Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Wales go 2-0 down to New Zealand despite spirited fight

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Wales go 2-0 down to New Zealand despite spirited fight

Wales put on a far more impressive showing this weekend as they gained respect for the way they didn't allow the All Blacks to run away with things. The home side still came out comfortable 29-10 winners though, taking the two match series 2-0.

Flyhalf Dan Carter kicked 17 points to add to his 29 point haul in the first Test, taking his personal points tally to 150 in his eighth match against the Welsh.

Winger Corey Jane scored for New Zealand in the first half, with young Aaron Cruden crossing late in the match. After sustained pressure, Wales earned themselves a nice try to centre Jamie Roberts.

The game was riddled with errors and lacked the dynamic running that we’ve come to expect from both sides when at the top of their game. It was a good battle though, with Wales fronting up to what locked likely to be another All Black rout.

"It was a tough Test and we just had to chip away and take points when they were on offer. I guess it was comfortable in the end and though it wasn't perfect it was a Test win," said All Black captain Richie McCaw.

Jonathan Thomas finished the match as Wales captain after Ryan Jones went off injured.

"We took a lot of stick in the media about our fitness last week but I think we showed tonight we're not that far short of the All Blacks. We finished pretty strongly and I think we just have to learn and keep improving," said Thomas.

"We were a bit disappointed in the way we fell off tackles in the second half last week. We played with more intensity this week and we were a bit disappointed our discipline cost us in the second half. All week we talked about gaining some respect and I think we did that tonight."

Are the Welsh fans happy with the way the side took it to the All Blacks, or are you disappointed about the tour in general? What about New Zealand - will the number 1 ranked side in the world come out as Tri Nations winners this year?

Highlights of the other matches will follow soon. If there are any incidents from this or other games that you'd like featured, please get in touch via email or through the forum.

Time: 05:05

poor call by the ref sending off byrne

By no9, at June 27, 2010 1:11 pm
^ not really, it was a dangerous tackle. Anyways The All Blacks were always going to win, it was just a question of by how much. Good performance by both teams though.

By Anonymous, at June 27, 2010 1:48 pm
Think I remember a AB captain NOT getting binned for a similar tackle in 05....
Either way, can't Gatland see that every team knows the Wales game plan!?

By ieu, at June 27, 2010 1:51 pm
The Byrne yellow was a bit harsh, a penalty for sure but not a yellow in my book. It was evened out in the end by Kaplan not sending Jonathan Thomas to the bin after he shoulder charged Thorn.

It was better from Wales, but NZ were always in control and their substitutions interrupted the flow of the match.

By Gareth, at June 27, 2010 2:11 pm
ieu, you mean that incident at the clear out?

scrappy game for the abs, pretty certain this is what the boks will do to them as well. Not looking all that smooth now for the Tri Nation

By Jeroz, at June 27, 2010 2:26 pm
Lee Byrne sinbin was harsh..

By H, at June 27, 2010 3:21 pm
Yes Byrne's tackle was illegal and a penalty. I don't think it was bad enough to warrant a yellow card. The ref has to use his discretion and commonsense. Not every "spear" tackle is a yellow. Some are owrse than others.

By jpm, at June 27, 2010 3:42 pm
mils is back :) but why is he playing as a forward, oing into traffic and into rucks

By rosh, at June 27, 2010 3:46 pm
Byrne tackle was fine, just the fact that Adam Jones was tackling the upper body at the same time meant the tackle looked more lopsided than it actually was, no real danger to the tackled player.

By Redron, at June 27, 2010 3:50 pm
Byrnes yellow was TOTAL bullshit

By imad, at June 27, 2010 4:18 pm
It was strange because we did better with what in my opinion was a weaker team. Cant see gavin thomas getting another wales cap though haha

By WelshOsprey, at June 27, 2010 4:23 pm
Anyone else think guildford is shit? And should be replaced with Hosea? Seriously all Guildford does is shimmy a bunch before contact and make no yards. Not dangerous enough to wear #11 for ABs

By rugbeh, at June 27, 2010 4:59 pm
Guildford has a good game actually. Very different player to Gear though. I think Gear would be more dangerous on attack, whereas Guildford probably has a higher workrate. Nice problem for Henry to have.

By FrankyH, at June 27, 2010 6:56 pm
Looked like Wales had no game plan at all. The All Blacks are all huge players, and you're not going to break the advantage line by just running at an angle towards them - there IS something called offloading, Wales.

