Pivac off to winning start with Wales
Wayne Pivac celebrated his first game in charge of Wales with a 43-33 win over the Barbarians as Warren Gatland’s return to Cardiff ended in defeat. Wales scored six tries but they had to withstand a second-half fightback by the Barbarians who trailed 33-7 at one point.
Gatland was given a hero’s welcome after a 12-year reign in which he led Wales from the doldrums and to top spot in the world rankings. The New Zealander was honoured this week with the creation of “Gatland’s Gate” at the main entrance to the stadium, recognition of a successful tenure which brought four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-final places.
The second of those last-four appearances was just 29 days before this uncapped clash, but Pivac’s determination to put his stamp on Wales produced some interesting selections. Exciting Cardiff Blues outside-half Jarrod Evans – who had missed out on World Cup selection – made only his second appearance with Wales expected to employ more width under Pivac.
Uncapped New Zealand-born Johnny McNicholl came onto the wing after qualifying through the three-year residency rule. McNicholl’s first involvement was some defensive duty, but the Scarlets speedster soon had the ball in hand as both sides upheld the Barbarians’ traditional values of running rugby.
Wales were ahead inside six minutes when Evans slipped a tackle and fed Josh Adams, the World Cup’s try-scorer adding another score to his ledger in the corner with Leigh Halfpenny adding the extras. Evans was pulling the strings with plenty of ball coming his way but Justin Tipuric – captain in the absence of the injured Alun Wyn Jones – had a try disallowed as Aaron Wainwright was offside in the build-up.
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The Barbarians made the most of their good fortune to build some pressure for Scotland’s Josh Strauss to pick up and score and Curwin Bosch levelled matters with the conversion. The friendly nature of the contest was upset by a tip-tackle on Adams and a bust-up off the ball which forced referee Nigel Owens to lay down the law.
That incident sparked Wales into life and Tomos Williams’ quick tap-penalty five minutes before half-time freed Evans to send McNicholl over. Barbarians flanker Marco Van Staden was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball and Wales took advantage as Ken Owens profited from an overthrown lineout and Halfpenny converted for a 19-7 interval lead.
The pre-match formalities in Cardiff before Wales versus the Barbarians didn't earn universal approval https://t.co/4iGQypVapG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 30, 2019
Van Staden was still off the field when Owens claimed his second try to earn a hug from his opposite number Rory Best, the former Ireland captain who was playing his final game of professional rugby. The floodgates were open now and Adams scorched over for his second try after a Williams snipe and impressive pace from prop Wyn Jones.
But the Barbarians responded when Bosch sliced through a gap and Shaun Stevenson accepted a bouncing ball to reduce the gap further. Bosch’s conversion made it 33-19. Every attack looked like ending in a try as the game opened up, Gareth Davies’ effort for Wales quickly cancelled out by his fellow replacement Craig Millar.
The Barbarians continued their remarkable comeback victory when flanker Peter Samu was on the end of more slick work, and Bosch’s kick reduced the gap to seven points. But a late Halfpenny penalty, taking his contribution to 13 points, ensured that the Pivac era would get off to a winning start.
– Press Association
WATCH: Warren Gatland on what he thought it would be like taking on his old team Wales this weekend as Barbarians coach
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe 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. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? 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?
8 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?
3 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 👍
3 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 comments