Once again, a Welsh win has resulted in more questions being asked than answered. On the surface, with the bonus point gained just before half time, Wales achieved what they came to do, and the fans should be happy with the result.
Wales Win Comes At a Cost.
It’s not really that simple though. With injuries to Liam Williams and Samson Lee, a tournament ending injury to Man of the Match Cory Allen, and further knocks to Dan Lydiate and Scott Baldwin, Wales’ injury count will be a huge worry.
And the manner of the victory was nothing to write home about either. Of course, there were positives to take from the game. The scrum and lineout were sound, and they were able to somewhat hone their driving maul. But why should a side with any aspirations be reduced to using this element of the game, instead of showing off their ability with ball in hand? Except for a couple of lone occasions, there was no real cohesion for Wales when the backs were supplied with decent ball. Twenty two turnovers were conceded, and there was no excitement created by the likes of Scott Williams, Rhys Priestland and Alex Cuthbert – who is in a worrying dip in form right now.
Granted, first games at World Cups are always difficult. But this wasn’t a performance of any real conviction, and the subdued nature of the post-match interviews with Welsh players and management were surely not simply a result of that long injury list alone.
Wales’ next game is against England at Twickenham. Here’s where the questions will start mounting up. Should we see a return of the back-row that was part of the team that demolished England in 2013? Can Wales handle the intensity of what is approaching a “knock-out” game already, in front of a Twickenham crowd baying for blood? Will the return of the likes of George North, Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts and Alun Wyn Jones be the panacea Wales need to strike the first meaningful blow of their campaign?
Added to that, how serious are the injuries to Samson Lee and Liam Williams? If they are to be considered for the starting XV next week, how long can Warren Gatland afford to leave them on the sidelines this week? Word is that training recommences on Wednesday. Wales rely on having their match day team together during match week, especially when the emphasis will now be on ball work and building a cohesive team to take to the Twickenham pitch. Shoe-horning players in right at the end of the week, especially when they have been out for a while, is a huge gamble.
The tournament starts for real on Saturday night for Wales, and it’s quite clear that there are no certainties for this side now. With Cory Allen gone and his replacement, Tyler Morgan, with only little International experience, Scott Williams and Jamie Roberts must stay fit for Wales to progress. Many have questioned Wales’ preparation, and it’s this week the doubts will become real, especially if this run of misfortune isn’t halted. There’s nothing like an England v Wales fixture to bring the best out of players on both sides. But having lost the last two fixtures against England, the Welsh players could start to doubt their own ability to win this game, with looming thoughts of both a strong Fiji and Australia to come. England will have their own doubts, following their shaky performance on Friday night, but they will be backed by that expectant Twickenham crowd.
Once again, Gatland & Company have a huge job on their hands this week. Currently, Wales top their group, with Australia to play their first fixture this week. Psycologically this is a huge few days for Wales. It’s fast becoming make or break. Over to you Wales – in the words of Vincent Hanna in Heat “Let’s see what you got!”
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