Our nation awaits. Hearts pounding, stomachs fluttering across the Welsh Valleys. The Welsh flag flying over Downing Street and an estimated 65,000 Welsh Rugby fans (and fawning girls) will be congregating at the high altar of Welsh rugby - the Millennium Stadium, adorned in red from dawn tomorrow morning, when all across the land pubs and clubs, from Caernarvon to Cardiff, will be rolling back the shutters and saying a little prayer as the throngs arrive. Extra beer has been quietly ordered and even the ever hopeful "honorary Welsh man" David Hasselhoff has promised to launch a fourth marriage proposal in two months, to his rugby loving Welsh-lass Hayley Roberts, if Wales can beat France at Eden Park.
The principality is almost paralysed with nerves so it was encouraging today to listen to their unflappable forwards' coach, Robin McBryde, to insist in Auckland that a predominantly young Wales team remain relaxed for what has been universally hailed as the biggest game of rugby in Welsh history. No pressure then lads!
But my knowledge of the Welsh Rugby team and Rugby in general leaves a lot to be desired, so as a treat for you readers (and hopefully a very pleased rugby enthusiast boyfriend) I've done a bit of research and formulated some form of "wins and losses of the France vs Wales game" (feel free to name it as you please as clearly my writing leaves a lot to be desired when talking sport too).
It seems the biggest single reason for a marked improvement in the Welsh team during this World Cup must be their ability to retain possession after a tackle and to then force turnovers. The team have even been dubbed one of the best in ruck efficiency in this tournament and the return of prop Gethin Jenkins has been a major factor. France have a very different back row, not quite as mobile but strong in the tackle, so critiques say they'll struggle when pitted against our Welsh lads speed. The ability of the French tight five and their midfielders to clear opponents out of rucks will be crucial and it is an area where Wales look to have an advantage.
Truly Scrum-ptious?
France pride themselves on their dexterity up front but they were given an undesirable first hour by the All Blacks in last month's match. They blamed Alain Rolland, (who btw is the referee for the semi-final) for allowing Tony Woodcock to get away with illegal binding (which I think is this idea of binding on the arm/ sleeve instead of the jersey. It will give you more purchase to pull down on the other prop leading to collapsing scrums.) And the loss of injured prop, Nicolas Mas left the French team lacking, but he's back tomorrow and will look to exploit Gethin Jenkins's preference for running around the field rather than scrummaging but Jenkins running pays off as he is a prop who is hard to pin down. The scrum was one of Wales's weakest areas in the summer without both Jenkins and Adam Jones, but Jones gave Cian Healy, the tormentor of Australia, an uncomfortable afternoon in last weekend's quarter-final, so perhaps the boys are back?
The Lineout.
This is one of those areas Wales have improved during the World Cup. Luke Charteris has forced out Bradley Davies from the second row and, while that has given Wales less of a ball-carrying impact, Charteris is the tallest player in the tournament (hurrah!). It is an area where Wales have become smarter but France have not varied their approach: most of the throws go to Imanol Harinordoquy or Julien Bonnaire at the back providing front-foot possession for the half-backs. Their second-rows are used sparingly but they are used to drive mauls from lineouts, a strategy Wales rarely employ.
Im getting "down" with defence. (I'm such a loser.)
Wales made the most tackles in this year's Six Nations, a total of 571, a total they have exceeded by three in this World Cup. Their back row attempted 65 tackles against Ireland last week and didnt miss one,withthe apparent "winning" strategy to go low and take the tackler to the ground to ensure there's no "mauling game" but more of a contest for the ball on the floor. But in contrast to Ireland's forwards Frances frontmen are more athletic and Wales will need one player to go high and another to go low. France's defence has been the worst of the four semi-finalists, with 11 tries leaked in their five matches and an uncomfortable Morgan Parra at fly‑half in defence.
Attack! Attack!
Not long ago Welsh competitors reckoned that if they stopped Shane Williams, Wales would struggle to score a try. But France should take note because now Williams is still roaming the field but with a multipronged attack consisting of Jamie Roberts causing havoc with his bulldozing runs across midfield, and wing-man George North taking even more stopping. But France can be irresistible in attack, as they were in the first 10 minutes against New Zealand, and runners such as Maxime Médard, Vincent Clerc and Maxime Mermoz will no doubt challenge Wales in a way they have not been tested before. France will need to rely on their attack because they are unlikely to prevail in a war of attrition against such a well‑conditioned side.
Not so sure I'll be donning the red tomorrow and joining the fans- but I'll sure be up at dawn, in my jammies with my cheerios and tea to see if my new knowledge on rugby pays off. Good luck Wales!
-ZB
