Warren Gatland’s first full season in charge perhaps painted a more realistic picture of where Wales stand in rugby’s world order. A full eighty minute performance alluded Wales. Surrendering tamely to the Springboks early on, while running out of steam against the All Blacks, in spite of their stone walled defiance of the Haka. Victory over a Tri Nations side in the Wallabies was however tangible evidence of progression through the Autumn international period.
An unusually flying start to the Sx Nations at Murrayfield afforded Wales the chance to take their foot off the pedal, and in spite of patches, they never really built up any momentum, not helped by what was ultimately a misguided decision to select a second string in Rome.
Tactically it could be argued that Wales had been found out, and as a consequence moved to a more negative style of play. With the two fold effect of poor open field kicking, a defence that no longer appeared as invincible as it first had under Shaun Edwards. As a symptom of this Wales were more guilty of offering up a lot more points through penalties.
Key players lacked form. The irreplaceable Shane Williams and Ryan Jones as captain failed to match expectations. Gavin Henson so integral in both Grand Slam successes, was at his enigmatic worst. However the emergence of Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts and Andy Powell as credible players of test calibre, undoubtedly softened the blow.
As shown in South Africa for the Lions, the Scrum an achilles heal for so long, can now even be considered an attacking threat. Frustratingly though Wales remain fallible under pressure at the lineout and restart.
Approaching the mid way point between two World cups, it is difficult to pin point just where Wales stand. 2008 may rightfully be adjudged as over achievement, as part of initial impact of the Gatland-Edwards axis.
It easy to forget that had it not been for a missed Stephen Jones penalty, triple crown would have been retained. But realistically such an outcome would have polished over a season where the team fell short of their new high standards.
