Episode 11 Scrum V

What a difference a demands makes. In the Six Nations it was brave

five, won 5. Wales steamrollered their way to the Grand Slam. But in

the summer, they lost their mojo down under. Playing three, lost

three. And in the autumn, the misery continued with the first

ever series whitewash. From feasted to famine, Boom to asked, and it

all finished with a sickening dose Hello, good evening and welcome to

Scrum V. Once again, it is heartbreak at the death for Wales

as the Wallabies' never-say-die spirit prevails once more. We have

a panel here to offer their thoughts on the autumn series but

let's start with a look back at see what Wales can do off good

And then to Drew Mitchell. But that won't do. It won't do priest and's

confidence any good. No. Priestland's confidence. He will be

cursing now because that was a very unpopular one to be put away. Two

people carry into the miss and there you are. No excuse missing

way! And he has the pace to go past one... Then on the outside and in

touch but that will get the crowd going, that will get a player is

going! You are absolutely right. A tremendously brave piece of play.

But some naivety in the end. Because Australia were all over the

of numbers on the far side but now we are back into the more open

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 97 seconds

makes that. Advantage now being and Wales goes into the lead. A

90 Chipstead and charges off himself. -- he chips ahead. Can we

Halfpenny, Botham bowled that the having been at the front of the

ball. Well, that is just too dull. A very simple remedy, you make sure

you are not within 10 and you get stays in field, though. Adam Xingu,

another Scarlet... -- Aaron Shingler. More incisive by Wales.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 97 seconds

But it doesn't come back the situation. And a good angle

from Drew Mitchell. Tackle by Leigh Halfpenny. Ryan Jones back there as

well, but Australia looking dangerous. An accomplished finisher

has worked for Jonathan Davies. And Pocock... -- got back to make the

variations of Rhys Priestland today. Far better than we think we have

seen him recently. And this is Mike Phillips. Into the midfield. Good,

three out of four and we are all couldn't find touch last week and

now... Now he is. Last week, penalty against the captain.

Priestland suddenly floods this side... Good strength by Cuthbert.

Bounces off but he is on his own. And we'll go back to the original

penalty. Nathan Sharpe, the captain there on the floor, the captain of

Australia. Number five. On the hour Leigh Halfpenny got there first.

Not only a great player but he was very brave as well. And I don't

blame him for that. Very dangerous. The supporting players have got to

get there. He had the pace, fully committed, didn't shirk it.

Everybody has had to getting there. -- get in. And he is clean through.

Great support by Leigh Halfpenny. The ball is there and Wales swoop

down on it. Is this the moment for them to Filey Brigg again to bed? -

- finally put the game. And with less than a minute to go on

the regular clock. Well, they have to keep their discipline. Don't

play the Australian yacht, don't put your hand in. -- yard. Oh, it

has got to be the try for a Wales. When the game was going to be won,

it has gone back to Australia. What's more, we have Leigh

Halfpenny, I think, injured there. He doesn't look good either. Leigh

Halfpenny leaves the field and it won't be long before the Welsh

players trooped off after him, having lost the 4th game in their

Just really hard. Disappointment with the last minute. They turned

over from the line and then we had a scrum and they never should have

got out of there. You have just got to take your risk and allow them to

get 30, 40 metres up the touchline. We got too narrow and unfortunately

they got the try. Devastated. Because that defence was

outstanding through the period. Butter unfortunately, at the last

scrum I thought it was too passive or stop -- but unfortunately. I

thought we should have been up there blitzing, but in Australia

under more pressure because the fellows have been absolutely

magnificent through the 78 minutes up to that point. Credit to the

lads, you know. They kept looking for a way to get through.

Unfortunately, we did not find it on the day. I have got the utmost

admiration for them just been in the game in the end, to be frank.

And they deserve a break. They have got that coming so they're pretty

excited about that. Same old story. We had a golden opportunity there...

