The Wales Team Is Losing Its Way

With Pooler not playing, we took a last minute decision to go to Cardiff to watch Wales play Japan. As it happens, so did a lot of other people and the Principality Stadium was almost full. Being a late entrant meant that our seats were high in the Gods at the end that Japan attacked in the first half. It was striking how many kids were there and all sporting their Welsh jerseys too – if there was a time for Wales to win hearts and minds of the younger generation this was it.

As we watched the teams warming up, the emphasis that Japan puts on teamwork was clearly evident. As they marched off after the warm up, they all put a hand on a teammate’s shoulder in a display of solidarity. If ever there was a team that that is bigger than the sum of the parts this it. They have had to be to compete at the highest level against the giants that populate the world of rugby.

When you watched Wales they looked dour and seemed to lack joie de vivre as they warmed up. Some may argue that this is professionalism and concentration on the job in hand but there doesn’t seem much of a buzz about the team as they go through their drills.

So to the match. Wales started wretchedly and Japan had soon registered a six point lead. It could have been worse as Liam William’s cynical block probably saved a try. He was awarded a fully justified yellow card for his pains. In fairness to Wales, they did wake up with Lydiate scoring a try. “This is it”, we thought, Wales should win this at a canter. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Wales played very much in fits and starts from then on with little flair and continuity. Japan, for their part, scurried around the field and made things difficult for Wales. It was very much punch and counterpunch as whenever Wales opened up a lead the Japanese came straight back at them seizing gleefully on the abundance of sloppy Welsh play.

Japan clearly won the tactical kicking battle with their kicks invariably putting the Welsh under pressure with an excellent chase. The Welsh kicking was often aimless and far too deep which gave the opposition too much time and room.  It was becoming abundantly clear that this was going to be a close run thing as the minutes ticked away. The crowd around us didn’t seem unduly worried as they fiddled with their phones and tried to start a Mexican wave or two. Even though the match was closely fought, the lack of Welsh artistry meant that their attention was wavering. Interest flickered when an excellent run and offload by Wyn Jones put Warburton in for a try but it was all too little for  demanding audience.

Looking down from our eyrie in the stand, you could see that Japanese energy and organisation was clearly superior. Wales at times resembled a shambles as they desperately tried to get hold of the tricky Japanese backs. A brilliant counter attack from Japan tied the scores at 30-30 with a few minutes left. The Japanese actually looked the more likely to snatch victory. Wales had other ideas and marched down the field with some purpose – probably thinking about those headlines in the papers if they failed to win. Sam Davies in his second appearance for Wales looked the coolest man on the field as he slotted a last minute dropped goal and grabbed the spoils for a rather fortunate home side.

Japan can consider themselves extremely unlucky to lose as they played the better rugby. Wales will need to do an awful lot better than this if they want to stay in the top eight sides in the world. They seem to have lost their way and it is difficult to detect a style of play. The will not have to wait long to have an opportunity to put things right. There is the small matter of a match against South Africa next Saturday. The Springboks may have lost to Italy but they will present a whole new set of challenges for a misfiring Welsh team. If this was soccer, we would be talking about heads rolling in the Welsh management team. It is a thought though!

Next Saturday Pontypool are back in action with an away fixture at Glamorgan Wanderers.  Two important games in one day.

Come on Wales and more importantly come on Pooler!