Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs NZ

By Zippy
November 27 2006

Player ratings for the Wales 45 – 10 defeat against the NZ All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday in the final Autumn International of 2006. For details read on

15. K Morgan (5) – Wales top ball carrier amazingly from full back, one of few to really front up and take the game to NZ, kicking was very poor and cost us on a few occasions.

 

14. M Jones (5) – Not a lot of ball but in the same way Shane did he came looking for work, his opposite number scored 3 tries but none were his fault.

 

13. T Shanklin (3) – Defensively poor and a non entity in attack, Wales cannot play with 2 bulldozers in the centre and a particularly bad idea against that NZ back row.

 

12. S Parker (4) – On a very rare occasion he ran a decent line, defended well but everyone can tell you he is not our answer at 12.

 

11. S Williams (5) – Really tried hard but the fact he received no ball in space from 1^st phase made him ineffective. Wasn’t bullied by NZ in the way he was on the Lions tour, shows progress he has made.

 

10. S Jones (3) – Clearly not fit and I’ve no reason to think he had to take the field at all costs, Sweeney had looked very solid and then there was the wonder boy Hook. Jones kicking was poor and contribution non existent.

 

9. D Peel (3) – Rounded off a very poor Autumn Series with another shocker, can’t see why he can’t transfer his Llanelli form into Wales form. Doesn’t look the same player.

 

8. R Jones (4) – Too many runs on his own and isn’t the dynamic runner that he was before his injury, seems to be holding back. Hope he returns to top form by the 6 nations.

 

7. M Williams (5) – Can never fault his effort but lost the physical battle with McCaw hands down, scored a good forwards try to gain some consolation for his efforts.

 

6. J Thomas (5) – Tackled his heart out but never put in the hits that his opposite number was, probably will hold onto his jersey but needs to do more.

 

5. I Evans (3) – Penalty machine, knocked back in the tackle and showed his inexperience. These lessons need to be learnt.

 

4. I Gough (5) – Mr 100% tried his best to match the physicality of the All Blacks but was fighting an isolated battle.

 

3. A Jones (3) – The scrum was destroyed, Tialata and Woodcock are both class acts but if you want to be an international player you have to at least live with the best. This combined with his roasting in Argentina brings me to question his position.

 

2. R Thomas (5) – Line out wasn’t great but improved as the game went on and showed a lot of dog.

 

1. D Jones (3) – Took a hammering from Hayman, and his work rate in the losse was a long way off what it normally is. Deserved the shirt on merit going into the game but ended it a long way off.

 

Subs of note:

 

A Popham – Came on and showed the way to take the NZ pack on, didn’t give an inch.

 

G Jenkins – Took Popham’s lead and fought NZ tooth and nail, really coming back to top form.

 

J Hook – The only back to trouble NZ’s defence, by the 6nations he should be really firing.

 

NZ Stars:

 

NZ Pack – Have changed from a weakness to the sides strength, so aggressive and powerful and the best in the world.

 

Sivivatu – Should have been playing against Ireland yesterday but even that can’t take way from a hat trick performance.

 

Overall Comments:

 

This game will always be remembered for “Haka-Gate” which is sad because the NZ side were awesome, I’ve had my say on the messageboard and don’t wish to comment further on what was an unsavoury incident in international rugby.

 

NZ are described as the best cheats in the world – and they are. They do it so well, they never do things in isolation and always slow the oppositions ball down. When they turn over ball the opposition are in big trouble and the back line is ruthless.

 

Wales on the stats board did alright, they tackled ok and had plenty of ball but that doesn’t tell the story of how the pack were annihilated and that the backline offered nothing whatsoever to break the NZ defensive line.

 

If we review the short time Gareth Jenkins has been in charge then there is little to be impressed about. Our forwards have gone backwards and need to go back to some basic rucking and carrying, our defence is shocking and we leak far too many points and the general style of play still seems very vague. The "Welsh Way" involves a lot more than running in a few decent tries every now and then.

 

I expect much better come the 6 nations because we are capable of it.

 

Match Summary:

Wales 10 (3)
Tries: M Williams.
Cons: Hook.
Pens: S Jones.

New Zealand 45 (28)
Tries: McAlister, Sivivatu 3, Penalty try.
Cons: Carter 2, Evans 2.
Pens: Carter 4.

Wales: Kevin Morgan; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Sonny Parker, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones (capt), Dwayne Peel; Duncan Jones, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones.
Replacements: Mathew Rees for R. Thomas (72), Gethin Jenkins for D. Jones (46), Alun Wyn Jones for Evans (55), Alix Popham for R. Jones (46), Mike Phillips for Peel (60), James Hook for Shanklin (46), Gavin Henson for Parker (72).

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher; Neemia Tialata, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Andrew Hore for Oliver (48), Tony Woodcock for Tialata (35), James Ryan for Williams (61), Reuben Thorne for So'oialo (61), Piri Weepu for Kelleher (48), Nick Evans for Carter (61), Ma'a Nonu for Sivivatu (75).