Also, someone like Shane Williams seemed to be needed - someone who can cut in quickly. Since all the NZ players are pretty big, a small little guy who can step at least has a chance of avoiding a tackle rather than just trying to break through it.

All that said...I can't wait for the 3N for when there'll actually be some teams who can challenge NZ. This tour was rather disappointing in that regard.

By wonder from down under, at June 27, 2010 7:15 pm
You can moan all you like about the sin bin for a spear tackle, but as seen in 05, they are dangerous, although not necessarilly intentional ala Byrne here. But they should always warrant a sin-binning if not more (morne steyn), it puts pressure on players to play fairer and safer.

Im not Welsh, South African or a kiwi by the way before you moan of bias.

By Anonymous, at June 27, 2010 7:21 pm
ieu, what is this welsh game plan? lol im welsh and i dont even know!:D

By Matt, at June 27, 2010 8:33 pm
Let's be honest, Wales are missing so many players - any other nation missing, say, three numbers 7s would struggle (williams, warbuton, daf,) and Wales don't even have a great strength in depth..
SA are going to crush the All Blacks.

By Anonymous, at June 27, 2010 10:29 pm
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By Anonymous, at June 27, 2010 10:47 pm
Hmm, not a surprise wales lost really....as for byrnes tackle....

...lets ALL face it...it wasn't 'THAT' bad....but it matters little...it was (a very poor) spear tackle....

...ofcourse we have seen many many worse tackles than that, but I agree with the guy who said any spear should be dealt a yellow at the least....I think its just a good way to deal with them, ofcourse this wasn't that bad but through those actions it could have been worse...good call in my eyes..

By (u-p)rick, at June 27, 2010 10:53 pm
Wales really missed Hook and Williams. Those two are the real creators in the Welsh backline and they just seemed to lack something that could open up the ABs defence.

Also have to agree with Gavin Thomas. He tried hard but was seriously outclassed and he is just not an international quality seven.

By Abbyno7, at June 27, 2010 11:12 pm
"Stop trying to compare SA with the All Blacks". I'm sorry, but isn't that what international rugby is all about?! Comparing one team with another. If it's not, then why don't teams just stick to the training ground. What a silly ill-thought comment that is? Sport is ALL ABOUT comparing one team with another! And i'm not even going to respond to that "silly dutch team" dig.

By Bokke_2007, at June 27, 2010 11:13 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 27, 2010 11:30 pm
Is it just me or has Byrne gotten shit?

By T, at June 28, 2010 1:02 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Blizzard, at June 28, 2010 1:31 am
Is it just me or has Byrne gotten shit?

If you mean that he's "underperformed" based on the standards he sort of set himself up for back in 2008 and early '09, then yes, I think he has been lacking.

Shame, really, since he can be an amazing player.

Something else I've wondered about is Jamie Roberts. Maybe it's just the current Welsh arrangement, but he doesn't seem to be doing much of anything lately. It might've just been the great pairing with BOD or Hook that he needs to set him off...dunno.

By ryan, at June 28, 2010 2:51 am
So much aggro here!! I comment on NZ videos because, surprise!, i'm a fan of rugby and I enjoy watching the ABs dominate a side (unless it's SA!) as much as any kiwi. So take your thoughts and work them. I just find it amusing (as I'm sure a great many others do) that for all their talk, Wales really haven't anything to show for it. SA fans are accused of arrogance all the time, but at least we have a bulging trophy cabinet (at the moment anyway!). All this talk from the welsh just rings of the old "empty vessels making the most noise" proverb.

and "anonymous", if this response is too informed and mature for your tastes then I'm sure FOX news is on somewhere for you to enjoy.

By Bokke_2007, at June 28, 2010 3:04 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 3:44 am
Not sure why people are giving Bokke_2007 such a hard time, I thought he had a point (perhaps the Welsh players are mimicking their coach to some extent - maybe the self belief talk is worth a try too). Anyway Bokke_2007, I'm looking forward to the tri nations too.

(a Kiwi)

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 3:47 am
I won't be changing my name because of a few whining pussies who can't handle a real debate about rugby. I'm the first one to admit that SA victories have come about through taking opportunities when they present and benefiting from other teams playing poorly. But that's what sport is all about. And they are still victories, are they not. You don't get prizes for artistic impression and style, you get them for knocking the other team down (whoever they may be) and scoring more points.

