BLOW FOR WELSH AS DAVIES IS SIDELINED

THE last person Wales want to lose is Jonathan Davies. Never mind their 13th consecutive Test defeat by Australia, their worst moment came 80 minutes and 50 seconds in. With the game gone, after Leigh Halfpenny had missed the conversion to Hallam Amos’ acrobatic late score, there was a sickening blow. Davies tried to wriggle free from Marika Koroibete but his toe stuck in the turf, the weight of his body then going through his ankle as he fell. With the All Blacks looming large on the horizon, news today of a two-week lay-off or longer would be a nightmare for Wales. With Lions Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, Ross Moriarty and George North missing, Warren Gatland cannot afford another casualty before Steve Hansen’s tanks roll onto his lawn on November 25. Wales’ new attacking style, with two playmakers and freedom to fling the ball around at last, will take time to master but they created far more than in years gone by and Steff Evans’ score, in particular, was wonderful. After Gareth Davies’ break, the ball travelled the width of the field, through seven sets of hands, before Evans scored his third try in three Tests on the left. In that move, Jake Ball flicked a super out-the-back pass. Forwards are now encouraged to pass more. Wales face Georgia this weekend and second row Ball made the case for sticking to their new enterprising style. ‘We have an exciting squad and they are encouraging those guys to play with confidence,’ he said. ‘International rugby is a step up but a lot of these guys have played in regional rugby. It’s great to see so many new faces. It has brought a new vibe.’