Will tough good stead
IN an ideal world, this would have been an autumn campaign where Wales’ firststring went toe-to-toe with the southern hemisphere’s best and we got a good gauge on where Wayne Pivac’s squad are two years out from the 2023 World Cup.
Of course, we don’t live in an ideal world.
The Welsh Rugby Union still see fit to take on the All Blacks outside of the Test window, with the money-making possibilities of it more important to the union’s health than having a half-decent crack at finally beating New Zealand for the first time since 1953.
While, in what ended up being even more disruptive than the usual club-vcountry availability rows, there were also a host of injuries.
As such, this autumn was pushed into the same direction as last autumn; all about exposing a number of players further down the pecking order to Test rugby.
In that sense, Pivac will be relatively happy with what he saw from some of the players in his wider squad.
But how will some of that newfound depth affect what Pivac would deem his strongest XV come the Six Nations?
Back-three: Liam Williams, Louis Rees-zammit and Josh Adams
It seems somewhat cruel that arguably Wales’ best back-three performer of the autumn, Johnny Mcnicholl, still doesn’t quite get into Wales’ first-choice backthree.
But then, who do you drop out of Liam Williams, Louis Rees-zammit and Josh Adams?
Mcnicholl has impressed with his elusive running, high ball solidity and play-making abilities - opening up new dimensions to how Wales can attack when they do manage to retain and produce quick ball.
You could even make the argument that Mcnicholl, in his two-and-a-half matches in the Welsh jersey this autumn, offered more around the park than Rees-zammit when it comes to all-round game.
But, of course, Rees-zammit is there for what he can produce, rather than what he always does.
Few, if any, could have conjured up the try he scored against Fiji. That ability alone is what makes his place secure.
As for Liam Williams and Josh Adams, both are world-class and will continue to start if fit.
Centres: Nick Tompkins and George North
Right, when George North is back fit, he will slot back into the 13 jersey.
Wales were no closer to replacing him in that position at the end of the autumn to when they started it. The question is who partners him. There are four options - none of which have made an entirely compelling case as of yet.
Jonathan Davies is now seen as an inside centre, but he didn’t play there this autumn and now is unlikely to feature there for the Scarlets before the Six Nations.
The two Williams - Johnny and Scott will share that honour at Parc y Scarlets - but the former looks a little wasted in the Welsh backline at the moment, taking the ball deeper and lateral than suits him, while the latter didn’t make an appearance as a late call-up.
The man who wore the jersey against Australia, Willis Halaholo, showed some nice touches and there were moments where his attacking ability opened up gaps for Wales.
However, it’s a question of whether the positives outweigh the negatives. In the second-half, he faded badly - which could well be down to his recent recovery from Covid - and fell off a number of tackles.
Then, finally, there’s Nick Tompkins. He’s a touch erratic but he started all of the games he was available for and his form for Saracens has clearly impressed Pivac.
He could just have the edge.
Half-backs: Tomos Williams and Dan Biggar
It’s not been a totally convincing autumn from Tomos Williams.
There have been flashes, but you’d be hard-pressed to say he’s completely nailed down the scrum-half jersey.
However, given how rarely he’s put together consecutive starts, just being the man to wear the nine jersey against the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies is a big feat. Clearly, he’s Pivac’s pick for first-choice, even if fitness and form hasn’t always allowed that to come to fruition yet.
Hopefully, a consistent run in the jersey will encourage that.
Alongside him, Dan Biggar has been presented with more fly-half competition in a squad than perhaps ever before - being one of four 10s in camp this autumn.
However, while there were promising moments from Rhys Priestland and Callum Sheedy off the bench, while Gareth Anscombe still needs time to get back to this level, it’s Biggar who remains in possession of the jersey. Front-row: Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis It’s not been an easy autumn for Wales’ props - with the scrum being an issue throughout.
However, as former Lions prop Alex Corbisiero pointed out, that’s as much to do with Wales’ back-five as the front-row. Whatever the issue, it’s certainly top of Jonathan Humphreys’ to-do list.
You’d still say that Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis are the men bestequipped to help Wales solve the issue.
In between them, it’s been a fine autumn for Ryan Elias - who has grown into the jersey as he’s shoved the critics’ words back down their throats.
How much will that count for in the grand scheme of things?
Elias was comfortably second-choice hooker already, with his grip on the deputy tag only strengthened as he sidles closer to Ken Owens’ starting spot.
However, Wales still need Owens desperately - not just for his lineout throwing, but his explosive carrying and leadership skills. Whether he will be fit is now in doubt following the latest injury bulletin, but he hasn’t been ruled out yet. Second-row: Adam Beard and Will Rowlands Life without Alun Wyn Jones has been thrust on Wales prematurely this autumn and it seems likely that will be the case in the Six Nations too.
Without the Wales skipper, Pivac’s second-row selection pretty much picks itself.
Adam Beard has established himself as a important cog in the team, with his lineout calling, maul defence and ballhandling the reason he ended up as a late Lions call-up earlier this year.
As for Will Rowlands, he’s provided a solid ball-carrying option and is certainly ahead of the likes of Seb Davies and Ben Carter as things stand. Back-row: Ellis Jenkins, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau I have my doubts about the balance of this particular back-row.
I believe that Wales have played their best rugby under Wayne Pivac when they’ve had the clearout specialism of Josh Navidi packing down on the blindside.
Quite simply, Wales lack the punchy carriers to generate ruck speed easily, so clearout accuracy is a must.
Navidi offers that and it’s no coincidence that Wales really started to find their attacking game later on in the 2021 Six Nations when the Cardiff flanker was starting.
Without him, Wales’ wide, stretching game is slowed down too easily making it look far too pedestrian and blunt.
The grunt work he does also frees up Wales’ No. 8 - be it Taulupe Faletau or Aaron Wainwright - to offer their dynamic efforts in areas of the pitch more suited to their athleticism.
However, he’s unlikely to be fit for the Six Nations and Wales don’t have a ready-made replacement for him. Ross Moriarty is also injured, while Shane Lewis-hughes seems to have fallen down the pecking order and Christ Tshiunza has but a handful of minutes at this level.
So, it does feel like Pivac will be drawn to the dual jackal threat that he’s employed this autumn since Ellis Jenkins has come back.
Jenkins and Justin Tipuric working in tandem will offer Gethin Jenkins’ defence a handy release valve, with their breakdown work ensuring that Wales can slow down opposition ball and even potentially create more transition opportunities - something we expected to see far more of from a Pivac team.
It’s cruel on Taine Basham, who didn’t put a foot wrong across a breakout autumn campaign. But Jenkins and Tipuric are both world-class performers who merit starts.
The young Dragons star’s time will come.