Wales served up the closest game of the Quarter Final leaving it late to roll over a defiant France team. The French proved incredibly stubborn, having soared out to an early lead, however it could and should have perhaps been more.
France based their game plan on the fast start. HAving taken an early lead they kicked Wales back. France kicking 82% of the ball and controlling the game, this was an amazing amount almost 30% more than their game against Argentina.
Wales however didn’t help themselves. A low variation in attack meant they seemed unable to break the French defence down. Wainwright and Moriaty tries both came from turnover rather than scoring from a well planned attack. Wales had made only 34% progression in their game v Australia, only just improving to 48% against France. Yet it will be there defence they will be worried about. Conceeding 72% progression against France, showing that when meant with fast runners out wide they can be exposed.
France started strongly scoring within the first five minutes. The french crashed over after a strong maul exposed wales. This dragged france within a few meters, while the staggered carry allowed them to crash over.
However it was the 7th minute French try that will have worried Wales. They struggled to deal with attacks in the wide channel again. The French overloading that channel and flooding it with powerful runners.
Vakatawa begins an attack with a simple step to beat Navidii. The Welsh defence seemingly going through the motions. The overdrift when you are equal in numbers a simple error.
From this france then cut through and transition into a V formation. With options on both sides descending on the welsh. This allows them to convert the opportunity. There is nothing particularly special in the way that engineered the chance, or converted it. This is what makes it even more spectacular. The simplicity of creating a killing machine, which carefully disposed of the welsh defence.
However the Welsh defence eventually got back into the contest. The scramble has become a key part of the Welsh defence. The nature of a fast defense, is that when in behind, you have to work and prevent any opportunity being converted once your line has been breached.
Take this example from the 3rd minute. France have broken through twice, Wales are in retreat and it looks like France will score.
Having been beaten out wide, Wales combine to make a double tackle but can’t prevent the inside path. Yet Tipuric hauls down the inside runner. This is made possible by staying in line with him. The importance of this can’t be overstated. If he strays slightly in front then the opportunity will be lost, as his momentum will most likely trap him underneath. However by syncthing round the ball from side he can flip himself back over and jackal using the momentum of the tackle.
The scramble defence was also shown later on, when France make 2 successive probes. Wales manage to turn the first over through some oppressive defence. By using the shooting in they force a poor pass and Hadleigh Parkes can get across to cover on the outside.
This pressure forces a turnover from which Wales clear. However the ball stays in and France spread the ball attacking a tired Welsh line.
France shifting the ball immediately, gives a new onus to the attack. With Wales having to tread water as their forwards have been dragged between breakdowns. The drift tackle is missed by Tipuric and they cut through.
As you can see, Davies holds inside with both him and Dan Biggar working to provide immediate guards. This prevents an immediate crash from France working. This efficient drift system allows Wales to fill the holes. Tipuric and Wainwright are also able to filter in, protecting the fringe with a bit more ballast, and allowing Biggar to recommit once the threat has been countered.
It is this recommitment from Wales which so successful. Ball and Wainwright who have just worked from the previous line to more central positions are able to reset periodically. However, it is the slowing of the ball by the spot defense of Watkin that creates the monster hit, and the periodical rest. Preventing clean ball allows Adams to rush in and finnish the job.
That final piece sums up the welsh defensive system. Owen Watkin allows Josh Adams to finish the job. Rather than all being committed to one role, Watkin is acting as an instigator. The spot defence creating an opportunity. This mindset of being instigators and work ethic carries ver to an attack however which lacked creativity. The lack of variety helped Wales to almost choke themselves out of a game, they should have won more easily. France did nothing spectacular but could have run away if it wasn’t for important interventions. Yet Wales did even less. A simple worry, with a less than easy fix going into a semi final.
The Analysis Guy 