Wales Roar into Life

Wales have found their groove, found their rhythm and more importantly found their wingers. After I berated 'Gatland-ball' last week and said that this type of rugby was getting dull, Wales have come out with one of the best performances in a long time. It was adventurous, pacey and entertaining, everything that you could want from attacking rugby. The Pumas were dismantled fairly simply with a final score of 40-6, although if anything this flattered Wales. In the same way Wales were unlucky to lose to South Africa last week in the way that they did, Argentina did play a lot of good rugby which they were perhaps not rewarded for but that was due to strong Welsh defence. The fact that Argentina played some great rugby and got beaten so badly is important for the Welsh team. It was because the Welsh defence was brilliant as it is normally, but also they were very clinical, something we normally expect from Southern hemisphere sides. Less possession, less territory, but thirty-four more points. Simply brutal when the Pumas made any errors.

There were some very good performances on the weekend, Toby Faletau earned man of the match but in truth it could have been one of five or six.  Mike Phillips had an excellent game, a try an assist and generally took the game to the Argentinians with quick taps. Clubs will be beginning to sniff around Phillips now, he's proving just how good he is on the field. Richard Hibbard had another incredible performance in defence, hitting everything that moved without a thought for his own body. George North had the game we all expect from him, he came looking for the ball, hunting out opportunities, and was rewarded with his try. He did so much more than that, he made the Phillips try with his support play, without that run Phillips would have been caught. A great performance by George North, with the Folau rematch on the horizon. The eventual man of the match Toby Faletau was outstanding start to finish, the quiet and unassuming Ebbw Vale boy took his try well and worked brilliantly around the pitch as he always does, scary to think he's only just twenty-three and getting better and better.

Mixed emotions for debutante Cory Allen, he played well until a dislocated shoulder forced him off. He made a couple of breaks and was always running in support, he looked hungry for the ball on debut. His neat grubber through to George North would have capped a great debut had the bounce been more favourable. However, with him and Scott Williams out there looks to be a centre crisis, with Jamie Roberts, Jon Davies, Scott Williams and Cory Allen all out for the foreseeable future. There are options, but not many, North can come inside, but that leaves Wales without a winger. Hook can play centre but the management want to give him a chance at 10 before he goes back to France, as he will miss the Australia game. Dragons coach Lyn Jones said on Scrum V that "there is a centre playing at Bath" talking of course about the enigma that is, Gavin Henson. I don't think Wales should go back there, but it is an interesting idea, especially pairing the old Osprey partnership of Hook and Henson. At least it would add some spice to what will be effectively a dead rubber game against Tonga.

A good day at the office for Wales then, and a special mention to Gethin Jenkins. Another Welsh centurion, only the fourth man ever to achieve it, lets just hope his body holds up for a few more!