And we have blown it. Credit Australia. Certainly defensively we

just switch off. Especially in the last minute, and it has cost us the

Test Match century and what was a very important game. Probably the

hardest to feed. Hardest I have had to take in my career. -- hardest

defeat. We turned up four weeks in a row and it has been a tough time

for the fans as well as the players, the families. We fell like it was

the day to get a win. It would have been a great weight when the

Leigh Halfpenny was Cattistock -- discharged from hospital this

morning. Very relieved to say he has not suffered any serious

injuries. Before we get stuck into yesterday's game, let us put that

to feed into context. That loss to feed into context. That loss

means Wales are ninth in the world rankings. That means they will be

in the third here of seeds alongside Scotland, and the draw

alongside Scotland, and the draw takes place tomorrow at 3pm. The

fact is, hypothetically, Wales can now be in a poor with England and

New Zealand. A nightmare scenario? You, it is. But now all, they find

themselves in ninth, and the nightmare scenario. To put into

perspective, it is still three years away. But it is disappointing

to finish in that second tie-up. The irony is, at this did not need

to be staged. Have not played a comic we would be safely in the top

eight! Yes, but that is by the by. We know the ramifications. The

bottom line is we get to where we get. We could get Samoa-Argentina.

The worry is if we play England. Let us move on to the game. As we

have seen so many times before, a last gasp victory against the

Wallabies becoming our nemesis. What the autumn international

series has done, especially the first two games, it has drained us

all of self-confidence, self-belief, that we gained during the World Cup.

It was enhanced during the Six It was enhanced during the Six

Nations. We had to two minutes to go. We got Australia exacted by we

wanted them. Five metres from their own line. Our defensive line is

poor, certainly the pressure we put on Australia is poor. We gave them

a 30 meet her opportunity to gain momentum. We turned the ball over,

46 seconds to go. It is not a bad kick, but 46 seconds is an

opportunity we should be able to keep the ball. We did against

Ireland last year. But ultimately, kicking the ball away has given

Australia the opportunity to score the try, the winning try. There

the try, the winning try. There were a number of opportunities we

did not take, and you can talk about naivety and composure. It is

just a lack of confidence. We were panicking in those last couple of

minutes, when we should have sat back, looked at where we were and

how old were needed to pen them into that 22 metre area. We have

talked about some of Wales's deficiencies. Failure to take

opportunities has been chief. We scored three Chas -- tries in total

as opposed to 10. One was an interception try, and the other was

five metres out. We have had a game-plan there has been effective.

It has been effective because there has been physical and wearing down

opponents, but it has taken its opponents, but it has taken its

toll. I had a little look at the footage from yesterday. Our

forwards do not seem to pass. The outside backs are not interested.

Three or four Welsh guys. Daborn time and time again. It was nice to

see, from be sidelined. A good, flat ball, all those gold shirts

that out, isolating two defenders at the top. The body language of

Rhys Priestland says that his one chance gone. We are pulling it back

and a very deep. We go back inside. Defences are getting a key. We need

to exhaust the width of the field, going down this corridor. But again,

the shirts are in place and they do not commit any defenders. Too often,

the forwards get smashed by the southern hemisphere. Look where

this ends up. Here, pretty much of our players in this area. Lacking

in confidence. We do not really have a platform. We lost six line-

outs yesterday, but we are also lacking in territory stats. We

don't win the ball. Credit to Rhys Priestland - chastise last week,

but he makes said. Nice and director. This is what we are used

director. This is what we are used to seeing. Get us into the

territory and get suss the penalty. Ending on positive - plenty more

positive to be drawn. We could be talking about to victory against

the second best side in the world. I think so. We should have won the

I think so. We should have won the game. The effort is tremendous. We

have raised the game. What was pleasing to see was some heads up

rugby being played. There you go. They identified the Australian

defence was really tight. Halfpenny cut same, and away we go. Rhys

Priestland playing heads up. They have done their homework on the

Aussies, and get going forward again. Good to see Priestland,

again. Good to see Priestland, passing the ball, put in the likes

of Cup bird in his place. We can play well, we have good players.

