Wales Turn the Clock Back Early

Wales took on New Zealand in Cardiff in front of a capacity crowd – so far so good. From the moment the Haka challenge was accepted in complete silence, Wales were second best. It really was like turning the clock back as Wales were well and truly humbled by the All Blacks.

As it was in the past, Wales just about managed to hold on to the visitors’ coat tails for an hour or so before the last quarter turned into a nightmare and a 16-54 drubbing. It is a day that most Welsh people will want to forget and it certainly did not set off on the right foot when an All Blacks’ interception try in the first few minutes quietened the crowd. There was precious little for the crowd to cheer from then on. A couple of runs here and there and a try from Jonny Williams gave a few crumbs. The deliberate knock on from Beauden Barrett and the rough treatment of Moriarty did result in some harsh criticism for the referee and New Zealand alike and certainly raised passions in my vicinity. Let’s be fair, Wales were way off the pace.

What went wrong? Just about everything really. The lineout fell apart when it really mattered and the scrum creaked. Too many people took the ball standing still and were duly clattered by a ferocious All Blacks’ defence. Wales rarely ventured into the opposition twenty two and when they did they went sent scurrying back down field after a turnover. Losing Alun Wyn Jones certainly did not help as with his departure the body language of the team seemed to become more and more negative as I watched from the stand.

Was there anything to be cheerful about? I thought Wainright stood out in the forwards in a coming-of-age performance. There were some nice touches from Williams at scrum half, one good run from Lane and Adams tried hard but the back line was always under pressure.

Let us not forget that the All Blacks are a mighty fine team that can be irresistible at times. They are ruthless and poor play by their opponents is almost always punished by a try. Indeed, they scored some marvellous tries in this match. Hearty congratulations to them on their victory and to man of the match Beauden Barrett on his hundredth cap. You have to think, however, that the champions of Europe would give them a better run for their money.

There were mitigating circumstances for Wales with the unavailability of the English based players and a long injury list but would three or four players have made the difference? It is always hard to say but you have to make the best of the cards that you are dealt. Wales were very much at the beginning of the season while the All Blacks were match fit and firing on all cylinders. The Welsh warm up was just in front of where I was sitting and it seemed to lack intensity with the players looking bit heavy legged before they even started the match. Yes, Wales have a lot of work to do I fear.

I have to congratulate the WRU on how easy it was to get in and out of the ground. It was well organised with few delays despite the Covid pass checks and the new electronic ticketing system. It is a bit of a pain having to get in so early and not being able to share a beer or two with your friends in the stadium bars but we all understand the reasons why. Yes, you can have a beer in your seat but then you are subjected to blaring music and Eddie Butler flogging cars while you watch the grass grow. It becomes marginally more interesting when the teams start their warm up routines but two hours or so is a long time. Could we not have some young persons’ rugby on the pitch to watch? Even a couple of dancers from Strictly Come Dancing might help!

We have to do it all again next Saturday and this time it is the Springboks. They are of course reigning World Champions and have just vanquished the Lions as well as beating the All Blacks. They are tough and uncompromising – just what you need with a battered and bruised squad. Wales are likely to be without Alun Wyn Jones and Moriarty at the very least. We have the English based players back and maybe a couple of injured players retuning but it looks an enormous task based on what we saw yesterday. Still hope springs eternal.

Come on Wales!

The best news – it is only two weeks until the first Pooler league game!