Blacks... it’s up toWales to take their chance

RUGBY SENSE FROM THE S4C PUNDIT

So who do Wales have that is a world-class running threat?

Hallam Amos is a dependable winger, Rhys Webb is always dangerous around the fringes and Steff Evans can beat a man, but none of them are Hogg.

In that event it will take more of a team effort, more passes and more phases to break down the defence and that’s when you need the pattern of play to be second nature.

When you’re tired and under pressure you can’t spare the time to try and remember where you should be next, it should come automatically.

And having had one structured game plan imprinted in your mind for the last 10 years, it’s hard to switch that off and do something very different.

This All Blacks side is inconsistent. They are capable of jaw-dropping rugby, yet equally capable of major mistakes. These are mistakes that they never used to make. I can’t remember the last time New Zealand lost three games in one year. And that’s the biggest difference - the All Blacks are fallible, and under pressure they will give you chances.

The New Zealand pack looks to be stronger than their back line. Steve Hansen has built this side around a desire to play open rugby and has moved the game on as a result.

I wonder if he is tempted to tighten up for this game. They have struggled against blitz defence. Up against the Lions they attacked fringes rather than midfield and they have always been adroit at using clever kicks.

I’m looking forward to this game. I enjoy watching teams throw the ball around. It looks more like the game I played, rather than the incessant pounding into each other that turns off so many people.

If Wales were at full strength this would be our best chance of victory in a generation. Actually it still is. But is this Welsh side ready to take their chance?

Sadly, I think New Zealand will win. But I think they might have to work harder for it than some anticipate.