But all of those attacks are from very deep. There is a lot more

variety to a game than in previous games. We are easily read. In the

first two tier -- games, the sides did their homework. But there was a

change. As a result, we created more. We perhaps kicked a bit too

much ball away, but certainly, in terms of where we were, and where

we ended up, fast difference. talked about positives. One a

shining beacon, man of the match, Leigh Halfpenny. He has been

fantastic, hasn't he? Are probably the smallest man and the Welsh side.

the smallest man and the Welsh side. His goal-kicking is exceptional.

But it is his desire and commitment. His commitment to the bread at

Jersey is second to none. His desire to do his best for his

country, every time he puts on that red jersey, not the best of tackle

red jersey, not the best of tackle techniques. They ended up going to

hospital as a result, but no one has done more for Wales in terms of

commitment. And there are guys twice his size who had that same

desire commitment would have won. nasty injury, as we mentioned. But

Wales have been ravaged by injuries. The positive is that they can step

up and make an impact. Who has taken it? It has been well

publicised. Two boys and - Scott Andrews and Liam Williams have been

outstanding. Just a few clips. He is one of the few forwards

is one of the few forwards comfortable with the ball in his

hands. Just by fixing the defender there, look how quickest bowlers.

He brought a different dimension yesterday. His anticipation is top

drawer as well. Yesterday, his scrum was good. And Liam Williams

is fast becoming a cult hero in Wales. He is playing on the left-

wing, total disregard for his own wing, total disregard for his own

safety, emigrate kicker. He is more old-school rugby player. He has

been brilliant. He is fast becoming a favourite. As a player who has

left this environment, six times we have played Australia in the last

13 months. The last three have been lost by an aggregate of five points,

showing there is nothing to choose between Wales and Australia. Is at

a mental thing? I do not think it is a mental stumbling block. I

think it is just Shaun Edwards spoke about it, decision making.

Still a young side. You have got to give credit to Australia - they

still believe they can win the game. We have done a in the Six Nations

to other side, England and Ireland in particular. We need to be given

a lesson at around the tackle area. Those players make good decisions.

They do not commit too much. We seem to over commit. Big lessons to

learn there. If you thought there was drama at the Millennium Stadium,

it was nothing compared to what was England have not be to New Zealand

for almost a decade, and after a disappointing autumn a victory

looked unlikely. The All Blacks had enjoyed a 20 match winning streak.

Owen Farrell gave the home team a 15 point cushion. But the All

15 point cushion. But the All Blacks are not a team who give up

Blacks side if you missed it tackles, but Cory Jane is is still

going. And the second a try for the All Blacks. It is Kieran Read to

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 97 seconds

Similarly powerful Figo on the victory for England. This tour for

New Zealand was not supposed to end this way, but what a victory for

England! Perhaps, the greatest win for England in recent times because

Her no one saw that coming. How did England do that? They squeezed it.

They are provided Ilott of forwards, they were very physical with the

All Blacks. England have a set piece. Owen Farrell kicked his

goals, took his opportunities, very Jonny Wilkinson like. The chariot

kept rolling! Obviously, a long, hard year for the All Blacks. But a

great win. Prior to this, people were saying this All Blacks side is

the best side in the world. Do they need to reassess that? England were

outstanding, in fairness. It gives everybody a little bit of hope that

we are not so far behind. The Welsh boys know they can beat England.

does this mean that England and other favourites for the Six

Nations? You need to put France up there as well. The autumn has shown

how strong the northern hemisphere can be - France, very good

victories against Australia. England have built up slowly to

their victory. Ireland as well. They beat Argentina comfortably.

