Wales Overpowered by Argentina

This was match two of three as Wales visit three continents in three weeks in a punishing schedule in the Nations Championship. After beating Fiji in Cardiff, it was Argentina in San Juan - a far more demanding assignment.

Wales started well enough scoring a well-worked try from a driving lineout after kicking an early penalty into the corner. Lake touched down and Costelow converted - so far so good. It wasn’t long before it was clear that the Welsh defence would be sorely tested by the powerful running of the Pumas coupled with an effective kick-chase tactic. The home side hit back with two converted tries in a ten minute period and the ease with which they scored them was worrying to say the least.

Another penalty for Wales saw them deep in the Pumas’ twenty-two. We were then rewarded with what has become a trademark Carre try from short range. The scores were level at 14-14 but the home side looked to hold most of the aces. In a devastating surge in the last five minutes of the first half, the home side scored two converted tries to storm into a 28-14 lead.

A fifth try early in the second half for the Pumas put the game beyond doubt at 35-14. The game became increasingly scrappy as the benches were emptied but, for the most part, it was Wales scrambling in defence to keep the score down. A faint glimmer of hope for Wales came with another front row try from short range this time from Warren to close the gap to 35-21.

Wales huffed and puffed and there was still some hope of a bonus point or two but sadly the Welsh attacking play was pretty innocuous and was comfortably contained by the home side who claimed a well-deserved bonus point victory.

This was Wales coming down to earth with a bump after two victories. It seems our only method of scoring tries is through short range driving play. This may work against the less powerful nations but certainly will not do against the likes of South Africa. Our back play continues to disappoint with a lack of guile, pace and penetration.

Speaking of which, South Africa is the next challenge for Wales in Durban next weekend. Scotland gave the Springboks a fright this weekend with their power and commitment. Admittedly it was not a full strength Springboks side but they have such strength in depth that any South African will be a powerful outfit.  It was a tremendous match with the Scots giving as good as they got before going down 42-28 which flatters the Springboks.

The other four matches were rather one-sided with wins for France, New Zealand, Ireland and England. So, another overall tie at three wins each for Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Good luck to Wales against mighty South Africa !   

Six Matches in a Day – Almost Six Marathons

I spent a lot of yesterday watching rugby. This is not something I would normally do in early July but it was the start of the new fangled international rugby tournament.  Whilst there was some overlap, it was possible to watch almost six complete matches on the TV.

I have to say the general entertainment value was much greater than the Football World Cup. At the top end the encounters between New Zealand and France and Australia and Ireland were close matches with plenty of gripping rugby with New Zealand and Ireland just sneaking wins. South Africa duly thumped England as they continue to look the side that is setting the standards.

And so to Wales who were playing Fiji. Fiji were actually the home side although the match was taking place at the Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff tried its best to turn itself into Suva for the day but at the end of the day Wales still had home advantage. The crowd was certainly colourful if quite sparse. I have to confess I was not one of them as I was firmly planted on the couch in front of the TV.

Fiji started by playing their distinctive style of running and offloading rugby and it looked for all the world that they would blow Wales away. That Fiji did not run up a winning lead in the first half was down to some sturdy defence but more down to over-indulgence from Fiji. Wales grimly hung on to the Fijian coat tails and showed that by capitalising on their superiority in the set pieces coupled with an effective driving maul they could score points of their own.

The score at half time was actually 10-10 with Wales having scored two tries for Jac Morgan from driven mauls to one from Fiji. Wales could probably feel quite relieved to still be well in the game.

The second half saw Wales gradually take control with the scrum continuing to dominate. At one stage they looked to be pulling clear with tries from Carre and Adams. Edwards did not have his kicking boots on so three conversions were missed. He did convert a penalty to give Wales a 10-25 lead.

Wales might have been guilty of taking their foot of the gas and Fiji came roaring back with two converted tries. Suddenly it was 24-25 and it was very much game on.

The Welsh bench proved to have more impact that the Fijian bench and Wales steadied the ship and managed to pull clear with a try from Elias from a driven lineout that was converted by Costelow who had replaced Edwards. It was left to James to add a last gasp try under the posts from short range to cap a great victory for Wales. Final score Fiji 24 : Wales 39.

The Welsh forwards were the heroes of the day with Morgan and Wainwright leading the way but all of the pack and replacements playing their part. There still seems a reluctance to run the ball behind with too many kicks leading to nothing. It is certainly not the best option to kick the ball to the Fijians  who can create mayhem from anywhere on the field.

Wales now face demanding trips to Argentina and then South Africa over the next few weeks as the tournament proceeds. Scotland did manage to secure a deserved victory in Argentina so perhaps it is possible for Wales to sneak a win. A win in South Africa is probably well beyond Wales as they continue to rebuild.

The other match in the first round saw Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Tokyo so the final tally was Northern Hemisphere 3 wins Southern Hemisphere 3 wins.

The summer is moving on apace and we will soon be back into Pooler action with the pre-season friendlies. Here’s hoping for a better season than the last one.