Wales player ratings vs Ireland | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
Even Welsh fans must admit that a defeat, and a comfortable one at that, was the most likely outcome at the Aviva. But the result won’t be the reason those supporters will wake up tomorrow with a frown on their face.
This was a largely toothless show. An inept performance that spluttered along without ever threatening to go anywhere. Of course that is largely down to Ireland’s might – both through the phases and in the set-piece – but there just seemed to be a lack of intensity, a lack of class, a lack of zest from too many in red. Some decent scramble defence in the first half meant this wasn’t the blowout it might have been but that will be small consolation.
15 – Cameron Winnett – 5
Solid when asked to tackle, he also showed some quality when rising high to win the ball in the air. Ran from deep on the few occasions he was offered some space. He certainly looks the part at this level.
14 – Josh Adams – 3
Scrambled on defence and offered a release with a big right boot. His leading role in the blitz defence meant he missed as many tackles as he made. Replaced by Mason Grady on 57 minutes.
13 – George North – 6
Robust in the tackle, his size in midfield was noticeable. Just as it was against England two weeks ago, he looked like the only Welsh back with enough grunt on the charge to punch a hole in the opposition’s defence.
12 – Nick Tompkins – 2
Just not enough power when it mattered. Kept getting battered by Bundee Aki and, with ball in hand, made life difficult for North on his outside. Started well with some swift scrambling defence, but as the game went on he faded. Every time Ireland charged towards his channel they seemed to breeze through it.
11 – Rio Dyer – 3
It might seem like a tough score given he barely did anything wrong. One smart run off his wing and against the grain late in the first half offered a short pop-pass from Sam Costelow’s shoulder, but that was about it.
10 – Sam Costelow – 3
It wasn’t as bad as the horror show against Scotland in the opening round, but it wasn’t exactly a spellbinding performance. To be fair to him he was playing off the back foot for most of the game, but an inability to provide sparks from the darkness is a sign of a world class 10. Sadly, Costelow has yet to show any of that and couldn’t make up for this absence with a dominant kicking game. Lasted until the 7rd minute before being replaced by Ioan Lloyd.
9 – Tomos Williams – 3.5
Very few scrum-halves in history can impact a game behind a back-peddling pack. Williams has played well – and scored well in our ratings – in the previous two matches. This one against the would-be champions was always going to bring his average down. Made way for Kieran Hardy with 13 minutes left to play.
1 – Gareth Thomas – 4
Some crunching tackles – particularly a mighty hit on Joe McCarthy that led to a turnover in the first half – but was part of a front-row that lost the scrum battle. Most of the damage was felt at the opposite side, but the more experienced prop couldn’t turn the tide. Hooked on 62 minutes for Corey Domachowski.
2 – Elliot Dee – 6
All things considered, this was a commendable performance from the Welsh hooker. He hit his jumpers when needed and showed bravery and accuracy going to the back of the line as well. When Wales had a rare opportunity to set a maul five metres out from Ireland’s line, Dee found his man and joined the shove that ended with a penalty try. Additional aggression around the breakdown and 11 tackles meant he comes out of this one-sided loss in the green. Subbed for Ryan Elias on 62 minutes.
3 – Keiron Assiratti – 3
Eaten in the scrum by the Ireland’s monstrous front row. It’s a tough ask going against one of the best packs in the world, especially one fronted up by Tagh Furlong and Andrew Porter, but on this occasion, Assiratti couldn’t stand up. Switched for Dillon Lewis on 52 minutes.
4 – Dafydd Jenkins – 4
Yet again lacked that necessary torque in the close exchanges. Tried to exert himself but an infuriating penalty – for hurling himself off his feet and into a ruck – late in the first half summed up his performance. Wales had finally strung a few phases together but their skipper let them down. A young captain, he needs statement performance soon.
5 – Adam Beard – 5
Won important line-out on Ireland’s line that got the maul going and resulted in a penalty try. Did his best to match the heft of Ireland’s second-rowers and held his own. Replaced by Will Rowlands on 55 minutes.
6 – Alex Mann – 6
Continues to impress at Test level. Made a dozen tackles and was tenacious at the breakdown either side of the ball. Could have benefited from a more dominant tight five. Made was for the debutant Mackenzie Martin on 55 minutes.
7 – Tommy Reffell – 6.5
Made a trademark steal on the turf inside the opening quarter of the match which won his team a penalty but was guilty at the subsequent lineout, giving away a soft turnover when he carelessly stepped in too early. That summed up Wales’ game.
8 – Aaron Wainwright – 8
Wales’ best player by a distance. Once again a totem in the line-out but it was in the loose that he really came alive. One play encapsulated his all-round prowess. Running back to clean up a bobbling ball, he juggled once, twice before bringing it under control. A turn of pace, a shift in direction and then he found space to unfurl a kick that landed in open grass. He then led the chase to go retrieve it. Wales have the makings of a formidable back row and Wainwright will be key in this rebuilding project.
16 – Ryan Elias – 5
Seems to have brushed aside the catastrophe that was the first half against Scotland. But didn’t contribute anything of note.
17 – Corey Domachowski – 5.5
Brought much needed stability to Wales’s scrum.
18 – Dillon Lewis – 5.5
Like Domachowski, helped provide parity in his department.
19 – Will Rowlands – 5
Entered the scene with Wales in the ascedency. It didn’t last long, but some rangy runs and effectiveness in the set-piece ensures he leaves Dublin with a positive score.
20 – Mackenzie Martin – 5
Impressive on debut. A few meaty tackles meant he played his part.
21 – Kieran Hardy – 5
Showed some quick feet to wrap around the base of a scrum and threaten Ireland’s blindside. He ran into a corner but it was a rare foray forward for a Welsh back.
22 – Ioan Lloyd – N/A
Only had seven minutes to play.
23 – Mason Grady – 5
Made all four of the tackles he was asked to make. Never saw the ball, though that’s not his fault.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments