Posted by When you take a look at the landscape of Welsh rugby currently it would seem almost unbelievable to suggest that the Dragons are the team that hold the key for any Wales success in the Rugby World Cup.
At the risk of triggering some PTSD episodes for the supporters who regularly traipse into Rodney Parade, the Newport-based side have an horrendous record across the United Rugby Championship and European competition in recent years. Their best win percentage across the last five seasons is 41% in 2019/20.
The reasons for that are well known as they almost faced financial collapse before being “saved”, in absolutely the loosest sense of the word, by the Welsh Rugby Union who effectively just ensured their continued existence. Their wage budget has been much smaller than even the other Welsh pro clubs, let alone the Irish or French opponents.
Despite that though their development pathway encompassing Newport and the rugby hotbed of the Gwent Valleys has ensured a steady supply of extremely talented young players filtering through the system, and the monetary restriction has ensured that they are given plenty of first team opportunities at a relatively young age.
One of those to majorly benefit was Aaron Wainwright who made his Dragons debut having barely turned 20 in October 2017 and was able to impress enough, as well as be afforded the opportunity, to play week-in, week-out through that debut season.
A full 12 months of rugby under his belt and some standout performances earned him a call-up to the Wales squad during the 2018 summer tour where Warren Gatland began his squad evolution ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and over the following 12 months his importance in the national team grew and grew.
Key showings off the bench during the 2019 Grand Slam run suddenly became a starting spot in the RWC warm-ups and a spot in the first XV out in Japan when Taulupe Faletau was ruled out, another opportunity the Whiteheads RFC man took with both hands to be talked about as one of the breakout talents to make their name in that tournament.
However, four years later and what’s happened? Despite initially being firmly in Wayne Pivac’s plans Wainwright was well out of favour by the time the 2022 Six Nations was complete and the international wilderness beckoned for a good 12 months until a solid outing in France in March convinced Warren Gatland to bring him back into the fold.
The reasons for that demise internationally can be debated, however for my money I don’t think Wainwright was playing poorly, at it’s base I think he was simply a victim of the Pivac era and his constant flip flopping of selection and style of play.
That’s a real shame because if Pivac had stuck to his guns, implemented his and Stephen Jones’ attacking plan, and evolved the squad post-2019, then the Dragons back rower would have been an ideal candidate to wear six or eight moving forward, but in the end he has had to wait until just a month ago to re-establish himself at the international level.
Fortunately he did that in style as Wainwright was one of the best players on the pitch against England in Cardiff, before emerging with his credit in-tact from the chastening defeat against South Africa. Now 25 he’s developed his frame to bring a physical edge alongside his mobility, has an excellent skillset particularly around his offloading and shifting of possession near the contact area, and is strong defensively in the tackle with the added value of a turnover threat.
With his mix of abilities meaning he can also act as an emergency openside option, the versatility he brings makes him an important member of a smaller RWC squad and should see him act as a key part of the matchday 23.
Up until now Wainwright has been the supporting act, if you like. You might refer to him as the wingman, taking on the unseen role that allows his friend to grab the limelight. Nobody remembers it, but it’s the most important aspect of ensuring the group chat is alive and kicking on a Sunday morning.
Take the much vaunted Jac Morgan tackle against England, for example. The openside takes the plaudits but it doesn’t happen without his back row colleague taking the sting out of Tom Pearson’s carry and then stepping back in to assist in driving the white jersey back.
That’s what Wainwright does; he allows Josh Navidi and Justin Tipuric to claim the big scores in match ratings in 2019, he allows Morgan to win man-of-the-match against England. And he seems more than happy to undertake that role, quietly going about his business without garnering the limelight that follows some of his team-mates.
In France it may well be Morgan or Taulupe Faletau grabbing the headlines once again, but it will be the man who got the opportunity to play and hone his craft at the Dragons who will provide the all-important balance to the back row whether at blindside, eight or off the bench.
If Wales are to exceed expectations at this Rugby World Cup it will be Aaron Wainwright forming the foundation of that.
Cardiff Rugby Life 