5THINGS WE LEARNED FROM WALES’ DEFEAT AT EDEN PARK
WHAT a match and what a brave effort from Wales, but ultimately it ended up as the same old story and the long, long wait for a win over New Zealand continues.
Warren Gatland’s men were outstanding for an hour, producing a heroic performance we can be rightly proud of and playing the kind of rugby we haven’t seen from them for a long time.
They had been given no hope after the deeply-disappointing display against England, but they stepped up a gear box full of gears from Twickenham and did themselves justice.
The commitment was superb, as was the physical endeavour, both in the tackle and the counter-rucking at the breakdown, while they answered a lot of critics with the thrilling brand of rugby they produced, more than holding their own against the world champions.
With 62 minutes on the clock, they were deservedly leading 21-18 and we were all in dreamland.
But, once again, the problem was sustaining it for the full 80 minutes and living with the sustained intensity that the All Blacks can bring for the full duration.
When the hosts upped the pace in the last quarter, it was just too much to cope with.
The final scoreline of 39-21 was a harsh one on Wales and doesn’t tell the full story of how much they contributed to a great game. But it’s a tale we have become all too familiar with over the years. THERE has been so much criticism of the Welsh attack in recent times and justifiably so. But they provided the perfect response at Eden Park, showing ambition, footballing ability and clinical execution.
It was fantastic to see them taking on the All Blacks at their own game, with some exhilarating counter-attacking and also playing with such width.
The first two tries were as good as you could wish to see.
The first came from securing possession off a Rhys Webb box kick, with Liam Williams going around Julian Savea with an in-out step and then the ball being moved to the other touchline with George North coming into midfield and Hallam Amos delivering the scoring pass to Taulupe Faletau.
Full-back Williams was the key man again for the second try. Receiving the ball midway inside his own half, he backed himself, sliced between two forwards and he was away. Then it was all about the finish, with the Scarlets speedster giving the inside pass to the supporting Rhys Webb, who handed off the covering Waisake Naholo and had the momentum to reach the line.
It was just great to watch and so good to see the likes of Williams, North and Faletau repeatedly slicing through the Kiwi defence.
Ultimately, it didn’t deliver the win, and Wales will perhaps look back on the passage of play just before the break when they were camped on the opposition line, but failed to cross the whitewash.
Yet overall, this was so much better from them going forward, and this is the way we want to see them play. WE wondered how this new-look All Blacks team would fare and for a fair chunk of the game it wasn’t what we are used to from New Zealand at all.
Their game was error-strewn as they conceded an uncharacteristic amount of turnovers in the face of ferocious Welsh pressure, while they were found wanting defensively for both of the visitors’ tries, with Savea missing Williams and Naholo sucked in for the first, while Naholo will feel he should have nailed Webb on the second after the first line of defence was breached by Williams.
As a result, they turned round 1815 down. You can imagine there would have been some pretty choice words from Steve Hansen at the break and his charges were certainly a different team after the break.
They cut down on the errors and the ball retention was much better, as they put more bodies into the breakdown and were far more aggressive there.
And, in the final quarter, the fact they are used to playing at high intensity week-in, week-out really came to the fore as they pulled away.
They remain a team that can turn defence into attack in a split second like no other and they are just devastating on the counter, with Aaron Cruden such an astute orchestrator and Naholo a real firecracker.
A new era has begun for the All Blacks, albeit with a bit of a shaky start. YOU often hear players saying they want to test themselves against the best and a number of the Welsh team showed they are able to hold their own against the best – and more in some cases.
Liam Williams proved he has the ability to be one the most dangerous attacking full-backs in the game, playing a big part in both of Wales’ tries, while George North was a threat every time he had the ball, confirming he would be a real candidate for a World XV and it will be a huge shame if his leg injury proves serious as he is such a weapon.
Rhys Webb more than did himself justice in his battle with the man rated the best scrum-half in the sport, Aaron Smith, sparking proceedings, making the right calls and taking his try well.
Ken Owens fully vindicated his selection at hooker, with one of his best