Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs Canada

By Zippy
November 19 2006

Player ratings for the Wales 61 - 26 win against the Canada at the Millennium Stadium on Friday in the third of the Autumn Internationals. For details read on

15. G Thomas (6) - Scored a good opening try to keep up his record and was a very solid last line of defence on quite a few occassions. Lacked a cutting edge when attacking and picked up a nasty knee injury that rules him out next week.

14. M Jones (6) - Very quiet game and didn't come in field for work, not really his fault that the lack of creativity in midfield denied him chances to show his attacking class. 

13. T Shanklin (6) - Without a ball playing 12 he didn't really have too much of an impact, ran hard but will that trouble the All Blacks?

12. S Parker (6) - After last weeks fairytale return it was back to reality this week, filling the shoes of Mr Henson (in growing toenail indeed!!), did a job but for the Welsh attack to be effective we need creativity to allow us to use the players outside.

11. S Williams (8) - MOTM, magic whenever he got the ball, scored an awesome try and will trouble any defence, we need to give him ball out wide.

10. J Hook (6) - First start at 10 for Wales and felt the pressure a bit and made a few bad decisions, did enough to ensure the hype carries on.

9. D Peel (6) - Not been too impressed with Peel in the Autumn Internationals and is playing well within himself. Nice work from the base of the scrum for a Jonny Thomas try though.

8. R Jones (7) - Coming back to form with a good ball carrying display, scored a good pushover try that became a penalty try, unlucky Ryan!!

7. M Williams (6) - We were not playing the open style that allows Martyn to be at his best but did some good work on the floor and played his part in the best team try of the game, switch switch.

6. J Thomas (8) - Best performance for Wales since the NZ game in the 2003 world cup, scored a brace and was an important cog in the lineout and defence. Blindside position is his.

5. I Evans (5) - Error strewn performance, carried weakly and was a penalty machine, games like this require leaders and not kids.

4. I Gough (6) - Workmanlike performance from Gough, there is much competition in this position and Wyn Jones, Sidoli and Cockbain will be after the shirts come next week.

3. A Jones (7) - Gave a pro loosehead massive trouble in the scrum and destroyed him for the pushover, does his fair share of work and one of few players guaranteed to start next week.

2. M Rees (7) - Line out wasn't great but proved round the park he is the best Welsh hooker, nice try!

1. G Jenkins (7) - Scrumaged well and decent work rate, may just edge the big call next weekend, tight one though. Filled in on the tight head as well.

Subs of note:

Sweeney - Proved we have no worries if Stephen Jones doesn't make it back.

Dunc Jones - Showed what he can offer the side, immense work rate.

Canada Stars:

No real stars in the team on Friday, but I will pay credit to the team ethic shown and never say die attitude, this side was hammered by a Wales 2nd string in 2005 at home but did themselves proud on Friday night. With players to return they will not be a pushover for Wales come the world cup.

Overall Comments:

A game of two opposites for Wales really, on the plus side we attacked with great patience and scored some great tried and showed we can cause any side in the world problems.

On the negative side a 2nd tier rugby nation with several part timers scored 26 points against us and the discipline and defence has question marks around it.

Overall the show goes on and it all comes down to next weekend, we've nothing to be scared of and nothing to lose.

Match Summary:

Wales: (28) 61
Tries: G Thomas, S Williams, Rees, Pen, Peel, J Thomas (2), Sweeney, Shanklin
Cons: Hook (8)

Canada: (12) 26
Tries: Pletch, Pyke
Cons: Prichard (2)
Pens: Prichard (3)
DG: Daypuck

Wales: G. Thomas (capt), M. Jones, Shanklin, Parker (Sweeney 59), S. Williams, Hook, Peel (M. Phillips 59), Jenkins (D. Jones 52), Rees (R. Thomas 52), A. Jones (G. Jenkins 64), Gough, Evans (Sidoli 64), J. Thomas, M. Williams (A.W. Jones 70), R. Jones.
Replacement (not used): L. Byrne.

Canada: Fairhurst, Pyke, Smith, Spicer (Monro h-t), Prichard, Daypuck, Williams (capt, Mensah-Coker 67), Tkachuk, Lawson (Riordan 50), Gainer (D. Pletch 43), Tait (Ault 26-32), Burak, Webb, McKeen, Stephen.
Replacements (not used): M Pletch, Carpenter.