Gatland’s young team are learning valuable lessons
BEFORE Wales’ narrow loss at Twickenham, Warren Gatland likened the transition from club to Test rugby to county cricketers making the step up to international level in their sport. ‘How do you get them to experience what it’s like to play in front of 75,000 people under immense pressure where you have to make split-second decisions quicker than normal?’ asked Gatland, the head coach of a youthful squad.
‘The only analogy is county cricketers who are comfortable facing balls at 70 or 80 miles per hour and then suddenly in a Test match, someone is bowling 90 or 95 at them.
‘Unless you’ve experienced it, how do you do it? The only way is to get 95 in the nets every day.’ Gatland has certainly exposed his rookies to the rigours of the elite level in the last fortnight. And the likes of Alex Mann and Cameron Winnett have shown they can more than cope. There were promising signs in south-west London. Wales could and perhaps should have won. ‘Just because we’re a young side and new together, we can’t be happy with losing — especially after taking the lead like that,’ said wing Josh Adams. ‘It’s international rugby and when you get chances to be ruthless, you have to be. ‘We have to strive to be a team that when you have your foot on the throat, you keep it there and take your opportunities to keep scoreboard pressure.
‘We’re disappointed absolutely. We should have won that game.’ Wales did show some of that streetwise ruthlessness when George Ford lined up to take a first-half conversion. The England fly-half edged to his left and Wales, realising that constituted the start of his run-up, charged up and kicked the ball off the tee. Despite defeat, Gatland liked what he saw. ‘They’re going to be a bloody good team going forward,’ he said. ‘Today’s part of that process in terms of learning and some game management. It’s part of the journey we’re on in terms of developing as a team.’ Wales constructed a brilliant rolling maul which resulted in a penalty try and then scored a peach of a second effort which was created by Tommy Reffell and finished by Mann.
It was Mann’s second try in as many Tests. His fellow flanker Reffell was the game’s star man while captain Dafydd Jenkins, still just 21, also impressed. ‘It’s international rugby and it’s all about winning. Two losses hurts a lot,’ Jenkins admitted. The momentum swung the home side’s way in the second half after Gatland replaced hooker Elliot Dee and prop Keiron Assiratti with Ryan Elias and Test debutant Archie Griffin.
To that point, Wales’ scrum and lineout had been going well. But in the final half hour, it fell apart. Mail Sport columnist Sir Clive Woodward was among those to criticise Gatland’s changes. ‘My message for the Welsh public is to have a bit of patience,’ said the New Zealander. ‘Some players are incredibly young and finding their feet.
‘I’m excited by this group. We’re playing a quality side in Ireland next. It will be a level up.’