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Wales played like the Harlem Globetrotters - Greenwood

By Jack Davies

08 Feb 2018

Wales' Josh Navidi.

Former England centre Will Greenwood has compared Wales’ performance in their 34-7 Six Nations win over Scotland to the efforts of basketball tricksters the Harlem Globetrotters.

Warren Gatland’s men head to Twickenham on Saturday having taken many by surprise with their expansive display against the Scots, despite injuries to several key players.

Wales starting XV:

England remain favourites to win this year’s championship following their victory in Italy, but Greenwood says Wales put in the most impressive showing on the opening weekend.

“If England are all raw power, then Wales could be the Harlem Globetrotters,” he told Sky Sports.

“Some of the handling in their pack was just sensational. I’m talking about [Josh] Navidi, [Aaron] Shingler, Cory Hill, Rob Evans, Samson Lee. It was like watching a Fijian Sevens team.

“Rhys Patchell fills that No 10 jersey and just looked glorious. Hadleigh Parkes had a zero error count in the midfield. Scott Williams was as tough as old boots.

“Theirs was the stand-out performance in week one.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

JR 2 minutes ago

Wales player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

So Jac Morgan is the only player to receive a positive rating, the rest all graded negative scores out of 10. About sums it up perfectly!

1 Go to comments

Tk 4 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Apart from scrum a pretty poor performance I thought. Again more aimless kicking away possession from BB. We badly need new 10, 12 & 13.

7 Go to comments

JW 5 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Still looking confused you mean.

86 Go to comments

JW 7 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Head coach? I think your confusing the attacking coaches statements.

86 Go to comments

JW 9 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

From back when he was a defence coach.

86 Go to comments

SadersMan 10 minutes ago

'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Razor picked an ABs team to play the Italy team that beat both Scotland & Wales, drew with France, & were pipped by England, in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year. Because that's the way they brought it to us. Well done Azzuri, well done All Blacks.

1 Go to comments

JW 10 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Still haven't looked at those replays have you Nick.

86 Go to comments

JW 11 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

That was your slight actually Nick. Might want to look in the mirror!

86 Go to comments

JW 11 minutes ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Yes a very long bow for the other side to say that a player like Beauden Barrett turned those games around. A great player but not one to consciously 'turn' things around.

86 Go to comments

SadersMan 17 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

There was no 9.5 player out there, on either side. Jordan probably a 7.5/8. BB maybe a 7.5 but definitely didn't stand out to deserve even an 8 let alone 9.5.

7 Go to comments

SadersMan 24 minutes ago

All Blacks survive physical Italy scare after captain carded

"Survive"? "Scare?" A bit dramatic. ABs always going to win, just a matter of by how much.

The Azurri were up for it though. As expected. You can bet they were planning for this specific test for months. Let's not forget they were pipped by ENG, drew with FRA, & beat both SCO & WAL in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year.

A mess of a match, a good win, considering.

1 Go to comments

SadersMan 39 minutes ago

‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders

After you. And yes, that's exactly what Penney should do. Stat!! Unfortunately he has one year left on his contract.

Penney's Super Rugby win record was a low 23% before we signed him on. At the top was Razor at 84%. And true to form, Penney took us from a 7-peat to not even making the play-offs in ONE season. No excuses. LOSER. Thank God his contract is up next year. And hopefully Rangi might wanna throw his hat in for the job.

In the meantime, hopefully we can crack the top 6 this year in spite of Penney!??!

6 Go to comments

JW 44 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

"exceptional as usual" haha I'll take that to mean he kicked how he 'usually' kicked?

Why was Dmac rated a 6, did he not actually do any better or did he come on at fb or something?

7 Go to comments

Kia koe 48 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.

7 Go to comments

JW 55 minutes ago

Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane

You were 'valuing' the players by you saying "they are not greats" though, I was pointing out another reason why they are greats, inside the team I mean (which is more important to selections on the pitch stuff).

Someone like TJ would be bitterly disappointed he didn't play on this end of year tour. He is still good enough to come on in that France game and ensure the team get the victory (with regards to how well Ratima had been playing). At the very least this is a 'sorry you didn't get that chance' offering, he's not here to get token farewell games, he will be playing to try and prove that he should have been on the pitch last week.

The other decision to play your best over the future is really personal though so can agree with your reasoning. Just sharing a slightly different perspective. I'll have to check the ratings and see how they went.

38 Go to comments

Jen 55 minutes ago

All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Crikey that game was a mess.

7 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Yep even if you're improving on already very good international players every little bit helps if you're at the top of this log jam of 'top 3' sides, if they are elite.

86 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

Argentina player ratings vs France | Autumn Nations Series

Indeed they were. When they were good they looked like potential world beaters but too many mistakes outweighed the occasional excellent moments. The French were not at the level they were against the ABs