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Wales and England played out a weird game of rugby that never really took off as a spectacle, despite moments of brilliance on both sides.
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It was a game both teams clearly wanted to win, but it was ultimately Wales who steadied the ship and are now – technically at least – the best side on the planet.
Here are our Wales player ratings:
15. Leigh Halfpenny
A late change for Liam Williams who pulled up with a tight hamstring. Having not played since last November, it was an understandably rusty turn for a normally safe pair of hands. The Scarlet coughed up a highball from Willie Heinz in the 16th minute, giving England a leg up in the Welsh 22. He spilled the ball again in contact in the 44th minute. A 74th-minute chip and collect and subsequent 50-metre penalty kick saved his blushes.
5.5
TEAM UPDATE: Leigh Halfpenny starts at 15 in place of Liam Williams, who had a slightly tight hamstring during warm-up. Leigh was already warming up as one of 31 players. #WALvENG pic.twitter.com/S4H5Zjdz8Q
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 17, 2019
14. George North
The giant wing is starting to find the form that made him a superstar of the game in his teens. Took his try brilliantly from Dan Biggar’s pin-point kick.
7.5
.@George_North scores the opening try in Cardiff 🔴 George dros y llinell yn erbyn Lloegr am yr ail waith mewn chwe diwrnod. #WALvENG pic.twitter.com/JMZtDLNAVb
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 17, 2019
13. Jonathan Davies
An early turnover for Davies was his first-half highlight in what was overall a pretty quiet game for the Lions centre.
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12. Hadleigh Parkes
Carried solidly and defensively sound, as ever. Helped earn Anthony Watson a card for a deliberate knock-on. Still yet to hit the heights reached at the Six Nations, and question marks remain over the offensive threat he poses at the very highest level.
5.5
11. Josh Adams
Caught out of position in the 9th minute from a kick behind that could have led to a Cokanasiga try. Possibly needs to look for more work in attack. Nine metres from three carries is a pretty poor return for an international winger.
5
10. Dan Biggar
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A vintage performance from Biggar. His quick thinking for the tap penalty in the 32nd minute caught England unaware and moments later followed it with a sensational crossfield kick for George North. Brilliant in the air, as we’ve come to expect. Smashed Itoje not once but twice.
8.5
🏅👀 – Dan Biggar with his eyes on the prize. #WALvENG pic.twitter.com/9tDhEp0EOX
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 17, 2019
9. Gareth Davies
Box kicked well. Looked sore after shipping a knock to his leg in the first half, which he did his best to run off.
7.5
1. Nicky Smith
Getting demolished at the scrum by Dan Cole in the 7th minute won’t have helped his confidence. Went some way to making up for it with a brilliant turnover a few minutes later. Won a scrum penalty off Cole in the 20th minute and got better as the game went on. Carried well.
5.5
2. Ken Owens
After a relatively flat performance in Twickenham last week he’ll be pleased with a more aggressive and productive display in Cardiff.
6.5
Wales’ scrum got better as the game went on and Francis played his part – but it still feels like a real work-on for Gatland and co. The Exeter Chiefs tighthead definitely looks leaner and fitter and got through a great deal more work in the loose than six days earlier.
5
4. Jake Ball
The bearded piano shifter got his turn with a starting spot. Gave away a coach killer penalty in the 55th minute for not rolling away, and made sure everyone could see he was a bit ginger getting up.
6
5. Alun Wyn Jones
Wales’ record cap holder led from the front. Was key to a 48th-minute turnover that effectively evicted England from their try-line. Was in English faces all day long.
7
An industrious afternoon for the backrow – pinching a lineout and maintaining a high nuisance factor before being replaced. Did miss two out of seven tackles. With the injury to James Davies (and Faletau previously) his RWC stock will surely have risen all the same.
7
7. James Davies
Was taken off permanently in the 24th minute with what looked like a head injury. A disappointing end to what looked like a promising afternoon for Cubby Boi.
7.5
Fronted up well. Smashed Billy Vunipola with the aid of Dan Biggar in the 61st minute – a hit he owed his opposite number after Twickenham. Gave away a silly penalty a minute later to give England an easy out in their 22. Carried consistently if not remarkably. Feisty.
7
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee
Came on for Jake Ball and played in the backrow. Hard to rate.
NA
17. Wyn Jones
Scrums got marginally better in the second half but realistically it was a case of survive at all costs at scrum time. It’s a real worry area for Gatland.
18. Dillon Lewis
As above, was part of a Welsh scrum in survival mode. Got around the pitch well and arguably was Wales’ best scrummager.
19. Aaron Shingler
A key part of a crucial 79th-minute turnover. Offers height and size in what isn’t the biggest Welsh backrow stable ever assembled.
20. Josh Navidi
Came on early for James Davies and was everywhere thereafter.
8
21. Aled Davies
Hard to rate with just 20 minutes on the pitch.
22. Jarrod Evans
Not on long enough to rate.
23. Owen Watkin
NA
Comments on RugbyPass
Best thing the Welsh clubs could do is apply to join Gallagher prem surely be more exciting matches for there support than they have now.
2 Go to commentsRugbyPass writers are useless! you guys should get a real job because you all suck at writing about rugby!!!
8 Go to commentslooking forward to RWC2027 …. Boks on mission impossible for the Three-in-a-row, ABs to prove they being on par, France wishing to crown the “DuPont-era”, Ireland knocking on the Semi-Door ….. until then we’ll probably have to deal with Weird Ben’s fantasy-RWC23 (fun fact is, the drivel always creates a flooding of comments) …..
221 Go to commentsBen Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
221 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
21 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
221 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
221 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
65 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
21 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
65 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
8 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
221 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
8 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
8 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
8 Go to comments