Wales player ratings vs France
Throughout this tournament, Wales have backed their defence against broken field brilliance but this felt like a defensive effort too far.
It was, however, just enough, despite France continuing to play well even after receiving a red card for dangerous play from Sébastien Vahaamahina.
We rate the full squad below.
15. Liam Williams – 6
Not his usual flawless self, like so many of his team-mates, but had a few important moments.
(Continue readiung below…)
14. George North – 6
Showed more in defence than attack in this game, with some well-judged tackles.
13. Owen Watkin – 6
The late replacement for Jonathan Davies and the latter’s calm in defence was missed. Lovely tip-on pass in the first half, however, and did his bit.
Massive win for the men in red #WALvFRA pic.twitter.com/J4J0jY9F9b
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 20, 2019
12. Hadleigh Parkes – 7
Tackled well, ran hard and straight, and tried to keep some composure in the chaos around him.
11. Josh Adams – 6
A tough night for the young breakthrough star but he worked hard.
10. Dan Biggar – 7
Made for this sort of game and tackled ferociously. His kicks were crucial.
9. Gareth Davies – 7
His understanding of the offside line, in attack and defence, is essential to Wales’ game. Proved it again here.
Sacre Vahaamahina #WALvFRA #RWC2019 https://t.co/VyV5eHNlcE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 20, 2019
1. Wyn Jones – 6
Not as involved as his fellow front row forwards but didn’t let the side down.
2. Ken Owens – 8
Huge in defence, playing for 75 minutes and making 19 tackles. Lineout was improved too.
3. Tomas Francis – 8
An enormous defensive effort from the tighthead who once struggled with fitness in games like these, making fifteen tackles.
4. Jake Ball – 8
Showed his huge engine yet again, tackling and carrying his guts out. Busy in the maul as well. Good partner to the captain.
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (capt) – 8
Leadership? Tick. Tackling? Tick. Carrying? Tick. Lineout? Tick. Without a doubt, Wales would not have emerged from the chaos of this game without him.
6. Aaron Wainwright – 9
The next Sam Warburton? He looks like he might have too much gas for that comparison. Outstanding game in every aspect. Some player.
7. Justin Tipuric – 8
Another big game. Started with a crucial turnover on his own line minutes into the game and ended with the surge on France’s line that led to Wales’ match-winning try.
8. Josh Navidi – 6
Went off early and was badly missed at the breakdown.
Replacements
Elliot Dee – 6
Didn’t have much chance to make an impact but kept the lineout steady.
Rhys Carré – 7
Showed why Gatland took a chance on him. Huge shove in the scrum at the end.
Dillon Lewis – 5
Didn’t have the impact of his fellow prop, conceding two turnovers.
Adam Beard – 7
Mailing expertise was crucial towards the end.
Ross Moriarty – 6
Unlikely to be relishing his bench role but needs to find a better way to make an impact than instant yellow cards. Better in the second half and got a try.
Tomos Williams – 8
Excellent appearance. His rip from the scrum for the final for the final try was controversial but Peyper was happy with the replays. Extremely savvy in winding the clock down.
Rhys Patchell –
Not called upon.
Leigh Halfpenny –
Not called upon.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments