Tag: Rugby World Cup

Rugby Union: World Cup 2019 – Pool Stage Review

Wales 43 – 14 Georgia
Wales 29 – 25 Australia
Wales 29 – 17 Fiji
Wales 35 – 13 Uruguay

Surface level analysis would conclude that Wales are heading into their quarter-final against France in strong form. They have won all their games in Pool D of the tournament. Unfortunately as with all things, the reality paints a more complex picture. Wales have looked stronger than their warm up games would suggest. They are probably favourites to beat France in the QF, but as a fan I’m somewhat underwhelmed.

The most recent match with Uruguay featured 13 changes to the team and rested some key players, as always with Wales, lots of changes resulted in a mess frankly. Wales were inaccurate, with so many passes going behind players or going to ground, and a fantastic performance from Uruguay made them look far more challenging than the difference in the world rankings would suggest. Emblematic of this were two disallowed tries due to two forward passes, simple errors that cost points.

This alludes to there still being a gulf between the probable players and the possible players. Wales appear to be dangerously on the edge with one or two injuries being all it would take to derail the high level of execution the game plan demands.

Against Australia, Wales were amazing in the first half but then didn’t do much else but defend for the final third (heroically admittedly), but for a moment it looked like at some point Australia were going to break the red wall again and sneak the game. Wales seem determined to kick the ball away no matter what and “trust their defence” I just wish they would hold onto the ball longer and play the final moments in the opposition half, not camped on their own line.

Wales were also given a fright against, Fiji who played really well and tore the Welsh defence apart. For the neutral these games were fantastic, but for me Wales should have enforced their will on their opposition rather more emphatically, especially versus Fiji and Uruguay.

The Welsh game plan is based around a high level of execution. Kicking, claiming the ball in the air, getting the defensive line up correctly etc are all basic skills of the game that teams will emphasize, but for Wales they all need to be there for the machine to start grinding out points. You only need to look at the Uruguay game to see how the plan falls apart when the basics are missing. We have lost a bit of the flair for a more pragmatic, approach.

Wales should have enough to beat France who are hilariously inconsistent. I expect the Welsh defence to stifle the France attack and force lots of mistakes for Wales to set up camp in the French half and start racking up points. Overall I cannot really complain as Wales have won all their pool games and will face France instead of the far trickier England. I am pleased, but the games were not ones I could sit back and relax in that’s for sure.

Wales vs England World Cup Warm Up #1

Wales 19 – 33 England

On paper this looked to be a very simple affair for Wales, they were coming in to the game having won a Grand Slam and on a 14 game winning streak. Due to Australia beating New Zealand, Wales stood to become the #1 team in the world by winning this game. England on the other hand were fielding a team of outsiders, players who were not mainstays of the starting XV but who were getting a chance to create some selection headaches for Eddie Jones.


They managed to do exactly that. England piled on the pressure early on with some quick scores and never really let go of the advantage. The English forwards were dominant in the scrum and around the fringes.


The Welsh by comparison looked tired. They have been enduring a reportedly grueling fitness camp in Switzerland and it showed. There was no line speed in defense, no English player getting hammered backwards in contact and not a great deal happening at all. The lineout was horrendous, wasting an opportunity for one try and gifting an opportunity for an English try.


There is no where really to turn, Wales were thoroughly beaten, their only period of dominance came alongside a succession of English penalties.


Both teams will repeat this test this weekend, only this time doing so in Cardiff. Wales have lost Gareth Anscombe to injury for their World Cup campaign and now need to quickly find a backup for him.


Whatever the result, England looked to gain a lot more than Wales. Even if Wales won it wouldn’t have shown us much, yes the Grand Slam XV beat a second string England team, congratulations. England however, tested lots of players and some, like Tom Curry and Jonathan Joseph performed spectacularly.


It will be interesting to see selection for the game in Cardiff. Will Gatland try and prevent the 0-2 to England or will he risk it and try out some different players?


No one will remember these warm up games, they are more to get players match fit going in to the World Cup seeing as all the southern hemisphere sides will have just completed The Rugby Championship. It was depressing as a fan however to see such a lethargic and inaccurate Welsh performance.