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Wales were unable to pile further misery on an Ireland squad licking their wounds at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, as they fell to a 22-17 defeat on home soil.
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Warren Gatland’s men were profligate in the first of their back-to-back fixtures with Ireland and the Kiwi will be hoping for a much improved display when a likely first-choice side heads to Dublin for the return game next weekend.
Here, RugbyPass runs the rule over a disappointing display for their second-string players in Cardiff.
- Hallam Amos – 6
A responsible outing from Amos, who dealt well with Ireland’s kicking game and a had a couple of forays as a counter-attacker. He will be frustrated by how lateral he got in the transition from Wales’ second half lineout steal, though.
- Owen Lane – 7
Grabbed a much-deserved try in the second half and was Wales’ most effective operator in the back line. He frequently came off his wing at the set-piece and looked for work in the midfield, making an important cover tackle on Jacob Stockdale and showing impressive strength to use the touchline and stay in field in tackles.
https://twitter.com/WelshRugbyUnion/status/1167818230410416130?s=20
- Scott Williams – 6
Williams didn’t provide the overall attacking impetus he would have liked, although his defence was strong and his decision-making prevented Ireland from having a number of breakaways that could have led to tries. Lovely back-handed offload nearly created a try.
- Owen Watkin – 4.5
An early knock-on when he took his eyes off the ball seemed to set the tone. He lost the physical battle with Bundee Aki on a couple of occasions and when he did have success running back against the grain, he ended up being turned over.
- Steff Evans – 5
Evans was quiet by his usual standards. He chased industriously and had a couple of counter-attacks, although the majority of Wales’ positive attacking play came when the ball was moving to the other wing.
- Jarrod Evans – 5.5
A mixed bag from the fly-half, who was accurate with one of his two kicks at goal. He had some nice moments, including a perfectly weighted cross-field kick for Lane, although they were mitigated by lateral play in the back line and a missed kick for touch, not to mention the impact of his replacement.
- Aled Davies – 5
Started off strongly with a measured box kick, although his kicking from hand was less effective as the game went on. He wasn’t able to have the sniping or incisive passing influence he would have wanted.
- Rhys Carre – 6
The debutant had a couple of goes at John Ryan at the scrum and, apart from picking up one penalty, dealt well with the Munsterman. Carre stepped up as a first receiver and was one of Wales’ go-to ball-carriers. A decent 40 before being replaced by Rob Evans.
https://twitter.com/WelshRugbyUnion/status/1167823680300376065?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- Ryan Elias – 5.5
The hooker was busy in the loose, carrying regularly for his side, although first-half lineout errors blighted his game somewhat. He ended up connecting on three of his throws, with the group looking much more coherent in the second half.
- Samson Lee – 5
Lee came under pressure from Dave Kilcoyne at the scrum at the beginning and end of the first half, coughing up two penalties, although he was able to deliver a number of solid set-pieces against the in-form Irishman in between that. Only had the first half, then made way for Leon Brown. Struggled against Andrew Porter when reappearing as a result of a yellow card.
- Adam Beard – 6
The lock wouldn’t have helped his case for partnering Alun Wyn Jones in the engine room with his first half display, as he fumbled a lineout and threw a nothing offload that led to an Ireland turnover. He looked more like his usual self in the second half, though, and was an effective target on the throw and grew into the game as a ball-carrier.
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- Bradley Davies – 5.5
A quiet game for Davies. He was targeted for the only successful lineout – quick throws aside – from Wales in the first half and provided reliable fringe defence without troubling the game offensively.
- Aaron Shingler – 5
A wild offload gifted Stockdale a try in the first half and the flanker struggled to impact the game positively. He grew into the game in the second half with a lineout steal and some strong tackling.
- James Davies – 6.5
One of the more impressive Welsh players on the pitch at the Principality. He latched on for two turnovers at the contact area and was busy helping deliver ball-security for Wales in attack.
- Josh Navidi – 6
Not Navidi’s best game in a Welsh jersey by any stretch of the imagination. His missed tackle on Kilcoyne will be dwelt on, although he did tackle and carry with relatively good effect.
???????? "Rhys Patchell "changed the game massively" @samwarburton_ assesses the No 10's chances of making @WelshRugbyUnion's #RWC squad#C4Rugby #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/AlYO8RYmvg
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) August 31, 2019
Replacements
- Elliot Dee – 6
The lineout worked smoothly with Dee on the field. He came close to a try with a clever blindside break from the maul, although he knocked on as he stretched for the try line.
- Rob Evans – 5
Not the cameo Evans would have wanted, as he knocked on shortly after coming on and was put under significant pressure by Tadhg Furlong at the scrum, including Wales conceding a penalty try following a scrum close their line.
- Leon Brown – 4
Unfortunately for Brown, he summed up Wales’ scrum problems, conceding two penalties and a yellow card at the set-piece after his half-time arrival.
- Jake Ball – 6
Brought some much-needed physicality in the tackle after coming on and was successfully targeted at the lineout. He was lucky that his risky pass in his own half didn’t end up in a try for Ireland, as Aki tackled the recipient in the air.
- Aaron Wainwright – 6
Didn’t have too much influence after arriving, although he did provide Wales with an extra lineout option.
https://twitter.com/WelshRugbyUnion/status/1167826371986501633
- Tomos Williams – 6.5
Williams delivered tempo and precision after replacing Davies and helped spark Wales’ second half resurgence.
- Rhys Patchell – 8
Patchell brought excellent impact, despite spending the first 20 minutes of the second half with Ireland dominating possession. He was composed, played well on the gain-line and organised his back line well. He also tackled strongly on his own try line, kicked big touch-finders and was successful with his two shots at goal.
- Jonah Holmes – 6
Like Evans, it was a quiet outing for Holmes on the left wing, as Wales prospered more moving the ball to the right.
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Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% 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.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 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
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 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,
14 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments