Wales player ratings vs Scotland - Six Nations Super Sunday
Wales player ratings: Wales and Scotland played out a dour denouement to the truncated, pandemic afflicted 2020 Six Nations.
With the wind whipping off the Irish Sea and squally showers, conditions were difficult for both sides with Scotland enjoying the more encouraging first half hour as Wales were repeatedly penalised, turned over and made handling errors, yet they inexplicable went into the sheds at half-time 7-6 up after 21st Rhys Carre powered over from a short distance, after an uncharacteristic chip from Taulupe Faletau gave them territory.
James Davies being penalised for being off his feet seconds from the break, gave Adam Hastings the chance to reduce the lead to one point after Russell, who went off with a groin strain, had opened the scoring.
The second-half was similarly uninspiring as both side’s sought to break the deadlock as both side’s benches tried to whip up some patriotic fervour. The game’s key moment came on 61 minutes as Stuart McInally emerged from a powerful Scottish driving maul with the ball and despite Halfpenny reducing the score to 11-10, a late penalty from Hogg on the final whistle – Wales’ 16th conceded – saw Scotland emerge triumphant to register their first win on Welsh soil since 2002 and leave Wayne Pivac with a far from satisfactory fifth-placed tournament finish.
Wales player ratings
Leigh Halfpenny – 6
Difficult conditions for a full-back, Halfpenny was quiet in the first-half compared to his opposite number, Stuart Hogg. Nearly knocked a high ball on in second half but showed his customary composure to drill the ball through the uprights on 66-minutes.
Liam Williams – 7
In only his third game back, Williams marshalled Kinghorn out wide with a series of powerful hits and made a brilliant take off a ricocheting ball to release pressure from Wales late on.
Jonathan Davies – 6
His comeback from nearly a year out continues. Used more for clearing lines with his cultured left-boot from the backfield than for offensive play. It was a muted afternoon for the double-Lion.
Owen Watkin – 5
Worked hard to contain Chris Harris and James Lang in midfield but was unable to free himself of Scottish defenders. Still waiting for a breakthrough performance in a Welsh shirt.
Josh Adams – 7
Showed his appetite for work early on by yanking Graham into touch and was often heard shouting encouragement. He had a few probing breaks in his own half and always looks to do something positive but he didn’t have any field position to punish the Scots.
Dan Biggar – 5
Quiet as Wales failed to impose themselves in first half. Went off early in the second-half with a lower-leg injury, after pulling up after converting Wales’ only try.
Gareth Davies – 6
His game was a mixed bag. Showed enterprise with a little nudge down the left-wing for Adams inside his own-half, shot out of the line to make a few last-ditch ankle taps but was skittled by Hamish Watson and saw some box-kicks floating into touch and his service was patchy.
Taulupe Faletau – 6
Rarely spotted in the first half but picked a ball off his feet to chip in behind the defence deep in Scottish territory, otherwise, couldn’t free himself from Scottish tacklers. Quiet for a player of his stature.
James Davies – 6
Struggled to impose himself on the game as Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie had the better of the backrow skirmishes. Penalised for a penalty early on, he cost Wales three points after being caught off his feet just before half time. His work rate couldn’t be faulted, but like his brother, he has had very little rugby in the last 12 months.
Shane Lewis-Hughes – 8
Rarely seen in the loose, he did show neat hands after taking a Russell chip kick but his strengths are in the tackle – where he made a creditable 21 tackles – and he was still showing fighting qualities in the game’s dying embers. One of Wales’ better performers.
Will Rowlands – 6
Hands let him down, few hard carries in the tight exchanges but improved as the game went on. Good footwork for a break-up midfield, tidy in the lineout.
Alun Wyn Jones – 7
Winning a record 149th appearance, Alun Wyn Jones was his customary all-action self and in a robust defensive performance, where he made 13 tackles, he put in a series of thumping hits on James Lang and Jamie Ritchie, showing he’s lost none of his edge. Will be hugely disappointed to be on the losing side.
Tomos Francis – 6
After playing second-fiddle to Alec Hepburn in Exeter’s double-winning heroics, it was somewhat surprising to see him still chugging away in the final minutes. A willing carrier in the tight, he wasn’t able to impose himself on Rory Sutherland.
Ryan Elias – 5
Endured a challenging opening 10 minutes, with an overthrow early on to Taulupe Faletau, a shipped penalty and a throw adjudged not straight. Will have better days in a Welsh shirt.
Rhys Carre – 5
Carre crashed over on half-hour for his first Wales try but he fell off a few tackles and wasn’t able to dominate his opposite number, Zander Fagerson. Still finding his feet at Test level, Wales would like to see more from him carrying.
PLAYER RATINGS
Here's how we rated Scotland's meaty win in Llanelli #WALvSCO https://t.co/llygro5vRO
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2020
Replacements
Wyn Jones – 7
Widely acknowledged to be a superior scrummager to Carre, the Scarlet won a scrum penalty just after coming on and was a willing runner in the loose. Expect to see him starting during the Nations Cup.
Rhys Patchell – 6
Tidy enough, he pushed the ball down the line without fuss, but another who has had little rugby and didn’t impose himself on the game.
Cory Hill – 5
Unable to stop the powerful Scottish rolling maul from rumbling over for the game’s winning try, he put himself about but had precious little time to make any sort of impression.
Spoilsports! https://t.co/i59P2piOsq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2020
Aaron Wainwright – 5
Tried to add some ballast in defence, but another Welsh pack member who couldn’t bend the game Wales’ way.
Lloyd Williams – 6
His first Wales performance in nearly four years, Williams’ swift service couldn’t conspire to conjure up a late try.
Nick Tompkins – 5
Whipped the ball down the line in customary but too much on one pass to Jonathan Davies as Wales chased the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
As a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
1 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 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.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 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.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 Go to comments