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Wales player ratings vs France

AWJ marches off with the victory in the bag

Throughout this tournament, Wales have backed their defence against broken field brilliance but this felt like a defensive effort too far.

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It was, however, just enough, despite France continuing to play well even after receiving a red card for dangerous play from Sébastien Vahaamahina.

We rate the full squad below.

15. Liam Williams – 6

Not his usual flawless self, like so many of his team-mates, but had a few important moments.

(Continue readiung below…)

14. George North – 6

Showed more in defence than attack in this game, with some well-judged tackles.

13. Owen Watkin – 6

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The late replacement for Jonathan Davies and the latter’s calm in defence was missed. Lovely tip-on pass in the first half, however, and did his bit.

12. Hadleigh Parkes – 7

Tackled well, ran hard and straight, and tried to keep some composure in the chaos around him.

11. Josh Adams – 6

A tough night for the young breakthrough star but he worked hard.

10. Dan Biggar – 7

Made for this sort of game and tackled ferociously. His kicks were crucial.

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9. Gareth Davies – 7

His understanding of the offside line, in attack and defence, is essential to Wales’ game. Proved it again here.

1. Wyn Jones – 6

Not as involved as his fellow front row forwards but didn’t let the side down.

2. Ken Owens – 8

Huge in defence, playing for 75 minutes and making 19 tackles. Lineout was improved too.

3. Tomas Francis – 8

An enormous defensive effort from the tighthead who once struggled with fitness in games like these, making fifteen tackles.

4. Jake Ball – 8

Showed his huge engine yet again, tackling and carrying his guts out. Busy in the maul as well. Good partner to the captain.

5. Alun-Wyn Jones (capt) – 8

Leadership? Tick. Tackling? Tick. Carrying? Tick. Lineout? Tick. Without a doubt, Wales would not have emerged from the chaos of this game without him.

6. Aaron Wainwright – 9

The next Sam Warburton? He looks like he might have too much gas for that comparison. Outstanding game in every aspect. Some player.

7. Justin Tipuric – 8

Another big game. Started with a crucial turnover on his own line minutes into the game and ended with the surge on France’s line that led to Wales’ match-winning try.
8. Josh Navidi – 6
Went off early and was badly missed at the breakdown.

Replacements

Elliot Dee – 6

Didn’t have much chance to make an impact but kept the lineout steady.

Rhys Carré – 7

Showed why Gatland took a chance on him. Huge shove in the scrum at the end.

Dillon Lewis – 5

Didn’t have the impact of his fellow prop, conceding two turnovers.

Adam Beard – 7

Mailing expertise was crucial towards the end.

Ross Moriarty – 6

Unlikely to be relishing his bench role but needs to find a better way to make an impact than instant yellow cards. Better in the second half and got a try.

Tomos Williams – 8

Excellent appearance. His rip from the scrum for the final for the final try was controversial but Peyper was happy with the replays. Extremely savvy in winding the clock down.

Rhys Patchell –

Not called upon.

Leigh Halfpenny –
Not called upon.

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Spew_81 3 hours ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

I have the selection opinion of ‘chuck them in the deep end, see if they swim’. Starting Mo’unga in the third test, in a series they had already won, would’ve been a perfect opportunity.


I also made it clear I would’ve kept Cruden in the mix, up until the end of RWC 2019. As he was a game manager. He isn’t Mo’unga which disproves your statement: “or should I say anyone not Mo’unga”. I would’ve had Mo’unga in the wider training group and in the end of year tours. At 10 I would’ve had: Cruden, B Barrett, and McKenzie (as McKenzie can cover: 9, 10, 14, and 15); but as Cruden was out of favour and departed, I would’ve had Mo’unga, B Barrett, and McKenzie as the 10 hierarchy; as Mo’unga is a game manager.


McKenzie had to have made his intentions clear that he wanted to transfer to 10 at least as far back as 2018. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have played at 10 for the Chiefs in 2018. The Chiefs had other options at 10. Why play someone out of position in Super Rugby, when they didn’t have to - unless McKenzie wanted to be the All Blacks 10 after B Barrett left? McKenzie played 10 in high school and never hid the fact that he wanted to have a shot at 10 and the highest level (nothing wrong with that). Also, McKenzie played 10 for the Maori All Blacks earlier in 2017:


[January 18, 2018] “It [10] has been a position I've always played and in the last few years I've played at 15, but now there is the opportunity to play at 10 and its one I'm looking forward too.