Three sides there playing particularly well. France, not just

about their international side, it is their club side as well. Home

and Away, slightly different to the past. France will be the site to

Let's switch our attention to the low-key dog -- low-key derby on

Good line-out work and nicely caught up. A very well worked try

from James King. In trouble a couple of times in the first half

and he has made way for the Frenchman. He looked as though he

would take it but one of his own players was in the way. And what a

start to the second half by the that is a sucker punch right at the

end for the Blues. That is the killer blow!

The Dragons found trouble into reserve. Despite taking an early

lead, they fell to this try. A word was had with the goalie after

before the break with simple handling allowing you can clean to

squeeze in at the flag. -- Luke at McLean. The Dragons were defending

a breakdown Mica guard dog with dentures. -- like a guard dog. The

was sent off for two yellow-card, and went from bad to even worse, as

Treviso capitalised on their advantage. This, a great solo score.

The big game of the Pro 12 weekend took place this afternoon as

Ooh! Interception! And he is a way! He won't be caught!

The rest was a kicking brawl between Paddy Jackson and the

Scarlets Alan Thomas, who have this one it as great a losing bonus

Hu to end the match. Despite the defeat, the Scarlets

between Treviso and Dragons for the final Heineken place was -- place.

Eddie Butler has had a look back now are the last month to try to

put things in some kind of It is good to have referred for a

head when the weather is this bad but at some stage, this one of the

post-industrial age, the roof, was drawn into the debate about the

trouble below. Down there on the field. At the realities of post-

industrial Welsh rugby. Was the strain, the financial burden, of

building the Millennium Stadium finally telling on the professional

game in Wales? It turned into a turbulent November outside and in.

Argentina arrived as the newcomers to the Rugby Championship. And

suddenly the heady days of Wales at the World Cup and glory days of the

Grand Slam in the Six Nations were distant memories. A second problem

with the Millennium Stadium. It is not so much an impregnable fortress

as a theme park. Everybody loves coming here, to play and have a

good time. The Argentinians certainly did. And Samoa did. It

wasn't the first time they had enjoyed themselves in Cardiff. But

never before had these devils of direct action and open played found

themselves so Supreme at the set- piece. They knocked Wales about in

usual places and, as usual, not always in the best possible taste.

But they also knocked them backwards here. Which really hurt.

Some are, like Argentina, picked from players scattered around the

world. Wales want to keep Welsh players close to home. This was a

victory, a second victory, for teams who have adapted to the

global spread. The global spread of their players. At least the All

Blacks insist on picking players based in New Zealand. Some of her

new rituals retain their charm. But it seems the last line may have

wound up their warriors a bit too tight. Slit throat here and it is

not surprising you are maybe clubbing out seconds later. Another

side to the All Blacks and when they are playing like this, there

is no other side to the game. Give them an inch and they will take the

rest of the field. Give them a gap and they will crowbar your heart

out. New Zealand's intentions - crystal-clear. Wales'' - blurred,

imprecise. It was a pain for autumn. But in the deepest reaches of the

gloom, a light flickered. A giant line-out formed, a second try was

engineered, patiently, inventively. And if the Messiah had not exactly

been able to perform a miracle, then at least there was hope that

the dam, horrid month of November might lead to a December day to

remember. -- the damp. For a glorious moment it seemed it might

be. The Cuthbert breakout, like the Escape from Alcatraz! Prisoner

caught! Might it be a... Might it be! Not by that kicking. But then

by this. Wales was in front and defending fall they were. But here

we come back to the question - under our great roof, what are we

worth? We are in pain on the field. On the floor. We are in pain,

relegated to the third tier of the World games. We are in financial

pain. Where are you now, Grand Slam days, the great blue skies of

achievements past? On the other side of the sacred roof over our

Well, that was Warren Gatland's last game for Wales before he does

full-time with the Lions. You know him well. After the manner of that

defeat and we talked about them until he Cup at the end of the game,

will he show any loyalty to his Welsh players, given that the

opponents for the Lions are Australia? I do not think it is a

case of loyalty. He has a job for the Lions and he was picked purely

on form. You look at Six Nations, I don't know if it will be failure,

relevant. On his track record he has been brilliant of his career in

a short space of time, getting the good players to peak. Do that and

everything will be forgotten. He will make sure he has got a squad

that will become the first Test. So he will not look at nationalities,

you would just pick the squad that does the job and Australia. So, the

reins now passed for the Six Nations. I don't know what it is

about Wales but when it is a Welshman in charge, the knives seem

to come up quicker when they hit a troubled patch. It could be a

turbulent tournament? He has come under pressure in the first couple

of games with the finger-pointing. You have got to understand, or

remember, that Rob has been number two, a totally different role to

the number one, where you have all the responsibility. Taking on that

extra responsibility is a tough job. And he has found it hard, you know,

so far. He has to be given the Six Nations. For his own development

and also for the Welsh Rugby Union, to see whether he has the right man

to take the reins when Warren Gatland steps down. Only time will

tell. I think from that, a decision by the union can be, yes, we are

happy, we know we have the right of man. Or secondly, do we scour the

world for the next right man in charge? Even you have been a world

number one so you know what it is like in terms of delegating.

will that differ from how he has been up till now? Of this year of

the summer tour and the first two games as number one. It depends on

the individual. He is a very hands- on coach, Rob. A young coach. I

would imagine he would want to continue that way, whereas Warren

is more of an elder statesman, a delegate from the back. So will be

interesting to see if he brings in somebody has to help of. I think

Jenkins has a good coach now. He could push forward and assume a bit

more responsibility, allowing Rob to have a bit more of a head coach

role. So what is difficult because he is a hands-on coach and the make

of that team will now be down to his responsibility. You know him

very well, Martyn. As a friend and coach. Will he find it an easy

thing to do, to step back and take more of an overseeing role?

might not find it easy but it will be the best thing for him. As we

said earlier, you have so much to deal with, the press, all kinds of

angles coming in. And it is difficult to do that and

concentrate on the back row as well. Neil Jenkins has a lot of influence

with the backs, so I think he can help Rob or Bob can take a backward

step and give Neil more responsibility. The only way we can

find out is to give him more opportunities. We have to do

exactly what the boys said - give him more support underneath so we

can step back and oversea and delegate, and then put in place

what he wants. I think we have got to give him that opportunity.

he need to change things? Because the thinking was that over the

first two tests there was still there Gatland blueprint with

tactics not changing much. Does he need to implement changes now?

is a tough one because clearly this autumn it hasn't really work but it

has worked in the past. And forget, we have some top players coming

back fresh from injury and rehabilitation after the Six

Nations. It is fair to say we look a bit jaded. The structure of the

northern hemisphere season has taken its toll, mentally and

physically, with the fatigue. They will come back fresh later and we

will see a different outlook and the Six Nations, I am pretty sure

of that. And you for your company and thank you to you for watching

as well. The news from the World Cup draw takes place tomorrow,

remember. You will be able to tune into your radio station to find out

why Wales ends up. They went into the autumn series Hogan to break

into the world's top four but they end up a third tier nation. --

The time has come for a long trip back, but, by crikey, what a state

it has been! You have been beaten black and blue this month! A real

late-night horror! Was Pumas kept clear, I finally got here. I could

sense a real state of panic. The following Friday, we smashed and

your castle, and rather than Dodge, we stood there like 15 red statues.

The old heads wondering, how could this happen? On Monday a deep

public funk. So I spoke to a few of the team and realised there was a

lack of self-confidence. We stood him black, gave it a crack, played

the points on offer. And there lay the answer, don't stand and stare,

hit back hard. Cardiff, I love you, and G, what a party. The march to

2015 now begins. But he must try and not faltered. Artifice does to

get dark and you can't see the grave, call me and I will return of