It has dawned on me that we Australians are so self-involved we’ve forgotten it takes two teams to play a rugby match.
Hardly a word has been written about the Welsh team to play the Wallabies on Saturday night and that worries me.
I would like to sing the praises of the Welsh side that has been named. There are elements of blooding new talent, there are elements of quick fixes due to injury, and elements of experience that make for a fascinating team.
Let’s start with the centre pairing. Has there been a bigger, stronger pairing in the history of the game?
We must respect and fear Dr Jamie Roberts. His last outing against the Wallabies for the Lions was an awesome display of power. We must starve him of front-foot ball or he will certainly make dents in our defence.
But what could be more damaging is his partner. George North is a rare talent and he could cause some problems for us. I am particularly concerned considering I don’t think Tevita Kuridrani is a good reader in defence. Sure he’s been absolutely outstanding in attack and his one-on-one defence is very good but I don’t think he generally reads the game that well in the 13 channel.
Nevertheless, Wales’ strength in the centres could be their weakness. With such similar players in the midfield they may be a little one dimensional. Plus let’s hope North himself is found out defensively in a foreign position because we could exploit that.
While their back three is solid, their halves relatively unspectacular, so I do think we have a slight advantage in the back line overall. Wales’ biggest strength in my opinion is their back-row and I think they have a big advantage here.
I will start by stating that Sam Warburton on his day is world class. However, for some reason he doesn’t always produce his best against us so let’s hope he continues in that vein. Of the two number sevens I rate Michael Hooper the better player so it is the number eight and number six that gives them the big advantage.
At number eight the very fine player Taulupe Faletau is the type of player that can cause havoc on his good days. Even on his average days he is still pretty ominous. Ben McCalman has had another great season for the Force but he just isn’t in the same class as Faletau.
Their trump card though is Dan Lydiate. This spectacular player is somewhat unheralded Down Under but certainly not so in Europe. In my opinion he made the biggest difference for the Lions by coming into the starting line up for the second and third Tests against Australia last year.
I think he proved himself once again as the best defensive number six in the world. Now he is much more dangerous because, if we are to believe reports from Europe, he is finally back to full fitness after two years of playing injured.
I’ve got a feeling we’re about to see Lydiate’s full array of defensive prowess both by his crash tackling and by the ferocity he hits with at breakdowns. I hope McMahon takes notes because being a number six is not just about carrying the ball.
In terms of the locks I must admit Jake Ball is an interesting one. A former Western Australia youth cricketer, he has risen fairly quickly to oust some very good lock talent in Wales. Alun Wyn Jones is obviously one of the better locks running around so I believe they have an advantage in the second row also.
The last thing to find fascinating is their front row, in particular their props. They’ve opted for youth above experience having placed the great loose-head Gethin Jenkins on the bench and having axed the equally renowned tight-head prop Adam Jones altogether. It could be their undoing as much as it could be a master-stroke.
I think there is a lot to be worried about in terms of a very strong Welsh side. However I think they lack a little bit of creativity so I’m predicting an eventual five-point victory to the Wallabies.
Magic Sponge
Guest
It is a strong Wales side and a great test for the Wallabies. If the wallabies hold their nerve and scrum they should win well but if not the wallabies could crumble.
Boomeranga
Guest
I wouldn't speak for anyone else, but I do notice where other teams are at, it's just that I do not generally comment on it. I prefer to read what their fans have to say about themselves. The welsh (and English) are looking good. Like us they still have holes that can be exploited.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I think it might be a bit misleading to say that Jones being left out is Gatland opting for youth over experience. From what I've seen and read he hasn't adapted well to the new scrummaging laws, and so is no longer the best tighthead in Wales (a shame as he is so close to 100 caps). Not sure but Jenkins may be in a similar basket. Great article though.
realist
Guest
Care to explain why Kuridrani is a poor defender with examples? I daresay you can't. I also daresay you want AAC at 13. Furthermore, Corbisiero made the biggest difference in the 3rd Lions test. Poor article.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
They one 1 test "handsomely" but I personally thought Gatland was ordinary and is ordinary as an international coach. People say "look they won the 6 nats". I say "look at the players they have". Imo, considering the players they have, they have underperformed and have been mentally unable to get over the line too often. For that I think its fair to blame Gatland mainly.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Youre aware he hasnt played at his club this year you say? Im aware that you are wrong and he has. But hes horribly out of form. But as you say, he was in great form 2 years ago. But the last time Lydiate was fully fit he was released by his club, not the best player in the 6 nats.
Billy Pulver
Guest
didn't the lions, full of Welshmen, win that series handsomely in the end?
Lion Down Under
Guest
I know. Webb is. I was using him as an example of what happens during a First Test (in this case the Lions 2013) as a result of Gatland's training methods. The players are overdone physically and underdone in decision making.
Glyndwr
Guest
Better to be talking that stuff than recent Wallaby media highlights!
Glyndwr
Guest
Phillips isn't starting!
