Before the match on Saturday I found myself, for the first time in a long time, not feeling any form of excitement that I would usually feel before a Welsh international. This was mainly down to the dreadful team selections of Rob Howley. I found myself questioning more positions than any fan should have to under a decent head coach. I also knew that, from previous games under Howley's leadership, I should not expect any sort of attractive attacking play (or perhaps even any attacking opportunities or creativity). As it turns out, my prediction of a lack of attacking creativity turned out to be entirely correct.
Why Howley decided to start Priestland over Biggar (who is head and shoulders a better all-round fly-half at present) I will never understand. If Priestland remains in the 10 jersey a minute longer during this Autumn series, I might just boycott watching the whole thing. His performance was not worthy of regional standards, let alone international. His tactical kicking was dire, and he missed touch on countless occasions. Wales needed to play a territory-based game against a hardened Argentine side, and Dan Biggar would have been the obvious (and perfect) selection to make for such a game. He has been kicking sublimely all season for the Ospreys, whilst still creating plenty of opportunities for the backs outside him. The likes of Cuthbert, Williams, and North never got a sniff of the ball in attack because of Priestlands current inability to make decisions.
Secondly, why on earth did Matthew Rees start? Richard Hibbard has been outstanding this season, playing his socks off week in, week out. Rees is way past his best and the Welsh management need to give him up, respect what he achieved as an international player and start developing the likes of Ken Owens, whilst playing a still fairly young Hibbard (28).
Thirdly, why did the management wait until the 70th minute to bring Tipuric on, who is arguably the best openside flanker in europe at the moment? Within seconds of his appearance he had turned the ball over in Wales' half and allowed the national side to clear their lines, something he has been doing all season for Ospreys. Warburton, as much as I admire his abilities and character, has dipped in form and needs to be playing from the bench. Aaron Shingler needed to start over Turnbull at blindside flanker (a decision that I found completely perplexing). Both flankers remained almost completely anonymous in both attack and defence throughout the game.
Jamie Roberts was another dodgy selection that just added to Wales' lack of creativity in the back line. Ashley Beck is just as physical but has an all-round attacking flair that I feel Roberts may never possess. Why not judge on form and start Beck at inside centre? Well, I think it's because Howley lives far too much in the past and, dare I say it, seems to favour certain players that have achieved past glories (the likes of Priestland, Roberts, Jenkins etc) in the hope they will replicate the traits they became renowned for 1+ years ago.
I think tactics has little to do with how poorly Wales played on the weekend. I think the overriding factor was the fact a team that is completely out of form was played in the hope that everything would work itself out and players would just ease back into Six Nations or World Cup form. No. Warren Gatland would have picked on form. And that is why I cannot wait for the Australia game when we are finally reunited with his superior selecting and head coaching abilities.
This would be the team I would select for the Samoa game, to get the ball rolling again:
1. Paul James, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. Aaron Jarvis, 4. Luke Charteris, 5. Ian Evans, 6. Ryan Jones (C) (if fit, if not Shingler), 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Toby Faletau; 9. Mike Phillips, 10. Dan Biggar, 11. Leigh Halfpenny (explained at fullback), 12. Ashley Beck, 13. Scott Williams/ Jonathan Davies (if fit), 14. George North, 15. Liam Williams (his club form has been too good to ignore)
Bench: Jenkins, Bevington, Owens, AW Jones, Warburton, Knoyle, Hook, Cuthbert
