Wales Player Ratings - vs Ireland
Wales secured their third Grand Slam under Warren Gatland with a dominant 25-7 defeat of Ireland at the Principality Stadium.
The hosts took the lead in the second minute as Hadleigh Parkes latched onto an intelligent Gareth Anscombe chip to score the game’s opening try.
It would be the match’s only touch down until deep into time added on, when Jordan Larmour eventually got Ireland off the mark, but in-between man-of-the-match Anscombe kept the scoreboard ticking for the hosts with six penalties.
The party in Cardiff will be long and loud but how did the Six Nations champions rate on the pitch?
Liam Williams – 7
Switched to the right wing after George North was injured. Not a day for the back-three to showcase their attacking talents, but can be happy with his defensive display.
George North – 6
Forced off within 10 minutes due to injury but played a huge part in Hadleigh Parkes’ try. Chased down Gareth Anscombe’s pin-point kick-off to help haul Jacob Stockdale into touch. From the resulting lineout the hosts ultimately scored.
Jonathan Davies – 8
Has been one of Wales’ best performers this Championship as much for what he does without the ball than what he does with it. That was again the case on Saturday amid the downpour in Cardiff. Marshalled the Welsh defensive effort brilliantly and offered a calm presence in the back line – as best highlighted by his 30th-minute clearing kick that unusually found touch to relieve some Irish pressure.
Hadleigh Parkes – 8
Is renowned for his defence more than attack but read Anscombe’s early chip brilliantly to give Wales the perfect start. Has faced questions over his pace but showed good wheels to get back and tackle Stockdale with the Ireland wing pinning his ears back for the try line. A flawless overall performance in defence.
You'll remember where you were on March 16th, 2019 ? #GrandSlam pic.twitter.com/QtV0MSxUNu
— Welsh Rugby Union ? (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 17, 2019
Josh Adams – 7
Guilty of a reckless trip on Keith Earls that allowed Ireland to relieve some early pressure but recovered to put in another impressive performance. Was Wales’ most effective runner, making 25 metres in difficult conditions, including one electric second-half break. Dealt with everything that came his way – including an impromptu first-half clearance kick.
Gareth Anscombe – 9
Showed why he is Wales’ starting fly-half with the first-minute chip that exploited the space left by Rob Kearney behind Ireland’s defensive line and allowed Parkes to score. Moved to fullback shortly afterwards but was sound under the high ball in increasingly difficult conditions. Had the confidence to retain kicking duties after Biggar came on and was perfect from the tee. Deserved man of the match.
Gareth Davies – 7
An ill-advised decision to tackle Bundee Aki while the Ireland centre was on the floor led referee Angus Gardner to overturn a Wales penalty but otherwise this was a solid performance from the scrum-half. Was controlled in difficult conditions and sent a couple of well-judged up-and-unders towards the Irish 22 for Biggar and others to chase.
Rob Evans – 7
Was part of a Wales scrum that got the better of their Irish counterparts, particularly in the first half. Always a willing worker in the loose, provided a carrying option and was effective over the ball.
Ken Owens – 9
Set the tone for an influential performance by hitting Alun Wyn Jones with his first-minute lineout and then carrying deep into the Ireland 22 in the lead-up to Parkes’ try. Carried effectively, tackled hard and ensured that the Welsh lineout stood up to what pressure the visitors were able to exert.
Tomas Francis – 7
The Welsh scrum was dominant in Cardiff, particularly in the first half, and Francis played a major role in that. Forced the penalty that Anscombe converted on the stroke of half-time to give the hosts a 16-point lead. Got through a lot of work in defence.
Adam Beard – 8
Has got the scars to show for what has been a bruising first Six Nations campaign. Was a long, gangly thorn in Ireland’s side whenever they tried to get their lineout drive working and stole one against the throw to set up the move that ended in Anscombe’s second penalty. He was also generally strong in defence.
Alun Wyn Jones – 9
Won his 134th cap but appeared to have the stamina of a man 10 years his junior. Asserted himself from the first minute when he climbed highest to take the lineout that led to Wales’ try. Was a constant presence in the game, making seven carries with ball in hand and an incredible – but not team high – 19 tackles to lead his side to the Grand Slam.
Josh Navidi – 8
Did not have the impact he can with ball in hand, bar one barnstorming first-half run off a lineout move but excelled in the dark arts. Made a team-high 21 tackles and was a huge part of the defensive effort that came within seconds of keeping the visitors scoreless. Gave away a couple of penalties but refused to let the Irish attack settle.
Justin Tipuric – 8
An effective option at the lineout and combined well with Beard to disrupt the visiting set piece. Had little opportunity to show his quality in attack but was strong over the ball and a constant presence at the breakdown. Was also faultless in defence, making all 12 of his attempted tackles.
Ross Moriarty – 7
Given a talking to by Gardner at the breakdown during the first half, but played on the right side of the line during his 71 minutes on the pitch. Marshalled the Welsh scrum expertly from number eight, keeping the ball at his feet when he needed to. Was a willing carrier with ball in hand, although he was caught in possession on a couple of occasions.
Replacements
Elliott Dee – 7
Came on in the final quarter and did little wrong, making tackles in defence and offering a carrying option in attack. Connected with his only lineout throw.
Nicky Smith – 7
Came on with less than half an hour to play in Cardiff as the Welsh scrum began to come under pressure from Ireland. Made 10 in just 27 minutes on the pitch.
Dillon Lewis – 6
Summonsed from the bench alongside Smith and had a similar impact, making nine tackles during his time on the field. His right foot inadvertently diverted the ball away from Cian Healy on the Wales line.
Jake Ball – 6
Played the final nine minutes and did so with his usual commitment and drive.
Aaron Wainwright – 6
Replaced Moriarty for the final nine minutes and according to the official stats made 12 tackles in that time. A ridiculous effort.
Aled Davies – 6
Came on for Gareth Davies with around 23 minutes to go. Put in one excellent clearance kick, shanked one up and under but overall played well.
Dan Biggar – 8
Came on much earlier than he would have expected but was involved in the action almost immediately. Strong in defence, he provided a calm influence on the backline and dovetailed well with Anscombe, sharing duties at first receiver. Is almost certainly the best kick-chasing fly-half to ever play the game.
Owen Watkin – 6
Three tackles and 10 metres with ball in hand in less than 10 minutes on the pitch.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
6 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
8 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
8 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments