By
November 27 2006

As Wales’ autumn series draws to a close, theArmsPark.co.uk looks at where we now stand.

After a rather disappointing draw with Australia, Wales went on to beat the Pacific Islands and Canada, all be it in unconvincing fashion, and then get whipped by the worlds greatest, New Zealand.

 

So what do we know now, that we didn’t know 2 months ago?

 

First and foremost on the good news front is the development of the squad’s depth, and on a personal level, the solo performances of James Hook. The Pacific Islanders were brushed away with relatively little effort by a side that would resemble a Wales ‘A’ team. That’s great news for Gareth Jenkins, as it boosts selection choices, and puts pressure on every single player, even captain Steven Jones.

 

Also a moral boosting victory for the new coach, following an unsuccessful summer tour of Argentina was much needed.

 

However, I’m afraid that may be it.

 

From where I’m sitting, we’re coming out of this series of tests with more negatives than positives.

 

My biggest concern is the defence, which had looked so strong under Mike Ruddock. We conceded far too many points in the middle two tests, and though the Kiwi’s will destroy most teams they come up against, I still think some of those tries could’ve or even would’ve been stopped during Ruddock’s reign.

 

In a weekend discussion with a friend, we came to the conclusion that the coaching standard is not as high as it was 2 years ago when we narrowly lost to the All Blacks, and went on to win a magnificent Grand Slam.

 

As well as Ruddock, Clive Rowlands, Andrew Hore and Scott Johnsen have all left the set up, and have been replaced by former Welsh players Robin McBride, Neil Jenkins and Robert Jones. The gulf in class between those two sets is yet to be decided, but in experience, the former are the hands down winners.

 

Perhaps this is just me being negative, I mean Wales only lost the 1 test, and that to an all conquering New Zealand side. It’s just as a public we’ve come to expect more from our national side, and that itself is a good thing. Confidence breeds confidence, and the belief in the fans is rubbing off on the side, its just while hey are prepared to play good, expansive rugby, it seems to me like they are playing silly rugby.

 

Ireland had a 100% win rate in their 3 tests this Autumn, an though they never met New Zealand, there is wide-spread agreement that the men in green would give the Kiwi’s their strongest test. And why is that? Because they know how to win games.

 

It may not be pretty, and I’m not for a minute implying we copy their style, just perhaps steel aspects of how to control a side, and keep teams on the back foot.

 

There were large periods of the match were Wales huffed and puffed, and instead of pinging the ball 40 yards downfield into touch, they kept trying to go to contact and were understandably turned over.

 

I have tremendous respect for the boys going out and trying to out-play the Kiwi’s, but I feel a mixture or running rugby and clever kicking work at 10 would’ve posed a bigger question over their abilities.

 

Still, it could be worse…we could be England!!!