Wales need to try, try and try again to win matches
RUGBY SENSE FROM THE S4C PUNDIT
WALES played 10 matches in this calendar year, won five and lost five. Only one of those victories was against a quality side, Ireland.
Thus they end 2017 searching for a much-needed scalp against another, but go into battle versus the Springboks with an unfamiliar looking lineup.
Once more, Wales are significantly depleted by injuries as the autumn campaign proves to be a costly month for the fitness of our players yet again. This is a recurring theme each November.
Wales also lost most of their exiles for this extra match, further stretching the thin player resources. No wonder, therefore, that there is a very different look to this XV.
The eye-catching selection is at scrum-half with Aled Davies starting ahead of Rhys Webb, who has recovered from his head injury and takes his place on the bench.
That means this was a choice to start with Davies, who is a very different type of scrum-half to Webb and Gareth Davies. Those two are running nines that threaten the defence physically and make explosive impacts on the game. They each score lots of tries.
Aled Davies is more of a skill-based decision-maker. He reads the game well, brings others into the action and co-ordinates the direction and the pace of the attacks.
He is a fine player and, as Wales pursue a more fluid game, a scrum-half distributor may be able to offer a different option, especially from the bench.
The other reason that this selection makes sense is that at some point before the next World Cup, Wales will have to stop playing Webb.
As it stands he will not be available for the tournament in Japan and so Wales have to move on. Gatland needs to give those players who will replace him enough opportunities and experience to be able to perform in the white hot atmosphere of a World Cup.
Currently I still think Webb is Wales’ best scrum-half, but there is a fine balance to be had between giving your team the best chance of winning by playing Webb or concentrating on developing a side for the World Cup.
This scrum-half dilemma will become more acute as we enter the Six Nations.
Hadleigh Parkes makes his debut in the centre, having been in Wales for three years and thus qualifying on residence. Parkes is an excellent rugby player and his performances certainly merit his place in the team.
Yet Owen Williams, who is from Wales, cannot be picked because he has chosen to play his club rugby in Gloucester. As Gareth Delve said on the radio recently, it is suddenly more important where you reside, rather than what your nationality is.
This is a complex argument that’s well-rehearsed; my only observation is that the residency rules are far too short. Three years is the time of one rugby contract. Where is the commitment to a country in that? I would like to see it increased to seven years.
The rules are set by World Rugby and initial suggestions on changing this policy have been kicked into the deep grass.
Wales are no different to the other countries in selecting players qualified on residency. I wish Parkes the best for tomorrow. He may well be an option at 12 for the Six Nations.
Where I think we should be concerned is the front row. Scott Andrews starts on the tight-head due to injury and absence.
Andrews is a good rugby player, good hands, dynamic and always looks in good shape. However, these are not attributes you need to anchor the scrum and as a tight-head, that’s the first priority.
South Africa will have done their homework and target the scrum looking for penalties. It is up to Andrews, as well as those behind him, to give the referee no excuse to blow the whistle.
South Africa will be happy to play at pace this weekend. They are rebuilding their team and redefining their style. But that means it could be another opportunity for Josh Navidi to shine again.
He carried the ball better against New Zealand. We know he is a solid tackler and good over the ball. He has been the find of the autumn for me, proving he can contribute at international level. He is also versatile, being able to play at six, and in extremis, eight.
So, how will Wales end the autumn and 2017? With such an inexperienced side which must be low on confidence, it’s hard to see them beating South Africa.
The year has seen Wales stagnate while the other home nations have developed and moved ahead.
The glimmer of hope that takes me into 2018 is that Wales appear to be on the right track. The way to win matches is by scoring tries... and we need to get better at doing that.
Gwyn Jones is a member of S4C’s Clwb Rygbi presentation team. Clwb Rygbi will have coverage of Wales v South Africa, tomorrow from 2pm. Following the match, Clwb Rygbi will be showing Cheetahs v Scarlets from 5.15pm, with English commentary available. There will also be chance to look at the 80 minutes of Munster v Ospreys from 12.50pm on Sunday, English commentary available.