Wales player ratings vs England - Autumn Nations Cup
Wales player ratings: Never had Wales been such heavy underdogs going into a home game against bitter rivals England, and the question was how would they react to the scale of the defensive edifice facing them at the Parc Y Scarlets.
Many expected a hammering, but Wales were in this game for much of it and you fancy Wayne Pivac will secretly be very happy with what was a gutsy performance. Here’s our Wales player ratings:
1. WYN JONES – 5.5/10
He has been Wales’ form prop this Autumn, but first blood went to Kyle Sinckler who won an early penalty off the Scarlet for collapsing. Very busy around the park, popping up everywhere, but the scrum is still a concern for Wales.
2. RYAN ELIAS – 5.5
Strong and aggressive on both sides of the ball, and was one of Wales’ better forwards this evening. He rarely lost a collision. But then there’s the lineout throwing, which is letting him down (Wales boast a risible 74 per cent success rate across the Autumn Nations Cup).
3. SAMSON LEE – 4
Struggled in the battle to contain England’s scrum, although Poite’s decision making creaked as much as the setpiece at times. Got the shepherd’s crook just after halftime.
4. JAKE BALL – 5
It was a chance for Ball to make a case for Wales’ heavily contested number four jersey, albeit against a team he has only beaten once in seven Wales’ outings. A solid shift but nothing that will elevate his place in Wales’ engine-room depth charts.
5. ALUN WYN JONES – 6.5
His constant gamesmanship got under England’s skin, with Maro Itoje notably having a relatively quiet night after a massive showing against Ireland. The Lions captaincy race isn’t over yet.
6. SHANE LEWIS-HUGHES – 6
Did well to hold up Billy Vunipola in the 50th minute, albeit only delaying an inevitable England try at the hands of Mako moments later. Was part of a Welsh pack that was more concerned with containing Englishmen as opposed to imposing their own will on the game. Replaced by Aaron Wainright.
7. JAMES BOTHAM – 7
You imagine Botham must be desperate to set out from the shadow of his famous grandad and stake his own name in a very different sport. Playing on the openside, Botham didn’t take a backward step and tackled everything that moved.
8. TAULUPE FALETAU – 7.5
The Lions No.8 was on form. Effective carrying and was used to truck back ball from deep with interest.
9. LLOYD WILLIAMS – 5
His first start for four years. Caught napping at the base of a ruck, ceding possession to the quick thinking English pack. Not a great audition for the jersey.
PLAYER RATINGS
How @alexshawsport ??? rated the England players' performances #WALvENG https://t.co/HK6dKefEp5
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10. DAN BIGGAR – 7
Showed a cool head to charge down and set up Johnny Williams for his 11th-minute try. His kicking from hand impressed, even if he did get caught out by England’s line speed more than once.
11. JOSH ADAMS – 5
One of the few Welsh players in form coming into this encounter, he settled his nerves early with a well-taken overhead catch for a mark. A relatively quiet evening, as like fellow winger Rees-Zammit, he rarely gets any decent ball in this Welsh set-up.
12. JOHNNY WILLIAMS – 7
A beautiful touch to set up his first try for Wales. Wiliams already looks like a long-term contender for the Wales 12 jersey and it’s only his second cap. Owen Watkins will be sweating.
13. NICK TOMPKINS – 6
An eager beaver who’s always looking to make something happen. He and Williams look like a solid pairing.
14. LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT – 6
Barely touched the ball all night, but when he did be was electric. Looked very comfortable defending Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson respectively. Still waiting for Wales to get him some ball in space.
15. LEIGH HALFPENNY – 5
He’s clearly not the man claiming high balls that he once was. Still looks composed with ball in hand and when booting Wales out of trouble, even though he’s doesn’t offer a meaningful threat in attack.
REPLACEMENTS:
18. TOMAS FRANCIS – 6
Scrum looked marginally better with Francis on, although the England eight generally had the whip hand.
20. AARON WAINWRIGHT – 6.5
Will have been p***ed off not to have started this one after an impressive outing against Georgia. Brought value.
21. RHYS WEBB – 6
Wales looked better with Webb running the show. He may be 31, but you fancy he might well make France 2023 at this rate.
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