1
Wales player ratings: Wayne Pivac’s men faced the ignominy of dropping out of the top 10 in World Rugby’s ranking if they lost to Fiji.
ADVERTISEMENT
The two teams, who will be in the same Rugby World Cup pool again in 2023, last met in the pool stages of the RWC in Japan in 2019.
This was a super tight affair, a contest where for large parts Wales failed to put away a 14 and at times 13-man Fiji. The scoreline flattered the men in red greatly, with Fiji no doubt left wondering what if after the early red card.
Wales player ratings:
15 LIAM WILLIAMS – 8.5
Very busy from the get-go, even if he didn’t have to dodge any pitch invaders. A master sweeper, Williams skills were called on again and again and he wasn’t found wanting. Switched into attack mode when needed and was behind many a Welsh counterpunch. His try was well deserved.
14 ALEX CUTHBERT – 7.5
It’s been four years since Cuthbert last played for Wales and his return got off to a shaky start, with a few fumbles. Grew into the game after that, finding holes in the Fiji defence before accelerating into them. Finished his 66th minute try like the Cuthbert of old – a poignant moment.
13 NICK TOMPKINS – 7.5
A late call-up after Josh Adams’ late cry off, he was given a welcome to the game care of a bump off from Fijian bad boy Eroni Sau. A typically busy performance after that, both in defence and attack, a late break setting up Liam Williams to put some shine on the scoreline.
12 JOHNNY WILLIAMS – 6
Another Welshman that felt the full force of a Fijian defender on more than one occasion, including a pretty needless red card shot to the head from Eroni ‘The Sledgehammer’ Sau. A few decent catch and pass contributions after that. Solid.
11 LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT – 8
Didn’t get much by way of anything approximating decent ball in the first half. Very unlucky when being caught in touch in a move that set up a Biggar crossfield kick that he caught and scored. His 73rd minute chip and collect – which was performed at about 10 metres a second – was the sort of box office moment that makes the youngster such a treat to watch.
ADVERTISEMENT
Another day at the office for Louis Rees-Zammit as he looks to have won the game for Wales with a sensational solo effortt 🔥 #AutumnNationsSeries #WALvFJI pic.twitter.com/UFmzoZfo5O
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2021
10 DAN BIGGAR – 5
An infuriatingly mixed performance from Biggar. Caught napping for Fiji’s opening try. Kicked beautifully out of hand one minute, before missing his mark the next. His incessant chat with referee Nic Berry, if anything, seemed to harm as opposed to help Wales’ cause.
9 KIERAN HARDY – 5.5
Some of his box kicks weren’t as accurate as he might have liked and at times in the first half where it felt like Wales weren’t in full control at the base. Showed both his athletic and decision-making abilities to dart in under the posts to punish a 13-man Fiji. His snipping game was on point.
1 RHYS CARRÉ – 7
Some big, timely defensive hits from the loosehead. Scrummed effectively.
2 RYAN ELIAS – 7.5
Was at hand to claim a 5 pointer off a trundling Welsh maul that Fiji’s had no answer. Scored a near-identical try in the 62nd minute. Carried efficiently in narrow channels throughout and his lineout throwing was solid.
ADVERTISEMENT
3 WILLGRIFF JOHN – NA
A late call up for Tomas Francis. Went off for a HIA after just six minutes and didn’t return.
4 WILL ROWLANDS – 6.5
At the coalface eeking out modest metres against a massive Fijian pack. Stayed in the fight.
5 ADAM BEARD – 7.5
Played a pivotal role in securing the ball for Wales’ opening try. His Go0Go Gadget arms are a real nuisance for opposition mauls. Bagged two turnovers, but against that was penalised twice.
Wales pull away from a spirited Fiji to win in Cardiff 🏴 #AutumnNationsSeries #WALvFJI pic.twitter.com/KOyfyLJ9bv
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2021
6 ELLIS JENKINS – 8
Another incredibly street smart performance from Wales’ man of the moment who demonstrated Mensa level rugby IQ across the 80 minutes. Making himself very difficult to drop.
7 THOMAS YOUNG – 6
Showed his abilities as a linkman with Wales’ back division on several occasions. Missed a few too many tackles.
8 TAINE BASHAM – 6
Didn’t quite see the ball carrying that has marked out his Autumn campaign to date, although he was in thick of things in the finals minutes. Conceded two penalties.
REPLACEMENTS – 8
Dillon Lewis had a decent shift bar the odd fumble, while Tomos Williams influence gave more shape to Wales’ at times nebulous attack. Seb Davies continues to impress and Willis Halaholo brought some menace in attack.
Comments on RugbyPass
Will rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
2 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
2 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
2 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
28 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
3 Go to comments