Wales Outclass Again

Anybody else get de ja vu last night? Wales pushing the All Blacks all the way for 50 minutes, never quite getting the scoreboard going, and then being sucker punched in 10 minutes and watching the Kiwi's cruise to the final whistle. It's a familiar tale by now, even if the method was a little different this time around. So why did an ambitious Wales fail to defeat an under-strength New Zealand?

Rieko Ioane's second try sealed the game away.

New Zealand: All Black or Not All That?

For the last five or more years it has been rugby scripture that the All Blacks are the best team in the world, the one which all others should look to emulate, only beatable by the most perfect of performances (and even then only when they are missing players). In the last six months, however, they have looked more vulnerable than ever. The Kiwi's love coming to the Northern Hemisphere looking to finish off the season unbeaten, but this year they didn't even get to start the undefeated run. Since their opening fixture against Samoa, they have lost against the Lions and Australia. Additionally, they could have lost to South Africa, France, Scotland, and the Lions again. In a nearly a dozen games they've only put together one 80 minute performance, against South Africa. The rest of the year they have largely relied on a complete blitzkrieg in the first half to build an unassailable lead, before releasing the throat after halftime. So what's going on, is it a malaise within their own ranks, or simply the rest of the world catching up?

Top of the World for eight years, yet the All Blacks look weaker than ever. What is going on this year?

Five Things from Wales v Australia

On a miserable day in Cardiff, which saw a lot of paying fans frustrated with the queue's into the stadium, Wales wrote the same story against the Wallabies as they have for nearly a decade. Close, showed promise, but ultimately undone by a few killer blows. In reality, there wasn't a large amount of hope for a home win going into the match, many supporters looking instead for a decent performance under a new style, and it is what they got. Despite this, it is another loss - twelfth in a row against the men in gold - and performances need to turn into results quickly if the World Cup is the objective. Below are five topics of conversation from the game.

Double Pivot System

Owen Williams seemed at home in the Welsh midfield.
Given enough time he could be crucial come 2019.

It was the big talking point going into the game. Owen Williams selected at twelve, so long the jersey for the bruising straight running Jamie Roberts, instead gone to a thinking, passing playmaker. Ironically Australia turned up with the big ball carriers in centre, hoping to question the lighter Williams in defence.

Did the system work? In a nutshell yes. It granted Wales the ability to play with width, and get on the outside of the Australian defence, especially in the middle third of the park. The passing skills shown by Owen Williams especially the ability to move the ball quickly under pressure showed why he was selected. But really those hands could have been provided by Scott Williams - or even Roberts himself - what Williams provided as another player who can look up, read the defence and look for the weaknesses. The nature of rugby today means the fly-half no longer can be expected to read the whole defence, there simply isn't enough time with blitz defences, having a second pair of eyes further out allows holes in the wider channel to be spotted and exploited.

Was it perfect? No, obviously, it was the first time Wales had played with this structure and it was never going to click instantly. On occasion, there was still a lack of a decent screen behind which the second pivot could operate. Additionally, after making the breaks in the middle third, in the red zone, Wales once again looked inept out wide. Only this time instead of battering down the 12 channel repeatedly, they seemed to fling passes and hoping something would happen. This issue could

Will the system work better with North's physicality?

possibly be fixed by the return of the likes of Moriarty or North who can add a physical, hard line down the centre channel, which will fix defences allowing the width to be exploited on the try line. It will be interesting to see what team is Gatland's first choice with everyone fit.

Rookie Players Step Up

No Roberts, no Warburton, no Tipuric, no North, no Webb. There was something of a notable injury list for Wales heading into the game, which meant plenty of inexperienced players got a chance to prove they can step up. Navidi at 7, Owen Williams already mentioned and Stefan Evans the notable three. The question was could they take their consistently excellent form at a regional level up to the Test stage, and overall yeh they kinda did.

Navidi has added another option in the
backrow to Gatland's resources.

