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Well you'll know far better than me the underlying reasons behind "why" this has happened to Wales. From an outsider looking in all the problems have come since Mike Ruddock was forced out (seemingly) by player power. To wait 27 years for a Grand Slam and then fire the coach that bought it within a year seemed a horrendous move at the time, and it's been all downhill since then. And yes, I'm aware that Ruddock carried on a lot of the good work started by Henson and took over at a good time, and that you had defeats to England and Scotland, but in the game before the England match you beat Australia!!
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The facts have never been revealed publically, but I have heard from a very good source that he (Ruddock) was ‘playing away’ with one of the players wife’s. This player retired while Wales were under Mike Ruddock, but has since returned to the international arena. When the players know this has happened to a friend of theirs there is no way the coach can continue. If this is the reason he resigned… the WRU did not sack him.
Henson is an entirely different subject for a different time. He has been riddled with injuries these past two seasons, he did not deserve to go to the World Cup. He is an average player, hyped up by the media after one really good performance against England in 05. He also needs to figure out which position he is going to play in, and stick to it. Although this is really Osprey coach Lyn Jones' fault. I think he can be a world class full back, but Jones sees him as 10/12. **** (See post below)
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To be honest I despair at the attitude of the Welsh players. I love to see them playing the rugby they can play, but their attitude just seems all wrong. I mentioned it at the time on here, but the Welsh fans should have "slaughtered" their players for the attitude shown in the 6 Nations with the underlying "well it doesn't matter if we lose to everybody else, as long as we beat England people will forgive us!" That is all sorts of wrong, and this attitude was shown again yesterday. In the 1st 10-15 minutes the team had all sorts of chances to put away Fiji, but messed up two situations where they outnumbered their opponents on the flanks. This seemed to lull them into a belief that they could take Fiji apart whenever they liked but, instead galvanised the Islanders into an incredible "sevens style" performance.
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Yes the whole attitude of the Welsh players has left a lot to be desired over the past few seasons. They have been riding the tide of the Grand Slam for far too long. Granted we had injuries in 2006, so we looked at 2007 with the coming back together of the Grand Slam players with some optimism. That fell flat on it’s arse didn’t it? The whole “As long as we beat the English” thing is mealy a feel good factor for us welsh. It achieves nothing else. It mealy papers over the cracks we have in Welsh Rugby. You are right, we need to get away from the whole mentality.
Another thing which disgusts me as a Welsh supporter is the attitude of the players during the World Cup. About a week ago Wales played Japan in the Millennium Stadium. After the game I went into town with a few of my friends for a few drinks and a catch up, and who do we bump into in the club? Some members of the Welsh National Squad!!! I have nothing against players having a few quiet beers after a game to unwind, but to be out clubbing and getting pissed in the middle of a major tournament, for me is an absolute discrace. These are supposed to be ‘elite athletes’, you wouldn’t see players from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, or even The England squad doing this? It’s the same every Saturday night, you walk into a bar or club in Cardiff city centre and your bound to see a Welsh international out getting pissed.
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The fact that, when Wales did get shocked they were then able to step up their performance to such a level in the 2nd half was the major factor here. That just tells me a lot of players phoned it in in the 1st half and again this all goes back to "attitude". I personally believe there is way way too much player power in this squad and that (after one six nations success) a lot of players have rested on their laurels.
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Player power is a difficult one for me to talk about, since I feel weak management leads to player power. Gareth Thomas is undoubtedly one of these players who is guilty of having too much power. He has now stepped down from international rugby, so maybe if you kill of the leader, the followers may not be so vocal. Only time will tell with this one.
On a side note, a friend of mine, who I've played a lot of rugby with is on the verge of getting into the Welsh Squad (well in my mind anyway). So I'll have a chat with him once he's there, and see what the mood is like in the Welsh camp. His name is Jamie Roberts. Keep an eye out for him, he'll be a regular in the team in the coming seasons.
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I hope you get a good coach who is able to identify and either utilise or eliminate the worst elements of the squad. I personally would have thought Eddie Jones or Nick Mallett would have been your best possibilities.
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Two very good candidates, but I personally now want Robbie Deans. The more I read about the guy, the more he impresses me. His name has been thrown around the last couple of times we’ve needed a national coach. Back then it was felt he wasn’t ready. I think his time has now come. I also believe he is top of the WRU 'hit list'.
Essentially, whoever the coach is weather it’s Mallett, Jones, Deans or Phil Davies, they need an experienced backroom staff behind them. The backroom staff we have at the moment is an absolute joke. Assistant manager Nigel Davies: has only coached Llanelli Scarlets (for 2 years), no other experience. Defence coach, Rowland Phillips: Coached the Neath Semi Pro team! He is an absolute waste of space too. He is regularly on a Welsh language show called ‘Jonathan’ (fronted by Jonathan Davies) and he is just an idiot on that show, fooling around all the time, and cracking onto Nigel Owens (internationall ref, who is openly gay). Robin McBride Is the forwards coach: he has no previous coaching role! It says it all doesn’t it? Their all from up west, and good friends of Gareth Jenkins.
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The shift in power in this tournament has been incredible. We've all lived in our little cocoon up in the 6Nations whereas World Rugby has moved on. We're all playing a game that is going to get further and further behind the rest of the World over the next four years in terms of handling, power at the ruck and physicality. This year two of the home nations made the quarters. It could easily have been none.
And yes, I am fully aware of my own nations huge limitations which will likely be shown in full effect this weekend. I hope we have one good game in us, but I feel "heroic failure" would be the closest we could get to any sort of success this time around.
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Have to fully agree with you here. Argentina have had an immense tournament, and are looking and a possible semi final spot. Who’d have thought that? Even I wouldn’t have thought that a few weeks ago when I saw them lose to Wales in the World Cup warm ups.
Christ, I’m going to have to stop typing for a bit, I feel my Blood Pressure rising while answering all these questions, ha ha!