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Welsh great 'wonders if Wales are ready to face New Zealand'

Wales have a big task on their hands this weekend

One of Wales’ greatest ever players has issued a dire warning to his old team in the wake of their uninspiring 13-6 win over Georgia.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bLOdGG5ol4

Barry John, star of the early 1970’s Welsh rugby renaissance, wrote in his Wales Online column that “having seen this awful showing against Georgia, I do wonder if Wales are ready to face New Zealand.”

“Coach Warren Gatland had made wholesale changes from the team which had been competitive against Australia last weekend but, never mind that, this display was a major let-down.

“The players will have to turn up, so to speak, at the Principality Stadium against the All Blacks because, if they don’t, it won’t be pretty to watch.”

Wales’ laboured one-try effort may have given hope to Georgian ambitions to be included in the 6 Nations one day, it said a lot more about the malaise of their own team more than anything else.

“Rhys Priestland was competent and went through the patterns and drills,” John wrote “which are the norm at international level for a No.10, but the midfield hardly sparkled, compared to that which had faced Australia.

“Georgia’s defence, despite from a lack of pace, managed to deal with the Welsh threat very easily for the most part.”

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Wales welcome the All Blacks to Principality Stadium this weekend, the last match on the New Zealanders’ end of year tour.

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Another 8 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

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