Navidi especially can be pleased, a few years ago when he was storming around for the Cardiff Blues Gatland questioned whether he was big enough for Test rugby, after Saturday's performance I think we can agree he definitely is. Regularly made ground, and showed up very well in the wider channels, as Wales will ask from their 7's in the new game. On the other flank Shingler returned to the red of Wales looking like he'd never left, a regular target in the lineout and did all the graft needed from the blindside, Wales' strength in depth in the back row is formidable now. Meanwhile out on the wing at best it was a mixed day for Steff Evans, once outstanding finish against two covering defenders, and often beating the first tackler in open player, combined with a number of handling errors and guilty of being ripped by Beale in the play of the match. None the less he looked ready to be a consistent fixture on the wing, and what happens when North returns will be very interesting. 

From the bench the likes of Leon Brown, Sam Cross, and Owen Watkin all showed up decently in their five-minute cameos, Watkin deserves a special mention for triggering a line break which lead to Hallam Amos' try at the death. 

Kick Off Nightmares

Now referred to as the "third set piece" it was rather shocking to see how clunky and disappointing the Welsh were on the restarts. With alarming regularity, they were unable to clear their lines and gifted Australia great territory and possession. Which put them right back under pressure after pulling themselves back into contention on the scoreboard. All in all in meant Wales could never really get any momentum in the game and double up on scores. In fact in the first half, from poor restart control, Australia were able to score two tries with minimal effort. 

Davies is used often by Wales during
their exit strategies.

Throughout the game Bernard Foley was targetting Jonathan Davies with his kicks, aiming to get what they sort as the danger man out of the game. If Davies catches and gets tackled Wales lose their left-footed kick to touch. It was obvious, so why didn't Wales realise this and adapt. Move Davies around a bit test Foley's thinking and ability. Or leave him where he is and get the players around him to secure the ball and clear your lines. At least twice the ball was coughed up at the breakdown just from not looking after the ball for Gareth Davies. It was a number of basic things you'd expect professional players to do, that wasn' there for the men in red. Against Georgia, they will need to sort it out, because if they keep the Georgians in the match then that result could go anywhere.

Handling Errors and Retaining Possession

Honestly handling errors have been an ever-present thing with Wales for a few years now. Something that creeps up often and why players aren't turning up to the international camps with the basic handling skills expected. Things have improved overall but with this new style focused on passing the ball wide, it was bound to appear again. Saturday showed that all the players - even props and second rows - have the ability to pass the ball under pressure, which is great and can only help the attack. However far too often players were guilty of trying to get one too many passes in. 

Gareth Davies crucially held possession after
 making a break by himself.

I lost count of the number of times Wales would successfully manage to get outside the defence and the player with the ball would fling a wild pass as they got brought down. It was frustrating as a fan, can't imagine how much it annoyed Rob Howley. With how often Wales were able to make twenty or thirty-yard breaks in the outside channels, they needed to realise being tackled and forming a ruck wasn't the end of the world. Recycle the ball, and go again against a retreating defence. Two things are going to have happened. Either the defence has all be sucked in scrambling to bring down the line break, and so there is, even more, space on the opposite wing. Or the defence hasn't made it back to defend the breakdown and your close support and make a big burst down the same flank.

You don't need to score off every line break instantly, just look at the Steff Evans try. Gareth Davies made a great break off the lineout and held on to the ball when brought down in the 22. From the ensuing ruck, the ball was passed to a forward pod who heard the call from the fly-half to tip it on. At this point the defence had been fixed by the forwards and some slick hands in the backline put Evans over in the corner. More of that and Wales could have scored a couple more tries.

Yellow Card Sins

What is it about Wales and a complete inability to make one man advantages count? Especially against Australia? It is becoming a huge worry that Wales can't find the extra space left by a missing player. Two years ago it was two men off and Wales still couldn't score. This time it was captain and talisman Michael Hooper who was shown the yellow. Wales should have had the extra power in the pack, less to deal with at the breakdown, and a notable defender was off the pitch. So despite being camped on the Australia line with a succession of scrums, mauls, and phases, they couldn't find a way over. 

Hallam Amos pulls off a spectacular finish in the corner
to give Wales a little hope.
 (Huw Evans)

As discussed before the backline seemed to struggle with fixing the defence in narrow to find any decent space out wide. Instead, resorting to long passes with an attached hope that someone wider out would find the space to get over. A change in method from two years ago, but the same result yielded. Eventually, the try did come, but Hooper was actually back on the field in time to witness Hallam Amos' spectacular finish in the corner (something Shane Williams would have been proud of). When it comes to red-zone try scoring Wales still look as limp as ever, but I think it could be improved upon with the return of North to the backline. With his physicality down the 10-12 channel off the wing as an option for Biggar or Owen Williams, it will fix the defence and allow space outside to be found. That, or the defence will drift a little too much and the 17 stone powerhouse from Northampton will dive underneath the posts.

