Does anyone think there's a cause and effect here?
if you're making that number of tackles, it has to impact your ability/capacity in other areas.
So you have monstrous tackling, which means ability to keep possession, create speed at the breakdown and so space elsewhere is going to be inhibited, right?
All the kicking has to be a tactic determined by EJ game plan, which creates a viscous circle since you rarely have the ball.
It seems to be working but can't help feeling the focus is a little bit too much toward what Mitchell wants at the moment. Maybe the idea is to get this into the dna of the side and then start expanding from there (hope so anyway).
It's odd. We've never really lacked for physicality or defensive commitment. For the most part the organisation has been pretty good too.
I can't help thinking this is an over reaction to the RWC final rather than a positive step towards the greatest team in the world / history / galaxy / universe.
We got duffed up by the Boks in the RWC, but that felt much more a between the ears type issue - played our final the week before etc. The mental side / lack of leadership has probably been our biggest issue over Jones' tenure, I'd guess partly attributable to coach control freakery.
Make no mistake, this was a shadow of the Ire team of a few years ago. And the one time they did try something a bit inventive they scored. They won possession and territory 2:1 and had twice as many line breaks.....are we going to give the Boks or a semi functioning ABs the same licence? Maybe we'll get the chance against Fra soon.
The defence was undoubtedly impressive but that should be the foundation not the be all. Wales under Gatland / Edwards put a massive emphasis on defence but we have far more attacking options and strength in depth than they did.
One of the big criticisms of this side over time has been the inability to either adapt tactics on the hoof or to really put away teams when they have the chance. Playing as we are only brings these criticisms back into play.
No doubt this is Jones' tactical masterplan, but also worth noting that Faz and Ford have been around a fair while now. They both still have plenty to offer, but as you get older and more experienced you naturally become more risk averse and Ford's running game has become increasingly rare at international level. Maybe time to move Faz to 12 and bring some new blood at 10. Simmonds may be the man, he has some adventure but is also used to playing in a structured team.
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