Edwards: We need to starve All Blacks of the ball
Nuggety Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards calls his task this week ‘‘one of the toughest in world sport’’. But then the look on his face confirms it’s a challenge he’s relishing.
Edwards’ Wales will host Steve Hansen’s All Blacks at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday in the touring side’s final match of their long rugby season. The New Zealanders hope to bring the curtain down on 2017 with an 11th test victory, to go with two defeats and a draw.
The All Blacks have not lost to Wales since their 13-8 defeat at the Arms Park in Cardiff back in 1953, and have won 29 on the bounce since, 10 of those coming since Kiwi Warren Gatland took charge of the national programme.
But there’s always an element of hope in rugby-mad Wales that the long spell between drinks could be about to end, and local tragics invariably have a pint of Brains on hand just in case.
From the perspective of Edwards, a scrappy former rugby league legend, his team would be well served by taking a leaf out of the Scotland book if they hope to put the clamps on the talented All Blacks attack.
‘‘They had 60 per cent territory and 60 per cent possession,’’ Edwards said at the team’s Vale Resort training base. ‘‘They did it very, very well.
‘‘If we can do that, I will be very happy. Even though the All Blacks only had 40 per cent possession, they still scored three tries and were very dangerous. But starving them of the ball is one way of keeping their attack quiet.’’
Though Edwards didn’t mind admitting: ‘‘I’ve got a pretty tough job this week – probably one of the toughest jobs in world sport. But I’m up for a challenge ...
‘‘When I was playing for Wigan, I was 5ft 8in, 12st and I was lucky enough to get in rugby league’s Hall of Fame. Hopefully, in my coaching career I can pass on that sort of determination and attitude.’’
Edwards said the Welsh would look to apply defensive pressure through line-speed, as the Scots had done last weekend, and the Lions so successfully in New Zealand mid-year.
‘‘But there is a lot more to defending than just having linespeed. There are many different aspects to it,’’ he said.
The Welsh are well down on backline strength, with Lions star Liam Williams the latest withdrawal with an abdominal issue. He joins fellow mid-year tourists Jonathan Davies and George North, and the impressive Alex Cuthbert on the sidelines.
Gatland is also without Lions skipper Sam Warburton, and other frontliners such as Ross Moriarty, Gethin Jenkins and Samson Lee. That’s likely to leave him with a back three of Leigh Halfpenney, Hallam Amos and Steff Evans which presented defined challenges.
‘‘They aren’t the tallest as a trio, so may well find themselves tested out with a few crosskicks from Beauden Barrett. We have gone from having probably the biggest backline in world rugby to one of the smallest,’’ Edwards said.
‘‘ Our line-speed has been pretty good ... but against Australia two of their tries were sere set up by kicks. It is something we are drilling.’’
Edwards is a big fan of Barrett – ‘‘he is a sensational player’’ – but predictably the former leaguie nominates second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams as the All Blacks’ key backline threat.
‘‘I’ve known Sonny since he was playing for Easts as a
19-20-year-old. He was destined for greatness and has achieved everything we knew he would.
‘‘It’s very difficult to defend against his offload, and he’s brought a short kicking game into his repertoire.’’
Edwards also raised the prospect of a midfield selection bolter to face the All Blacks, with huge
93-test centre Jamie Roberts recalled to the squad and rated a possibility to partner Owen Williams.
‘‘Jamie could come into the equation,’’ Edwards said, suggesting he could give the home outfit the physical midfield presence they may require.