Wales achieve the Grand Slam
Wales were crowned Grand Slam champions for the second time in four seasons as the records tumbled on an historic evening at the Millennium Stadium.
Shane Williams once again provided the decisive moment with the try that put Wales on course for their 10th Grand Slam, 100 years and a day after their first ever clean sweep.
Williams' 41st Test try broke the Welsh international record and sent Cardiff into a frenzy of excitement as the misery of last year's World Cup was finally forgotten.
The victory over France - and the championship triumph as a whole - was built on an extraordinary, heroic defensive display.
Wales kept their try-line intact once again and only conceded twice during the tournament, breaking the previous record set by England's World Cup winners in 2002 and 2003.
Time: 02:56
Shane Williams once again provided the decisive moment with the try that put Wales on course for their 10th Grand Slam, 100 years and a day after their first ever clean sweep.
Williams' 41st Test try broke the Welsh international record and sent Cardiff into a frenzy of excitement as the misery of last year's World Cup was finally forgotten.
The victory over France - and the championship triumph as a whole - was built on an extraordinary, heroic defensive display.
Wales kept their try-line intact once again and only conceded twice during the tournament, breaking the previous record set by England's World Cup winners in 2002 and 2003.
Time: 02:56
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26 Comments:
Wales thoroughly deserved it, with all 5 matches they made huge improvements. And I seem to find that playing the old enemy from across the bridge first really bring out the best in Wales. :D
Gatland has done wonders with us, and I am so glad we signed him for a 4 year contract.
All we need now is a bit of consistency which I'm sure Warren can give us.
Thanks for posting this.
cheers Huw
(A very proud 14 y.o. Welshman)
By Anonymous, at March 16, 2008 8:27 pm
Wales thoroughly deserved it, with all 5 matches they made huge improvements. And I seem to find that playing the old enemy from across the bridge first really bring out the best in Wales. :D
Gatland has done wonders with us, and I am so glad we signed him for a 4 year contract.
All we need now is a bit of consistency which I'm sure Warren can give us.
Thanks for posting this.
cheers Huw
(A very proud 14 y.o. Welshman)
By Anonymous, at March 16, 2008 8:28 pm
such a dramatic game, i was yelling my head off for Mark Jones, he works so hard in defense, rarely does he give him self a chance to open up, would of been great if he scored as well.
but a great finish to a great tournament for us.
By Anonymous, at March 16, 2008 8:50 pm
Congratulations to Wales from an England fan, a thoroughly well deserved Grand Slam and as Huw says, a huge improvement shown with every game. Just shows what a bit of confidence and momentum can do for a team.
The tour to South Africa is now a fascinating prospect. Will Martyn Williams still be playing then?
By Anonymous, at March 16, 2008 9:42 pm
Amazing run by that guy but too bad he got dragged down just before the line, would've been a freaking memomrable try. Always good to see France lose!
/ All blacks fan
By Unknown, at March 16, 2008 10:12 pm
so true deception, heart was in my mouth.
By Anonymous, at March 16, 2008 10:32 pm
Englishman...need i say anymore
By Anonymous, at March 16, 2008 11:04 pm
After watching the video again, it seems pretty clear that had Mark Jones not had his hands down in proper form to present the ball after being tackled, and had instead reached for the line, he would have scored.
For once, a lack of white line fever turned out to be a bad thing. Not catastrophic though, and a big well done to the Welsh.
By Anonymous, at March 16, 2008 11:43 pm
A couple great moments from the match:
31st minute – Commentator: “Get up ya footballer”
40th minute – Yellow Card to Henson. This is why Gavin Henson is no Jason White. Then again, I don't think anyone is Jason White right now, other than Jason White.
Commentator during 2nd half of match: Basicaly said how wonderful the scrum is, and how could someone want to eliminate that from the match. He said the Aussies do -- because they don't know how!
Hats off to Wales. 2 Tries against going into it. You really saw how hard and quick they came up on defense, and the French had no answers.
Great to see Martyn Williams play so well. He never seems to be on the top of people's list for best #7 in the world. However he brought such an "X Factor" to the 6N. Magically producing ball at breakdowns.
Out of all the 6N's forwards, he (along with Parisse) showed the knack for just great positional play -- the most instances of being at the right place, right time.
By Cheyanquí, at March 17, 2008 12:24 am
Well done boys, you did us proud. I'm still suffering now after saturday night's drinking.
