We are still off the pace
Wales close in on historic Grand Slam but George North insists...
Wales could win a Grand slam next saturday against Ireland and yet end as one of the most frustrated teams in the six Nations.
set for a monumental party in Cardiff if they go five from five in their coach’s final tournament, you would think the Welsh would be grinning from ear to ear.
But after this win over scotland, there was exasperation as well as excitement.
‘sometimes, winning is winning, regardless of how it looks,’ George North said. ‘There’s a good belief in the squad. We can go toe to toe and get through the ugly parts and dog games out when we need to.
‘ever since the autumn series, we’ve been a yard off the pace. We’ve shown glimpses, but we haven’t really hit our straps yet. We know there’s another level. There’s plenty to work on.’
Which is all the more ominous for Wales’ opponents. This is a team who are on a recordbreaking 13-match winning run.
In scotland, defence coach shaun edwards built a red wall. The first half showed that Wales can be ruthless and piece together blistering attacks.
Josh adams turned Blair Kinghorn inside- out for a glorious score, and a 23-phase move sent Jonathan Davies over. But then, perhaps with on eye on the Ireland game, Wales clammed up.
However, unlike other teams in this tournament, and previous Welsh vintages, this lot are becoming unbreakable.
Wales made 178 tackles — most in the second half. ‘They just kept coming,’ said Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes, who made 17 tackles amid a scottish siege. Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi had counts in the mid-20s. They would not die.
scotland did score when Finn Russell conjured a magic inside-pass which led to Darcy Graham’s try. But every time they kicked to the corner, Wales held firm.
so now, like in 2005, 2008 and 2012, it is back home to try and complete the clean sweep.
Warren Gatland, the Wales coach said: ‘We respect Ireland hugely for what they have achieved. For our group of players I know they get incredibly motivated to play against Ireland as they want to beat them because a lot of them have been on the losing end, particularly to their provincial teams.’
Gatland himself is on the verge of history. No coach has won three Grand slams. He predicts an emotional end. ‘We want to finish it off,’ he said. ‘ When someone presents you with an opportunity to win a Grand slam you want to take it with both hands.’ SCOTLAND: Kinghorn 3 (A Hastings 31min, 7); Seymour 5 (B McGuigan 21, 7), Grigg 6, P Horne 6.5, Graham 7 (G Laidlaw 66, 6); Russell 7, Price 5; Dell 7, McInally 6 (F Brown 69, 5), W Nel 5 (Berghan 66, 5); Gilchrist 5, J Gray 5 (Toolis 66, 6); M Bradbury 5.5, J Strauss 6 (H Watson 66, 8), J Ritchie 6.
WALES: L Williams 6 (Biggar 47, 6); North 6, J Davies 8, Parkes 8 (Watkin 74, 5), Adams 7.5; Anscombe 6, Davies 5 (A Davies 69, 4); R Evans 7 (Smith 62, 6), Owens 7.5 (Dee 66, 6), Francis 7 (D Lewis 66, 6); Beard 7.5 (J Ball 21-30, 62), AW JONES 9; J Navidi 8, R Moriarty 7 (Wainwright 69, 6), J Tipuric 7.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (Fra) 6.