Georgia On My Mind

Wales plumbed the depths yesterday in giving a performance that was as drab as the kit that they were wearing. In saying this, I must not take anything away from a stirring performance from the visiting Georgia team. Once Georgia realised that they had the beating of Wales they seized their opportunity and made Wales look distinctly second best in the second half. Georgia were everything Wales were not – they were fully committed, strong and fit and had a game plan.

Sure, Wales started well enough taking an early lead through two tries from Morgan but then lost their way completely with far too much poor kicking and set pieces that disintegrated. The Georgians surely could not believe their luck.

A yellow card for Cuthbert gave Georgia the opportunity to score a well-worked try of their own which closed the Welsh lead to two points. It was nothing more than they deserved that a penalty in the last few minutes from Matkava won the match 12-13.

This was by no means a Welsh second team but they were outplayed in most aspects of the game. This is the third game of the Autumn series so the Welsh management team have had plenty of time to work out some kind of game plan by now. I am left wondering what that is. Any casual observer of rugby could have told you that the Georgian scrum would be strong and that in the end played a major part in the Wales downfall. Surely heads must roll some time soon.

Next weekend Wales have to face Australia who really pushed Ireland hard. With a squad and coaching team in disarray, Wales could be in for tough afternoon. Maybe, just maybe Wales can produce a performance that will stun us. I certainly hope so but I will not be holding my breath.

Of course, rugby will have to take a backseat now with the football World Cup about to kick off in Qatar. From a rugby perspective this can only serve to magnify the problems with the game in general in Wales. I wish Cymru well.

Congratulations to Georgia on a well-deserved victory.

Come on Wales – you have to be better than this!