Edwards warns: We can’t miss our tackles
SHAUN Edwards has told Wales to buck up their defensive approach or risk a World Cup quarterfinal exit at the hands of his soon-to-be employers France.
Warren Gatland’s side take on Uruguay in Kumamoto this morning in their final Pool D fixture and a win of any kind would set up a last-eight knock-out clash with Les Bleus.
Wales defence supremo Edwards is expected to begin a new job with France after the tournament in Japan, but his immediate role is to improve his current side.
In their first three World Cup games with Georgia, Australia and Fiji, Wales have missed a total of 77 tackles which falls far below their usual high standards.
Against Fiji, World Rugby’s official statistics say they missed 32. Edwards argued Wales’ analysts have told him the number was 25, but accepted nonetheless there is improvement to be made.
“I looked at that stat and realised we missed 25 tackles,” said the former Rugby League legend. “There were 16 missed tackles on both Fiji wingers who, let’s be honest, are not the easiest to tackle. If anyone has an A-Z on how to tackle Josua Tuisova please send it to me!
“They are incredible athletes and the two wingers are exceptional, but we only missed nine tackles on the rest of the team. Having said that, if we are looking at the rest of the competition France also have incredibly talented individuals and similar athletes. We do need to improve that situation.”
Wales have made 13 changes for Uruguay with a likely quarter-final with France in mind.
Head coach Gatland has a potential back-line headache to deal with as George North (ankle), Dan Biggar (concussion) and Jonathan Davies (knee) are all in the treatment room.
All three will miss the Uruguay game and did not appear at the captain’s run training session ahead of the clash with the South Americans.
Centre Davies is the biggest worry, but Wales are hopeful of him being fit for France. The 31-year-was injured creating Josh Adams’ hat-trick try against Fiji and his knee swelled up after.
TRP understands that until that swelling goes down, the Welsh medical team will be unable to determine the exact nature of the problem.
“The medics are working on Jon. We don’t feel like it’s as bad as we first feared,” said Edwards. “There will be more news in a couple of days, but
we’re in a positive frame of mind with regards to him being involved further down the line.”
Even with 13 changes and their first-choice stars missing, Wales should be too good for Uruguay and will likely seal a fourth straight bonus-point win.
It would make Gatland’s men the only Welsh World Cup side to end the Pool stages with a perfect record since 1987.
With doubts over Biggar, Davies and North, the Uruguay clash is a big opportunity for Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Leigh Halfpenny and Hallam Amos to impress.
Gatland said: “We’ve got to make sure we do a job early on against Uruguay. It’s challenging with such a short turnaround from Fiji, but that’s what World Cups are all about. We’ve spoken about creating as much strength in depth in the squad as we could over the last three or four years.
“The squad is in a good place mentally. There are a group of players that are excited about the chance to go out and get their first game at a World Cup.
“We’re expecting a good performance. The message is that the door is not shut. There are opportunities for players to impress and stake a claim for a quarterfinal spot.”