Wales player ratings vs Scotland | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
Wales player ratings: There’s no other way to say it. This was truly a game of two halves. Wales were dreadful in the first. Arguably their worst 40 minute performance under Warren Gatland throughout his multiple tenures. They couldn’t pass, catch or kick with any authority. They were throwing their toys and coughing up penalties. They should have been buried.
The second half kicked off with a Duhan van der Merwe try that promised a rout. It only set up a grandstand comeback for the ages as Wales, imbued with a spirit that had previously been lacking, rallied for one of the almighty counter punches in the tournament’s history.
These ratings below take into account the dross of the first half as well as the heroics of the second. Scores of two were morphed into sixes. Fours became eights. There really should be two separate reports. Instead you’ll find a contentious set of numbers that are glib encapsulations of a blistering advert for our sport.
15 – Cameron Winnett – 6
Showed spirit on defence but was mostly starved of the ball, even in the second when he provided more pressure on kick-chases and energy with supporting runs. Made a team high 126 metres with ball in hand and didn’t miss any of his four tackle attempts.
14 – Josh Adams – 3
You’d expect a degree of maturity from the second-most capped player in the side. There was none on show when Adams petulantly threw the ball into the crowd to give away a stupid penalty in the first half. If only that was his only blight on his record. Couldn’t get anywhere near a high kick, was turned over twice in the first in the first half and lacked grunt on the rare ball he saw.
13 – Owen Watkins – 4
Was found floundering on defence for much of his fist half. Battled in the carry, failing to punch holes in midfield. Would have benefited from more composure around him but he didn’t do enough to warrant positive score in a sea of rubbish.
12 – Nick Tompkins – 3
One of the poorer performances in red. His first act was to get bounced off the ball by a rampaging Sione Tuipulotu who was everything that Tompkins was not. The Welsh inside centre was guilty on defence when he got sucked down the wrong line for Duhan van der Merwe’s first try and also spilled the ball in contact as Wales were building down the other end. Replaced by Mason Grady on 52 minutes.
11 – Rio Dyer – 7
On the receiving end of an overlap and was clinical with a finish near the touchline to bag a try. But needed to offer more when chasing kicks early doors. Looked dangerous from broken play. Not quite the replacement for “who-Know-Who, but made the loss a little more bearable.
10 – Sam Costelow – 1
Unfortunately, this was a dismal show from the Welsh pivot. A spate of aimless kicks from well behind the gainline not only gifted Scotland with easy ball but denied his chasers any hope of retrieving it. Struggled on defence – missing three tackles in the first half alone – and seemed to lack the appetite for the physical side of the game. Failed onnjuust about every metric.
9 – Gareth Davies – 4
Tidy when asked to clean up in the back field and performed (most) of the basics well, but could not provide any spark. His performance was summed up when he caught a stray Corey Domachowski foot at the back of a ruck to give up an easy turnover. Subbed for Tomos Williams at half-time.
1 – Corey Domachowski – 6
Won a scrum penalty which at least had the potential to turn the tide in the first half. Caught the sharp end of George Turner’s hip when he got his head in the wrong place. One of a few Welsh players who left with his reputation intact at half time.
2 – Ryan Elias – 1
A horror show. Five missed line-out throws – including four in a row – in the first half meant Wales couldn’t get a toe-hold in the match. Made 10 tackles while only missing one, but that is not what’s going to be referenced tomorrow morning. A truly disastrous 40 minutes before he was hooked for Elliot Dee.
3 – Leon Brown – 5
Offered ballast in the front row. Not exemplary, not dreadful. In a chaotic match, some mundanity was welcome. Replaced early in the first half by Keiron Assiratti.
4 – Dafydd Jenkins – 5.5
Should take responsibility for failing to keep his team composed as they capitulated in the first half. Deserves credit for an improved overall show performance in the second. Personally was below par, knocking on in contact and was unable to boss his zone on the pitch. Still, a rousing end to the match will no doubt be used in future team talks.
5 – Adam Beard – 5
Didn’t threaten the highlights reel and was anonymous in the first half. Was always going to contribute more to the game once his team got on the front foot and so he did.
6 – James Botham – 6
Scored a try from the back of a well-worked rolling maul. Offered some grunt around the tight channels with six tackles from as many attempts. Subbed for Teddy Williams immediately after dotting down on 49 minutes.
7 – Tommy Reffell – 8
Wales’ best player in the first half – though in an admittedly shallow pool – he continued into the second. Jackals, tackles and stiff carries. An all-round display that helped reinvigorate his team.
8 – Aaron Wainwright – 8.5
A disastrous first half was eviscerated by a cracking performance in the second. It was hist try – Wales’ third – that caused panic in the Scottish ranks and made the home crowd believe. Barnstorming runs and aggression round the ruck. Where was he for the opening 40 minutes?
16 – Elliot Dee – 7
Found his mark at the line-out to get Wales’ maul rolling for their opening try, so was an immediate upgrade on Elias. Was accurate again for a try later on but missed his jumper at a crucial juncture late the piece.
17 – Kemlsey Mathias – N/A
18 – Keiron Assiratti – 6
Didn’t flinch in the set-piece. Made sure Wales didn’t take a back step as they pressed forward towards an unforgettable finale.
19 – Teddy Williams – 6
Strong carry to help get go-forward for Dyer’s try. Injected much needed heft in the tight five.
20 – Alex Mann – 7
It was his try that really placed Welsh cats amongst Scottish pheasants. But he offered more than just a five pointer with six meaty carries for 22 metres and bruising clearouts.
21 – Tomos Williams – 8.5
His introduction coincided with Wales’ revival. A commanding, conducting performance that almost orchestrated one of the most staggering comeback wins of all time. One wonders what might have been if he’d started.
22 – Ioan Lloyd – 8
Fair play to the lad. Brought on in the first half after Costelow copped a blow to the head and made a permanent replacement in the second, he started off by missing touch with a penalty but followed that up with a buccaneering show, taking the ball to the line and showing spark with some lovely touches.
23 – Mason Grady – 6
Brought on just as Wales were getting through the gears. Provided spark in the midfield but, more crucially, composure on both attack and defence.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy 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!
5 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 …
33 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.
5 Go to comments