Overall plenty of positives for Wales to take into Georgia next weekend, and the rest of the Autumn, but still plenty which needs work as well.

Rant: I thought crawling was illegal?

Kids are taught once tackled they have to
let go of the ball.

Back when I was first learning rugby there were a few main things I was repeatedly told:

• Pass the ball backward
• Run forwards
• Tackle the legs
• When you're on the floor you're out of the game

Over the years I've done these with varying degrees of success - can't say I follow the third one that well - but I do my best. They are the basic tenants of the game of rugby, what makes it unique. Which makes me very confused having watch recent top level rugby matches and the disregard for the fourth point.

What happened to giving players a rest?

For the last few years, player welfare has been at the top of the agenda in rugby. From concerns about how concussion is handled to worries about a year long season, it has been in the headlines most of the time. And with 2017 being a Lions year the discussion about players having a really long season, and lack of an off-season appeared again. With many players, coaches and pundits expressing

George North has been the concussion poster boy for
a while, but what about rest time?

concerns about the ability for the players to keep playing at the top level with minimal rest.

This makes the opening day of the season all the more head scratching. It is well documented that players that partook in the Lions series are often unavailable until around the fourth week of competitive fixtures. Some players will return earlier than that if they weren't involved in the final test match, but it's a pretty solid rule of thumb. This is designed such that the players get the required time off to let their bodies recover before they go through their own personal version of pre-season which the rest of their teammates completed in August. So it is a mystery how so many players who were still in New Zealand in July took to the field last weekend.

Where do the Home Nations stand?

After a truly majestic series in New Zealand, the Lions are in good shape for the foreseeable future. Fans, players, coaches, and pundits all are celebrating the success of the Lions and what it means for World Rugby, so it seems that the incessant talk about the "death" of the Lions should be put to rest and the suits in the boardrooms accept that it should remain in place and be given a priority.

With the tour over focus shifts back to the four home nations. The coaches will all have kept a close eye on the Lions tour, looking for individual player performances, useful tactical approaches which worked, and any other areas which spark a thought. So what questions has the tour posed each of them?

The series ended all square, as the greatest in the world shared the trophy. Was truly one of the greatest series' ever.

One Last Round

I'll admit I didn't see the Lions winning a test match in the series. I felt they would punch hard but that the Kiwi's ability to score, and inability to lose, would be the deciding factor. I'll also happily admit I was wrong. It was a blood and thunder test match played beneath a storm in the windy city of Wellington. While the fans may have been getting drenched the ferocity on the pitch was more than enough to light a fire in the belly and raise a roar. 

The red-card debate will rage on for a few weeks, but given time the result is all that will be remembered. Never the less the Lions did make hard work of that advantage for most of the game. In fact the one try they scored which exploited extreme width was while they too were down a man. Both Lion's tries would have made those in black proud to score them, and stopping New Zealand scoring is a monumental feat these days. There was a lot to digest from the victory, but just what are the key points ahead of the final game, the decider, the game of the decade.

Lions players celebrate victory, in a brutal contest, to level the series 1-1.

McCaw who?

Safe to say the result of the first test wasn't to plan for Warren Gatland. New Zealand scored double the points of the travelling Lions and realistically never looked flustered by the Brits. However, for all the pre-match talk of Lions power game, it was actually the men in black who ruled the roost at the breakdown. Sure there were the flashes of ball skills we expect from the Kiwi's, Read's offload and Codie Taylor's pick up particular examples, not to mention the sublime one-handed pick up from Barrett, but the tone was set by the sheer physicality of the New Zealand pack. The Lions expected to rule the breakdown, that didn't happen, largely due to one man. Sam Cane.

For all the pre-match analysis Cane appeared from nowhere to ruin the Lions' day with a breakdown masterclass.

Halfway down the Road

It has been a mixed bag so far for the tourists in New Zealand. Unconvincing but victorious against the Barbarians, simplistic but physical against the Blues, aggressive but wasteful against the Crusaders. There are hints that things are coming together, a structure forming, partnerships connecting, but there is still work to be done. So with half the fixtures before the first Test been and gone what do the Lions need to improve?

