Our boys get a buzz out of dishing out ‘legal violence’

Gatland says Wales are up for the fight ahead of summer tour finale

WARREN Gatland has said his players get a buzz out of being ‘legally violent’ on the rugby field.

During their unexpected 23-10 victory over Argentina last Saturday, Wales nullified their hosts by making in excess of 200 tackles with a 90% completion rate.

It was a stunning rearguard action as they surrendered 65 per cent of the ball and 68 per cent territory.

A young Welsh side was expected to be overpowered in San Juan, but they fronted up and Gatland has said that he asked his players to enjoy the physical confrontation and the defensive side of the game. “When you’re playing in big matches and the adrenalin is pumping, you can get a real buzz out of that,” explained Gatland ahead of tonight’s second Test in Santa Fe.

“Just coming off your line and being legal to be violent. You’re trying to smash someone and you’re trying to hurt them. That’s what the guys do. So, you’ve got to be in the right mental state to go out there and do that, to deliver.

“The guys did that, they really fronted up and that was pleasing.”

The youngest player in the squad, Aaron Wainwright, came off the bench to make an impressive international debut last Saturday.

In the 28 minutes he spent on the field, he made more tackles than any other replacement. In fact, his 13 completed hits were more than any Argentina player managed, including the starters. Gatland insisted that the 20-year-old’s attitude and disregard for himself, was what he wanted to see in his players.

“Elliot Dee told me today that he was speaking to Aaron Wainwright coming onto the field,” started Gatland.

“Aaron was saying about having no respect for his own body and just throwing himself into everything and giving 100 per cent.

“As a coach, when you hear that from young players it’s great. That’s the kind of attitude you’re looking for from everyone.”

Another player who achieved an impressive defensive feat last Saturday was No.8 Ross Moriarty.

His 26 tackles were the most made by any international player across the games last weekend and he admitted his body was still feeling the effects of that midway through the week.

“I was still feeling it on Tuesday,” said Moriarty. “They run hard in all fairness to them. Argentina have some big forwards and their backs are light on their feet, so it’s a good mixture.

“Going into a match I always know it’s going to hurt, but when you come out with a win it makes it all worthwhile.

“I do like carrying the ball and making breaks which I didn’t get to do too much of at the weekend because I was making a lot of tackles.

“I made the most of any international player to play last weekend and that’s something to be proud of. I hadn’t seen it myself, but my dad loves stats, so he was quick to tell me!

“It’s something I don’t want to be doing regularly, but I’ll take it.”