Pooler March On While Wales Stutter

So it is ten out of ten for Pontypool after they gave the students of Cardiff Met a master class in rugby. While Pooler were extending their winning run with a comfortable 68-5 victory though, I was heading down to Cardiff to watch Wales take on Argentina at the Principality Stadium. Knowing what I know now, I think I would have been far better off at Pontypool Park.

The Wales game was a pretty tame affair with the stadium having rows and rows of empty seats. There were few thrills and plenty of spills as both sides failed to convince. Yes, it was close but it was hardly gripping stuff. Wales had plenty of possession and territory but their attacks lacked the killer punch and all too quickly seemed to run out of ideas. The return of several key players did make an improvement compared with the misery of last week. Liam Williams added much needed sparkle and determination and Wyn Jones some steel but even they couldn’t lift a lethargic Welsh team.

In the end Wales ran out 24-20 winners but were holding on at the end. It was a victory against Southern Hemisphere opposition but Argentina were a shadow of the team that performed so admirably in the RWC. Strangely, Howley didn’t see the need to use the resources he had on the bench to try and ignite Wales. The only replacements came in the front row and really because of injury rather than for tactical reasons. All in all, lunch apart, it was a pretty unfulfilling experience.

When you see how the other home nations are performing, Wales look out of sorts and off the pace. I am not sure why this is but they really do need to use the remaining two games in the Autumn Series to put things right. If they don’t, I shudder to think what resurgent England will do to them.

Pontypool have not got a game next week and take on Glamorgan Wanderers the following week. Another clash of fixtures means I will be in Cardiff watching Wales take on South Africa. I will need to look at the logistics to see if I can manage a double header and sufficient libation.

Well done Pooler.