Yeh, that wasn't a great showing from NZ, and Wales really missed a good chance to test them to the max. In all probability NZ would have won even if Byrne didn't miss touch / we'd actually converted a couple more of our opportunities, but we managed to keep many of NZ's star players quiet. Unfortunately with NZ, there's always other ready to have massive games in their place, Kaino, Toeava, Gear etc. I honestly think the gap between the NH and SH is as small as it's been in a long time, and is continuing to shrink, but still some way to go yet.
For Wales, there are certainly good signs, with an emergence of what appears to be a great backrow full of depth and power, we are part way to filling a massive gap that had appeared in our team, although gatland needs to be a little more ruthless. Ryan Jones played well today by his standards, but that still wasn't up to his pre 2009 form. He was overshadowed by the two youngsters, Warburton and Lydiate, and still failed to make enough yardage with ball in hand for my liking. Jonathan Thomas was useless after coming on, Powell not far behind. I think Gatland should bite the bullet and select his backrow for the 6 nations from the following: Warburton, Martyn, Lydiate, McCusker, Turnbull, Faletau and Powell. Recall Ryan Jones and JT when they find some regional form, but develop that group of youngsters in time for the WC.
Next on the work-bench is our attacking (honestly never thought that would be a problem with a Welsh side). This group of players seem unable to perform simple attacking moves! How can international players not identify and excecute simple overlaps is beyond me, and tbh it's not something Gatland and co should have to even teach them. This is a basic skillset that every single international player should have, yet some Welsh players simply don't appear to. I've singles out Hook for special critisism here because he's been labeled by many to be Wales' most creative back. Well today he was the complete opposite. He squandered most attacking moves by running across field cutting down the space available out wide. For the last couple of years, I've agreed with the Ospreys and Wales, that Hook's best position is at centre, but recently he's been terrible there. His defense has cost us on many occasions, and he still doesn't understand how to straighted an attacking move before passing out. The sooner Henson starts playing again the better, because he's honestly a class above Hook at centre. Despite all of Hook's talent, he seems to lack something in every position, however it's at 10 where he looked most comfortouble, and where he played his best rugby. He needs another chance there now I feel, after almost two years.
Our biggest problem however is at fullback, where Byrne is lucky we simply have no-one else available. Byrne has been dire for a long time, mostly due to simple mistakes. Cymro has been suggesting moving Roberts back to his original position for a while now, and that is probably our best option for the 15 shirt. However he's had some trully massive games at centre, where he's shown himself to be world class, should we really consider moving a player like that? If I whisper this last part maybe Cyril and Cymro won't hear me....... please give Priestland a go Gatland.