But lets get back to the rugby shall we?

How the hell has Hosea Gear not made it into the 3N squad?! The man scores tries all season for the Hurris & the Maori and he goes for little Zac Guildford?!

By Bokke_2007, at June 28, 2010 3:52 am
Oops, my bad! Zac Guildford's dropped too, for that old donkey Rokocoko? Somebody explain Henry's logic there!

By Bokke_2007, at June 28, 2010 4:04 am
I agree, Henry was halfway right, but I'd have liked to have seen Gear instead of Rokocoko, based on recent form.

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 4:16 am
Wales No. 14 looks quality.

By granite, at June 28, 2010 4:42 am
@Bokke_2007 I got no idea why Henry left Gear out of the squad again... He's been our best winger for the last few seasons and has been treated like shit... I just hope he doesn't head overseas.

By Nicko, at June 28, 2010 8:28 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 8:37 am
Not all that thrilled about the All Blacks scrum, the match against the Boks on 10th July is still a big question mark for me.

By Jeremy, at June 28, 2010 8:50 am
Let's stick to the commenting guidelines and be open to constructive debate please, rather than insult slinging. Furthermore, Anonymous comments don't hold much ground when it comes to moderation. Thanks guys

By GMC, at June 28, 2010 8:50 am
Hah, Nicko, I'm sure England would be all too happy to give Gear citizenship and let him go the Flutey route.

By fivel, at June 28, 2010 8:53 am
haha imagine it! Hape, Flutey, & Gear in the England backline! It'll start looking like their cricket team of SA rejects, but with a Maori flavour!!

By Bokke_2007, at June 28, 2010 9:11 am
oh please stop with the ridiculous yellow cards...

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 12:45 pm
Bokke...I cant say I really saw much welsh arrogance....especially not leading up to this game, and certainly not after it, Im not sure where you've seen this.......

Infact, if anything I'd say the welsh have seemed quite quiet and humble....

'Something else I've wondered about is Jamie Roberts. Maybe it's just the current Welsh arrangement, but he doesn't seem to be doing much of anything lately. It might've just been the great pairing with BOD or Hook that he needs to set him off...dunno.'

Im not sure why pairing a welsh Jamie Roberts with an Irish BOD would do anything to the Welsh team.....mind you, Im sure 99% of players out there would like to be paired in the centre with BOD.....

By (u-p)rick, at June 28, 2010 12:52 pm
To be fair to Wales, they are also coming off a long post-Lions season and the top guys who weren't actually injured are definitely jaded. It's like when the Boks toured the Northern Hemisphere last year and took a few beatings. It happens - it doesn't mean that it was a poor Boks side (they had recently won the WC), but guys have physical (and psychological)limits. I bet a lot of the players are heartily sick of the game right now.

I think there is also a difference in the strength in depth of teams like the ABs, SA, and France where they seem to have 3 or 4 guys in every position who can do the job, and teams like Wales, Ireland and (at the moment) Australia, where we are lucky to have one or 2.

By Mike, at June 28, 2010 3:00 pm
It was nothing to do about improving the Welsh team (the pairing of Roberts and BOD), just wondering if maybe that's the sort of conditions that made him look such a threat during the Lions tour.

By ryan, at June 28, 2010 5:25 pm
There's been a complaint about a comment being moderated on this thread. Once again, please keep things respectful and positive. Anything said here will be removed if deemed to be in violation of the commenting guidelines.

The last thing we want is a free-for-all. Thanks

By GMC, at June 28, 2010 6:49 pm
I dunno, maybe Mike Phillips saying "NZ are there for the taking" after he'd just been given a royal hiding in one test and scraped a score in the next qualifies as arrogance and maybe it doesn't. Depends on your definition i guess. One thing is for sure, he's got his head stuck somewhere that's for sure. Everyone who watched the games agreed that the ABs are back on form, and aren't "there for the taking"!!.

As for the strength in depth, i fail to see how many of the excuses from the NH teams actually hold water. You can say that the population of wales is tiny. OK, but look at NZ (where it's 99% sheep!). You can say that rugby has to compete with football. OK, but look at Australia, where rugby has to compete with the NRL, the AFL, cricket, and swimming! The fact is, all the passion of rugby is coached out of young players in the north by making them lug around tackle bags and practice line-outs in the middle of winter. No kid wants to do that, they want to just chuck a ball around and develop some skill, intuition, and a flair for the game. This is what sets NZ, SA, and Aus apart from the six nations sides. Anyone can be taught the intricacies of scrumming or line-outs (look at Mtawarira who was a no. 8 for most of his young career), but you can't teach flair and raw ambition. That has to be nurtured from a young age, and coaches up north are letting their sides down. That is why the pace of the S14 is so much faster, and that in itself is why Wales can compete for 60 minutes against a firing ABs side but then collapse in the last 20.

