ITALIAN
After 36 defeats in a row Six Nations whipping boys spoil the Welsh party
DAN BIGGAR admitted Welsh heads are likely to roll after Italy wrecked the party planned for him and Alun Wyn Jones.
Both stalwarts of the Dragonhood were meant to attend a post-match bash inside the Principality Stadium, thrown to celebrate their landmark achievements.
But the fizz fell flat from the moment Ange Capuozzo brillianty shredded the Welsh defence in the final move of the match to set up Edoardo Padovani for a stunning, match-snatching try (celebrating, right).
Paolo Garbisi kicked the conversion and then threw himself to the turf in tears before being engulfed by joyous team-mates.
An over-emotional reaction? Not at all. How do you think you might have felt if you had lost 36 Six Nations matches in succession and not won for seven years?
Especially, when your team had led 15-14 with 12 minutes to go, lost the lead to a third Wales try, and then won it back right at the death for a first ever victory on Welsh soil.
Biggar looked tearful, too – but his rage was more to do with anger and frustration that had followed the proudest moment of his career.
The Wales captain had run out on his own, ahead of his team, in celebration of his 100th cap for his country.
He was quickly joined by Jones, who was making his 150th appearance in a red shirt – the first player from any country to reach that mark for their nation.
But after woeful Wales had lost in humiliating fashion, despite outscoring the Italians by three tries to one, Biggar revealed some of his team-mates would pay a big price for failure. Wales have finished fifth after winning the title last season and Biggar confessed: “We’ve said in the huddle now, that’s probably the last chance for a lot of players.
“It’s so poor to lose it from where we were.
“We’ve played poorly all day but to not finish it off from 70 metres from our line...
“Too many boys were not quite up to speed. We were second to loose balls and balls in the air. It’s really disappointing that something that we pride ourselves on, that requires no talent, is work ethic.”
Wales had been off key for most of the day, but looked to have done enough to win when Josh Adams weaved his way through in the 68th minute to score his side’s third try.
It was a typically ruthless effort from Wales’ best finisher and it seemed to highlight a tiring Italian defence.
The Azzurri had already recovered from conceding earlier tries to Owen Watkin and Dewi Lake.
But this time the boot of Garbisi and Padovani – who
kicked 17 points between them – looked as if it would not be enough.
Appearances, though, can be deceptive – even for a team that had not tasted success in this tournament since 2015.
Italy got a helping hand when a TMO decision went in their favour at 21-15 down after Wyn Jones went over from close range with eight minutes to go.
Wales continued to push for a fourth try, and the bonus point, but were caught out with the last play of the game.
Capuozzo – who has given glimpses he is a real star of the future – went on a weaving run that took him past three Welsh tacklers.
He then stood up Kieran Hardy and burned him on the outside.
He then had the presence of mind to find the try-scoring pass to Padovani.
Wales coach Wayne Pivac admitted changes to his line-up are likely in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.
He said: “It’s very disappointing. We will make sure it doesn’t happen again. It was an unacceptable performance.
“I’m not worried about the pressure that will come on.
“It’s an emotional time and Dan is obviously very frustrated. Clearly, he is going to be upset and disappointed.
“But nothing changes about where we are and what we want to achieve, although this wasn’t part of the plan.”
Italian coach Kieran Crowley said: “People can’t say we’ve lost 36 in a row any more!
“There will still be those who doubt us and our place in the tournament, but we just have to show this is not a one-off.”
WALES: Tries: Watkin, Lake, Adams. Cons: Boggar 3.
ITALY: Try: Padovani.
Pens: Garbisi (3), Padovani (2).
Con: Garbisi.