Posted by Cymru’s Summer Internationals get underway on Saturday with a long trip for an away game against South Africa all the way up the M4 in London…modern rugby, am I right?
At this point it seems seasons never really end. 12 months ago Warren Gatland’s men were already in the throws of a pre-Rugby World Cup training camp that took them through to the tournament in September. Back in club action during November they then played through the Six Nations in February and March, back into the club run-in and are now preparing for yet more test matches.
No rest for the wicked, it seems, but with injuries, retirements and the emergence of new faces it is a very different Cymru squad that prepares to face the Springboks before two tests against Australia down under and a tacked on game against the Reds in Queensland, than that which “enjoyed” a summer at the Vale and at training camps last summer.
The squad evolutions across Welsh rugby have required the promotion of young players into senior professional rugby, and even the international arena, much earlier than would have been anticipated. As a result it wasn’t particularly a surprise to see Gatland’s side collecting the wooden spoon during the Six Nations. No other country was dealing with upheaval on that level.
Instead success was measured on the development of individuals, which saw an acceptable return, as well as the tactical improvement of the team overall, which left something to be desired.
The likes of Corey Domachowski, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell, Alex Mann, Mason Grady and Cam Winnett gained deserved plaudits for their showings, alongside some more established players at that level such as Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright and Tomos Williams. There was plenty to be excited about around the makings of a competitive team.
However, some areas of technical skills and tactical ability did not grow as hoped; the lineout continued to be an Achilles heel, maul work was hit-and-miss, counter attacking was effectively non-existent and attacking phase play was largely blunt at best. Defensively there were elements to enjoy, but due to failings elsewhere that area of Cymru’s game had the most opportunity to improve.
So three months on, as the Summer Internationals come around at speed, the question is “what constitutes a summer of success for Cymru?”.
To be honest, but very boring, the truth is that success is the continued individual and tactical development of the team. The reasons for that are multiple; squad evolutions do not happen overnight, particularly at test level where contact time between players and coaches is limited, and there’s the drastic inexperience of some of the new faces that joined the squad in February.
Adding to that, specifically in this window, is the injury list which has been racked up over the last few months; Adam Beard, Rhys Davies, Teddy Williams, Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Alex Cuthbert, while Ryan Elias and Josh Adams have been left at home to rest this summer.
Looking at the first game of the summer, against the Springboks at Twickenham with the majority of players based outside of Wales unavailable, you won’t find many people backing the men at red even at the +15 handicap that bookies are offering. However, beyond that there may be an opportunity to shake off the losing streak and snatch a win when they travel down to Australia.
The Wallabies are in a major evolution of their own, coming off the back of a disastrous Rugby World Cup, the departure of Eddie Jones as Head Coach, and dealing with some serious financial challenges that have resulted in players departing for Rugby League’s NRL and the Melbourne Rebels going bust. Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is now in charge, tasked with turning the side around ahead of a Lions tour and a home World Cup over the next three years.
Going away from home is never easy at test level, but with a good recent record against Australia and against a team in some level of turmoil, there is enough talent when the full squad gets together to get a result either in Sydney, Melbourne or both. If they continue their development over the South Africa game and in training camp, there is no reason that they don’t fly home with a statement win.
It would represent a line in the sand after the wooden spoon, and give players, coaches and supporters something to build on towards a November series that also offers opportunity to get victories on the board before beginning the climb back up the Six Nations table in 2025.
The squad evolution is needed and important, but at a level where stakeholders are not as patient as those seen at the Arms Park this season, for example, earning results will be key along the way, and the tests against the Wallabies represent the best chance of that, before a much-changed side likely takes the field against the Reds.
The summer will start in tough fashion on Saturday, but after that the opportunities grow exponentially. It’s up to Gatland & co to take advantage. Ymlaen Cymru!
Cardiff Rugby Life 