Depressing end for injured North as Wales hit rock bottom
THE sight of a battered and bruised George North using crutches and with his foot in a protective boot in the Principality Stadium mixed zone on Saturday night summed up a desperate and hugely disappointing Six Nations campaign for Wales.
After his last game of international rugby which ended in defeat by Italy and the Six Nations wooden spoon for Wales, North was the only player, save for captain Dafydd Jenkins, to face up to questions about the state of the Welsh game. Given he had severely hurt his achilles with the clock in the red and won’t be a part of Wales’s future, North deserved immense credit for showing up. ‘People don’t always get the fairytale ending they want,’ he said, reflecting on his final 80 minutes before Test retirement. This was no way for one of the all-time greats to bow out. North has been a tremendous servant to the red jersey. It was cruel that the centre left rugby’s highest level on the back of not only a worrying injury, but a chastening defeat.
While the scoreline represented on the face of things a narrow home loss to Italy, the reality was that the gulf between the sides was far more than just three points. Gonzalo Quesada’s Azzurri were in a different class to Warren Gatland’s men as they consigned Wales to finishing bottom of the Six Nations table for the first time since 2003 — and Gatland admitted Wales have now hit ‘rock bottom.’ His offer to resign in the wake of a fifth straight loss in 2024 was rejected by Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s game. Gatland’s quit question was the main headline of his post-match press conference. But did it also distract supporters from criticism of him as head coach and his assistants?
Mail Sport understands a number of Wales players have been unimpressed with the coaching they have received during the Championship. Some of those at Premiership clubs believe the coaching at domestic level is better than that in the Wales set-up.
Gatland’s team selection can also be questioned.
His teams of yesteryear would traditionally start slowly before improving. But Wales have got worse throughout this Six Nations, with Italy the low point. There were errors everywhere. ‘Ending like we did is not perfect,’ said North, who will be almost impossible to replace and a huge loss. ‘No one in an international jersey wants to say that after playing at home. ‘Unfortunately, we’ve got to take the rough with the smooth. It’s going to take time. I’ve been very
fortunate to live a dream. The support I’ve had over the years has been incredible.
‘It’s been the best part of my life and I’ve been very fortunate to do it.’
Losses to Scotland, England, Ireland, France and Italy represent a new nadir for Wales and must prompt change. The WRU will soon hold a review into the country’s professional game. It is needed more than ever after this Six nations. These are tough times for the country’s national game.
Wales outscored Italy by three tries to two with Elliot Dee, Will Rowlands and Mason Grady crossing.
But Rowlands and Grady’s late efforts made the final scoreline look a lot closer than the contest actually was. Italy were by far the better team.
‘It’s rubbish at the moment. You have to get through this bit to get to the good bit,’ said north, who will continue to play club rugby for French second division side Provence from next season. ‘The public have been incredible with their support for the boys and all I would say is keep believing in them. The talent is immense, we’ve just got to give it time. I’ve seen it first-hand. ‘I don’t think we’re too far away from clicking.’
While Wales enter a period of soul searching, things are rosy in the Italian garden. In his first campaign in charge, new Azzurri head coach Quesada has made an instant impact.
Italy were awful at last year’s World Cup but have beaten Scotland and Wales and drawn with France this season. They mixed strong defence with some potent attack. Monty Ioane and Lorenzo Pani finished off brilliant team moves. Centre pairing Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex stood out. ‘We’ve put in the hard work to take Italian rugby from where it was to where it is now and we’re reaping the rewards,’ said wing Ioane. ‘But it doesn’t stop here. Two wins don’t make a team. ‘We can’t be one-hit wonders. There has been a mental change. We were quite hurt from the World Cup and you can either stay down in the dumps or do something about it.
‘now we’ve come out the other end of it.’