Tissot Time
Guest
My children are half Welsh as my Valley Girl keeps reminding me. I have had many a sing song in Welsh company all over the world and yes they will be singing hymns and arias whatever the result tonight. Enjoy the palpable hiraeth in the following clip and no doubt Welsh hwyl will be showcased tonight. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/watch-heart-warming-moment-welsh-workingmens-7642034
Wardad
Guest
Because of my family name and history I always had Wales as my 2nd team except when playing NZ ,despite the efforts of prats like stephen jones [ lower case for all those I consider not Capital worthy ! petty I know but what the hey ?] But of late ......
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
gentleman the last time Lydiate was fully fit he won the coveted Player of the 6 nations! I am aware he hasn't played at his club this year. Clearly he's spent the time getting over his many injuries and they've felt aggrieved that he is happy to place country over club.
Lion Down Under
Guest
Good points, well made NOS. Lydiate doesn't even have a team to join after these Tests as no Welsh club have signed him yet. To be honest a lot of teams have completely worked out ways to negate the Lydiate low chop-tackle / Warburton jackal combo that Wales used so effectively in 2012 to win the Grand Slam and it was never particularly effective againt SANZAR nations anyway. I have no idea who Jacky Lorenzetti thought he was buying when he signed Lydiate. He is a one-dimensional blindside flanker (though was excellent at that one dimension) brought into a team that, like most French sides, play left and right rather than open and blind. There is no way he was ever going to fit in at Racing Metro. He is also a farmboy with no desire to travel, he must have hated living in Paris. Roberts and Phillips, on the other hand, probably like living in Paris a bit too much and there seems to be an unprofessional attitude at Racing that they have eagerly embraced. I find Lydiate unprofessional in that he doesn't appear to have worked on the weaknesses in his game (carrying, jackaling, link-play) at all. He is definitely one of Gatland's favourites though so will be picked for Wales no matter what. I'd have found a Welsh back row of 6. Warburton, 8. Faletau, 7. Tipuric to be far more balanced, though Wales still lack a big, carrying forward. Warburton tries to do it, but isn't a natural, Faletau does it but is much better in a bit of space and AWJ and Ball both run far too upright into contact.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Am not sure we have been reading the same reports re Lydiate Michael. He has just been released from his club racing Metro and is heading back to Wales after the November tests. He never played at his best during his stint with Paris, similar story to Mike Philips and Jamie Roberts. Having said that, they are quality players who always seem to play at their best with the Welsh/Lions jersey on (Philips being a bit more erratic though). So would definitely not call Lydiate the best defensive n6 at the moment, not with what I have seen in SR and the RC. May change my mind in a month time after the tests series though. Good on you for talking about the opponents though! Sometimes feels like NZ, SA and Oz are playing against a 'virtual' players/nations when we read oz media.
MMaaxx
Guest
If Wales spent less time talking about their fitness, hard training, fronting up physically, laying down a marker, how they should have or could have won in the past blah blah blah they might win more. Obviously trying to emulate or out do their big brothers England with prematch rhetoric and hype
Lion Down Under
Guest
Gatland has apparently been absolutely thrashing the Wales squad with cryogenic freezing three times a day to increase their workload even further. He doesn't pick on form or club performance, only how players "perform" in his training regime. I think Wales will be absolutely physically knackered coming into this game. Remember back to the first Lions Test in Brisbane last year, the Lions were very tired looking, Mike Phillips was off the pace after only 25 minutes or so and in a game where they should have put Australia to the sword they only ended up winning because Kurtley Beale had the wrong boots on. I predict Australia to win by between 7 and 14 points. Interestingly part of the stadium will be covered by a giant Welsh flag as the WRU didn't even bother trying to sell tickets for that section. They are saying that 55k tickets have been sold but a lot of these have been sold by the WRU to their clubs to sell on (clubs can't pick and choose which matches to do this for,they have to do this for all home games or none). The Ospreys were offering 4 game "season tickets" for GBP89 with a free GBP60 Wales v Australia ticket thrown in, many smaller clubs are doing BOGOFs and Admiral Insurance (the Wales team sponsor) have apparently given hundreds, if not thousands, of free tickets away. The actual crowd (not ticketed crowd number) will probably be below 50k. Simply speaking there is far too much international rugby these days and the interest is waning.
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
when I say one dimensional what I mean is neither of the Welsh centres are ball players.... they won't be creative so Davies is a big loss... but Roberts and North may majorly influence the game simply through their power. Lealiafano and Kuridrani will be earning their salaries tonight! I think Folau and North had an equally compelling ding dong battle on last years Spring tour as they did in the lion series. They are not opposite no's but they definitely have a little rivalry brewing! can't wait for the match!
Demers
Guest
Generally speaking Michael, Aussies aren't fascinated with NH rugby. Yet the quality of many of the players is outstanding. I can't agree on Roberts and North turning out to be one dimensional. Roberts is Captain Crash Ball and North likes to take off and fly. Also, North has played 13 with his club several times and should be okay in defence. We may yet see him cart Kiridrani around the field a la Folau. And speaking of Folau, he'll want to get the opportunity to step North to get back at him for that indignity.
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
Cheers i'm sure tonights match will be just as good as some of the tight tussles we've had with them lately. Interesting that Cheika has opted to cut Cooper from the bench. He's gone with a 6-2 split on the bench which means he too thinks Wales have an advantage in the pack.