Damian McKenzie targets first-five role for Chiefs ahead of Super Rugby season | Stuff


Hansen seemed to think that McKenzie was a valid option at 10: “In World Cup squads, versatility is king. McKenzie's Test career has been at fullback; next year at the Chiefs he will be their first-choice fly-half”.


'When you're afraid you start second guessing yourself' - The Damian McKenzie All Blacks Interview - ESPN


It makes sense that Hansen and Foster’s logic was that McKenzie would follow the same path as B Barrett did to the 10 jersey for the All Blacks; from 15 to 10.


Why would McKenzie move positions from 15 to 10 at Super Rugby level, if he didn’t want to play 10 for the All Blacks? Just to be a better ‘dual playmaker’? He clearly wanted the All Blacks 10 jersey (nothing wrong with that). Hansen wanted a dual playmaker system, that’s why he wanted two 10’s that could play 15. It removes the need for a 10 on the bench (Cruden or Mo’unga) that’s why Hansen didn’t give Cruden a real shot at reclaiming the 10 jersey, and why he didn’t develop Mo’unga - until McKenzie got injured out of RWC 2019. This all fits the established narrative. Hansen could’ve had Mo’unga at 10 and B Barrett at 15 and had two pivots with different styles.


I brought it up as I it shows that Hansen and Foster would rather have a second 10, that played like the incumbent 10, instead of a game manager at 10. That was one of my main points. I’m saying that was the reason why Mo’unga wasn’t given a proper chance to develop into the international 10 he could’ve been.


All I’ve said is that I don’t think Hansen and Foster made the best choice, in hindsight. One of each type of 10 would’ve offered more options, making the job harder for opposition defense coaches. But without the benefit of parallel universes, where all the alternative ideas could play out, no one will really know.


I believe what the information shows, and what seems to be plausible, based on that information. There can be many, sometimes contradictory, conclusions that can be drawn from the same information. Without reading the minds of all involved we can just speculate based of the information that we have.


I brought those facts up to as I believe that both Hansen and Foster didn’t really want Mo’unga at 10 and only used him at 10 when they ran out of other ideas (which they both did). Foster and Hansen would’ve had long term planning discussions while Hansen was the main coach and Foster was the assistant. The next 10, after B Barrett would’ve been discussed during the 2016-2019 cycle as B Barrett (while very good) didn’t have the ability to consistently manage the really tight games (I’m not sure any 10, even Carter, could do it alone against the developed rush defenses that are common now). Also, as with any long term planning, they would’ve been thinking about B Barrett’s eventual replacement. They seemed to want another player who played like B Barrett.


Hansen and Foster seemed to be grooming McKenzie as the replacement 10. No wonder Mo’unga chose not to die for the team, and made sure he would be set for life by the time RWC 2027 comes around.


I have shown my reasoning and the information that led to those conclusions. If you have contrary information, post it, I’d be interested to see it. I’m happy to change my mind. I am very interested to discuss this type of thing, especially when someone has different views. It makes the discussion more interesting. I am happy to agree to disagree on this. You make some good comments, I’m sure we will sometimes agree and sometimes disagree in future :)


[Bonus Comment] Also, here’s an idea that is a bit left field that you can sink your teeth into. McKenzie should’ve made his primary position as a 9, covering: 10, 14, and 15 (McKenzie has been seen as valid 9 cover, he played 9 when Perenara got sin binned in Wellington, vs France in 2018). Start Aaron Smith and have Mo’unga at 10 and Barrett at 15; bring on McKenzie with 20 minutes to go. Three playmakers. That would’ve been a nightmare for defense coaches to defend against. Imagine A Savea taking the ball off the back of a mid-field scrum on the 22, with those three options to offload to. You can’t rush all three players. That is the way to beat a rush defense, create too many options to cover; but you need a 10 who is a game manager that can take advantage of the options.

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