'The last 2 weeks we got an education in power... there is a huge gulf'
Wales’ hope of winning a Test against the Springboks in South Africa for the first time appears to be fading fast.
This can be deducted from the reaction of Dragons Director of Rugby Dragons Dean Ryan, following his team’s second successive hammering on South African soil.
Ryan pulled no punches in his post-match media briefing, following the Dragons’ disastrous two-match tour of South Africa – which saw them concede 106 points and score just 23, with 20-55 and 3-51 losses to the Bulls and Sharks respectively.
In fact, the Dragons also lost on home soil to the Stormers (10-24).
However, it is not just the Dragons who are struggling to deal with the South African teams’ power game.
Of the 13 United Rugby Championship matches between Welsh and South African teams, only two have gone the way of the Welsh teams – Cardiff edging the Sharks 23-17 at Arms Park and Scarlets beating the Lions 36-13 in Llanelli.
Ryan believes these results – with the South African teams regularly putting 40 and 50 points past the Welsh outfits – show just how tough the three-Test series will be for Wales in July.
The Wales national team has never won a Test against the Boks in South Africa and as it stands none of their regional sides has won in the Republic either.
Ryan said “a number of conversations” will need to happen to solve the issues facing Welsh rugby.
“The Wales challenge is a complex one,” he said, adding: “It is going to require some courage and require some people to lead.”
He added that Wales is facing a “huge issue” and if they keep on ignoring it, Welsh rugby will continue moving closer to sliding down a cliff.
“If we needed a reminder, the last couple of weeks and months have been a stark reminder,” Ryan said. “In the last two weeks we got an education in power,” Ryan told Rugby 365, when asked about the heavy defeats on South African soil.
“The basic of the game is based on power and at the moment there is a huge gulf between ourselves and South African opposition.”
He admitted that because they lost the collision and the set-pieces battles, they simply could not build any pressure on the opposition.
“The last 10 days there has been no a lack of effort, no lack of detail around what we are trying to achieve, but we can’t hold a scrum and that can march us up a field.
“Ultimately, the fatigue levels are enormous, and the error rate is then enormous come the last 20 minutes.”
He added that collectively the Dragons are just not up to the brute power delivered by South African teams.
“It is a reality check for us and it is a reality check for Wales going into the three-Test series in July,” was the frank response from the Dragons boss.
He again touched on the ‘gulf’ that exists between the Welsh teams and their South African counterparts when it comes to power.
“We are getting a good insight into the power at the top end of the game, both at province level and I am sure Wales will find out in July at international level.
“Outside of a few, we don’t have regions stacked with people that can handle that power.”
He said Wales coach Wayne Pivac will have a good look at the regional teams’ performances in South Africa.
“The critical mass of people that can control that power – not one individual – isn’t enough for us across the side.
“The pressure was everywhere today. At scrum, at midfield collision, at breakdown.
“We put some good defensive sets together, we were quite smart when we had chances to try and get on them. Our line-out was good quality too.
“But we cannot hold any pressure when, from the first scrum, we are marched 50 metres up the field from our own ball.”
Reflecting on the two-game South Africa tour, Ryan added: “I’m not unhappy with performances.
“I don’t have a magic wand and all I can ask is that players are at the best of their ability. I think we have been.
“We’ve come together strongly over this two-week period and levels of our performance have been good – but there is a gulf.
“You can’t play little trick plays that hide power.
“I’m not going to pretend that I have something that can solve that.
“There is a gulf between us and the top of the URC and that is a question that I have to answer within the region, with the resources we have got, and Wales has to answer in July.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe 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.
23 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?
13 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 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
6 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 comments