Comments on: Rugby World Cup 2015: Wales player ratings vs South Africa

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:38:31 +0000

Now this is coming from a Welshman here so bear with me.

It feels to me that Wales have come up short in almost every ‘big’ game even the ones that they’ve won.

England in 2012, they had the lead and very nearly conceded at the death (and ref forgot about advantage)

England in World Cup, gave away a penalty at the death that had it been kicked or had England not thrown to the front (or knocked on) could well have seen Wales out at the group stages.

South Africa in 2014 – seemed like we were gifting SA opportunities to snatch the game – Scott Williams knocking that ball back into touch right at the end. Willy Le Roux having a shocker at the back seemed our best tactic to relieve pressure.

Ireland in the warm up. Camped on our line, they broke through and could/should have scored to win the game.

All these games saw the opposition with a gifted opportunity at the death to win/draw the game.

I’m not saying that Wales weren’t magnificent in those matches, they were great, but they were no better than they were in all those matches that we lost (SA in Nelspruit and Twickenham, almost every Australia game). Difference was that on those three occasions the ‘small margins’ went our way.

Am I being unduly harsh? Will Wales ever be able to win these games without th drama? We’ve lost comfortably to SA, England, Ireland and NZ in recent years but apart from the famous 30-3 score line I’m not sure I can remember a comfortable Wales win against these opposition.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 17:11:21 +0000

Just like to add something about Cuthbert, naturally I agree that he has an awful two seasons, but you certainly can’t blame him for the SA try. He had to come and make the tackle to cover Warbs being out of position, also the attacking player was carrying the ball in his right hand, suggesting the pass was to be of loaded to the right and not left as happened

By: Don P

Don P — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 17:07:19 +0000

No points score for Gatland?

For me, he must bear much responsibility for the loss v Oz when his team kept pounding the oppo line for eons too long & when it wasn’t working! Also Warburton seemed to lack imagination in even attempting to change or vary this aforementioned attack. Perhaps it was he who was dropped on his head in 2011 & not THAT Frenchman!?

Likewise v SA, the team kicked & kicked when they were down to, @ 1 stage anyway, 20% possession! Asking to get clobbered which they fuinally did by… kicking again to the Saffas who came back @ the death to bite them.

So much for pts methinks.

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 15:45:43 +0000

I hope we keep Edwards as well.

Bemused at all of these stories of Gats going to England. I can only see him leaving us for a top SANZAR job? Hope I’m right. Would be a tough blow to see him coach England. Very tough.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 15:30:13 +0000

I think Gatland will walk if he feels he can’t take the team any further, and after yet another close failure with a SH he may feel that time has come. Or he might think but for the injuries we’d have made it and carry on, but another nearly nearly in AIs and he may decide to call it a day. Just my hunch.

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:57:15 +0000

Anarky, just got involved in a discussion on The Guardian and it’s almost like they’ve copied what you have been saying. Seriously, there are more than a few Irish fans putting forward the “we played Fra the week before, Arg had a few weeks rest against poor opposition” as a key reason for the loss and going so far as advocating the result would have been different if Arg had not had that unfair rest. This is delusion of the highest order. I encourage anyone looking for a laugh, or curious as to how far a fan can go to convince themselves they were the better team in a loss – http://discussion.theguardian.com/comment-permalink/61706103

By: Staggy

Staggy — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:31:12 +0000

Dia – there go 70 % of matches between tier 1 nations. Fine margins normally.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:27:42 +0000

Wow didn’t know that. Absolutely no reason to move then – but he does need an attack coach to help him.

By: Anarky

Anarky — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:56:55 +0000

I’d be happy to see McBryde and Howley swapped out. I’d be sad to see Edwards go, his/our defence has undoubtedly kept us in, and even given us the means to secure wins when we looked done and dusted..

And as a lot of the chat has pointed out, it’s going forward that seems to be our biggest issue at the moment.

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:50:00 +0000

I’m especially optimistic Anarky if this story about Gats considering new coaches turns out to be true – http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34571973

By: Big Dia

Big Dia — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:33:59 +0000

Where’s the SA players rating. Having now watched the match twice and still feeling sick over again, I do not see anything other than two teams equally balanced where the rub of the green, 50/50 decisions made the difference. ie on another day, different ref the last call could have been a penalty to wales for the SA off their feet at the ruck which lead to scrum etc……………

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:24:00 +0000

Staggy – I have heard rumours that Gats is actually the highest paid coach in the world? Not a bad option then for the money as well.