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Fans perplexed as Wales turn 'worst performance in Welsh rugby history' into heroic loss
By Ian Cameron
Wales staged an impressive second-half fightback that transformed what seemed an inevitable humiliating defeat into a valiant loss against Scotland in the Six Nations.
Down 27-0 just after halftime following a second Duhan van der Merwe try, all seemed lost for Warren Gatland's Wales.
Social media was initially flooded with criticism as fans expressed their dismay over Wales' performance, critiquing the team's tactics, cohesion, and effort. "A thank you to Ioan Lloyd missing touch so we don’t need to live through Wales losing the lineout," joked Squidge Rugby, encapsulating the early frustrations of Welsh fans.
Simon Thomas provided a grim analysis: "A wretched first half from Wales... Dire." Cardiff Rugby Life added to the chorus of disapproval: "Cymru have been further hamstrung but their own lack of intensity and a shambolic attacking game plan from the coaches."
However, the narrative suddenly shifted in the second half as Wales sprung back to life. Fans, while initially harsh, began to rally behind their team. One fan's frustration was palpable: "What an awful first half, so frustrating. Get Gareth Davies off immediately." Another lamented the state of the team: "This is the worst Welsh XV to have ever been put together... Abysmal."
Critics and commentators, both Welsh and non-Welsh, weighed in on the debacle. RugbyPass writer Owain Jones observed Scotland's ease, noting Finn Russell's relaxed control of the game amidst Welsh errors. Graham Love poked fun at the quiet stadium atmosphere, suggesting, "They should open the roof to let some atmosphere in…" EK Rugby Analysis didn't mince words: "No getting away from it, that was exceptionally poor half of rugby from Wales."
RTE commentator Hugh Cahill dubbed it the 'worst performance ever' from Wales, a sentiment echoed by Bernard Jackman who called it the 'Worst performance in Welsh rugby history.'
Yet, amidst the overwhelming critique, Wales' second-half resurgence painted a picture of a team not ready to be dismissed. This turnaround, while not enough to secure a win, salvaged some pride and hinted at a resilience that Welsh fans can cling to for future matches.
Squidge Rugby wrote: "What the **** just happened?"
England legend Lawrence Dallaglio praised the Welsh second half:
"What a fight back by Wales this is what makes the Six Nations so special"
Owain Jones saw the introduction of Tomos Williams as critical: "Wales, abysmal in the first-half were inspired by the introduction of Tomos Williams, to stage an unlikely comeback from 27-0 down, to give Scotland a huge fright and peg it back to 27-26. Aaron Wainwright rampant. Scots banish the 22-year Cardiff hex. Just."
On the other side of the aisle, Graham Love summed up the feeling among Scotland fans, writing: "You wait 22 years for a win in Cardiff & then you just feel hugely deflated."
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Latest Comments
All of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
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