THE BRAVE NEW WORLD FOR WALES UNDER WAYNE PIVAC 1

Justin Tipuric’s tr y at Twickenham t ypif ies Wales’ at tacking intent, says Sean Holley

WAYNE PIVAC’S

reign as Wales coach got off to a rocky start, with defeats by Ireland, France and England before Covid interrupted the Six Nations in March. Defensively, Wales have looked passive at times and with the plan to offload and run the ball back more, turnover errors are being punished. They were exploited in the transition between lineout and back-line by England, where front-row forwards were being used. The scrum and maul has lacked conviction, though I’m sure this will improve under new forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.

There are encouraging signs, too. Pivac and assistant Stephen Jones have got Dan Biggar playing flatter to the line and bringing a new attacking dimension. Nick Tompkins has made the biggest impact as a Pivac recruit, making the third-most metres and six offloads in the first four games.

Wales’ more open attacking style is bearing fruit. They are running the ball back from fielding kicks – Leigh Halfpenny is no longer simply pumping the ball back in the air. We’ve seen a new three-forward pod attacking system, with even Alun Wyn Jones attacking in the wider channels for offloads and cross-kicks. There has been variation from the set-piece attack. Justin Tipuric was used extensively as a lineout jumper under Warren Gatland. Now we’re seeing him as an extra attacking option and decoy runner in midfield.

It was a moment of sheer magic by Tipuric and Co that I’ve analysed this month – the try Wales scored from the second-half restart at Twickenham in March. It’s a moment that lit up the Six Nations and is probably an indicator of where Pivac wants his Wales side to be.

The try occurs straight after half-time. From England’s restart there is some clever ‘escorting’ by forwards Jake Ball and Leon Brown on the lone England chaser Elliot Daly. This buys enough time for Nick Tompkins to pick his head up and see free space ahead of him. Josh Navidi sees the opportunity and holds back close to the touchline. George Kruis has held back from the chase and is now the only player Tompkins sees in front of him. The centre draws his man and passes to Navidi in space.

COACHING POINTS Play from restarts is vastly underestimated and study on the opposition can highlight chinks in their chase set-up. Set-ups are often designed for well-executed kicks but if the kick is too long or too central, a counter-attack can be launched and mismatches made. Putting your quicker players deep in catching positions can set you on your way and if support players can scan the defence, and communicate into those catchers where the space is, it can be lethal.