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5 talking points as massive underdogs Wales face Boks

By PA
As well as being an elite defender, Kriel has a turn of pace to punish mistakes as he did against Wales in August (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Wales play the first of three summer Tests when they tackle world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

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A tour to Australia follows, highlighted by two appointments with the Wallabies, while South Africa will host Ireland in an eagerly anticipated series.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some key main talking points heading into the game.

Odds stacked against Wales
Wales are rank outsiders, being billed as a 13-1 chance by some bookmakers, and it is not difficult to see why.

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Damian de Allende talks about the plaudits heaped on him by his teammates

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Damian de Allende talks about the plaudits heaped on him by his teammates

They will arrive at Twickenham without numerous front-line players, contributing to an eye-watering gulf in experience between the teams. South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth, for instance, has almost won more caps than the entire Wales starting pack.

South Africa won five of their last six games against Wales, while Warren Gatland’s team have have posted a solitary victory – against the Barbarians – since October 2023.

Wales’ long list of absentees
When Gatland says that Wales have backs against the wall this weekend, he is not wrong, with the list of unavailable players running comfortably into double figures.

As the game falls outside World Rugby’s summer Test window, a sizeable England-based contingent – it features Nick Tompkins, Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell – cannot play, with injury absentees including Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau, Tomos Williams, Adam Beard, Josh Adams, Ryan Elias and Will Rowlands all being rested.

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For Welsh fans, it is the harsh reality.

Man in the middle – Mason Grady
The most intriguing selection by Gatland is a first Wales run at inside centre for Cardiff powerhouse Grady.

The 6ft 5in back’s previous 11 international appearances have either been in the number 13 shirt or off the bench, but the head coach said: “It is a chance for him to get his hands on the ball a little bit more – 12s tend to end up catching the ball two or three times more than a 13 does. We want to get the ball in his hands. How do we manufacture that.”

If Grady goes well, then expect a reprise on tour in Australia.

New laws go on public show
Three new laws will be in operation at Twickenham. Described as “fan-focused” by World Rugby, they are designed to help improve the flow and spectacle of games.

A player now cannot be put onside when an opposition player catches the ball and runs five metres, or passes the ball, from a kick in open play.

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Offside players must make an attempt to retreat, therefore creating space for the opposition team to play and potentially reducing so-called ‘kick tennis’, while it will no longer be possible to choose a scrum from a free-kick, and the action of rolling/twisting/pulling a player on their feet in the tackle area – the ‘crocodile roll’ – has been banned.

When will Wales win again?
Winning became a habit for Wales during Gatland’s first spell as head coach from 2008 to 2019, with Six Nations titles, Grand Slams and World Cup semi-final appearances all being achieved.

It is a different story second time around, though, with Wales having lost 12 Tests from 18, including six on the bounce.

They now face South Africa, then Australia twice before an autumn series that features appointments with Fiji, the Wallabies and Springboks, before a Six Nations opener against France in Paris.

A victory would work wonders for confidence, but where and when is not exactly clear.

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Comments

1 Comment
J
John 187 days ago

Wales going for youth so they’re gonna lose but there are some interesting matchups here I think. The 8s (Roos, Wainright) and the 13s (Handre and Grady) should be really entertaining…

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SK 10 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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