Wales player ratings vs South Africa - RWC SF
It was as unrelentingly physical and kick-dominated as we knew it would be. Wales held up well in the scrum and the lineout but, in the end, were worn down by the Springboks and couldn’t make it a fairytale finale for Warren Gatland.
Despite being wrecked by injuries, Wales put out a strong team that pushed South Africa all the way. More injuries during the game, however, meant it was just a bridge too far.
We rate the full squad below. A number of exciting young players mean the future is full of hope for Wales, even if the present is disappointing.
15. Leigh Halfpenny – 7
As steady as ever under the high ball and kicked his goal under huge pressure. A classy player but the feeling remains that Liam Williams would have offered more in attack.
14. George North – 7
Looked determined not to let the game go by without making an impact and got involved as much as possible, even chasing down a kick when he had already pulled up injured. Had to go off just before half-time.
13. Jonathan Davies – 8
Restored to the starting line-up and showed what was missing. Crucial in attack and defence and brought Josh Adams into the game a bit more, including the assist for his try.
12. Hadleigh Parkes – 6
A couple of important interventions but didn’t look fit and couldn’t make the impact he needed.
11. Josh Adams – 7
Showed again why he is so highly rated in the Wales camp, putting in a defensive shift and scoring his side’s only try. Helped by the return of Jon Davies inside him.
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10. Dan Biggar – 6
His goal-kicking kept Wales in it but his kicks from hand weren’t as effective as they needed to be. Wales looked better when Patchell came on.
9. Gareth Davies – 5
Not his best game. Outshone by his opposite number, whose box-kicking was far superior.
1. Wyn Jones – 7
Part of a Welsh scrum that held up well. The set-piece is rarely a strength for Wales but he prevented it being too much of a weakness.
2. Ken Owens – 7
The lineout was better again, despite the quality of the opposition, but it wasn’t enough. Stayed on the field for more than 70 minutes and fought every second.
3. Tomas Francis – 6
Had to go off after 35 minutes but had been part of a big defensive effort before that and held up the Welsh scrum.
4. Jake Ball – 7
Looked up for the fight, at times literally, and brought some much-needed physicality to Wales’ efforts.
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (capt) – 9
Not all sports icons get to go out the way they deserve. Jones may yet carry on playing but it is a shame we will not see him in the final. As always, he was immense here.
6. Aaron Wainwright – 7
Emptied the tank but didn’t have quite the success he had previously. A huge talent for the future.
7. Justin Tipuric – 7
Gave it everything he had. A little unlucky to give away one penalty at the breakdown, perhaps, but missed his back row partner Josh Navidi badly.
8. Ross Moriarty – 6
Had big shoes to fill given the contribution Josh Navidi had made and kept his discipline, which was always going to be the concern. Couldn’t make quite the impact that was needed.
Replacements
Elliot Dee – 6
Limited time to make an impact and not really his job. A promising player, however.
Rhys Carré – 7
What a talent he looks to be. With him and Wyn Jones as options at loosehead, and a fit-again Rob Evans waiting, Wales might have a scrum they can use as a weapon again.
Dillon Lewis – 7
Came on earlier than expected but kept up the work in the scrum. Another bright hope for the future.
Adam Beard – 6
This experience will have been hugely valuable for him. Couldn’t quite combat the strength of South Africa’s bench.
Aaron Shingler – 5
Back in his bench role but this time covering the back row. A good player but not quite enough for a semi-final.
Tomos Williams – 7
Came on earlier than usual and made an impact. Surely the future starting scrumhalf.
Rhys Patchell – 7
Drop goal effort was a bit ambitious but Wales looked far better once he came on. It seemed a little odd that he didn’t come on sooner, when North went off, to provide some spark but the physicality of Watkin was preferred.
Owen Watkin – 5
Wouldn’t have expected to come on just before half time on the wing rather than in the centre. Didn’t let anyone down but didn’t have the spark that was needed.
Comments on RugbyPass
Great comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
1 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
1 Go to commentsAt this point I can’t watch him without thinking he’s a dirty slimebag. He should have been banned for the same amount of time that Quinn was out. It took Tupaea near on a fricking year to get fit enough to play again and his leg will never be the same. The other crap thing is that he was at ABs level and now he has to claw his way back there when he could have had several games under his belt.
4 Go to commentsThe Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
4 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
4 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
13 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
13 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
13 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
4 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
4 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
4 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to comments