Our lineout cost us big time in this match. We messed up a few attacking lineouts, and NZ scored off a couple of others. That combined with our poor recycling speed meant we really struggled to get into the game.
NZ were class in that 20 min spell, and fully deserved the win, and they really did put us under pressure in the rucks.
Thought Jenkins, AWJ, Moriarty, Webb and Williams were superb. Biggar was solid, and nicely set-up Williams' try. I was also quite impressed with Patchell. His timing of the pass was far better than any other Welsh player, always drew the man, and often found players in space on the outside. I'd love to see him tried at 10, maybe after he's had half a season there at the Scarlets.
JD2, was a mixture of good and bad. Carried the ball well, and lovely pass yo AWJ, good try at the end too. But unusually for him, he was caught out ib defense too often. Warbs had his moments, but he's certainly not as busy as he was between 2011-13. This would have been a perfect series for Tips, such a pity he had to miss it!
Owens was great around the field I thought, but his service in the lineout was poor. NZ put great pressure on us there, and that really got to Owens, opting to go short on NZ's line, and a couple of other short ones which didn't work out + a couple of overthrows. How can we not get a decent lineout going with Charteris there? He's rarely used as a jumper which is odd given his height.
All in all, still proud of the effort from the boys. Good to see them fight back in the final 10, showed good spirit there. We might as well make some changes next week. Scott Williams had a plot game vs the Chiefs, but might as well see if he can spark something in midfield. Maybe start with someone other than Biggs as 10 (Anscombe/Priestland/Patchell?). Maybe give Ellis Jenkins a start, possibly leaving Warbs out?
