Wounded Wales fearing worst
WALES NEW ZEALAND
WALES are staring at one of their worst autumn series as they prepare to face the Springboks after another defeat by New Zealand. They have only lost three or more Tests in November and December twice since these games established themselves in the rugby calendar in 2010. One thing Wales are never blessed with is depth, and their resources will be tested to the extreme. Jonathan Davies, Sam Warburton, George North, Liam Williams and Ross Moriarty are all out injured, while Rhys Webb is struggling with concussion and Jake Ball a shoulder knock. Then come the political absentees. England-based Owen Williams, Tomas Francis, Rhys Priestland, Taulupe Faletau and Jamie Roberts do not have to be released for the fourth Test, which Wales play outside the international window, meaning Gatland could be without 12 big names when South Africa come to Cardiff. In 37 matches since 2008 against southern hemisphere sides Wales have lost 34, including Saturday’s 30th straight defeat by the All Blacks. Wings Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo oozed class, scoring two tries each. Sam Cane, making 21 tackles, was also brilliant. Wales have been making strides with a dual-playmaker system and Gatland was keen to stress the positives. He said: ‘If we can be a bit more clinical against a side that probably doesn’t have the capabilities the All Blacks do, that should give us a chance to score more points.’