Wales go Bok to drawing board
WALES’ new back-row stars are targeting a win over South Africa to grab some respectability from their autumn campaign after defeat by the All Blacks. Josh Navidi and Aaron Shingler were pressed into duty this month due to injuries to Sam Warburton and Ross Moriarty and both emerged with credit in the defeats by Australia and New Zealand. Now Scarlets hero Shingler says Wales must beat the Boks on Saturday to save face ahead of the Six Nations campaign. England and Scotland have hammered Australia, Ireland beat South Africa by a record margin and all Wales have achieved this Jonathan Davies and Jake Ball to long-term injuries this month.
But Navidi has shown players from the regional teams are good enough to compete at the highest level. He has gone from thirdchoice Cardiff openside to Wales’ best forward this autumn.
He played skittles with the All Blacks at times as he burst through tackle after tackle and ended the game with 14 tackles, 14 runs and 37 metres made in a hugely impressive display.
Having been forced to wait four years from his first cap to his second this year, the 26-year-old has wasted no time in showing Gatland what he can do.
“Every time you put that Welsh jersey on you have to give your heart and soul to the team. I’ve done OK, but I’ve got a lot more to give,” said Navidi. “I’ve waited a long time for this chance. Nothing gets bigger than the All Blacks at home. We scored a try just before half-time and went in happy, but they got a couple of turnovers, scored twice and we were chasing the game.”
A point down at the break after Scott Williams finished a fine Hallam Amos break, Wales trailed by 15 just after the hour and even though they had enough territory and possession to have won, they could not break down the Kiwis’ defensive wall until Gareth Davies crossed for a second 10 minutes from time.
Waisake Naholo and Rieko Ioane both scored twice for the tourists and so Wales’ 64-year wait for another win over New Zealand goes on.