Williams starts as Wales go full bore
LIAM Williams had visions of scoring the decisive try against South Africa three months after he had been accused of blowing the third Lions Test and the series against them by not passing to the unmarked Josh Adams outside him in a match of few chances.
As the Scarlets’ fullback prepared to take a pass from Johnny McNicholl last weekend, he was aware of defenders sweeping across the field but felt he had the pace to make the line. And then he noticed three figures on the floor: two stewards were grappling with a spectator who had run on to the field.
The ball ended up bouncing near the pitch invader and the chance was lost. South Africa recovered to steal the match with two late scores and, even though McNicholl’s pass would have been reviewed to check that it had not gone forward, it seemed to sum up a frustrating year for Williams who has had to contend with injuries, illness and a red card since returning to the Scarlets from Saracens.
“It was the first time I had been on the pitch since the last Test against South Africa,” said the 30year old Williams. “I only had 25 minutes, but it was good to be back. I did not see the spectator on the pitch initially because he was not in my eyeline.
“I was going to take a short line off Johnny and, as I looked up, I saw three people rolling around on
the floor. I had to change my running angle and did not make it to the tryline. They had a couple of guys coming across so I cannot say I would have scored, but what happened was not on.
“I say that for the safety of the person who ran on because if we hit him, he is the one who is going to come off worse. It is not acceptable for fans to come on to the pitch during a game. It has happened a couple of times and we do not want to see it again.”
The Welsh Rugby Union wasted no time in banning the spectator from the Principality Stadium for life, but it is more reluctant to tackle the issue of fans who have had too much to drink by the time of a late kick-off being able to top up during the game in the bars at the stadium and bring their drinks to the stand, a triumph of revenue over the comfort of those who want to watch a match without having to get out of their seats all the time.
Williams starts at fullback against Fiji this afternoon with Wales fielding a far stronger side than they have come to when they face an emerging nation in the autumn.
Ellis Jenkins captains the side with seven of the forwards who took the field against South Africa included, and Dan Biggar, Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams, who moves from the wing to centre, the surviving backs.
“Fiji are always a very dangerous team,” said Williams, one of four survivors from the starting line-up when Wales last faced the islanders in the 2019 World Cup when they came from ten points down to win a fiercely fought contest 29-17.
“You never know what they are going to do,” said Williams. “They are superb with the ball in hand and they hit hard. I’m sure to be cut in half once or twice.”
Wales do not have the greatest record against emerging nations in November, not least because they tend to make multiple changes, but with Fiji yet again in Wales’ World Cup group head coach Wayne Pivac wants to generate some momentum after two defeats before the final Test against Australia
on Saturday.
“People expect us to win by a large amount, but that is just not us,” said Williams. “We just want to win and it does not matter if it is by one point or 101. I just can’t wait to take the field and have the chance to play at 15 again. Johnny did well there in the first couple of matches and I’m happy to get the shirt back.
“You could say it is a must-win game after last
weekend turned out to be one of those that got away from us. We could not quite close it out after an amazing defensive effort and after a couple of defeats on the bounce, we want to get back to winning ways and set ourselves up for Australia.”
Williams is making his first start of the campaign two months after it started because he had his appendix out during the
pre-season a week after he had resumed training with the Scarlets following the Lions tour.
“It came out of the blue,” he said. “I trained on the Monday and had a sore stomach that night. I told the Scarlets about it the following day. I had a scan that afternoon and was operated on 24 hours later. I was pretty much confined to the house for two weeks, going from my bed to the sofa and back again in agony.
“The first week was hell and I was off for another three and could not do any weights. I was not ready for the New Zealand game as I had only trained with the squad for a week. It was too soon and it was a relief to come on against South Africa, even if the defeat was hard to take.”
Williams is looking to make up for last time and is keen to string together appearances for the Scarlets having barely played for the region since ending his three-season stint at Saracens.
“They must be going mad,” he said. “I have had three games for them in a year. The red card was on me but there is not much you can do about injuries. They are a consequence of a contact sport, but I am fit again now and hope to stay so for a while.”