Let me know what you think. And if you're surprised a Bok fan can make this much sense! ;-)

By Bokke_2007, at June 28, 2010 10:11 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By DDoS, at June 28, 2010 10:14 pm
DDos, plenty of Bokke_2007's comments have been removed, as have other comments from Anonymous posters who blatantly insult fellow users, players, or teams. This isn't youtube.

The commenting guidelines are there for a reason. You insulted a nation of people.. more than once now, so they were removed. It's not the end of the world, but I like to keep things as positive here as possible. Let's just have a chat about rugby and take the bitching elsewhere.

By Greiffel, at June 28, 2010 10:30 pm
Cory Jane looks a smart player. Nothing too flash, but seems to get himself in the right positions often.

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 10:53 pm
hahaha Iv got no doubt England would accommodate Mr Gear into their backline! I'm guessing they (AB's) will take him on the end of year tour, it's a pity though... I would rather see him in the tri-nations tested against the Bok and Wallabies.

By Nicko, at June 29, 2010 2:15 am
Bokke 2007 - which excuses about strength in depth do not hold water? I didn't see any excuses, but I did say that some teams (Irl, Aus, Wales) lack high-quality back-up, while other teams (NZ, SA, Fra) do have great strength in depth. That's just a statement of fact (well, opinion really) - no excuses there.

If you want to get into excuses, it varies by country. As you say, in Aus there is massive competition from other field sports (soccer, NFL, NRL), although the population is a lot bigger than NZ or Ire. Wales is a very small country, and rugby is number 2 to soccer there. Ire has a similar population to NZ, but Gaelic Football and Hurling occupy the place that rugby does in S.African and NZ society (almost a religion in some places). Rugby is in a distant fourth place there - but has been growing in popularity.

France probably has the greatest depth of any country - I honestly believe that they could put out 3 totally different teams that could beat anyone in the world. But then they don't get it together for the World Cup the way the Boks and the Aussies do - it's a real mystery why.

By Mike, at June 29, 2010 1:34 pm
@Mike, I think you'll find that England would (should) be the country with the greatest strength in depth based on their size, player numbers, and rugby culture.

While SA loves the sport in certain sectors, it's still a very small percentage of the population and football is very much the biggest sport in the country, numbers wise. Success wise.. not quite.

With Wales though, when have they ever had a football team to be passionate about, that's succeeded on the world stage? Surely rugby is bigger in terms of passion and love for the sport. It seems bigger than in Ire, Scotland, and even England in some ways..? I stand to be corrected on that one though, but I do know that the Welsh were outstanding in the Seventies, so to now come with excuses about country size etc seems a bit weak.

If you look at Samoa, Fiji etc, on their day they can challenge any side in the world, and they're absolutely tiny.

By Scotsdale, at June 29, 2010 2:28 pm
Scotsdale, I agree with much of what you're saying there. But (subject to correction!) the population of Wales is only something like twice what Fiji's is. Wheras the population of France might be 12 times Ireland, just to put some perspective on it.

England certainly should have the greatest strenght in depth, but good luck to anybody arguing that they do have :)

By Mike, at June 29, 2010 3:16 pm
Thanks to RD for taking care of the purely insulting/trashy comments.

Wales are better than this, missing a few key player imo, Hook, Shane Williams and Gethin Jenkins, depth is not something that Wales have, and maybe their long season is a factor. However their intensity is defintely something that needs to be addressed if they are going to live with teams like the All Blacks for 80mins.

No excuses tho, All Blacks are fantastic, it must be great to have these amazing players who are just waiting in the wings, like Hosea Gear etc. Such talent.

By David, at June 29, 2010 6:04 pm
Jeroz - yeah the clearout, apologies still same action.
Matt - the game plan where the next phase goes in the same direction across the pitch as the last (unless the touchline is about 1m away) The opposition don't even have to bother trying to slow the Welsh possession down now because they know which way the ball is going next. Scrum V talk about it quite a lot!

By ieu, at June 30, 2010 10:29 pm