Autumn Internationals WRU need to take blame

The Autumn International are over, and it was rather dismal one for Wales four Tests and four defeats, when we could easily have expected to have won three.

Injuries may well have paid a large part in this and its clear that tight head prop Adam Jones, is an exceptional asset in n the Scrum.

The position of tight head is probably the hardest on the field and  we probably need to develop at least  two Intentional class players to cover for Jones and another two to be ready when he retires and loose head which is a more popular choice for props probablyly need another two class players .

Though some of the young props who played looked promising.

Some of the tactics particularly the kicking away of possession  and although I am loath o single out one player for criticism Rhys Priestland has a huge confidence problem and although he had a fairly good game on Saturday he has not shone since the Rugby World cup in 2011
.
And  I doubt even if Dan Bigger had been fit he wouldn't have been selected . He seems to have a problem with the selectors particularly Rob Howely.

However it must be pointed  out that part his problem may be that the kicking duties have passed to Leigh Halfpenny and one wonder if Priestland could slot a few early penalties if this would improve the rest of the game.

But can you change an obviously successful first choice kicker and we should stick with Halfpenny probably our best overall player in the Tests?

Why the draw for the World Cup  is being made now with the World Cup coming in 2015needs explaining . My guess is  the Southern Hemisphere Unions  pushed it.Relising they are already in the top four and wanted to make sure that nothing went wrong in the next year or two,.

But it means Wales will be seeded in the third tier .


1. New Zealand 90.08
2. South Africa 86.94
3. Australia 86.87
4. France 85.07
5. England 83.90
6. Ireland 80.22
7. Samoa 78.71
8. Argentina 78.71
9. Wales 78.39
10. Italy 76.24
11. Tonga 76.10
12. Scotland 75.83



However with the way Wales played in the New Zealand and Australia Test I  think its abundantly clear that if Gatland , had been in charge of all the Welsh Autumn Internationals (and the Australian tour where we could have won all three tests) We would not be out of the top eight

Indeed we could be in the top four..

The tour could not be helped because of his injury but the WRU were stupid to allow him time of from the first two matches in order to "prepare" for the Lions tour next year.

We need an apology from them.

As Gareth Thomas says "I don't care about the Lions its Wales that matters"