1
Welsh great 'wonders if Wales are ready to face New Zealand'
By Online Editors
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.
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."
Wales welcome the All Blacks to Principality Stadium this weekend, the last match on the New Zealanders' end of year tour.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Fissler Confidential: Willie le Roux rumours ignite after Bok star spo
3
Rassie Erasmus holds the solution to England's Jamie George conundrum
4
The Springboks have something you don't have
5
Latest Comments
Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.
Go to commentsYou 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.
Go to comments