KEV KICKS OFF

WALES showed some pride in the second Test in New Zealand but lost 3622. Wales were 10-10 at half-time and in the game but, we have got to be honest, we can’t match their intensity for the full 80 minutes.

The All Blacks upped the tempo in the second half and blew us away. Credit to Wales, we didn’t throw the towel in and scored two cracking tries at the end.

I don’t think Warren Gatland will be happy with the lineout and Shaun Edwards will be disappointed with some of the one-on-one tackling. Let’s hope next Saturday we can enjoy a game with no pressure as New Zealand have won the series. I don’t think we can make many changes though or it will be a cricket score!

There’s lots of positive talk coming out of the Welsh camp regarding the third Test. I hope they are right as we’ve been competitive in the first two games but it seems to me that the All Blacks are getting better too which is a worry because the Blacks are taking their chances when we make mistakes. Wales will take a lot of positives from this tour even if we lose all the games!

I see Toulon have said they won’t release Leigh Halfpenny next year if he is selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand and they reach the finals of the top 14. The chief executive of the Lions reacted saying if any player is not on tour from the start, no player will be flown out later only if there are injuries. I think the way Liam Williams is playing, Halfpenny won’t get in the Welsh team unless we need a goal kicker. It will be interesting what develops. QUESTION: What do you think of Rhys Webb’s performances so far? I THINK that in the first Test he was outstanding, busy around the field, support play was outstanding, superb service and box kicks had good hang time. Second Test he was busy again, sniping and looked sharp but our setpiece struggled a bit. Credit to the All Blacks, they did their homework and closed him and Dan Biggar down. I think Aaron Smith is an outstanding player too so I reckon it’s 1-1 and it’s all on third Test.