The Lions put in a grizzled performance against the Crusaders, but there is still plenty to work on before June 24th.

Lions Match 1 - Who's available?

When the fixture list was announced at the start of the season Warren Gatland would have been aware that a number of players he would be taking on the Lions tour wouldn't be available for selection in the first game - against the Provincial Select XV. Due to the fact the PRO12 and Aviva Premiership finals are to be played exactly one week before, players still representing their clubs will not have had enough time in camp to get up to speed with the Lions' tactics, let alone have recovered from the game or the jet-lag from flying halfway around the world.

With that in mind, Gatland is likely to use the easiest game of the tour as a chance to test some player combinations, give some players low on game time a run-out, and allow the squad to get up to speed with playing together. After the events of last weekend, the coaching staff will have a rictus grin having witnessed Leinster and Saracens lose their semi-finals, with ten players becoming available which they would have been expecting to be without. Taking all of this into account, what is the sort of team that Gatland is likely to field as the 2017 Lions tour get's underway?

Cross-Kick Chaos

Ahead of the first test on June 24th, you can guarantee that the Lions coaches and analysts will have poured over every last detail of the All Blacks gameplay since the World Cup, and a fair amount before then too. However, there is one play, one weapon, one devastating skill the Kiwi's seem to have that is making a mockery of all attempts to stop it. The cross-kick or kick pass has proven to be lethal in this season's Super Rugby, especially at the hands of All Blacks king-in Beauden Barrett. Just take a glance at the compilation video put together by the All Blacks Youtube Channel below:

Lions Squad Talking Points

Well after months of proposed selections, arguments between fans about who's the better player, and whether Gatland would descend into nepotism, we finally got the 41 man squad which will have the privilege of pulling on the famous red shirt and traveling to New Zealand. To say it caused a stir on social media is probably one of the biggest understatements of the year. So amidst all the disagreements, celebrations, and expectation here are the main things that caught my eye.

Gatland finally released his final tour squad yesterday (19th April).

NZ Super Rugby Spy Report

Much has been made about which players will board the plane to the Land of the Long White Cloud come end of May, which players are certainties, which players could be bolters from nowhere, and the best makeup of the team to beat the Kiwi's. Even here at Tackle Pad I've put forward my pick for the test match team. Meanwhile, Super Rugby has been chugging along, over looked by many, the results and performances of the five New Zealand based franchises will provide an inkling into the state of All Black rugby. So just how are they doing?

The Hurricanes swept to the Super Rugby title in a Kiwi dominated season last year, will it be the same in 2017?

Lions Team for 1st Test

Everyone it putting forward their ideas has to who they think should take the field for the first test against the All Blacks on the 24th of June. So why should this blog be any different? Below is the 15 (+ substitutes) that I would pick for the first test, based on 6 Nations form, consistent talent, and assuming everyone is fit.

Hogg was voted Player of the Championship for the second year running, clearly showing his class.

Fullback - Stuart Hogg

Who else? One of the best attacking fullbacks in world rugby, and that sort of eye for a try will be needed against the Kiwi's, who possess the greatest fullback in the game in Ben Smith. Hogg offers brilliantly balanced running, with the ball in two hands, causing defenders endless problems. Combine that with his lethal acceleration which can see him scorch past international wingers if needed and he is likely to be the Lion's main threat outwide.

Lions - who has work to do?

With one final set of fixtures to go and players will be looking to have a storming final game to get that ticket on the plane to New Zealand this summer. Players that went on the last tour, that many assumed would be certs four years later, are looking below par. Als,o players hoping to get their first taste of a Lions tour will want to put in one final noticeable performance on the international scene. There are six players in particular that I feel have the biggest point to make on "Super Saturday".

Gatland will be having some sleepless nights as he tries to narrow down who he is taking to New Zealand.

Talupe Faletau

Faletau has been injured most of the season.

Four years ago Faletau was started the final test, and was ready to take off internationally, and no one can argue that he didn't. He has been one of the most consistently high-performance players in world rugby for Wales over the last four years. Excellent with ball in hand, brilliant link play with his scrum-half, exceptional from the back of a (retreating) scrum, and an incredibly hard grafter in the tight
exchanges too. However, this season has been a patchwork one for the Bath player, spending most of the year injured he has been supplanted by Ross Moriarty in the Welsh backrow all 6 Nations.

