Quick Tap: Wales 13 - 16 South Africa Takeaways

A day after England crusaded through the All Blacks, we witnessed a much tenser affair as Wales took on South Africa. The game was billed to be an arm wrestle between two similar teams, and so it proved from the outset. A game dominated by kicks (73 in all) and physical defence, where each team was looking to prey off the opponent's mistakes. In the end, it came down to a single two minute period of play, to just about put the Springboks into the final. So how did that come about, here are the takeaways from South Africa's victory.

South Africa claimed a hard earned victory, de Allende scored their only try of the game in a
wonderful solo effort.

Quick Tap: England 19-7 New Zealand Takeaways

I honestly didn't see this result coming. I had an inkling that England might pull off something, but I didn't expect it to be that convincing. As, arguably, the two best teams in the tournament met in the semi-finals it was always going to be a monumental game. Right from the start you could tell England were up for this, from the anthem, to the response to the Haka (which if England get fined for is a total travesty), and into the opening moments of the game. England are known for fast starts, this was another level, and they never let up till the final whistle. But what were the takeaways from the game, where was it won and lost?

England set the tone early, with their response to the All Black's Haka. It will be remembered along with
the victory for a long time.

Quick Tap: Uruguay, High Tackles, and Fitness

The World Cup is well and truely underway, many results have gone exactly as you'd expect, we've had a couple of thrillers, and another which will go down in history. Here are my three main talking points so far from the events in Japan.

Week One in Japan will live long in the memory for many people.

Quick Tap: Wales are Top of the Pile

The world ranking system barely makes sense, no one really likes it, and ultimately it doesn't matter. And yet, right now, the Welsh public don't care. They don't care that it came by avoiding New Zealand for nearly two years, they don't care it came by squeaking home against England (although beating the old rival to go top does bring an extra level of satisfaction), and they really don't care that the Kiwi media are insulting them and calling their place at the top "laughable".

The fact of the matter is, this is yet another moment to add to the long list of accolades achieved by Gatland in his decade long tenure as Welsh coach. Drop all the question's over "Do Wales deserve to be number 1", and the critique of the system, and appreciate the work Gatland has put into to Welsh rugby.

North scored the try which put Wales top of the world, meanwhile, Ken Owens turns into the Messiah.

Quick Tap: Wales' Back Row Woes

Four years ago, Wales went through an injury crisis rarely seen in international rugby. Watching backline players litter the hospital ward was painful, despite the unbelievable run to the quarter-finals. Well with another World Cup on the horizon, it's happening all over again. Although this time a bit earlier, and in the back row, rather than the back-three.

The Welsh back row was a real strength in the Six Nations, but will they make it to the World Cup in one piece?

It wasn't too long ago, a couple of months to be honest, that the Welsh media were debating which stellar players would be left behind in the back row. With only room for - probably - five players, and Gatland stating he would plan to take the main four from the Six Nations with him to Japan. That left a single place on the plan, most likely to be snapped up by the world-class, test Lion, Taulupe Faletau. Leaving the likes of James Davies, Aaron Shingler, Ellis Jenkins, and more behind in the rainy valleys of home.

Faletau in the hospital again, not the best
image for a world-class player

Well within one week that's all changed. Faletau suffered his third injury of the year, ruling him out of the tournament. The news wasn't better when it came to Ellis Jenkins who is continuing his battle with recovery after his nightmare injury in the Autumn, and struggling to progress at the speed the coaches had hoped. James Davies and Josh Navidi, both, are recovering from injuries of their own and yet to train fully. The previously deep well of the back row has been cracked by an injury earthquake of unreal scale.

It is likely that Gatland will look to call up a replacement to Faletau before too long, with Thomas Young a strong contender. Thanks to his versatility since he is another who can - if required - cover the No. 8 hole left by Faletau. More than anything, Gatland will be desperate that Ross Moriarty remains injury-free through the next couple of months. As the only true No. 8 left in Wales he has become more important to the national side than many thought he would four years ago, and without him, the Welsh back row looks a little small compared to the Georgians and Fijians they'll be facing come Japan.

It's not the best start to Wales' World Cup preparations, but they have overcome these problems before, and will not panic any time soon, but the coaching staff, pundits, journalists, and fans will all be crossing their fingers no more injuries creep out of the woodwork.

Quick Tap: Six Nations Round 5 Round Up

Super Saturday never fails to disappoint, does it? It started with Italy somehow losing against France in a game filled with endless basic errors, before heading to Cardiff for the Grand Slam decider. Wales strolled to the title, keeping an out of sorts Ireland from ever looking comfortable. Then it ended with the most ridiculous game of the season, Scotland almost yanking victory for the jaws of defeat, only to have England find the necessary score to draw. It was an unbelievable day of rugby, which some memorable headlines, but what other notes were there from the matches?

Wales claimed their fourth Six Nations Grand Slam, Warren Gatland's third, setting a new record.

Quick Tap: Six Nations Week 4 Round Up

Week four set up a very exciting final round on Super Saturday, with the tournament wide open, with three teams able to win the trophy still. Wales survived a Scotland revival with stubborn grit; England routed Italy in typical fashion; finally, Ireland found their blueprint again to walk over a lackluster French outfit. Read on to see my points from each game.

Alun Wyn Jones wasn't the most cheerful after beating Scotland, he knows the big one is yet to come.

Quick Tap: Six Nations Week 3 Round Up

The middle week of the Six Nations served up the game of the tournament so far, serving up a middle finger to World Rugby wanting to dispose of the championship. Either side of the monumental clash in Cardiff, France piled on to Scotland's woes, and Ireland did the minimum required in Rome. Read on to find my less obvious takeaways from each game, in this week's Quick Tap.

When Adams crossed the line Cardiff went crazy, and the 2019 Tournament was blown wide open.

Quick Tap: 6 Nations Week 1 Round Up

Time for another Quick Tap article. The 6 Nations started this weekend, so here's my chief take away from each game on a weekend that saw Wales come from behind in Paris; Scotland get their expected bonus point against Italy, and finally England romp to victory in Dublin.

England put in the performance of the weekend, but what were the takeaways from the first round?

Quick Tap: 2019 6 Nations Fantasy League

February is almost here, and we all know what that means. Yep, it's time for the annual TacklePad 6 Nations Fantasy League on ESPN! Enter using the code below:

1300446-118723

One of these men will lift the trophy at the end of March, but who will come out on top of the TacklePad League?