Boks’ reload faces clever, offloading Welsh strategies
● Formidable ball carriers with the ability to make clever offloads are Welsh hallmarks the Springboks should be alert to when the teams clash in Washington next week.
That word of caution came from departing Cheetahs head coach Rory Duncan, whose side went head-to-head with the Welsh regional teams as part of their commitments in the Pro 14 competition.
The Cheetahs eventually bowed out in the play-off stage to the Scarlets, whose ability to move the ball around may rub off on the national team set-up.
Thirteen members of Wales coach Warren Gatland’s 31-man squad play their rugby in Llanelli. “The Scarlets have this great ability to make offloads. They play with flair. They play an expansive game that we tend to describe as attractive rugby. Wales will be able to move the ball around and they will do so with clever offloads,” warned Duncan.
Foremost flamethrowers missing
But it’s not as if Gatland’s charges will be all style over substance. “The Cardiff Blues have these big, strong ball carriers. The Ospreys also play using a lot of muscle,” cautioned Duncan, who will tomorrow report for duty as new head coach at Worcester Warriors.
Gatland will be mindful that his players will have to bring a balanced approach to their attack next weekend. Though the match is scheduled for a 5pm kick-off in Washington, Wales are preparing to play in sweltering conditions.
They may be without some of their heaviest flamethrowers but Gatland has promised around two-thirds of his squad, due to meet the Springboks and Los Pumas over the coming weeks, selection in his World Cup squad.
The coach dangled the carrot when his squad assembled for their June tests.
He told them 20 of them were likely to make the trip to Japan next year, adding: “(This is) Opportunity to make an impression. Discipline is going to be important.”
The coach went on to promise all his players a crack at some point in the one-off test against the Boks and the two-test series against Los Pumas in San Juan and Santa Fe.
The tour will be a testing one for the Welsh players at the end of their season, against opponents who are battle-hardened by their pursuits in Super Rugby. Wales also have some notable absentees in lock and captain Alun Wynn Jones, flyhalf Dan Biggar, hooker Ken Owens and influential No 8 Taulupe Falatau who have all been rested.
Fullback Leigh Halfpenny and flank Josh Navidi are out injured, while lock Luke Charteris, prop Tomas Francis and flank Josh Adams weren’t cleared by their clubs as the test falls outside the June test window.
Also missing from the squad that beat the Boks for the second consecutive time in the Principality Stadium last year are hooker Kristian Dacey, tighthead Scott Davies, flank Dan Lydiate and scrumhalf Rhys Webb.
Jones is the glue that binds the Wales team, Halfpenny’s reliable goal-kicking is worth gold, while Navidi’s work rate is immense. They’ll be sorely missed.
Going west but looking North
Despite some high-profile absentees, Gatland will be pleased to have tackle-breaking wing George North and highly pedigreed flank Ross Moriarty available.
Of course the Boks will also be without some heavy hitters that played in Cardiff last year in Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx and Lood de Jager.
Both teams on display next weekend will be influenced by commitments further down the line. In the case of the Boks, who need to get back to their feet, it is the threetest series against England, while Wales can afford to take a longer-term view.