Scarlets crush Ospreys to go second
Scarlets secured a record 44-0 win over Ospreys to move into second place in Conference B of the Guinness PRO14.
Two tries each from wings Steffan Evans and Ryan Conbeer along with a further scores from Kieran Hardy and Josh Macleod condemned the Ospreys to their 10th consecutive defeat. Leigh Halfpenny and Angus O’Brien also kicked 14 points between them.
On the same day they announced their signing of Liam Williams, Scarlets made a purposeful start with some terrific interplay between backs and forwards stretching the Ospreys defence allowing Halfpenny to kick them into an early lead. And the visitors were dealt an early blow when Wales centre Scott Williams was forced off the field after taking a bang to the head.
Scarlets claimed the first try after 25 minutes with a well-timed pop pass from O’Brien sending Aaron Shingler clear. The athletic blindside raced into the Ospreys’ 22 before drawing his man to put Evans over with Halfpenny converting.
Brad Mooar’s side were in complete control, with a 40-metre dash from Jake Ball ensuring they stayed on the front foot, allowing Halfpenny to extend their lead with another successful penalty. Scarlets’ transition from defence into attack was extremely effective and a terrific 50-metre break from Hadleigh Parkes cut the Ospreys defence apart.
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A last-gasp ankle tap from James Hook put Parkes to ground but the ball was quickly recycled with a cross-kick from O’Brien finding Conbeer in space. The Wales under-20s wing cut inside two defenders to claim their second try, with Halfpenny’s conversion giving Scarlets a 20-0 lead at the interval.
After 10 sloppy minutes of the second half, Scarlets took control again when Conbeer sliced through the visiting defence. He galloped towards the line but was stopped in his tracks by Luke Morgan. Referee Craig Evans decided to make use of the television match official and Morgan was given a yellow card for a high tackle on Conbeer. The hosts took immediate advantage, with O’Brien sending Conbeer over at the far right-hand corner.
"My boy was playing under-11s rugby and we could barely get nine or ten players to come out and play whereas with football they were scratching two sides together." @ShaneWilliams11 talks regional rugby decline with @heagneyl 👨💼https://t.co/opEhls2mH2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 1, 2019
Scarlets secured the try bonus point on the hour mark with yet another cross-kick from O’Brien taken by Evans, who touched down for his second try. The floodgates opened as O’Brien sent Conbeer clear before replacement scrum-half Hardy crept in at the corner, with Halfpenny converting.
Macleod claimed their sixth try with a great finish at the far left-hand corner courtesy of a neat pass from Ryan Lamb, with O’Brien kicking the conversion from the touchline. Scarlets were forced to defend in the closing stages of the game, with Jake Ball and Werner Kruger being booked after they illegally took down a driving lineout.
– Press Association
WATCH: One of Wales’ biggest characters on and off the pitch, RugbyPass travelled to Brecon to see how life after rugby is treating Andy Powell
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite 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.
10 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.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 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.
10 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.
3 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.
3 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
10 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.
10 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
10 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.
10 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
10 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.
10 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 comments