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Wales are better than that - Tipuric

Wales flanker Justin Tipuric

Justin Tipuric said Wales’ fifth-placed finish in the Six Nations was tough to take and declared “we are better than that” after a dramatic finale against France in Paris.

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Wales could have finished as high as second with a victory at Stade de France, but were consigned to a 20-18 defeat after Damien Chouly went over for a try in the 100th minute in a controversial end to the game.

Tipuric was left disappointed Rob Howley’s men fell short after losing three times and winning just twice.

“It’s tough to take, finishing fifth,” said the Ospreys flanker.

“We are better than that. We’ve had a few really close games this year that could have gone either way. Unfortunately, we’ve come out on the wrong side of the scoreline. The changing room was very quiet after the game.

“I just think we have to keep on improving. We are working on playing a different type of game and hopefully that’s just going to get better and better.

“We are getting out of our old pattern and trying new things: we are trying to spread the ball a bit wider.

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“We know we are not perfect. But if we keep tweaking our game, we are only going to get better and better, because in our team we have a lot of skilful players. We just have to make sure we use them.”

Tipuric will now turn his attention to putting in some commanding displays at club level to try to secure a place on the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

Asked about the Lions tour, he said: “It would be nice to see some of the boys on the tour. We’ll see how it goes. I’m just going to concentrate on the Ospreys now and try to help them get some silverware,

“From a personal perspective in this Six Nations, it’s been nice to play. Coming off the bench is hard to do. I’ve really enjoyed starting. I’ve enjoyed the physical test and I want to keep getting better and better.”

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B
BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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