We Need To Talk About Liam...

Liam Williams has been one of the region’s most impressive players this season; however, his discipline remains an issue.

With Leigh Halfpenny still injured and yet to play his first game for Toulon, Williams is in pole position to be Welsh fullback for the Autumn Internationals. Yet, there are still definite question marks over his temperament.

The fullback was excellent once again as he picked up the man of the match award as he helped the Scarlets to a 26-13 win over the Dragons. Yet, he could easily have been sin binned earlier in the game.

Williams could have seen yellow when he entered a ruck from the side at full force. The referee had already blown for a penalty, yet Williams recklessly hit the side of the ruck. Another referee may have carded the Welsh international, which could have changed the game in favour of the Dragons. Would these disciplinary mistakes be forgiven at test level? No, as we have seen before.

The obvious example was the last minute ‘tackle’ which cost Wales the game against South Africa. There was simply no attempt tackle from the twenty-three year old fullback who has had fourteen caps for Wales. The subsequent penalty try cost Wales a historic first ever win against South Africa.

The obvious comparison is Toulon fullback Leigh Halfpenny whose discipline has always been immaculate for Wales. Halfpenny will always have a place in the team as is kicking stats are too high for Wales to turn away. However, both he and Williams could be accommodated in the same team, but is Williams worth the risk.

In the first game of the season against Ulster he received a red card after two yellow card offences. After this incident Welsh coach Warren Gatland said he would be “having a word with Williams” about his discipline.

In some areas he is a better player than Halfpenny; he joins the attacking line better, he breaks tackles far more, he is more threatening in attack, and he is more aggressive yet this is also his Achilles heel. Despite his huge qualities Williams could become a wasted talent if he cannot control his aggression.

The simple facts are that an average of seven points is conceded when a team is down to fourteen men. With Wales losing by less than a try in the last few fixtures against both Australia and South Africa this is something they can ill afford.

Is all this harsh on Liam Williams? After all, he has never been sin binned for Wales, although there was the incident in Nelspruit. His stats for the Scarlets this year read two yellows and one red, another yellow could have been awarded. However, he has three tries to his name already and has had several stand-out performances, all this in just four games.

Liam Williams is an enigma, he has a great talent but he is not making Warren Gatland’s job easy with his string of disciplinary issues.