Death of the Dragon

Wales players look dejected after loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

What happened to Wales? From 2008-2013 Wales have arguably ruled the roost in the Northern Hemisphere, under Warren Gatland and co. Winning three 6 Nations titles, two via Grand Slams and their players dominating the Lions tours across that period. Players became household names not only west of the Severn, but across Europe. Jamie Roberts, George North, Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny to name a few. However, since the last World Cup barring a few memorable performances, there has been a steady noticeable decline across the last 12-15 months, what has been the cause, and what can be done?

Stand-out Performers after Round 2

It is safe to say the first two weekends of the 2017 Six Nations have been nothing short of enthralling. The Wales vs England game a particular standout for exceptional test match intensity that you don't see anywhere else in the global calendar. This year's tournament has been helped by the begins of a French revival, and the Scottish obtaining a lethal edge. So who has stood out so far?

Stuart Hogg

Three tries in two matches for Hogg, he's been electric.

What a tournament this young man is having, every time he gets the ball in his hand you can feel the air pressure drop as everyone inhales. He is simply mesmerizing when he's attacking the opposition, he keeps the ball in two hands and his dancing feet send defenders into a panic. Hogg has scored three tries in two games, two of which showcased exactly why he is the favourite for the Lions 15 jersey. Combinations of neck breaking acceleration, ankle breaking stepping, and eye-melting ball control just makes him a joy to watch.

Six Nations Round 1 - Six Things

First week over, and it was a hell of a first round. Scotland got the tournament off to a rip-roaring start with a 40-minute blitz of the Irish before resisting the typical fight back to claim victory. Next up Twickenham hosted a typically gritty, physical match-up between England and France. The French dominated for large periods of the match but failed to make it count, and in the end Eddie Jones' side always looked like they would find something to steal it. To finish up Wales eventually broke through the Italian resistance to start their campaign off positively. So what were the talking points from the opening fixtures ahead of round two?

Bonus Points

Bonus points, or more accurately, the lack of bonus points on the opening weekend could potentially have the old guard screaming that their point has been made. We actually saw only two bonus points be awarded to Ireland and France for coming close in their defeats. So no attacking bonus points, across three games no team managed to score four tries.

Six players with a point to prove

The opening weekend of the 6 Nations is little more than 24 hours away, and the teams have been announced. So which player from each team has the most to prove?

England - Maro Itoje

This seems a bit of a stretch asking the young player of the year to prove himself. After an incredibly successful 2016, Itoje is the first name on everyone's Lions team sheet, and there is not much more you could ask of him. He steals lineouts; wins turnovers; makes tackles; passes; runs and everything in between.

6 Nations Fantasy League 2017

It's an annual tradition, and 2017 is no difference. With changes to the 6 Nations this year, we could see a big shift in the dynamics of the fantasy league too. ESPN is our game of choice here on Tackle Pad, and our official league is now up and running.

So go sign up, create your team and join our Private League, using the code below:

1300446-39486

Additionally this year ESPN have allowed each player to enter two teams. You can choose to double your chances of properly winning. Or should you want a different challenge then join in with "Hard-mode" as you try to score points with a team made of only substitute players. Just denote your team with a "S" at the end.

Transfers this year are up to three per week and any additional transfers reduce two points from your team's total.

Good luck to all of you, we are only a week away now.

6 Reasons to be excited for the 6 Nations

The 6 Nations is back. The words that every rugby fan looks forward to hearing. Widely considered to be the best annual rugby tournament in the world, it brings together fans from across Europe to watch rivalries every weekend. Excellent stadia, passionate players, and a tournament which is never certain. This year's tournament feels especially exciting for multiple reasons.

The 6 Nations is a tournament beloved by all, why is this year more exciting than ever?

Bonus Points are IN

The headline news for 2017: four try and losing bonus points are there to win. In short, this is brilliant for every team. Off the bat we should see teams looking to score more tries and play with more ball in hand, possession becoming more important than territory. The talents of Wesley Fofana, Jonathan Joseph, and Michele Campagnaro will look to create chances and break lines, while the likes of Stuart Hogg, Simon Zebo and Liam William will return kicks with interest.