Wales Wails

Wales found a presence finally in Auckland yesterday. A combination of Welsh fans, who were out very late in the day compared to their Aussie brethren, and British Lions shorts, pulled from suitcases for the occasion, meant the reds were probably as numerous as the yellows inside Eden Park. The Yellows were concentrated in blocks, while the reds were dotted hither and thither. It was almost as if the Aussies expected to be there while for the Welsh this was a surprise (both pleasant in terms of pre-tournament expectations and unpleasant given the post Quarter Final boost).

With Warburton absent, Australia would have expected to win the breakdowns, but Wales actually excelled early on in that phase. Unfortunately, they didn't excel anywhere else. They chose the occasion of the bronze medal game to produce their worst performance of the tournament. Australia saw Beale and Cooper limp off in a bruising but uninspiring first half, but Barnes pulled the strings in midfield, showing coach Deans what an experienced head can do.  Roberts was anonymous, and poor defending by the Welsh midfield saw the Aussies score the only try of the first half. Wales replied with a Hook penalty, but they were unimaginative in their handling and aimless with their kicking. "Are you England in disguise?" was my unkind, if not wholly inaccurate assessment.

The second half saw wasteful Wales continue to miss kicks. Hook and Halfpenny both being guilty, and when they did finally widen the play, Williams neat control of a poorly aimed pass, and another touch forward, saw him dive over for an unconverted try to see Wales briefly take the lead at 8-7. Dogged Wallabies emerged from the minor crisis though and 2 O'Connor penalties and a Barnes drop goal saw them regain and extend the lead at 16-8. Wales were at least showing now, though at 10 they clearly missed Priestland. Firstly Hook, a major disappointment these last 6 weeks, then Jones, a case of 2 years too far for me, showed indecision and inaccuracy in their kicking. Wales couldn't get within a score, even when Williams tried a drop goal which deserves little additional comment. When McAlman scored a second Aussie try, it was curtains for the Welsh. 21-8 and they couldn't come back.... but a Jones penalty gave them hope, and with time ticking by as in the semi final against France, they controlled ball after ball before slipping it wide to Halfpenny who scampered over for a converted consolation which brought the score to 21-18. 

Frankly, it was the worst game I've seen so far. Neither team really wanted to be there, as is usually the case, and the stilted atmosphere showed the crowd's feelings. It was a good crowd for such a game though, with All Blacks, Aussies, Welsh and South Africans being the most in number, with patches of representation from every country involved too. 

Wales have done themselves proud over the last 6 weeks, but ultimately, their fragility which had been exposed in the warm-up games surfaced when it really mattered. They leave New Zealand medal-less, having won 4 and lost 3. The record will show that they finished 4th and were "the team most likely to beat the All Blacks" in many peoples' eyes. For me though, they beat 1 Top 10 side in the tournament (Ireland) and when they needed to perform, they didn't quite have it. Still, consolation in being British best I am sure, and I'm sure they will be quick to harp on about it come the 6 Nations too.

On to the real deal tomorrow now. Excitement will build here over the next 36 hours or so as the All Blacks drone on about 24 years ago. I get the feeling if the miracle happens and France win, the whole of the North Island may sink into the sea never to be seen again, such is the emphasis being placed on this here. 

We will see I guess.

Short but sweet today. Catch you Monday.