Wales player ratings vs Italy - Autumn Nations Cup
Wales player ratings: Well, they got there in the end. The scoreline flattered the Welsh and you fancy they’ll be relieved to limp out of 2020, the long finally ordeal over, with an ugly win against the Italians.
Here are our Wales player ratings:
15. LIAM WILLIAMS – NA
If fit, you feel the 2021 Lions jersey is his to lose, but that’s a big if at this stage. Sadly, he limped off after just 17 minutes.
14. JOSH ADAMS – 5
Yellow carded for killing the ball and then acting like a silly little lad after it. Also nearly scuffed a late George North try by giving it too early. One to forget for Adams.
13. GEORGE NORTH – 7
You felt watching the game that is was a chance for North to prove that he still had real value to offer Wayne Pivac, who seems unsure what do with the aging superstar. He certainly didn’t have to worry about seeing ball and was happy to truck the ball up. Rubbing his nose on an Italian player’s sleeve was entertaining. The best Welsh back on the park.
12. JONATHAN DAVIES – 4.5
The 32-year-old Lion is starting to lose his grip on a place in the Wales’ squad and you could see his knee was heavily strapped for this outing. Doesn’t seem himself.
11. LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT – 5
Taking the ball back into his 22 was a schoolboy error, but he will be truly haunted by being gassed by Johan Meyer, albeit with a yard or two to make up on the angle. Managed a few breaks up the pitch but we’re still waiting to see him truly open up in Welsh jersey.
10. CALLUM SHEEDY – 5
The Bristol boy is full of adventure and he clearly enjoys bringing the ball to the line, but this was a Test match, not touch rugby. Sometimes it felt like this Welsh team were rudderlessly staggering about around the park. You hate to say it but Wales needed him to kick more. Getting flung into touch at the end summed up a scatty outing for Sheedy.
9. KIERAN HARDY – 6
A bright performance and good value for his try. The game descended into terminal scrappiness but you suspect he’ll be happy with his contribution. Snappy.
1. NICKY SMITH – 6
With Wyn Jones stealing a march on the loosehead jersey, you forget just how effective Nicky Smith can be. He has a baby face but by the gods he is strong.
2. SAM PARRY – 5.5
Well, there’s the big lineout issue isn’t there. It’s not all Parry’s fault of course, as it’s been a curse for the Welsh throughout the Autumn Nations Cup and its origin is presumably systematic rather than the fault of any given hooker. Pivac and co sorting their set-piece issues must be close to the top of their epic snag list. That aside, Parry was useful in flashes.
3. TOMAS FRANCIS – 5
An increasingly rare start for the big Chief. Fired up and got involved, but you suspect it may soon be the end of the line for big man, SPSP or not.
4. WILL ROWLANDS – 5
Getting smashed in contact by the Italians and then penalised for not releasing was a poor start for the hulking Wasp, who needed to do something, anything, to stake a claim to the red jersey. Carried competently thereafter.
5. ALUN WYN JONES – 5.5
His nuisance factor can’t be underestimated and it was dialed right up today. He’s still the heart and soul of this Welsh pack, but this Welsh team are a shambles right now, and he too is performing under par.
6. JAMES BOTHAM – 6
His fourth straight start and what’s been a productive series for the Cardiff Blues backrow. He hasn’t hit too many ‘sixes’ but he’s had plenty of ‘runs’ all the same. Cricketing puns aside, he’s been Pivac’s most significant breakout player this series.
7. JUSTIN TIPURIC – 8
What a line and dummy from Tipuric to put his 9, Kieran Hardy, in for his first Test try. He and Faletau are the only Welsh players who would be part of a world XV conversation at the moment.
8. TAULUPE FALETAU – 8.5
A rock of excellence in the sea of Welsh mediocrity around him. Makes metres and wins collisions, and deservedly won his MOTM award.
REPLACEMENTS:
22. IOAN LLOYD – 4
Completely out of position for Italy’s 33-minute try after coming on for Willams. Missed a tackle on Italian nine Vardy as he slalomed his way up the pitch minutes later. One to forget for the young man, who looked unsure of himself.
21. Gareth Davies – 7.5
Great try when he came on. Why don’t Wales play him more? Someone should tell Wayne.
Comments on RugbyPass
One tough SOB!
15 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
1 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
2 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
15 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
15 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
18 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
2 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to commentsGlad Tom Curry not playing needs time to recover such a great player also his brother Ben how well is he playing now .
1 Go to commentsLet’s examine what might be irking the brainless E: Up until 20 years before this coming Julys tests: 16 games: 14 wins for SA; 1 win for Ire; 1 draw From 20 years until July’ tests Ireland V SA: 13 matches Ireland won 8; SA won 4; 1 draw Points scored Ireland 261; SA 189 Ave Winning Margin: Ireland 11 points; SA 4 points (away 3, home 6) Away win record: Ireland 33.33%; SA 25% Neutral matches 1: Ireland win RWC France 2023. Last SA win June 2016 (8 years ago) They boast 3 World cups in that period (they do boast). The above record is not good, probably not much better than theirs against NZ for same period. That’s why the dopey E is starting fights in his head. He will probably ship a yellow when things don’t go their way in the first test.
127 Go to commentsGoode is like a wet fart on The Rugby Pod and should be shoved aside. Jim knows what he is on about and can get on better without Goode’s nasty little cheap shots.
127 Go to commentsBrumbies will win, crusaders are pretty awful this year
1 Go to commentsThis has the makings of a good match. That’s Leinster’s second team but its a good one (stronger than the teams in SA recently). Ulster are really turning a page. Ryan back is huge, and Keenan too. This could be a cracker.
1 Go to commentsThe Farrells are one of the great father and son combinations. Andy was an RL great, and had he played Union as his first sport, I would be sure he would have been avery significant forcewas in League. And Owen, a Union great, who had he played League, would could have been a great there too i all probability. I feel my attitude to Owen has mellowed as he has aged, and in the post Jones era, evolved and shown his full range of talents. He really is an all round player, and I have wold hope his move to France will be successful. He may even be the piece in the jigsaw that Racing need to rise to challenge Toulouse and LAR. He is ofc now approaching 33 years of age but should still have enough left to make a big contribution in France for at least2/3 years.
45 Go to commentsI reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
2 Go to commentsHaha did he also* say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
45 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to comments