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Wales are being savaged following record loss to Scotland
Warren Gatland’s Wales are being savaged after they suffered a record 35-7 loss to Scotland, one which had stood for 140 years of fixtures between the countries.
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It meant Wales have now suffered successive defeats at the start of a Six Nations campaign for the first time since 2007.
Captain Ken Owens said: “We had a really good first-half performance and were perhaps a bit unlucky not to go in slightly ahead at half-time. In the second half we put pressure on ourselves and they punished us. When you are winning and you have got momentum, it is hard to lose, and there is a flip side to that.
“It is early days with a new coaching staff and some new players coming in. We need to work hard and we have got to find a win. We believe in what we are trying to achieve.”
It may be early days for the Gatland regime but it’s been two and half years of poor results for 2020 Guinness Six Nations champions.
They weren’t spared online.
Renowned rugby writer Peter Jackson asked whether Wales would win a match the entire tournament. “Wales have won as many Six Nations’ Grand Slams as England, Ireland and Scotland put together. Therefore the question with 3 matches left sounds almost like sacrilege: Are they going to win one?”
Wales have won as many Six Nations' Grand Slams as England, Ireland and Scotland put together. Therefore the question with 3 matches left sounds almost like sacrilege: Are they going to win one?
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) February 11, 2023
Welsh rugby Youtuber Squidge went as far as suggesting Rugby World Cup minnows would be fancying their chances against Warren Gatland’s men. “Portugal must be licking their lips watching Wales.”
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Portugal must be licking their lips watching Wales.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) February 11, 2023
Welsh rugby Tweeter James Phillips surmised that the wooden spoon might be the trophy that Wales are in the hunt for. “Wales looking every bit like wooden spoon contenders. A reflection of where Welsh rugby is at present.”
Wales looking every bit like wooden spoon contenders. A reflection of where Welsh rugby is at present. #SCOvWAL
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) February 11, 2023
Commentator and writer Sam Roberts mischievously pondered if the men in red could even manage win the mythical trophy for finishing last. “Kinghorn to Van Der Merwe works as well as Van Der Merwe to Kinghorn. Russell on point again. Wales will do well to win the wooden spoon at this rate.”
Kinghorn to Van Der Merwe works as well as Van Der Merwe to Kinghorn. Russell on point again.
Wales will do well to win the wooden spoon at this rate.
— Sam Roberts (@SamRobertsComms) February 11, 2023
PA journalist Andrew Baldock also suggested it now a ‘strong possibility’. “Scotland very good. Wales’ attacking game worse than abysmal. Huge fortnight for Gatland and his players. Wooden spoon a strong possibility on today’s evidence.”
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Scotland very good. Wales’ attacking game worse than abysmal. Huge fortnight for Gatland and his players. Wooden spoon a strong possibility on today’s evidence.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) February 11, 2023
ITV Wales journalist Matthew Southcombe likened it to be at the bottom of a very steep mountain. “Four defeats in a row for Wales now. The manner of the defeats are deeply concerning. Scotland in total control from start to finish. 6N is now a write-off for Wales but how does Gatland sort this out before the World Cup? They are at the foot of an extremely high mountain.”
Four defeats in a row for Wales now.
The manner of the defeats are deeply concerning. Scotland in total control from start to finish.
6N is now a write-off for Wales but how does Gatland sort this out before the World Cup?
They are at the foot of an extremely high mountain.
— Matthew Southcombe (@MattSouth7) February 11, 2023
Talismanic flyhalf Dan Biggar was also on chopping block, failing to perform after stirring the pot with sharp comments around Scotland pre-game.
The Rugby Scribbler caught the mood writing: “I really rate (and usually like) Dan Biggar. But after this week, I’m glad Scotland absolutely hammered him. Don’t dish that level of s*** if you’re not up to it.”
I really rate (and usually like) Dan Biggar. But after this week, I'm glad Scotland absolutely hammered him. Don't dish that level of shit if you're not up to it.
Same thing people have readily criticised Scotland for, for years. Touché.
— The Rugby Scribbler ? (@RugbyScribbler) February 11, 2023
The clock is ticking for Gatland, Biggar and Wales, who desperately need to find some form before the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.
additional reporting PA
Comments on RugbyPass
A 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?
11 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
24 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
4 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 commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments