The Old Guard See Wales Through

 The last game of the Autumn Series for Wales was a home match against Italy to determine who finishes fifth. It was a chance for Wales to shrug off a string of lack lustre performances and rekindle the fire in the rather cool relationship that had developed with the Welsh public. The match was again played in an empty Parc Y Scarlets so there was to be no help to be had from a fervent Welsh crowd.

The game startled well enough with a much-changed Wales on the rampage and playing with pace scoring two good converted tries. We sat back sipping our light refreshments expecting more of the same but that was not to be. The malaise that had affected Wales returned with the loss of lineouts and a string of penalties conceded at the breakdown. Wales quickly surrendered control of the match and were soon very much on the back foot as the Italians strutted their stuff. A fourteen point Welsh lead had shrunk to one by the interval and the light refreshments needed to be replaced by something much stronger. “This is the end for Pivac,” we muttered.

Liam Williams had gone off with an injury and the substitute Lloyd was looking out of his depth at full back. Despite some sterling work from Faletau and Tipuric, Wales looked vulnerable and an Italian victory seemed entirely possible. There was no mentoring from Sean Edwards available at half time either. Aargh!

It started reasonably well in the second half with a penalty from Sheedy taking the score to 17-13 but Wales kept giving away penalties. Then, disaster, a defensive mix up between North, Rees Zammit and Lloyd led to a try by Italian flanker Mayer. Italy had taken the lead albeit by only one point at 17-18.

Wales had to do something and they sent on the cavalry with a raft of substitutions. The most significant of these was the introduction of Gareth Davies at scrum half. Faletau was becoming more and more prominent as the match progressed. He was superb once he was freed from the duty of tackling juggernaut forwards all match. It was his break that changed the course of the match and, as of old, he found Gareth Davies in support who needed no second invitation to sprint to the line.

Italian resistance began to crumble and Wales began to gain the upper hand. Confidence grew and a good try by North after the three-quarters took full advantage of a turnover won in midfield put them well clear. Fittingly, the final flourish was a try from Tipuric after another powerful break from Faletau. Wales running out convincing winners in the end 38-18.

It was great to see Wales winning again and in some style but this was against opposition who we expect to beat reasonably comfortably. Even then, Wales lost their way in the second and third quarters of the match as lineouts and breakdowns continue to give problems. Having to use Tipuric, one of our better breakdown exponents, as a lineout jumper did not help.

The thing that stands out most in this game is the renaissance of Faletau. Whilst he is more than willing to take on a heavy tackling load it is with ball in hand that he is most effective. With Tipuric and Gareth Davies in support the Welsh attack become far more potent.

What have we learned from the Autumn Series? I guess we might have expected to beat Georgia and Italy and lose to England and Ireland so no surprises there. Add to that the loss to Scotland in the belated Six Nations fixture and to France in the warm-up game, however, and it becomes a sorry tale. The manner of our defeats where we were generally overpowered is a cause for concern. Fixing this has to be the priority before we can hope to compete at the highest level. We have to have a scrummaging front row, a solid lineout and ball carriers to give us some go forward.

On the plus side, Wales have tried out plenty of new players and new combinations. Some have worked some have not but the management team must surely have a good idea of their strongest team by now. All of this chopping and changing has not helped in the short term and we will wait with bated breath to see the team-sheet for the first game in the Six Nations Championship which is just a couple of months away.

I did watch the other two matches. The Fijians looked mighty impressive when they got hold of the ball as they defeated the plucky Georgians who have perhaps gained most from the Autumn Series. Given time together, the Fijians have shown that they can be a match for the best sides in the world.

Ireland beat Scotland in Dublin in a fairly typical Northern Hemisphere international match with neither side really setting the world alight. So, Ireland clinch third spot and it is left to England and France to decide on the winners of what has turned out to be a rather pale imitation of the Six Nations. France are fielding what looks to be a much-weakened team so we can expect to hear much gloating from Eddie Jones on Sunday evening. Oh joy!

It is not all doom and gloom for Wales and a win is always welcome. We are now firmly out of the Gatland era but we can surely be competitive again when we settle on the best combination of players and tactics. The talent is there for all to see.

Pob lwc Mr. Pivac.