Wales may have had some it’s been a numbers game
IN any roll call of the greatest Wales opensides, Martyn Williams, Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric would take some ousting from the gold, silver and bronze positions.
Which one of them would rank highest would be very much a matter of individual taste.
Williams had soft hands and the priceless gift of anticipation, a sixth sense that enabled him to know what was going to happen on a rugby field a split-second before others.
Warburton is every bit the 21stcentury flanker, immensely powerful and difficult to shift when he locks over the ball.
Tipuric is a mixture of both, blessed with a centre’s ability to distribute while carrying the classical openside’s ability to tackle, turn ball over and support ball-carriers.
All three have been available to Warren Gatland at various points during his reign, yet it is a mild statistical quirk that it is the openside position that has caused the New Zealander most headaches during his decade-long reign as Wales coach.
He has used more players in the No.7 shirt than in any other role – 15 before this weekend.
So, the concern over who should play there against Australia on Saturday is not a complete surprise, with Warburton, Tipuric and Ellis Jenkins all injured.
Bumps are an occupational hazard for every openside, of course – the job description demands an almost-masochistic willingness to put your body on the line – hence the use of so many breakaways by Gatland since he picked his first Wales squad in January 2008.
MARK ORDERS runs the rule over those who have done the job for Gatland. MARTYN WILLIAMS The man known as Nugget had decided to retire after Wales crashed and burned at the 2007 World Cup, but Warren Gatland took over as national coach and asked Williams to meet for a coffee.
Twenty minutes of persuasion was enough to coax the Cardiff Blues player to change his mind.
It was the best decision he ever made.
His 73 caps deservedly became 100 and he played a key role in the 2008 Grand Slam, winning the man-of-thematch award in the clincher against France.
He was Gatland’s first Wales openside, and one of his best. DAFYDD JONES The Scarlet only wore the Wales No. 7 jersey twice for Gatland, against South Africa in the opening Test in the summer of 2008, with Martyn Williams rested, and against Italy in the following Six Nations.
He was more a blindside, but could also play at No. 8, with his appearances at openside usually arriving in emergencies.
But the physical and totallycommitted Jones never let his country down whatever number he had on his back. JONATHAN THOMAS The Ospreys’ man played across the back row for his country, and also at lock. There were some who reckoned he was that versatile he could have driven the team bus, booked the hotels and even flown the plane.
He played once at openside after Gatland took over, against South Africa in 2008.
Up against Luke Watson, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies, he gave a fine account of himself. ROBIN SOWDEN-TAYLOR Fate decreed that Sowden-Taylor should be in the Cardiff Blues set-up at the same time as Martyn Williams. Then Sam Warburton came along. Had Richie McCaw been signed on permit it would have put the tin hat on things.
But Sowden Taylor never complained before heading for the Dragons. In that Gatland era, he featured against Canada in 2008 and twice on Wales’s north American tour the following year. SAM WARBURTON Warburton launched his Test career by coming off the bench to fill the No. 8 role against the USA in Chicago in 2009.
He claimed the No. 7 shirt for the first time in the clash with Samoa five months later. He has performed with distinction at blindside flanker, most notably last season, but it was at openside where he made his name.
Injuries have punctuated his career, but the 74-cap forward has rarely been less than inspirational. GAVIN THOMAS Recalled to the Wales set-up in 2010 after a three-year absence, Thomas toured New Zealand and started both Tests.
He had considerable ability, evidenced by his 24 caps. But the two appearances in New Zealand were to prove the then 32-year-old’s swansong on the Test stage. He retired from all rugby two years year later. DAN LYDIATE Just the two outings at No. 7 for Lydiate in Test rugby, but he will remember them both.
The first came when injuries meant he was pressed into service as a flyer against Fiji in 2010. He performed the role so well he was named man of the match. The second saw him smash a shoulder playing against England at Twickenham in 2016. Swings and roundabouts. But Lydiate was born to be a blindside. TAULUPE FALETAU He has arguably been the first name on any team-sheet for Gatland since he broke into the Wales set-up in 2011.
His only appearance at No. 7 came in the third-place match against Australia at that year’s World Cup, with Sam Warburton suspended after being sent off against France in the semi-final.
It wasn’t ideal, but Faletau let no down as he completed an exceptional personal effort throughout the tournament.