Wales player ratings vs Italy
Wales player ratings: Wayne Pivac’s first capped game in charge of Wales could not have gone much better, with a bonus point wrapped up and a completely clean sheet.
There will certainly be tougher games for Wales in this tournament but you can only play what’s in front of you and Wales attacked with noticeably more flair, even if not everything they touched turned to gold.
Which players impressed most? We rate the full squad below.
- Leigh Halfpenny – 8
Since his return from his concussion troubles, Halfpenny seems to have refound some of his attacking spark. His assist for Adams’ first try was lovely and it was his quick thinking that helped set up Wales’ fourth. Excellent defensive positioning, as always.
- Johnny McNicholl – 7
Impressed in his uncapped outing against the Barbarians and did so again here. Not the highest level of competition but he looked comfortable with the ball in hand and at his feet.
- George North – 7
A controversial decision at centre, despite the paucity of current alternatives, North grew into the game – although Nick Tompkins stole the show in midfield. There was plenty of promise there towards the end, however. His finish for the disallowed try was a reminder of his threat.
- Hadleigh Parkes – 7
Given the difficulties in the centre, Pivac was always likely to ask his trusted lieutenant to hold the midfield together and he did so well until he went off with that appeared to be an injury after 52 minutes. That will be a worry ahead of Ireland next week.
- Josh Adams – 9
Remarkably appeared to be flying a little under the radar, despite topping the Rugby World Cup try-scoring chart and a year of impressive performances in 2019. He has 10 tries in 8 games after his hat-trick here and surely must be considered one of the best wingers in the world right now.
- Dan Biggar – 9
Anyone who questioned if he could bring his Saints form to Wales got their answer. The flick through the legs pass for Adams’ second try will star in the highlights reels but his all-round game was superb, from the crucial tackle to stop an Italy break to his trademark kicking.
- Tomos Williams – 8
The form scrum half in Wales and the coming man, although there is a high calibre of competition, he put in an action-packed display and was unlucky not to get a try for his efforts. His one handed catch in midfield is likely to see some social media action, though.
- Wyn Jones – 7
His power in the scrum continues to see off his Scarlets teammate and rival, Rob Evans. Here he put in a solid tackle count too and helped give the backs a platform.
- Ken Owens – 7
Pivac’s former Scarlets captain was always going to be in his first team and held a less experienced front row together well. His leadership was palpable, as always.
- Dillon Lewis – 7
A huge job to do in the absence of the injured Tomas Francis and didn’t let anyone down although didn’t quite have the impact of his replacement.
- Jake Ball – 6
A relatively quiet game for the burly forward, except for one clear out in the first half that night catch the citing commissioners eye.
- Alun-Wyn Jones (capt) – 8
Wales were pushing for the bonus point try and, unsurprisingly, it was the captain who quite literally got them over the line, with his powerful latch ensuring North touched the ball down. So indicative of his influence.
- Aaron Wainwright – 7
Part of an all-singing, all-dancing back row that didn’t get to show as much flair as fans might have hoped, as the backs stole the glory. Put in 17 tackles, outstripping both his captain and Tipuric – a rare feat.
- Justin Tipuric – 9
The flanker was always known for his skillful play and wide channel work but in recent years he has been noticeable for the grunt work he does. Another high tackle count here, as well as some significant breakdown work, and another Man of the Match award.
- Taulupe Faletau – 7
He hasn’t started a Six Nations game since 2018 and how Wales fans have missed him, despite their success in the meantime. Went off early after a relatively quiet but assured game and Wales fans will be relieved he appeared unscathed.
Replacements
Ryan Elias – 7
The Scarlets man shows great promise and was reliable again here.
Rob Evans – 7
Surely determined to prove a point after missing out on world cup selection but had to make do with a bench spot here. No mistakes.
Leon Brown – 8
Some powerful carrying and rucking. He is an exciting prospect.
Cory Hill – 7
Got stuck in immediately, showing off both his work rate and handling ability.
Ross Moriarty – 7
Not a bad player to have coming off the bench.
Rhys Webb – 7
There was a touch of the prodigal son returning in the welcome Webb got as he came on, being roared by the crowd. Hasn’t lost his touch.
Jarrod Evans – 7
Didn’t get to show much of what he can do but some interesting flashes. May well get more game time as this tournament goes on.
Nick Tompkins – 9
Looked perfectly comfortable at this level, featuring at both 13 while McNicholl had an HIA and then at 12 when Parkes went off, getting a try and almost setting up another. An excellent snaffle by Pivac.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
61 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
8 Go to comments