By Anonymous, at March 17, 2008 12:36 am
Martyn Williams is the best seven in the world. He's been turning in performances of outrageous quality for years as part of a pack that usually travels backwards at a rate of knots. Now that we have some go forward he's really shining. Richie who?
Our defensive performances throughout the tournament have been stunning, and our forwards are really giving the backs a platform now. Long may it continue.
By Will Topps, at March 17, 2008 1:06 am
2 Grand Slams in 4 years. Not bad boys! Fantastic defending through all 5 games. Not shabby going forward either! It will be great to see how we do this summer against S.A. It is about time that Wales make their presence known on the world stage.
By Anonymous, at March 17, 2008 2:09 am
Congrats Wales!!! my only gripe is that we should have warren gatland as coach instead of GH here in NZ...
If you come down and beat the all blacks, than we'll really know we should of had gatland... and robbie deans coaching australia!
Damn! i can't stand it...
By Anonymous, at March 17, 2008 3:18 am
Well done Wales - you guys earned that - best rugby in the 6 nations!
Martyn William = Machine!!
See you boys in SA later in the year - gonna be a bit tougher against the champs!
By JaySA, at March 17, 2008 4:42 am
Hats off to Wales, and to the coaching staff. From a team that was dumped out the WC by Fiji, to Grand Slam winners; all with the same players! That's something very special.
I just hope that Wales can build on these foundations, and that it's not a one-off.
And let's hope England maintain Danny Cipriani at 10!
By Sander, at March 17, 2008 8:30 am
Congratulations Wales, a thoroughly deserved Grand Slam. You were the only real entertainment in an otherwise shamefully poor 6 Nations. Hope you don't manage it again next year but, until then, you can be very proud.
By Kerivoula, at March 17, 2008 8:36 am
Was his name Mike Jones? Man almost scored that try if not for the tackle that stopped him at the one-meter
A very well-deserved win by wales...congratulations to them.
By Don, at March 17, 2008 12:52 pm
Will Topps,
Richie who? Do you mean this guy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZB9TuTJ9UY
Apparently, he's a cheat. [Kidding of course]
By Cheyanquí, at March 17, 2008 2:04 pm
WELL DONE WALES!!! Grand Slams do not come cheap so that was a complete peformance. I loved seeing Gerald Davis in the crowd brimming with pride (he was involved in 3 Grand Slams).
Roll on SA and there should be a large Welsh representation roaring for the Lions now. Williams x2 defo.
Its a shame the World Cup is not this year eh? I'm English but as a fan of good rugby I thank the Welsh team for an excellent 6N performance.
Consistancy is key now.
By AK, at March 17, 2008 7:28 pm
i agree Martyn Williams is probably the best no7 in the world. been playing so consistently brilliant, for so long.
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2008 12:24 am
In answer to don's question, his name is Mark Jones
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2008 2:23 pm
shane williams what a player
you dont have to be big to amaze
i'd like to see habana and shane over 40m
very interesting..
well done boys you deserved it
quick pat on the back for ian gough as well
By Anonymous, at March 21, 2008 5:01 pm
i recently herd an amazing fact that morgan stoddart is the quickest over 40 meters ou ov the welsh players but jones is fastest over 100m.bring on SA!
By Anonymous, at June 06, 2008 11:26 pm
morgan stoddart is quicker than shane williams over 60m??
im sorry but i dont belive that one bit
By Anonymous, at September 11, 2008 1:20 pm
C'MON WALES!!!!!!
Great try frm Martin Williams had a hell of a game :D
By Anonymous, at October 11, 2008 12:51 pm
i know this has got nothing to do with the vid i just thought id take the opportunity to congragulate if thats the right word-(welsh 1st language) on the fact that the WRU are thinking about a new developmental region for the North-i think thats absoloutley great because at the moment all the talent up here-and there is heaps of talent undoubtedly is being ignored and in some cases are switching to rugby league.i think a North Wales side will renew interest in the game up north and will unearth plenty of new stars which will help wales rise to the top again-after all strength in depth and a wide player base is key to a world beating side,to long has the north been ignored-imagine if NZ didnt slect players from the south island?there would be no MacCaw or Carter!-a new region will certinally unearth new Legends.Perhaps they could base it from Wrexham Raceground because thats a soccer pitch with a capacity of 15,000,and name them the Eryrod Eryri Eagles maybe?anyway thats the end of my rant!-once again well done to the WRU and especially Gatland for contemplating a new region which will do wonders for welsh rugy union.-Aeddan Owen Berry(Gog rugby Nut!)great site btw RD!cheers
By Anonymous, at April 14, 2009 2:22 am
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