Wales player ratings vs Ireland
Wales wrapped up their Rugby World Cup preparations on Saturday afternoon in Dublin, as they fell to a 19-10 defeat to Ireland.
It was not the farewell that Warren Gatland would have wanted for his side, although there were positives in isolation from the defeat, even with Ireland having controlled the game for the majority of the contest.
We have run the rule over all 23 of Wales’ players from today’s test at the Aviva Stadium.
- Leigh Halfpenny – 6
A mixed bag for Halfpenny, who had one notable spill on the high ball, although he was safe when otherwise tested. Provided an alternative first receiver option when Wales split their back line, but couldn’t provide too much attacking influence in a disjointed attacking game from his side.
- George North – 5.5
Very few opportunities to get his hands on the ball, as Wales were limited to playing a tight game. Appeared in midfield once or twice in the second half, looking for work, although games where he plays a more integral role will come over the next two months.
- Jonathan Davies – 5
A poor performance by Davies’ usual standards. He was burnt on the outside for Rob Kearney’s try and fell off a couple of tackles you would expect him to make. Couldn’t quite link the midfield with the threats on the outside, although was able to win a valuable turnover by holding up an Irish carrier just before half time.
- Hadleigh Parkes – 7
The inside centre ran an almost undefendable line back against the grain for his first half try. Few other chances to affect the game in attack, although he was solid defensively throughout.
https://twitter.com/C4Sport/status/1170331080915767297?s=20
- Josh Adams – 5.5
Similar to North, there was little work for Adams on the left wing. He went searching in the midfield, too, although Ireland’s defence offered little space for him to prosper in.
- Rhys Patchell – 4.5
A frustrating performance from Patchell, who left the field after 23 minutes to have an HIA and was permanently replaced. He was lucky not to be intercepted with an early looped and telegraphed pass and he was on the wrong end of a couple of powerful Irish carries.
- Tomos Williams – 5.5
No glaring errors from Williams, although he couldn’t quite manufacture the holes around the fringes that Gareth Davies regularly does. He did have a tendency to over-kick his chasing wings, though, with Ireland able to take the ball without competition.
- Wyn Jones – 7.5
A very encouraging showing with Rob Evans not making Gatland’s 31-man squad. Jones was solid initially versus Tadhg Furlong, before putting a bit of a squeeze on the Irish tighthead on a couple of occasions. Contributed strongly at the breakdown, too.
- Elliot Dee – 7.5
The hooker was one of the better players on the pitch in Dublin, not only proving to be an effective and eager ball-carrier, but also connecting on all seven of his lineouts, showing particular chemistry with Justin Tipuric.
- Tomas Francis – 7
Francis matched the set-piece foundation that Jones gave Wales, although wasn’t quite able to turn the screw in the same way the loosehead was able to. Got through plenty of work in defence, including leading the Welsh kick chase on multiple occasions.
- Jake Ball – 6
Along with Dee and Ross Moriarty, Ball picked up some of the slack close to the ruck as a ball-carrier. Helped give Wales physical parity up front.
- Alun Wyn Jones – 6.5
The Welsh skipper managed to put the Irish lineout under pressure early, as well as being a reliable target for his side. His fringe defensive was physical, too, although he’ll have games where he’s more influential to Wales’ cause.
- Aaron Wainwright – 7
The flanker impressed with his physicality and effectiveness in the defensive line. He was able to rip the ball in contact on one occasion and was consistently holding up Irish carriers and slowing down their ball.
- Justin Tipuric – 6.5
Tipuric was the go-to man for Wales early at the lineout and was also able to get his hands to one of Ireland’s throws. He popped up in the wide channels as a ball-carrier, although he was unable to have his usual success in the midfield or as a jackal at the breakdown for the majority of the game.
- Ross Moriarty – 6
Moriarty got through some of the unglamorous work close to the ruck, although he couldn’t quite inject the explosive carrying that Taulupe Faletau offers or that Tipuric can generate in the wider channels.
Replacements
- Ken Owens – 6
Carried on from where Dee left off, connecting with his one lineout and showing some nice hands in the loose. Wales were starved of possession and territory, limiting how much Owens could add in attack.
- Nicky Smith – 6
Smith did draw a penalty out of Andrew Porter at the scrum, although he couldn’t match the stability that Jones had given the unit.
- Dillon Lewis – 5.5
Like Smith, couldn’t quite match the set-piece solidity that the starting group had given Wales, although he wasn’t significantly outmatched.
- Adam Beard – 5
Came on too late to have much of an impact, apart from some solid fringe defence. Took a sacrificial yellow card for team offences.
- Josh Navidi – 5.5
Didn’t provide the carrying impetus that Wales needed from the bench, with Gatland’s side struggling for front-foot ball in the second half.
- Gareth Davies – 6
The scrum-half provided some immediate momentum from the bench.
https://twitter.com/C4Sport/status/1170332909913296896?s=20
- Dan Biggar – 6.5
Almost the perfect introduction, as he read Jonathan Sexton’s pass for intercept and ran 60m, only to be held up over the try line. He was safe under the high ball when tested and a solid tackler in the 10 channel, too.
- Liam Williams – 6
Looked lively and keen for work after his introduction.
Watch: Warren Gatland is confidence Wales can win the Rugby World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
A Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
103 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
5 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
5 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
5 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
103 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
103 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
103 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
103 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
103 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
103 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
103 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
103 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to comments