 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?
45 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.
12 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
12 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.
12 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 comments