Welsh resurgence all about mindset
MY experience over many decades is that Welsh rugby is rarely in as bad a state as the doomsayers insist or, on the flip side, quite as healthy as their many Six Nations successes in modern times suggest. Supporters and commentators veer from one extreme to another.
So actually I wasn’t at all surprised at their superb display in defeat at Pretoria last week and even less surprised that their U20s have been putting up such a strong performance at the Summer Series in Italy. On Tuesday they play South Africa in the final and remember this is an U20 squad that was roundly criticised during the winter when they managed just one win in five games, shipped 50 points in Ireland and 40 points against England and France.
There was a deal of soul searching but there is always talent in Wales, it's almost always a case of mindset and
getting the organisation right and Wales have been altogether more formidable in Italy.
They reeled off group wins over Scotland, a very impressive Georgia team when they came from behind and then, in what was effectively a semi-final, a 23-20 win over Italy with a late Joe Hawkins penalty getting them over the line.
It’s not just the win over Italy that was the manner of victory with some of the fiercest and most disciplined counter rucking I’ve seen for a long while with Exeter’s Christ Tshiunza, already a full cap, to the fore. Italy were arguably the more talented side but they were hustled out of their comfort zone by Wales’ controlled fury and intensity.
The Baby Boks will be strong favourites today but for Welsh fans watching on I’d suggest their pints are beginning to feel half full again.